1st Station Radio try the Icom 7300 (

[@daviddelaney363]

Great channel Dave! Learning lots. I just purchased my first radio. I bought an IC-7300 on 9/1/2023 from our local HRO in Plano, TX. The list price was $1,399.00. There was a mfr coupon for $300 and a mail in rebate for $100. So the real price came to $1000 .

[@Dap8998]

I just got my Technician license a few weeks ago and will be taking the general this week. I have been looking at radios and am on the fence between the Icom 7300 and the yaesu FT-991A. This really helps. Thanks 👍

[@cmillerphotos]

I was into CB radio in the late 1970s and always admired the "big boys" in the ham radio world. Finally at 61 years old I'm finally getting into ham radio! Passed my Technician and General tests on February 4th of this year. Dove in with an Anytone AT-578UVIII UHF/VHF radio, and seriously looking at a 7300 as my HF rig. (Studying for my Extra ticket now... hopefully taking that test first weekend in April.) This video came across my feed at the perfect time. Can't thank you enough! Count me in on the "old dogs new tricks" club! 🙂

[@Col_Sanders]

I just picked up a 7300, and am very excited about it. Thanks for the help Dave. You have the absolute best Ham Radio KZbin channel!

[@jeromemckenna7102]

I got my ham license a few days before my 69th birthday. My wife and I love ham radio.

[@ronwolenski-n8wcr]

You are 100% correct. If you go for the cheaper price 20w radios as your first radio, you will only get frustrated, and that's not good for a new ham. The 7300 is not a entry level radio but it it a great radio to start with because you are going to use it for a long time. The 718 is an entry level radio, but you will soon outgrow that where you won't outgrow the 7300. Spend the little extra money, get the 7300. If later you want to play around, then get the G90 as another radio. Good video explaining this!

[@roberts3942]

My first HF rig was the Icom 7300 and I have had it for six months. Great value. Its menu is easy to understand and navigate. Icom tech support is excellent and you talk to a real person in the USA. I got my first license right before my 75th birthday.

[@kennyhowell1537]

David, first congratulations on your Sport Pilot Ticket AWESOME! Last month Oct. 2022 I celebrated the 50th anniversary of getting my pilot's license at age 18 so, I truly understand the pride and joy you must feel. I'm still flying and love it more everyday. I've also been out of HAM for over 25 yrs but thanks to friends encouraging me I've decided to get my Tech. license again. Because I found you on KZbin I've joined ARRL, bought the new HAM RADIO LICENSE MANUAL and taking your online course. THANK YOU! If you would like some fun flying tips please ask anytime. Happy Flying and 73s Kenny

[@Jeffsharkcove]

I was out of ham radio for 50 years and got back in this year. 40 of those 50 years spent in electronics/embedded engineering. You and your contemporary youtubers hooked me in and here I am. As for my rig(s) I got a X6100 first (because I can fool around with the linux system). For my "big" rig it came down to either the 7300 or the DX10. Again, after watching every video and reading articles on both, I went with the DX10 and I love it. It's more than I'll ever need anyway. If I ever get to POTA, the X6100 is there. I also have built my own antennas because it's actually fun. So, to your viewer who wonders about the 50-year hiatus, I say go for it. PS I can still send 18 wpm, but I don't think I could even read 5. LOL. I rag chew. 73++

[@halledwardb]

I told my 14 yr old daughter at field day that if she got her general KO4SGN I would get her a radio. She now has a shinny new general and a 7300. She is learning code now. She loves the radio. 11 yearold daughter is working on General, maybe testing next week.

[@miket7184]

Extra by end of 2022 😄

[@halledwardb]

@@miket7184 Maybe, the 11 and 14 yr will be able to study together for it so might be quick.

[@W7LDT]

Very good advice, Dave.

[@markchase5323]

In 1976, myself and a buddy were ready to take the exam for General & I was able to copy 17 wpm. Life and logistics got in the way so that wasn't accomplished. So, a few years ago, I passed the 2, 3 & 4 exams. I too, selected the Icom 7300. Now, I'm getting ready to put it to use. AG7YT.

[@williambarrett70]

I was off several years. Combination of illness and and having to buy another station after my old gear was stolen! Thanks Dave and 73. WW5MB

[@williambarrett70]

Thanks!

[@Bdub1952]

I'm a 7-land ham since '94 and put my 80's era Kenwood TS-440SAT up on the shelf two and a half years ago when I bought the G90. I've had the time of my life with the G90 making contacts all over the world using my MFJ-2010 OCFD (reference antenna) at 24'. I've received great signal and audio reports over these last two and a half years, even from DX stations in Eu and Au. Chinese-product bashing aside, the G90 has been a pleasure to use. It has a top notch internal tuner, very good selectivity options and draws little current. The big drawback for me is the soft front end in my RF rich (multiple local AM stations) environment. Judicious use of the attenuator and RF gain switch is required, and rewarded. That said, six weeks ago I took the step and upgraded to a Yaesu FTDX10 specifically because of our challenging RF environment. I had hopes that the hybrid design with the superhet front end could conquer our heavy RF environment and it has. Rock solid front end, nearly unequaled sensitivity, world class dynamic range and a whole host of very effective noise reduction options. If you can step up to a FTDX10, it might just be the last HF transceiver you'll ever need. However, in spite of its drawbacks, I also consider my G90 a great value. It has brought me many hours of FB QSOs.

[@AC3HT]

Over the years, I had two IC-718's . Good, little radio for the casual operator. Older design, but does have features such as I. F. shift and DSP. Not a contesting radio by any means and can be a bit tough on a crowed CW band. It's a 100 watt radio that gets the job done overall, with thousands or QSO's made, was never sorry using one. Having said that, it's a good choice for the price. The IC-7300 is a huge step up and probably would be a better choice, but is a bit more pricy (well worth it though). 73, AC3HT

[@AlanElBee]

Great video Dave. Got licensed in 1976 and love radios like most of us do. My 7300 is a thing of beauty and I marvel what it and other modern radios are capable of vs. 1970s radios. The bigger the waterfall display, the better, say my old eyes! thanks again. K7KS

[@zvpunry1971]

So going full SDR is the way to go. On a smaller budget, you can try the Hermes Lite 2 SDR. It is a small QRP Transceiver that allows you to play with all the features of the bigger (and also much more expensive) SDR transceivers. A cheaper solution is, adding an IF output to some existing radio and use a separate SDR receiver for the waterfall. Even cheaper, using a separate SDR receiver directly but on a separate antenna that is far enough away from the transmit antenna to get enough isolation to not fry the SDR. Some radios, like the TS-590SG already have an IF output, so if you have such a radio, just add the SDR. The cheapest solution is using other peoples receivers via websdr or kiwisdr. In all cases you need a computer with a nice large display.

[@quaildogusa]

I'm 76 and got my license last month :) KV5WLG

[@thomaskilburn3111]

Kids and work kept me out of Ham radio for a long time but now that I am retired I have time. I bought a Icom 718 for my first radio and then a Icom 7300 after a few years. Both are great radios and great for the beginners. For antenna I used ham sticks. Later I made a magnet loop. Being in a retirement home the mag loop works quite well. Concrete and steel restricts the kind of antenna I can use. The loop requires retuning every time I change frequency but I don't mind. I'm on the air. From DFW area to Florida is a norm before sunrise. 200 to 400 miles after sunrise. 40 to 20 meters. There are ways to get on the air. Hams are always able to make communication. Keep on the sunny side of the grass. AF5AG.

[@ricksshop]

I second the advice for getting a 100 watt radio. I bought a Yaesu FT891. Logic was it gets you on HF with 100 watts, and then goes in your vehicle when you buy a fancy shack rig.

[@alexthelion335]

A couple years ago my dad and I upgraded to general. We got a used IC 718, and I would definitely recommend it! We were able to get on the air for about $500(including radio, tuner and antenna)!

[@wilcrockett7069]

Great advice! I am a Icom fan, that's all I've ever owned, my Elmer didn't like Yeasu radios. BTW I served a mission in South Africa, 1967-1970.

[@cornbread-KO5RN]

CORNBREAD, HELLO DAPPER DAN

[@kd8opi]

Frankly, this is as close to a no-brainer recommendation that’s ever been made. The 7300 is a great HF rig, modern, full featured, 100w, and you were able to get it for $999 before inflation hit this past year. I’d get this rig for hf and a cheap dual-banner ht. If you can spend a bit more, the DX10 is probably a bit better on receive - but only a teeny tiny bit- and you’d probably never appreciate it 99.9% of the time. Try both and buy the one you like operating better. You may never need to upgrade, that’s how good these “starter rigs” are.

[@NatesRandomVideo]

The 7300 is rock solid. With the pribe parity almost the same now, also consider the FT-DX10. It’s nearly just a matter of user interface preference right now.

[@glenmartin2437]

Thank you,Dave. N0QFT

[@MarkPeeren]

In Canada Radio World in Toronto has 7300's for 1500 CND. In Canada your licence does not expire. Go to the government of Canada website and look up your call sign and see if your still registered.

[@mattstosh6960]

There is a LOT of moderately priced and newer-ISH radio gear from Silent Keys Out there. Contact your local radio club and "put out the word'. I recently purchased a FT-857D (used 5 hours) for $400 (for my truck) and a brand new Icom IC-706KIIG for $100. In lieu of lightly used gear then the 7300 is an excellent purchase. as is he FT-991A. See you on the air ?

[@seankm6nfo990]

The Ic 705 is 10 watts max. I really enjoy my g90. 73!

[@Brendan8440]

Speaking of 50 years ago, the Heathkit HW-7 was sold at the same price point as the Xiegu X5105 sells for today, adjusting for inflation. Yes, ham radios are expensive but the value proposition has never been better than it is now. And for you youngsters, the HW-7 was a kit!

[@davidmayer2082]

Dave, at about 10:30 you say that you recommend the Icom 7310 as a first radio. Of course, you meant the 7300, right?

[@davecasler]

yes

[@timsmith428]

..for those who think radio is expensive, do a time/inflation calculator. What a TS520 cost in 1976 is about $3700 today. Look at what $3700 would get you today. No comparison..

[@needhelp2453]

Dave, I have a question. How did you get the band scope and the audio scope on the screen at the same time?

[@stephen1711]

I'm guessing the IC-7310 is a new version of the 7300.. QSL?

[@moondog_radio]

I think he misspoke.

[@Porco_Utah]

only bad thing about IC-718 is CW filter Icom FL52A is no longer available, without CW filter, CW is tough to operate. FT-891 a little over $600, may be better choice, it has FM, DSP CW filter 500Hz come with the radio, 50 MHz, and general coverage. and 100 watts. AG6JU

[@gahvno]

7310?

[@chrishallock8596]

I would take the yaesu ft-dx10 over a 7300 any day. More features and nicer radio for just a little more cash.

[@jpipod1]

IC-7100 are a good option

[@bentrider1972]

Sorry sir but the Icom ic-705 is NOT 20 watts..It is only 10 watts..And in my book then only real "limits" on making contacts with qrp are those you put on yourself..A 100 watts and junk antenna vs 10 watts and good antenna and my money is on the 10 watts..Many times on my 817nd my 818nd or my 705 people think i'm on something like the 7300..I do use portable antennas when portable but NOT things like a EFHW tossed 20 feet in a tree..Put any qrp rig on a good antenna like a hex beam or a BigIR Vertical and I dont think anyone will notice that much..I started on a 817nd when I first got my ham tag..NO I do not think anyone should go qrp for a first rig..But to say it is any harder to make contacts with a qrp rig its not..Antenna Antenna Antenna!!!!..A good antenna set up the way it should be with good coax with everything like you would for any radio base..Anything else and yes you will have a hard time..Just like at youtube and watch qrp videos and you will see everything from people yelling into the mike to people making easy contacts..Then look at the antenna each is useing and you can see how the most the easy contacts are done with good antennas

[@PhantomWoIf]

Icom IC-7300 is best🤴. the yaesus have cheap a/d converters, they will never sound that good like the 7300. the 7300 has industry quality a/d converter and sounds better. sherwood doesnt contain any measure for that, so the yaesus appear on top of the sherwood list, which can be missleading to people. the dynamic range of the 7300 is high already, ssb speech is detailed and clear. by the way, "og" reminds me gog, the same mentioned in the Bible. ah yes, that 718, that has a low dynamic range like the 891, those can not sound detailed and clear, not good. i heard guys with their xiegu sdr, those chineses sdr dont sound bad. have a look into that sdr "red pitaya", i heard a guy with that, that thing makes a great modulation in ssb. i want to see a 7310, would be great if that thing gets a 3khz roofing filter.

[@Bobbert153]

I'm very pleased that your flying studies have payed off! No pilot here, but I enjoy hearing about your adventures!! KM6PAX