Brady :
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I have both the KX2 and the IC-705. They are both very good performers, but 99% of the time it is the KX2 that I grab for CW portable operating.?
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I often operate from a backpacking chair using a 3d-printed kneeboard with the KX2 attached. The convenience of having the internal ATU, an internal rechargeable battery and a rig-mounted paddle on a trail-friendly rig (controls on top) makes the KX2 my goto rig.? I have found that I can easily manage three approximately one-hour long CW POTA activations on a single battery charge as the radio is quite miserly.?
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The IC705 is really quite a nice QRP radio but it is a bit of brick IMHO (both in size and weight). I personally wouldn't take it to a beach as touchscreens and sand are not a great combination. It is awesome for picnic-table portable. I have the MAT-705 tuner which works well but I have to remember to charge the internal batteries in that too and to bring along two additional cables to connect it to the IC-705.?
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If you lean towards SOTA-style operating (i.e sitting on a rock, stump or the ground or a portable chair) then having everything in one small package that is in a trail-friendly format like the KX2, just can't be beat.? Of course if 160m, 6m, 2m, 70cm and DSTAR are must haves then the IC-705 is the right choice for you.?
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Cheers?
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Michael VE3WMB / VA2NB
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P.S. I bought my IC-705 first, but was still yearning for a trail-friendly radio with controls on top so I bought a Xiegu X6100. The Xiegu is really a cheap KX2/KX3 wannabe and succeeds at least partially but it is lacking in so many ways that after a year I sold it and bought the real-thing, the KX2.??
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P.P.S. Thomas, K4SWL has a good comparison video of KX2 vs IC-705 on his blog at QRPer.com at:
You might want to check that out.?
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