Kenwood TS-890 vs Icom IC-7610- Which one will stay?

[@philipacovington]

Have both, love both for different reasons. Keeping both!

[@palreem141]

Had both 7610 and 890. 7610 gone….love my 890

[@tonyd6884]

Thanks for the video. I just got the 7610 at Hamcation. I’m working on grounding for the shack so haven’t fired it up yet. I was looking at kenwood also. looks like I made the right choice.

[@MrAlphacallsign]

i was waiting for this day which radio are going to stay is a personal decision but both are excellent radio

[@denniskimrey4129]

Love the 7610. I use the second receiver to listen to 6 meters for an opening. Sits on FT8 frequency and amazing what I catch at times

[@kd4exy]

This made me look at the 890. The CW uses make me want one.

[@davidroygodden]

I have both and both are staying. No worries each has its strengths and I use both in diffent ways which works out perfectly. I have to room so its KEEP BOTH.

[@ShawnDienhart]

Great, I was set on the 890 but after seeing this review I'm not so sure anymore. Ironically, the 890 menu is very much like the Icom menus from the IC756 line of rigs and having a 756Pro I can see where the 7610 would be easier/faster and more fun to use. Thanks for the great review!

[@hbmarcott]

The way I ended up was had the 7610 first, got rid of it because of the scope problem. Purchased an 890 which I love but sort of missed the 7610. Easy choice keep 890 and picked up a 7300 on sale which is sort of a poor man's 7610 minus dual receive. Bruce, 73 KG6JIY

[@neoretrophoto9198]

Hi it seems like you would now pick the TS-890 but for the mouse clicking issue. I've read that you can control the radio with a mouse using the

[@ksfixitmangaming617]

Great video buddy. A lot of info to help people make good dissension when buying a radio. Thanks for all your hard work.

[@marksmith5811]

I have a Kenwood TS-940S. I have a CAT board in it. I have a SDR Play with SDR Uno software. I also have Ham Radio Deluxe running the Kenwood. The Kenwood has a very nice CW filter. So now I have a system that is close to a Flex system. Large dual monitors. Wow, super large spectrum scope, mouse click anywhere, I use the Ham Radio Deluxe for digital modes (no FT8). I am thinking about a new rig but I am not sold on either of these yet since I have the SDR Play.

[@pd9rd]

Keep 'm both, I would 😀 I love my 7610 but I wouldn't mind having a 890 next to it. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the two of them.

[@mauriciolacruz]

I don't care too much about the usability (interface and navigation system: menus/submenus vs physical buttons, in fact I actually prefer the latter), as it's really a matter of getting used to either one. What I really care about is: 1. Build quality (robustness, durability, components and reliability.) 2. Reception/sound quality. Which one wins on each or both points?

[@dewickt]

Like my 7610, use the dual receive to monitor 6M or 17M, also find the mouse handy and a 23" monitor easy to see when the day gets long...

[@ftlaud911]

Both great radios! I own both and love both. Performance wise they are very similar at my QTH. Quality hands down 890 wins. Audio quality the 890 wins. Scope the 7610 wins, but not on everything. On the 890 you can scroll and the waterfall doesn't smear. Helps big time and in contests its easy to point and shoot. I plan to keep both. May add in the 101D one day after they work out the bugs. If you need 2nd receiver 7610 and 101D. If not I would go 890. Can't go wrong with any of them. Download the free remote software. Works great on 890. Can actually program some settings easier. Can't beat free while Icom charges $150.

[@boydmasonlake1995]

Good review, however priorities are not the same for everyone. Radio performance and quality sound are tops with me. A good receiver that filters well and is enjoyable to monitor for hours is paramount. Much emphasis here was placed on touch screen, menus, etc that certainly a priority when shopping for a new phone rather than a new ham radio transceiver.

[@spitfirejme]

Hi dear OM, do you have a practical way to find out "all" the rings and bells of the 890, in a printed form to complete the official manuals? Thks, VY 73

[@rodw3mpg644]

Try the "Nifty Mini Manual". It got me off to a good start. I love my new 890, had it for about a month now.

[@robertdickson6317]

Thankyou for a interesting review I was debating which radio to go for you have made the decision a lot easier

[@robertallbright]

I reckon that the noise reduction on all Kenwoods is poor, the eg 7610’s is much better BUT you can’t beat the DNR on the new Yaesu radios👍 101D/MP, DX10 and 710 rule supreme👍 73 Rob G3RCE

[@jfaaz]

He should have used the 890 more before he did the review. The band-scope can be configured in many ways and has three levels of attenuation. I use the mouse for Ham Radio Deluxe, so using it for the radio is not my choice. The 7610 is a great radio and I would enjoy it also; however, there seem to be many more options going on at once and perhaps this may lead to electronic failure. Make your choice by how you operate and you will make the right choice.

[@DaveJohnsonad5nm]

I became memorized with the TS990 when it made its debut at Hamvention it was just cost prohibitive. Then Icom introduced the 7800, same problem, lol. Now I'm retired and have both radios. I am not a contester anymore other than I still occasionally get in on a RTTY. My thing was my home is 100% off grid, yes, I can and do have an amplifier but.... I wanted a rig I could die with. I only wish Kenwood would have gone with more menu than textile control. Let's face it, most of us set the rig up and many features are never changed. The decode feature in either radio is fine. With my hearing going south I don't enjoy cw like I used to and the decode in the 990 is better than the 7800 in my opinion, however, it deprives me of the enjoyment trying to read it on a screen. Output power was the primary reason for choosing these radios but I would almost consider trading both radios for an FT9000, almost. I'm not exactly a Yaesu fan. I really have no need for such high end equipment because I simply am not that active these days. I really enjoyed the content here and although I am a huge Kenwood fan I have given thought to passing on both of my radios and going with a 7610 here.

[@anthonyryan923]

As you suggest, ham radio is a broad church and there is no rig which is perfect for everyone. Having said that , it is interesting to hear the opinions of fellow hams. 73s de G6XYZ

[@obserwatorwsiimiast]

Thank you. Nice comparision. Good job. 73

[@geekverve]

I'd be thrilled with either of those radios, but there are a few minor things about the 890 that bug me. 1) A display that nice should have way more touch-enabled features. 2) The buttons for the controls along the right side of the screen are too far from the screen. Why wouldn't they at least make them the same as the buttons along the bottom? It triggers my OCD. 3) There is too much empty space on the front panel of the radio. They should have either found a way to make the radio smaller or broken out some of the filter or other functions into separate knobs/buttons. If you have the real estate, use it.

[@stevenaustin2860]

oh luv your guitars what are they because im a guitarist got 6 lol 5 acoustics and a strat 73

[@HamHomestead]

I just bought a PRS semi hollow body... Now if I could just learn to really play I will be in business!!

[@stevenaustin2860]

@@HamHomestead yes i know what you mean i have only just starting playing again i sold them because my fingers hurt and it seemed like i was getting no were but resently i just started playing again and getting quite good just got to learn 3.4 chords and plenty of practice especialy plenty of practice and with this covid thing iv had plenty of that just stick at it mate and you get there anyway you take care and stay safe you and your loverly family lol i watched you wive and son on the other day classic catch you soon 73 fron liverpool england PS iv got 6 guitars now lol

[@cbureriu]

this video is just as relevant in 2024 and I bet it'll stay relevant in 2028

[@pu2xbt74]

was determined to buy a new radio and the chosen one was the ICOM IC 7610, but I was disappointed with so many complaints and return for radio screen repair, I then decided to buy the TS890S, and I confess it was my best choice, reception fantastic, the best radio to contest. When ICOM gets a new screen for the IC 7610, I will buy an ic 7610 for my table; 73

[@jamesskupien971]

The Screen issue was fixed LAST year. and ICOM has repaired all bad screens for free. I have both radios, TS890 for CW and FT8 and 7610 for everything else. 73! oh, and 2 TS-590SG's for contesting! :)

[@johnratcliffe6438]

@@jamesskupien971 Why did you choose the 590 for contesting over the 7300 for example?

[@revadan]

am in-love with my 7610..

[@paolofpv4102]

LOVE 890 ABSOLUTELY

[@dmb3428]

I kinda figured this would be the conclusion, a hard one to make . I find the icom menu system one of the easiest to figure out . Even having the kenwood 590sg for several months occasionally I would have to reference the manual to find something . Never have with the icom 7300, it reminds me of a smartphone or tablet so easy to operate . Hearing how you like to operate with a mouse im surprised you don’t have a flex radio. I think I’m marking the 890s off my list unless the price comes down to the 7610 price level. For under 3k I could get the flex 6400 or the 7610

[@Yoshi489]

Both of them are nice radios. I think it depends on the amplifier which you use. If you had IC PW1 , IC7610 would stay. TL933 went out of production long ago.

[@captain-Luca-is0hmz]

i'm love my icom ic-7610 AMAZING!!!!!!!!!! 73 de IS0HMZ

[@LeeShand]

Love your review. In my opinion though, the 7610 does not come close to the TS-890 in most aspects. As you point out both radios are great, but the TS-890 is a top tier mid range radio. The IC-7610 is a good mid range radio. Just my opinion.

[@PhantomWoIf]

the noise reduction in the ts890 produces digital artifacts, that watery sound. its not worth that much money.

[@gm0wdd473]

Nice video, shame neither sits on my desk ! One day.....!

[@sv2clj]

IC-7610 .. Great TRX !

[@SSN515]

Good luck with the pandemic of screen failures on that 7610. I got tired of sending it back and bought a 890S. Lovin the 890S.

[@johnratcliffe6438]

How many 7610s did you return?

[@SSN515]

@@johnratcliffe6438 3. under warranty. I quit. Figured the next one would probably last 2 days past the warranty and them bite it, and didn't feel like risking it. As I recall from some of the forums, the screen supplier for the factory went out of business (ya, think?) and they couldn't find a replacement, so they just kept churning them out. I think that's why they lowered the price, because of the bad rep flaw.

[@johnratcliffe6438]

@@SSN515 Sorry to read that. As I understand it, the screen issue was resolved last year. Hopefully that'll be the end of it.

[@mauriciolacruz]

Have the screen problems with the 7610 been solved once and for all?

[@GreyGhost-r4z]

If you want to practice your code then listen to “Kurt Zoglmann” on youtube. Its been a huge help !

[@almartin806]

I think your bad opinion about the 890 is because you are not a Kenwood guy. You are more used to Icom and that is ok. But that does not make an Icom a better radio. As I matter of fact I had a sooooo bad experience not once but twice with Icom radios that I don't even consider they exist.

[@ac5aa]

Thx - by helpful!

[@Atomshamradio]

I say the kenwood hands down⚛📻

[@stevenaustin2860]

i would have a 7610 than the 890 but i am a icom bloke lol 73 have fun picking lol 73

[@МартинМартынов-ф3д]

I think the 890 is much better sounding rig, and more features

[@W-733_KWX]

If I have to chose, Kenwood stays, anytime.

[@sctrd1526]

Great sooo...the 890 is a CW BOT like all the FT8 Bots talking to Bots........Why not just have your radio/comp work DX for you.......Sigh.....

[@radioman6489]

1st

[@EricFullwood]

Sounds like the winner is...FTDX-101D

[@lizzyfan1986]

Full of issues...

[@anthonycosta1776]

I agree. I own the 101d. Best radio I ever owned hands down.