Xiegu G90 vs Icom IC-705 (2026)
The short answer
The G90 gives you 20 watts and a built-in antenna tuner for roughly a third of the price, which is the practical portable radio for someone who wants to make HF contacts from a park. The IC-705 gives you 5 or 10 watts, a superb receiver, VHF and UHF, digital modes and Bluetooth, and no tuner. Buy the G90 if the goal is contacts on a budget. Buy the IC-705 if the goal is one radio that does everything.
At a glance
| Xiegu G90 HF Transceiver | Icom IC-705 Portable Transceiver | |
|---|---|---|
| Output power | 20 W | 5 W on internal battery, 10 W external |
| Built-in antenna tuner | Yes | No |
| Bands covered | HF and 6m | HF through 70cm |
| Spectrum display | Small colour scope | Large touchscreen scope |
| Internal battery | No | Yes |
| Price | Lower | Much higher |
Choose the Xiegu G90 HF Transceiver if…
You want to work HF away from home without spending base station money. Twenty watts is a meaningful step above five when conditions are poor, and the built-in tuner means a compromise portable antenna becomes usable without carrying another box. For parks activations and field days on a budget this is a great deal of radio for the money. Our full Xiegu G90 review covers what that wide range tuner actually matches, and where the receiver shows its price.
Bring a battery and know your consumption. There is no internal cell, so a small LiFePO4 pack and a way of monitoring voltage are part of the kit rather than optional. Also remember that maximum permitted power and which bands you may use are set by your licence class and your regulator, so check before assuming twenty watts is available to you everywhere.
Check Xiegu G90 HF Transceiver on Amazon
Choose the Icom IC-705 Portable Transceiver if…
You want a single radio that covers HF, VHF and UHF, runs on its own battery, handles digital voice and connects to a phone or computer without adapters. The receiver is genuinely excellent and the touchscreen scope is close to what a base radio offers. For a go-kit that must cover everything, it is hard to beat. The Icom IC-705 review sets out the battery and antenna planning the price does not cover.
The missing tuner is the practical catch, and an external one adds cost, bulk and another thing to carry, which erodes some of the appeal. Five watts from the internal battery is also a real constraint on a poor band, so plan on a resonant antenna and patience, or an external supply for the full ten watts.
Check Icom IC-705 Portable Transceiver on Amazon
Related
Comparison based on published manufacturer specifications and the general consensus of owner reports. We have not tested these products side by side. Confirm current specifications and prices before buying. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
Common questions
Questions people ask about this
Is five or ten watts enough for HF contacts?
Often yes, particularly on digital modes and CW, and low power operating has a substantial following for exactly that reason. On voice during poor conditions it can be frustrating. The antenna does more than the power: a resonant wire in a tree at low power will outperform a short whip at higher power in most circumstances.
What is the difference between the power limits in different countries?
Maximum permitted power, and which bands and modes you may use, are set by each national regulator and often by licence class within that. A radio capable of twenty watts does not grant permission to use twenty watts on every band. Check your own licence conditions and band plan, and note that these change from time to time.
Do I need a tuner for portable operating?
It depends entirely on the antenna. A resonant dipole or an end fed half wave cut for the band needs no tuner. A short whip, a random wire, or an antenna used away from its design band almost certainly does. Portable antennas are usually compromises, which is why a built-in tuner is such a practical feature.
How long will a portable HF radio run on a battery?
Work it out from receive current, transmit current and duty cycle rather than guessing. Receiving draws a fraction of what transmitting does, and most operating is receiving. A modest lithium pack will typically cover a several hour activation at low power, but a long high power session on digital modes is a different calculation.
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Disclaimer Researched guidance for planning purposes, not professional engineering, electrical or legal advice. Antenna work, RF exposure, mast and tower work, grounding and battery handling all carry real risk that depends on your specific site and installation. Verify anything safety-critical against current FCC rules, the National Electrical Code and the manufacturer's own documentation, and hire a professional where the job calls for one. We research equipment from published specifications, regulatory documents and verified owner reviews rather than claiming hands-on testing we have not done.