Elecraft KX2 vs Icom IC-705: Which Portable Radio Wins?

These two radios get compared endlessly on forums and for good reason — they're the top choices for serious portable operators. But they're fundamentally different tools solving the same problem in different ways.

Street prices in this article were checked in August 2026 and move around; verify with a dealer such as HRO, DX Engineering, or GigaParts before you buy.

I've used both extensively (own the IC-705, borrowed a KX2 for a month from a club member). Here's the honest comparison from actual field use, not spec sheet reading.

The Quick Summary

Elecraft KX2 Icom IC-705 Power 10W 10W Bands 80m-10m (HF only) 160m-70cm (HF+VHF+UHF) Weight (with battery) 0.9 lbs 2.2 lbs Display Small monochrome LCD 4.3" color touchscreen + waterfall Modes SSB, CW, Data SSB, CW, AM, FM, DV (D-STAR), Data Built-in tuner Yes (included) Optional ($200 extra) Price ~$900 ~$1,300 Receiver Exceptional Very good CW experience Purpose-built, outstanding Good but not optimized

Our roundup of the best portable radios for POTA and SOTA covers the rigs that suit field work.

Weight: KX2 Wins Decisively

For SOTA (Summits on the Air) where every ounce in your pack matters over a multi-mile hike: the KX2 weighs literally less than half the IC-705.

0.9 lbs vs 2.2 lbs doesn't sound like much until you're 4 miles into a mountain trail with 2,000 feet of elevation gain. My SOTA friends who hike serious peaks overwhelmingly choose the KX2. The weight difference is equivalent to leaving behind your water bottle.

For POTA where you walk 50 feet from your car to a picnic table: weight is irrelevant. Both are "portable enough."

Receiver Performance: KX2 Edges Ahead

Elecraft's roots are in contest-grade receivers. The KX2's front-end filtering and dynamic range punch way above what a sub-1-lb radio should deliver. On a crowded 20m contest weekend, the KX2 handles adjacent-signal rejection slightly better than the IC-705.

In practice? For POTA and casual portable operating, I honestly can't tell the difference. Both pull weak signals out of the noise effectively. The KX2's edge shows up when you're trying to hear a weak station next to a strong one — a specific contest/DX scenario.

CW: KX2 by a Mile

The KX2 was built for CW operators. The built-in keyer, message memories, full break-in QSK, CW decoder, and tight 50Hz filters make it a CW machine that happens to do SSB.

The IC-705 does CW fine. But the interface, the ergonomics, the filter granularity — it's optimized for SSB/digital and CW is "also included." If CW is your primary mode for portable work: KX2 without question.

Digital Modes: IC-705 Wins

Bluetooth audio + CAT control. Pair with a phone. Run Pocket FT8. No cables.

The KX2 requires a physical cable connection for audio and a serial connection for CAT. Works fine, but it's more stuff to carry and set up.

The IC-705's WiFi remote operation also means you can control it from a tablet without being physically next to the radio. Set up the antenna and radio, then operate from inside your tent if it's raining. Try that with a KX2.

VHF/UHF: IC-705 Exclusively

The KX2 is HF-only. If you want satellite contacts, 2m simplex, 70cm repeaters, or VHF weak-signal work — the IC-705 is your only option here. It's not even a comparison in this category.

For POTA activators who get their 10 HF contacts then switch to 2m for a satellite pass or some VHF contacts: the IC-705 does it all without a second radio.

The Waterfall Factor

The IC-705's 4.3" color waterfall display shows you the band visually. See where activity is. Spot pile-ups. Identify mode types by their waterfall pattern.

The KX2 has a tiny monochrome bargraph. You tune by ear.

For some people (me included) the waterfall is the single most valuable feature of the IC-705. It transforms portable operating from blind tuning to visual hunting. Others don't care — they've tuned by ear for decades and a display is just battery drain.

This is personal preference, not objective advantage.

Battery Life

KX2: Internal rechargeable pack lasts 6-8 hours of mixed operation at 10W. External AA pack available as backup. Phenomenal efficiency.

IC-705: Internal BP-272 lasts 2-3 hours. BP-307 extends to 4 hours. Most users carry an external LiFePO4 pack anyway.

The KX2 lasts an entire summit activation and drive home without external power. The IC-705 basically requires external battery for anything longer than a quick activation. For weight-conscious SOTA: this matters a lot.

Build Quality

KX2: All-aluminum chassis, mil-spec feel. Designed to be tossed in a pack and survive. Knobs are small but precise. It feels like a precision instrument.

IC-705: Good build quality but the touchscreen is a vulnerability. Screen protector mandatory. The plastic knobs feel less premium than the KX2's aluminum. I'm more careful with the IC-705 in the field.

Built-in Tuner

KX2: included, handles up to 10:1 SWR. The KXAT2 tuner matches basically anything. Random wire? No problem. Throw any piece of metal out there and the KX2 will match it.

IC-705: optional AH-705 ($200 extra). Narrower matching range. And you're paying $200 for something the $900 KX2 includes.

This drives IC-705 owners (including me) insane. On a $1,300 radio, Icom should include the tuner.

Who Should Buy Which

Buy the KX2 if:

• CW is your primary portable mode
• Weight is critical (serious hiking, SOTA, backpacking)
• You only need HF
• Battery life without external packs matters
• You value receiver performance over visual display

Buy the IC-705 if:

• You want VHF/UHF + HF in one radio
• Digital modes via phone pairing appeals to you
• The waterfall display is important to your operating style
• You operate POTA (short walks from car, weight less critical)
• You want D-STAR, FM, AM — more mode versatility

Buy both if:

• You're already down this rabbit hole deep enough that you're comparing $900 and $1,300 radios for fun. At that point, you know what you want and you probably want both for different situations.

I know four people who own both. None of them regret either purchase.