AH-705 is an interesting accessory designed for Icom’s revolutionary RTX IC-705. AH-705 is an antenna tuner which covers the bands from 1.8 MHz to 50 MHz depending on the antenna in use. With a 30 m, 98.4 ft or longer antenna, performance is guaranteed from 1.8 to 54 MHz while with a 7 m, 23 ft or longer antenna it can be used to tune antennas from 3.5 to 54 MHz. Maximum input power is 10W, making it suitable for QRP operations.
The Tuner features 45 memories to quickly recall tuning settings per frequencies, and is capable to tune the antenna usually in 2-3 seconds, with a maximum 15 seconds time.
The antenna connector is a SO-239 for a 50 Ohm antenna suitable for antennas such as dipole or Yagi. There is also a convenient connector-adapter for connecting a simple wire antenna.
The tuner can be powered by in-built alkaline batteries or by an external 13.8 volt power supply (which must be taken from a dedicated power supply, not from the IC-705).
The tuner is housed in a rugged IP54 enclosure that protects it from dust and water. However, it is advisable to use tape or a special cover to prevent unwanted water ingress from the RF connectors. Operation is fully automatic and is activated by pressing the TUNER button on the IC-705.
The external dimensions are 190x105x40 mm and the weight is about 450 grams, definitely suitable for portable use.
AH-705 price is currently 335 Euro,
