Overview

Radio Today Guide to the Icom IC-905

The Radio Today Guide to the Icom IC-905 by Andrew Barron, ZL3DW.

The Icom IC-905 is a remarkable transceiver with an innovative design that makes the microwave bands accessible to a broad range of amateur radio operators. To fully utilize this radio, it is essential to understand the challenges of operating at super-high frequencies. The Radio Today Guide to the Icom IC-905 by Andrew Barron, ZL3DW, is here to assist you.

This guide goes beyond the information provided in the supplied manuals. It serves as a comprehensive user's guide, offering step-by-step instructions on setting up and operating the radio across various modes, all from an operator's perspective. It includes detailed descriptions on configuring the transceiver for SSB operation, along with all relevant menu settings. Additionally, it provides instructions for CW, FM, RTTY, and DV (D-Star) operation, as well as guidance on using popular external digital mode programs, including WSJT-X for JT65 and FT8. For those interested in operating through the Es'hail-2 (QO-100) geostationary satellite transponders, a dedicated chapter covers this complex topic.

The IC-905 builds on the success of the IC-7300, IC-705, and IC-9700. Its controller is the same size as the IC-705, featuring a similar touchscreen display and nearly identical front panel layout. While the menu and function screens are alike, the internal components differ significantly. The IC-705 is a portable transceiver with internal batteries, whereas the IC-905 lacks RF modules or batteries, with all radio stages housed in an external RF unit. If this is your first SDR radio, you will appreciate the excellent spectrum and waterfall display. The 'FIX' spectrum mode, which allows you to preset the spectrum display to show a band segment up to 50 MHz wide on the high bands, is another exciting feature. There is much more to discover, and Andrew Barron provides all the necessary insights.

Whether you already own or are considering purchasing the Icom IC-905 for microwave operation or local repeater communication, this guide is the ideal resource for understanding its cutting-edge SDR technology, controls, and features.

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