IC-705 or what the Maestro should have been

EA4GLI

When I first bought the Maestro, pre-ordered based solely on hype, I thought it was genius! That was until I started using it to realize it was just a glorified tablet with a FlexControl attached to it. No bluetooth headset? No way of logging any contacts? Thin sound out of a **** microphone? Oh well, expensive little toy.

Back then (3 yrs ago) I thought, and even wrote about it, that the Maestro should have been a Flex 1500 replacement. A 5w QRP radio that allowed you to jump into the Flex SDR world. If you liked it, you could then buy a 6xxx and use it with the Maestro.

Imagine being able to take you maestro, with a battery inside and have a portable QRP radio with a screen!!..... Back then I would have been happy with HF alone.....

Move forward to today and Icom has presented the IC-705. A portable radio 5w (with internal battery) or 10w with 13,8v power source. HF VHF and UHF!!!

Bluetooth!! GPS for logging!! WiFI and LAN capable. Little screen to see the signals and even reception of air band! And for about the same price I paid for the Maestro back then.

I got a square nylon bag for transportation and paid extra for adjustable feet with my Maestro.

The IC-705 gets a cool backpack.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-51m9HR8mCY


With your purchase you get a whip antenna that works in VHF and UHF.

And the battery that works with the radio is the same one used in the ID51 and ID31 handhelds.


To think that the Maestro could have been that....and much more.....
Kenwood is out of the amateur world. Yaesu is producing **** like the 818 or the 891.
Icom is the only one producing exciting equipment with no significant competition from anyone.

Maybe it is the fact that I have not been able to enjoy my 6700 all Christmas season because I have a "license break" issue that Flex is unable to resolve... or maybe I am just tired of waiting for Flex to become what I thought it could be and I am finally ready to move to greener pastures.

The IC-705 definitely look cool and it might not be a surprise to see it up there in my wish list.

Doug

EA4GLI

I did and "Icom Doug" told me that I should have posted on the Flex forum....

Robert Kearbey

Sorry you just don’t get it Om. But if you had a 6xxx at home I can tell you how much fun it is away from home with my little laptop and maestro. Ft8, fldigi cw logbook etc.

Bill -VA3WTB

Why would he say to post on the Flex forum? the 705 is not a Flex product...du

EA4GLI

Bill -VA3WTB

Gene Duprey

EA4GLI

I have a trouble ticket opened with Flex Bill. I will give them the opportunity to fix it. 

EA4GLI

I've done my share of Maestro....


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7I3-4jcQa8

EA4GLI

And other means as well.....


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YF5h6ErMsKs

EA4GLI

As per the Tiny sound....
The original Maestros came with the FHM-1 which lacks the punch of the FHM-2 which might be what you are using with your Maestro.

I ended up with a modded microphone with a couple electret capsules in series which work "OK" with the Maestro.

EA4GLI

Neil D Friedman N3DF

Bill -VA3WTB

Robert Guertin

I'm not agreeing with his gripe but Flex should be pumping out software to keep the radio in the forefront of the industry. I'm assuming they have more than one programmer. I haven't seen an upgrade for a while.

EA4GLI

Perhaps because your promoting another product that they suggested to you to post it here? and you did for them.

You really need to pay more attention to the posts and reread them a few times before replying. I guess my comment *smiley included* flew way above.....

Bill -VA3WTB

Gene Duprey

I’m using a Yaesu microphone, my Maestro was a CPO unit and no microphone included.

N1DZ

Robert Guertin

Bill -VA3WTB

Robert, did you take part in the Flex customer survey a couple months ago. There were a number of selections on the survey from data collected from the most wanted features from Flex customers. So you see, the things we are asking for has not fallen on death ears at all. In the last statement from Flex some of those features have already been started. but we need to be fair here, some of those features will take a lot trial and much testing to get it ready for us. It takes time.

As for the amp? I too will never be able to buy an amp of that level. The PGXL is not one of the most expensive amps on the market, but it is not cheap either.

Paul - K6HR

You know what they say about 20/20 hindsight! It looks like the 705 was three years late!

David Pearson

HCampbell WB4IVF

EA4GLI

Finally, someone who can read my post without trying to pick a side! It is not about which radio is better... The post was about my own opinion on what Flex could have done... They just took a different approach.

EA4GLI

I have been using my flex 1500 while the 6700 gets fixed... What a fantastic receiver! I almost forgot how nice the NR is on that radio.

Doug

Doug told him nothing of the sorts. This post was started to cause trouble here and he has followed up after this with a lie saying I told him to post here. Nothing but a trouble maker.

Val DM1TX

EA4GLI

Not very sharp... I have 1800 post but I come here to make trouble?... FACE-PALM

Jon_EA2W