New Icom X-026 announced

This just got teased by Icom for showcase at the forthcoming Hamvention, the Icom X-026.

Looks like it’s a /M radio but scant further information available at the minute. No sign of a 705 mk2 yet…

2 Likes

that one small picture also makes me think it looks hideous. Personal thoughts though. Can see it fitting into the modern chinese cars we get today with their large touch screens but thats about it.

The post is hardly choc full of information. I’m not sure why they didn’t post something meaningful.

1 Like

The only thing of interest there is the window antenna mount and antenna!

1 Like

On HF if you look at the rendering showing 40m band. A bit unusual.

I first thought it is a remote station ?will see

73 Joe

I wonder if the head unit will be completely wireless? The concept render, what brief a glimpse there is of it, is underwhelming I think.

So long as it is HF/VHF/UHF (and perhaps 905-esque SHF?) and all-mode, then that is okay! :laughing:

Really thought Icom would wheel out a 705 mk2 this year after the 7300 refresh. No signs of life from Kenwood yet either.

Any predictions for Yaesu? FTX-1a? FT-6D All Mode?

1 Like

The rendering is an AI generated mock-up by the magazine that published the article, I wouldn’t consider it authoritative.

If the (probably just rumours) data shown is near to correct, it looks like it may be the replacement for the aging IC-7100.

73 Ed.

1 Like

Hi Joe,

I suspect when HamLife told their AI engine to create a picture, rather than just have the ICOM / X-026 Logo, they told it to use a picture of an IC-7300 (or 705) display - hence the fact that it displays 40m.

73 Ed.

1 Like

This just got unveiled at Hamvention today. It is the same 3D printed mockup model. On closer inspection I personally think it looks like a 705mk2, with the party trick being the Optima-style 100w amplifier added on to it.

Anyone else catch the unveiling? The full launch is due to be at the Tokyo event later this year.

1 Like

I suppose that’s a cheap way to come up with a new mobile rig with minimal development costs.

2 Likes

Speculating entirely here but I’d imagine if it is a 705mk2 ‘Optima’ it would probably see USB C as standard, possibly 4 meters, and just make the whole head separation and switchibg between Optima and Field a whole lot slicker.

It can make delicious iced pistachio lattes and on Sundays whip up a batch of Coddle, or beef and Guinness stroganoff while singing Nessun Dorma for all I care. It isn’t worth a single penny though if it doesn’t do 270 CW and SSB as standard!

Imagine Yaesu and Icom actually gather together the stones to release a Mizuho / Big Jim-esque FT-6D / IC-53 all moder HT?

The shock might kill us all! :exploding_head:

1 Like

I saw the new mobile radio (Icom 5200), it has a TNC and APRS which you need to get a Firmware update to use, whether it is anygood, who knows!

1 Like

give me a kenwood with lots of buttons any day over new touch screen stuff and menus!
Oh god i’ve just realised. I’m getting old! :frowning:

7 Likes

Unfortunately, it seems JVC Kenwood moved out of the HF Amateur radio business several years ago. They occasionally turn up at the big Hamfests- Dayton, Friedrichshafen, etc. with an upgraded HT, but I don’t think we’ll ever see a new Kenwood HF (or HF/VHF/UHF) base station any more. They did make some nice rigs - my first HF radio was a TS-2000.

73 Ed.

3 Likes

It is a shame Ed as I always liked Kenwood/Trio gear. The Kenwood home page suggests you can get a TS-990/TS890/TS590 or TS-2000 but it looks like only the TS-890 is still available new in the UK. Probably some in dealer stock rooms.

1 Like

Yes, that’s right…

Kenwood only offers the TH-D75E and the TS-890 now… I also think they’re withdrawing from the amateur radio market.

I always liked the high-quality feel of Kenwood radios. But that costs money, and people aren’t paying for it anymore. When I look at the cheap knobs and dials on these devices, it makes me sick. All they care about is flashy lights… The displays and software are just incredibly cheap. Mechanical components are expensive.

What a shame. - Armin

4 Likes

other than a yaesu mark 5 field and ft2000 and ft817 i have exclusively used kenwood HF rigs and by a huge margin their audio is so much easier to listen to all day especially when running a special event station or JOTA. Kenwoods were the rig of choice for amateurs when i was gowing up and my parents ran JOTA so every year from about 6 years old i would sit and listen to a kenwood ts870. I now have a ts480 which hardly gets used as i dont have any antenna up at home. y first HF rig when i got licensed was a kenwood ts-50 and i miss that rig too. very easy and simple to use but great kenwood rig and not very big either. TS570 i used when i was an operator for GB5EJ and we had a ts2000 which was great too but a lot more buttons than the 570. Id love a TS590SG or a TS-2000. I dont think other than my ft817 id ever buy a yaesu the sound isnt nice to me.

Pity they are leaving the market. They will be missed. But give me a radio with buttons and dials and knobs over a touch screen anyday.