Steve, I agree with you. 705 + T1 is the best match. It is true, a resonant antenna is better, but it is not always possible to bring different antennas and the best installation is not always possible
I have the MAT tuner for my ICOM IC-705. Works great with the Buddipole, as well as my 9:1 end feed wire. I'd prefer a manual tuner... probably next acquisition.
I agree. I use only resonant EFHW antennas in the field, and even at my QTH. One less piece of costly equipment to lug around. I use Spiderbeam telescope poles of various lengths. I just bought the 7 meter long version to lighten the load when I go portable. I have a Yaesu FT-891 for portable work. Yaesu really dropped the ball by not incorporating a soundcard for a one cable connection to a laptop or Raspi, like Icom offers. Oh well, live and learn.
I also use mono-band EFHW antennas from the German company www.lambdahalbe.de. The habe an adjustable stub to actually tune the antenna to resonance. The rig's SWR meter is accurate enough for that purpose. A "tuner" is not necessary.
Sure David! I see. It's just a problem of space. All my kit with 705 and T1 fits into a small camera bag (including antenna and tuner). I have had an 817 and an 857 for 10 years: I know that set-up well. I can assure you it's not the same. The 891 is still a great radio but it's a very different thing. The 705 should be compared to an 817
Hello and thank you, I am impatiently awaiting the T1 she will Complete mon yaesu FT818 for of the qrp on the litoral big thank you for this tutorial Marciano F8CII Nantes France https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pornic
I have been using the T1 for years as a way to interface the output from my K3 to the grids of my KWS-1 finals in order to use it as an amplifier. It works great and has been very reliable. Using it I can drive my KWS-1 to full output driving it with less than 400 mw! K2JVB
Hello everyone I am also waiting for the T1 I will be able to switch to qrp on the coast here conditions (ft818, MP1 antenna and long wire) 73 qro Marciano F8CII
You state that the T1 is a bit pricey but then recommend another tuner that is $100 more than the T1. What does the AH-705 do that the T1 doesn't? Is it the water resistance?
LDG Z-100A 6.5 x 6.5 x 1.25" (LWH) ~52.81 cu. in. - 24 oz. LDG Z-100 Plus 5.5 x 5.5 x 1.5" (LWH) ~45.28 cu. in. - 20 oz. Icom AH-705 7.5 x 4.1 x 1.6" (LWH) ~49.2 cu. in. - 15.8 oz. Both LDG tuners are good for up to 125W CW/SSB, 30W digital. No spec. for power on Icom site's AH-705 page.
I use the LDG Z817 myself and found it to be a good value for QRPers. 20 watts for SSB and CW, 5 watts digital. It's 9.3 oz. without batteries and no issues in over two years of use. I don't know if anyone is using it with the IC-705 but I think it would be a good fit. As of this writing the T1 (assembled) is double the money of an LDG Z817. The T1 is certainly smaller and lighter but twice the price unless you buy it in kit form which does save you $40 off the assembled price.
The challenge and thrill of getting on the air and making contacts across the nation (or world, for that matter) with 5 watts or less just can't be beat.