ICOM IC-705

Remember when I said “maybe” I’d do something with my license this decade? Turns out I actually meant it.

I bought an ICOM IC-705. And a Xiegu XPA125B amplifier to go with it. And a power supply to run the whole thing. The slippery slope of amateur radio gear acquisition is real, folks.

For the antenna, I strung up an end-fed half-wave from a pole I attached to the chimney down to the back of the yard. It’s not pretty, but it works. Thankfully I don’t have an HOA!

The result? Over a hundred contacts on FT4 and FT8 so far. Digital modes only for me. I have very little interest in actually talking to people. Ew. Gross. Why would I want to have awkward conversations with strangers when I can let my computer exchange signal reports with their computer instead?

This is the introvert’s dream version of ham radio. My rig talks to their rig. Pleasantries are exchanged. Nobody has to make small talk about the weather or their antenna farm. Perfect.