Many thanks to James (KI5OEB) who shares the following field report:
My First POTA Activation with a New Radio
by James (KI5OEB)
I decided, thanks to the influence of many people, mainly Thomas K4SWL and Steve KM9G, to purchase my first-ever new transceiver. I purchased an ICOM IC-705 from a retailer that had an open box item for sale. This was just before the 2025 Dayton Hamvention, when the new Yaesu FTX-1F was to be premiered. Many hours of evaluating specifications and performance numbers went into my decision, with a bit of influence from other videos as well. Most of the video footage that is available is actually from four years ago when this radio was first released.
Before going into the field, I unboxed the transceiver and made a few clicks on the new transceiver. I charged the attached battery during the week prior to use. A few other things I did were to prep an Apache Case and make sure I had the appropriate external batteries. I wanted to be ready to take this out for a successful first park activation.
Last Saturday, Memorial Day Weekend, I had some free time at about noon to go to a park, POTA US-7687 Drummond Flats Wildlife Management Area, to give this radio its maiden activation. It takes less than 20 minutes to drive there from my house, so this is my second most frequent location for activating. The site is a zero noise floor site on any band, which I have observed in the past, and today was no different.
Some quick history, I have a few years under my belt using both ICOM and Yaesu transceivers. I still ask others about things, but I can usually figure it out if given enough time. I have regularly used IC-7600, IC-7100, IC-706 MKIIG and IC-703+ transceivers with success. My standard antenna setups are 40m-10m EFHW from Coffee and Ham Radios with a 10m mast for a sloper configuration, 17’ Chameleon Whip on a Spike, and if I’m going to be activating for a longer time I use a DX Commander Classic 40m – 10m.
Today was only going to be a short, 1 to 3 hour activation, giving plenty of time for the QRP Single Side Band propagation to get out and be heard, much like I have done with the IC-703+ in the past. I set up the CHA-17 on the spike like normal, driving the 18” spike into the hard dirt with a hatchet from the truck. Nothing difficult, just spread out the nine radials on two crimped alligator clips, raise the mast for 17m to start, connect the RG-8x, and I was ready.
Next, I hooked up the external battery to the new transceiver, but wait, I need to make sure the nanoVNA has the perfect tune for 17m. Let me think, the IC-705 has an SWR sweep function like the IC-7100, let’s try that first and see. Bam, first try I was near 1:1 throughout the entire 17m band.
I placed the microphone and transceiver on the table where I’m set up and ready to go. Opened the screen to start the logging software on the laptop. Opened my phone to the POTA APP and self-spotted. I’m ready, but I’m not. In the 10 minutes it took to set up all the things I wanted to use, I got warm in the midday sun. So, I put the tailgate down, slid the canopy out, and proceeded to put up my 10×10 Sun shade, to include 16” nail spikes on each corner for the wind. Placed the beverage tote next to my chair, and now I was ready.
I turned the transceiver back on and listened. Okay I don’t know how to really run this new gadget, but it probably needs AF gain and RF gain, that is the same knob on this radio. Yes, they were nearly zero; now, with a flick of the knob, they are at 60% each. I am concerned that the waterfall is not showing signals. Well, it was learn as you go day here in the park, but the gain being raised made a difference on the waterfall, too. I saw a few faint signals; this will be okay. I hit the center/fix button and have the entire 17m band in view. Looking at the POTA APP, there are only two stations besides me on the band.
I zeroed in on an open spot that wasn’t being occupied and listened for about a minute. I asked a few times, like I’m supposed to, to find if the frequency was in use, but I heard nothing. Spotted that frequency, and we are off. I called CQ for over five minutes, and no reply. Then, I got two contacts back-to-back! Cool! This is going to be easy. Nope, someone moved in 1k below me and made it impossible. I moved up 3k and listened. Spotted on The POTA APP and started calling. Then, I get a few more contacts, and another intruder moved in above me this time by 2k. So I moved down 7k, to complete my activation. Frustrated a bit, but i now had 10 contacts and that was an activation.
So, I decided to move into the 20m space and hunt there for a bit. Went and extended the 17’ whip and got back to the radio to verify. I did something wrong on the screen, so no worries, I still have the nanoVNA handy, and Bam SWR near 1:1 again this time on the 20m band.
I was ready to hunt now. I did a little fiddling with the screen to let me see the Center instead of the fixed view from 17m. 20m band is packed with signals from 14.225 MHz through the top of the band edge at 14.350 MHz. This should be easy, but I’m hunting QRP!
After zero contacts, I wound up selecting a frequency between two QRO stations and parked on 14.291 MHz. I managed to make quite a few contacts here for the next 30 minutes. Great fun, and I had an ‘almost’ pile-up. Then, for 15 minutes, I used the spots page to find other stations.
In the end, I had made 38 contacts in two hours and twenty minutes. The real takeaway, though, was a realization that this is the finest receiver I have ever used. Through the front-firing speaker, I heard stations that I know no other radio in my collection would receive. I had to adjust my AF gain many times due to the fact that a 100-watt station sounded like they were sitting next to me, yelling. Then, I would hear a whisper, turn up the gain, and talk to a station in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan from Oklahoma, that is a big ask for 10 watts. In those 38 contacts, I was amazed, learning new things about the technology that allows a serious communication jump. This only took 38 contacts and a little over two hours.
If I am asked which transceiver I recommend to an amateur operator, I can’t say any other transceiver than the IC-705. This was a huge eye-opener for me. I hope other people in our hobby/service get the opportunity to use such modern equipment. Please, folks, take the time in the near future to peel the plastic off something new or at least go to a retailer or hamfest to try something new!
James Popham KI5OEB
Good job, James. In the field it’s a learn on-the-fly adventure and you definitely up’d curve with a new radio. Drummond Flats Wildlife Management Area, US-7687, is a good testing ground. Nice write-up on you your activation.
Randy, N5ilq
Love my 705…. people are shocked when I say 10 watts.
Great story Jim,
Keep up the good work and keep Sharing. Your activation was successful and very professional.
John KM4DPW
Great article! Thank you for sharing.
I like your writing style and how you get into the details of what and how you did things. I’m curious, when you were listening and making contacts did you make any other adjustments to the radio settings aside from RF/AF?
As a person who also has an IC-705 I appreciated every comment. That said, I’ve only used mine for CW (where it does great). I’ve never dared use it on SSB, thinking that 10 watts is just not sufficient. Reading your post, I thought maybe SSB is worth a try
Thank you for your flowing description and encouragement. ..Roger n4gf
Roger: Works a treat on SSB too! Try it, just don’t let anyone know you are operating QRP unless they ask.
Will do
One of my most memorable SSB contacts was from a 705 at 10w from Providence, RI park to park from a British operator on 20m. I’ll never forget that one. But 10w on SSB is plenty. You can do loads at 5w too.
James – your good experience under indifferent conditions is exactly why this radio has established itself as a very competitive entry in that niche. I love mine and use it portable, SOTA, and just for fun. Since my 7300 is misbehaving on digital at present, I have been using it on digital modes as well as a benchtop radio. It is a versatile little beast. Enjoy!
Thank you for the encouraging remarks!
The RF gain I settled on was 80%, but I don’t know if that is correct or not. The AF went up and down, as low as 40% for a contact packing power and 80% for the faint signals. Also, I should tell that the Preamp 1 was on for most of the time. I have learned that the waterfall can be adjusted easily as well from the REF. I hope to continue writing for this site if I can as I adventure through learning CW. I am still working through the alphabet so be patient.
Great article! I know for my own CW adventure I was much more active at a younger age ( ok a MUCH younger age!) and trying to get my proficiency back I treat it like any other foreign language – a little each day. I make a habit of listening to one of the ARRL website code practice sessions on my phone or laptop each day. It might not even be ten minutes but the regular exposure helps to program it in.
Hi James, I notice that you have a MacBook on the table. Have a look at SDR-Control by Marcus Roskosh, it’s available in the App Store for Mac, iPad and iPhone.
It will operate wirelessly with your 705 either via your home network or with the 705 in access point mode out in the field.
Have a look on his website for the full feature list, but it includes full control of the 705 with on screen waterfall, built in logging, FT8, CW decode and TX Macros, DX Cluster.
It will even support your 7300 from your MacBook via USB.
Unfortunately there is no trial version, but there are online reviews. I have no connection with the author of the software, just a satisfied customer. The 705 is a great rig though without the additional software. 73 – Nick G0OQK
I have to second Nick’s comments about SDR-Control. It is in use here on iPad and iPhone (no Mac). It’s behavior and seamless. I occasionally use WF-View from the Dell laptop which still has rough edges and a less pleasing UI. Marcus has done a spectacular job. Like Nick I am just a happy customer.