My thoughts on the Icom Ic-7300 after one year of use

My thoughts on the Icom Ic-7300 after one year of use
www.pcbway.com/ Get 5 boards in about a week for $22!
Yes!! I now have merch: teespring.com/stores/learnele... Electronics themed T-Shirts!
HEY YOU ABOUT TO POST SOMETHING STUPID:
Yes, I know my hands are large/fat. It's because of a heart condition I suffer from called Congestive Heart Failure. Here's a link to some information about CHF: cle.clinic/2TdS2Ux
One of the symptoms is that is causes fluid retention, mostly in the hands, feet/ankles, and face.
It will kill me one day. I'm doing ok right now, but someday...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you are shopping for electronic components, test gear or consumables please consider visiting my Amazon shop @ amazon.com/shop/learnelectronics
Please check out www.patreon.com/learnelectronics and pledge a dollar if you can. It will go a long way to keeping the channel alive. It costs a bit of money to buy all the items and produce these videos. You help is appreciated.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Or....if you'd like to send a one-time donation you can use this link: paypal.me/learnelectronics
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here is all the gear I currently use:
Oscilloscope 1: Hantek DSO4102C amzn.to/35cVK71
Oscilloscope 2: Siglent SDS1202X-E amzn.to/31Kk1yH
Power Supply 1: TekPower TP3005N amzn.to/2TeQnxI
Power Supply 2: RUIDENG DP50V5A amzn.to/2sNicSe
Signal Generator: JS2800 ban.ggood.vip/d9vk
DMM1: Owon18B amzn.to/2SbIGLs
DMM2: Aneng 8008 amzn.to/2sNQncI
DMM3: Aneng 8009 amzn.to/2S5qeEp
DMM4: Uni-T UT801 amzn.to/2S89SuL
Soldering Station1: Zeny (Yihua)862D+ amzn.to/2S49z4e
Soldering Station2: KSGR T12 amzn.to/2Wk7Dn9
Light Meter Smart Sensor AS803 amzn.to/2B2gyRg

[@Gilgamesh347]

Great easy style of review, and balanced too. I like how you somehow covered all the facets; good and bad, functional and physical...in your rambling style!

[@KeithGuyer]

Dave, I love how you make this complicated stuff manageable.

[@chrisguess1125]

Thank you for taking your time and going over the radio along with your thoughts on the radio.

[@johnbelcher7164]

Where do I buy this particular one please

[@hjameskimble1]

Just wanted to get started in HAM. Looked around a bit and this looked like the best punch for the buck. GREAT video review. I think you made my mind up. Thanks!

[@Larrymarx]

Thanks for posting this video on the IC-7300.... Your walk-thru some of the functions was easy to understand.... 73's.

[@gamlemann53]

I have the same meaning as you With the IC7300. It has (here in Norway) also 60m, 6m, and 4m all modes. I love this radio, because of the simple way to use it. Love Your vid's by the way! The best from LB1NH Arild in Oslo Norway! :-)

[@Larrymarx]

Thank you for taking the time to make and post this review.... ICOM makes great radios.....

[@thomastammaro693]

GREAT video. I took the stairs to HF. I purchased this rig as an entry level HFCR. Much to learn but this tutorial helped me👍

[@careycraig4360]

Great Video!! Your expression of your personal views is really appreciated and Very Helpfull. THANK YOU!

[@johnr8944]

Nice review! I'm a ham and love it. I've been retired for 3 years and because of the hobby have never been bored. I also have a IC-7300 and it's a great first HF rig. Ham radio and electronics blend together.

[@learnelectronics]

Indeed they do. Thanks for the kind words and 73.

[@rubyxfinity8634]

GREAT review! Love that you did it after a year's use too, that makes for a great reviewer.

[@learnelectronics]

Glad it was helpful!

[@LEXPIX]

Nice overview. Just got this radio myself and the touch screen was the selling point for me.

[@ThysLouwrens]

Thanks for a great video, I have learnt a few things from your video about this radio that I did not even know. I've got my 7300 for about 8 months now and I love it. I'm using it quite a lot for digital work on FT4 and FT8, also Winlink and JS8CALL and a few other digital modes. And yes it is a great radio, the best I've ever had. Thanks again for sharing your thoughts. 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻

[@learnelectronics]

Thank you

[@mktwatcher]

This is the best review of the Icom 7300 that I have seen. Thank you for making this video.

[@learnelectronics]

Glad it was helpful!

[@recumbentrevolution6540]

Just ordered this radio today, Studying for my ham license, like this radio so much when ahead and pulled the trigger. Seems more user friendly for a newbie ham operator. I do have my ranger RCI63 400 W 11 m to play with for now though. Can't wait to get into ham operation.

[@RobertMacCready]

Perfect! I just ordered an Icom 7300 today. Looked at the used market and the sellers are either bogus or left their radio forsale on the various radio selling sites, and forgot to delete it (after it was sold). So, spent a little more $$ and got a new one. Should be here in a week or 2. HRO is back ordered but should have stock in the next week or 2. Thanks for the video as it helps me get up to speed as I've never seen one in person.

[@pnowikow]

This was great. Thanks for the intro on the radio

[@robertmeyer4744]

I have the same 7300. got it new with the MARS mod. after more than a year still learning new tricks and love it. I use it for portable (POTA) with LiFePo4 battery. works super. love that SWR feature. how I tuned my end fed half wave dipole . I left me antenna analyzer home. I have the AL 572 amp. I used my 7300 to help with input tune that was off on 12 and 17 meters. a outher trick I learned. 2 tuners in play. I had same trouble with USB cord. use a T 240-43 core and few wraps did the trick. I run FT4 and FT8 and RTTY. even the WSPR . their is a emergency mode that drops power 50% on TX and allows tuner to work over a 3:1 match. did this with a 9:1 random wire antenna. got out great from a park. I never run over 50% TX power anyways. worked 10 meter FM repeater today. does split and PL tones even 6 meters. you will love the adjustable filters. really helps with stations right buy. and noise. you loose sound quality when narrow band with a bunch. but with a station 2or 3 Kc off really cleans it up trying to hear weak contacts. some times I use foot pedal to key radio so I can use HAMRS to log my contacts. and talk same time. very nice radio ! full 6 meters all mode. 73's

[@Organplayer1947]

Appreciate your candid and informative pres. I just bought 7300 as I wanted example of relatively recent base radio. All who own one are really happy with it. W6TPO

[@geod3589]

I've had mine almost 4 years now but still loving it.

[@RC-Heli835]

13:45 LOL! Beautiful radio thanks for sharing!

[@PrecisionGroupYT]

Thanks for the video!! Got licensed in 2017 and my first HF rig was the Yaesu Ft-891 and then shortly after receiving and using the 891 I purchased the Icom 7300 and absolutely love it! I moved the Ft-891 to be my mobile HF rig and the 891 is perfect for a Mobile HF rig! I now have the 7300 & 9700 sitting side by side in my shack and I love them as a pair! I will one day upgrade my shack HF rig to the Icom 7610 ( or equivalent at the time) but will not let go of the 7300 as it will make a great Field rig and back up HF shack rig!! 73’s K4BBC

[@o00scorpion00o]

I'm the opposite lol, selling my 7300 now and use the FT-891 as my main rig, I live in the sticks with a super low noise floor and I can clearly hear the noise difference between the 891 and 7300 and if the band is noisy with QRN the 891 DNR really brings the signals out of the noise that the 7300 can only dream of, the filters on the 891 are also better. Before I got the 7300 I was considering the FTDX-3000 and got the 7300 instead, I regretted it after but after playing around with a friends TS-590 SG I decided to get this instead, the sound and filters are amazing and it sounds much better on AM and SW broadcast too as does the 891 but the 590 has the edge on sound quality, for a portable rig the 891 is truly amazing. I'm getting regular DX to south America from Ireland with the 891 and Chameleon MPAS 2.0 on 20m since Mid May 2020 when I got the MPAS and when I switch to the 7300 it's just frustrating to listen to because of the higher noise floor or harsh sounding audio which I think is more to do with it.

[@hubercats]

Very helpful overview, thank you!

[@teh60]

Super nice radio. Great follow up review. 73 Paul.

[@mingram008]

I’ve had my 7300 about a year and still haven’t mastered all the menus and tricks. It really is a great radio.

[@jasongledhill2994]

Sir, you are awesome. Thanks for the vid.

[@orangetest999]

Very well produced and to the point !!

[@teddyteeth]

Best presentation on the 7300 I've seen Many thanks. If it wasn't for the scandalous price over here in the UK I would buy one. 73, Mike. G4MJA

[@radioman6489]

Can't believe the price over there. Here after rebate were in the $900's

[@SP7FM]

You convinced, me great video and radio description. 73 from Poland

[@WB8BRA]

HI, wb8bra here... nice video on this rig... I am thinking about getting radio. you did a great job explaining your thoughts..I really like the 7300 ..

[@StanCook]

Thanks for the great information about the 7300 that I have been considering after being away from HAM radio for 40 years. Stan, KH6JMK now in the Pacific Northwest. 73

[@richardwhalen1859]

Stan Cook Great radio; lots of features. Many videos that will walk you through it’s operation on you tube

[@richardhammond3655]

Hi, Stan I am also in your position - last time on the air was 1976. I acquired the ic7300 this year and am entirely overwhelmed. When I had used SP600, kwm, Hallicrafter receivers it was very simple. Power on, audio up, tune, squelch. What a difference. Watching David's video was helpful but, I need more (the manuals do not do the explanations) and in my search for instructions I happened on this video. WA4YDS, [e-mail], and used to live in Poulsbo.

[@MCsCreations]

Pretty nice and beautiful radio, dude. Really nice! 😃

[@thomaswright20]

Just wanted to say Hi, I just bought an IC-7300, I love it. I am a neighbor, I live up the river in ELO. enjoy the videos, keep them coming.

[@learnelectronics]

Hi Thomas. I was just in your fine city. I was at DC Music in Calcutta just an hour ago.

[@edwardobrienjr4795]

See it @@learnelectronics c we

[@mikev4089]

I just picked one up for $259 used and it works great. So happy with this.

[@learnelectronics]

$259? You lucky OM. If you ever want to sell it I'll give you $260. 👏

[@Laborkei]

I came across your video today. Your explanation has been the best I have every heard on the 7300. I do a lot of POTA, and have been considering purchasing one for that use. It's small and compact, and although I love my Icom 706MKIIg, this is a huge improvement. Thank You DE K4KAL

[@BartVanAllen]

Main selling point is the display? No, I would say it it the fact that it is n SDR - the display comes along for the ride. All the great Rx functions are a result of it being an SDR. An SDR radio with knobs and for less than a grand USD is incredible! But I agree, having that spectrum on the radio is nice!

[@georgemock1387]

The noise blanker works very well but you have to set the levels first. Once set, there no more pulse noise. As for the noise reduction, I never found it to do much but it helps on weak cw signals when you are using narrow filtering.

[@boballen2]

Great video and talk thru. Thanks!

[@straightpride451]

Nice and informative video Lil Dude! 😎

[@WB8BRA]

Well I got this radio. You are right a great radio and again nice video. I love the radio. thank again for a great video..

[@bahathir_]

Hi, Nice video. I have the IC-7300 for 2 years, and it is my first HF rig. I learned a lot whhile exploring and operating in HF bands. You might have a point about the touch screen, but if you start to use it with computer, touching the screen may gets lesser and lesser. Today, most used buttons/dials on IC-7300 is the VFO knob. Even to power up and down the rig is through computer. I have RAspberry Pi 3B+ 'permanently' connected to the rig. I operates the rig using custom made scripts. Yeah, I am a IT guy, and nothing is better than 'sending commands' with keyboard. Also with computer, we can record QSOs and transmits it too. Very nice if we want to share how our ham friend sound like, Not to mention many software for digital modes. I use 1:1 common mode choke at feedline to reduce RFI., so I not experiencing bad RFI at my base. Thank you and good luck. Bahatir 9W2GNU, 73.

[@Gamal_SU1GZ]

9W2GNU. Would you kindly explain how you connected the common mode choke, is on the USB cable or on the power cable? 73 from SU1GZ

[@jamesstavely2404]

transmit into a resonant antenna then check the rf in the shack. The onboard tuner just helps to protect your radio from damage due to horrible swr. The key is to have a resonant antenna or at least very close to it.

[@tonyj5712]

Nice video on this rig

[@francismcclaughry9851]

I'm thinking of purchasing one from Giga parts. Now I have a kenwood five ninety and a 706. I love the 706 and the kenwood is setting on the shelf. I enjoyed your video.

[@n2dabloo]

Awesome vid. Waves from Mobile, AL

[@Greywolf3]

Pretty amazing I just saw this on sale for under $900. It was $1,700 when it first came out, I paid $1,350 a couple of years ago. It’s great to see this technology available at more affordable prices!

[@okhamradio]

OMG! Below 900$, it's time to buy this rig👍

[@techguy9023]

@@okhamradio must be model change time

[@RMJ01]

Back up to $1200 in 2022. Thanks inflation

[@nicklikesradio]

@@RMJ01 lets go brandon.

[@josephdubiel7129]

They are probably getting ready to come out with an updated model. 7319 Maybe with a roofing filter or two?@@techguy9023

[@niftyfiftycampingadventure795]

Liked and subbed. No bullshit . clear concise description

[@grampsradio]

5:08 - It makes me smile, knowing that you'll be one of them, much sooner than you think.

[@Irontalon1]

Great video .I thought a lot about the screen issue too. Almost didn't buy it because of that was going to go with a used 7000 instead but used radios today are priced way to high. What I'm saying is I rather have the new one for a few dollars more then possibly someone else's headaches.

[@markrowell7242]

I have had my IC-7300 for about two years now and I LOVE LOVE LOVE it. Until the 2022 ARRL NA QSO party, like you, I hadn't used the audio screen much, especially since I usually work digital modes using WSJT-X and HRD DM-780 software. The 20m band was the only thing workable and it was very crowded, so I tried the audio display and found it was pretty helpful in tuning in the signal I wanted between many loud close by stations. I also own a Yaesu FT-991a that I bought specifically for the C4FM mode and I never use it for HF operation. It's user interface is HORRIBLE and so confusing that I call it "user hostile".

[@learnelectronics]

User hostile....I like that!

[@michaelstewart7285]

Sounds Great - I am convinced

[@dmb3428]

this is probably the best less than $1k radio on the planet right now, alot of old timers dont like the touch screen but I find it amazing and hard to go back to radios that dont have the scope which can be extremely helpful finding activity

[@learnelectronics]

I agree. I have a couple other radios including a Yaesu FTDX1200, and after using the touch screen, I cant go back.

[@mike94560]

I love my 7300. I have had it for a couple of years. The weak point is the internal ATU. Too narrow a range. 3:1 is fine for beams but not for my 43ft vertical or even some dipoles. I have an external tuner for those situations.

[@nicklikesradio]

Yeah. Thats almost useless. Thats 1980s level internal atu spec. Should be 5:1

[@kjon7466]

As a Ham, you're allowed to work on your own rig, so with a new diplay board, you should be good to go.

[@ibnewton8951]

Good introduction to ham radio equipment.

[@learnelectronics]

Thanks

[@foodconnoisseur8397]

They stop talking as soon as I get there and there's a train coming...kinda defines my life in a nutshell. 🤣🤣

[@mikeoliver3254]

I’ve been thinking about getting one of those SDR dongles just to listen in on stuff. I still can’t wrap my head around the single side band thing, I may just need to dig in to theory on it a little deeper. I enjoy learning about the Ham stuff even though it is way outside of my budget just for learnings sake. Great video Paul, have a great weekend.

[@learnelectronics]

Thanks Mike. Ham radio doesn't have to cost a fortune. You can get into it for about 30 bucks with a Baofeng UV5R.

[@mikeoliver3254]

Cool I’m going to have to check it out.

[@KazzArie]

Mike oliver did you do it? I always wanted to get into amateur radio but couldn’t force myself to study for the test. So I joined the feng gang knowing the desire to touch that PTT would make me get my license faster - and it worked!

[@nicklikesradio]

Its am radio. Minus the carrier (center frequency) and minus the other sideband.

[@nicklikesradio]

@@KazzArie feng gang 😂😂

[@K6TJO]

Great video!

[@darinhitchings7104]

Nice video. Wish I could get that same deal now

[@cg9952]

I got mine for $900 after discount and rebate. I love it! Much better than my old Icoms, Yaesus, and Kenwoods.

[@cg9952]

Tunes my fan dipole well.

[@aldewitt9]

Agree with everything you said.

[@samiam9059]

Thought would add speaker tip. The companion speaker is so expensive and looking around have found a 4" speaker 200watt? rated cube from Pyle on amazon. The thing feels like it weigh's 2 lbs and is really solid. Perfect sound and size for the 7300 or other radios. Amazon sells it in pairs for.....33.00! Incredible sound and says 80hz-18k? The best companion speaker ever bought was an yaesu sp-20 but not needed with this one. Looks excellent also. Thanks for the video.

[@stewartrv]

Thanks very interesting. Time flies I can't believe it was a year already! I wanted one for ages but it was too much for me, I'm now waiting for a good one to come on the 2nd hand market cheap. If ICOM brings out a replacement upgrade I'm sure there will be a glut of 7300's to choose from. :)

[@forgetyourlife]

Ha ha, your dreaming.

[@stewartrv]

@@forgetyourlife really? I know you are just trolling but you think ICOM will never make another new radio to replace the 7300? They did the exact same thing with the 7600 and now there is the 7610...

[@forgetyourlife]

stewartrv LoL. Is a troll a person who doesn’t share your marketing genius? The 7300 is still selling like hot cakes. It will be years till they even have to bother updating it. And by “cheap” i assume you mean something stupid like 500 dollars. Once again, your dreaming.

[@stewartrv]

​@@forgetyourlife ​ No IMHO a troll is a person who cannot string together a cohesive logical argument to refute a difference of opinion and so resorts to name calling or bullying just to try and look clever... I don't claim to be a marketing genius this is your attempted deflection because you don't agree, and are incapable of articulating why that is. Second when you wrote "i assume" it is just that an assumption, I never said how much I consider cheap.

[@DavesArchives]

Man, wish they were running that special still with a PSU. $999 for that combo is a steal!

[@matthewriecken]

Who was running that special? Which PSU was included?

[@kingsqueak2221]

On the low bands with a base noise level of S9, you should roll back your RF gain until it's barely registering, then turn up your audio level, try it without the NR engaged, then add the NR. Now, you'll have the best sound for receive.

[@ths3900]

I found a choke outside the shack where the coax comes down, reduces a lot of the RF in the shack that got into speakers and stuff. You can make one with 20 to 18 feet of coiled coax. See directions on the internet.

[@marksmadhousemetaphysicalm2938]

Fantastic review...I like the long view on this, I've had older rigs...this will be my first SDR...just getting back into the hobby after a very long hiatus and this is what I needed regarding usability over time...ICOM 7300 it is...:-) 73s de AC3FB...

[@learnelectronics]

If you have any questions when you get it, feel free to email me, I'll be glad to help.

[@marksmadhousemetaphysicalm2938]

@@learnelectronics thanks...I'm used to boat anchors...I'll be ordering it in the new year...

[@marksmadhousemetaphysicalm2938]

I got my novice back in '91...used my dad's old radio and did radio at my university and for a few years after...but after I was working and had a young family, got away from it...now back into it...so very different...😁

[@ksb2112]

The IC-7300 was my first non-kit radio. I will say that for the most part this is a great radio. However, if like me you are mainly interested in CW be forewarned that it uses relay T/R switching. That means if you're using full break-in mode you will hear that relay with every single key click. Even if you use semi-full break-in you get a lot of clacking. And it is loud. You can open up the radio and put BlueTak over the offending relays, but you will still hear it. Headphones help, of course, but it is still there. I sold mine after a few months, feeling rather stupid for not having investigated that before I bought it.

[@timothykearns2232]

ksb2112........Interesting. I just bought one, but didn't know about this either. I haven't received mine yet, so I have a question: Can the relays be "remoted"? When I was a kid, I took the relay out of my keyer, waterproofed it and stuck it outside! Are they connectorized, or unpluggable? TY. de NN6A.

[@dlb7427]

Nice Review, Thank You, W1DLB

[@nutsackmania]

I just ordered one!

[@kathnrich1]

Great job,,TY!

[@ComputerLearning0]

I wish Icom would have incorporated backlit keys in this model. From a design perspective this would have resulted in a fractional cost (if that) but it would be so helpful to have this feature in this radio for low light operation. Having said that, it's a super minor issue and if this is the worst thing I can say about this transceiver then it's a pretty good radio. Still, it would have been so simple and inexpensive to have done this at the design phase. My Kenwood TS-480 cost even less than the 7300 and even it included backlit keys, and having worked in the industry I know how easy it would have been to have included this simple feature from the start. Still, it's a fantastic radio and I can't praise it enough for what it is.

[@cbradiomizfit7562]

I'm new to ham. Great video

[@rickvia8435]

You just sold a radio. I've always had boatanchors - TS830S, HW101, FT101E, presently my daily-driver is an IC-730 (newest radio I own). The 7300 is my next radio. I love that spectrum analyzer. I have the same amp BTW. Gread vid - Thumbs-up.

[@o00scorpion00o]

The scope won't allow you hear signals better, if I were you after owning a 7300 for a year I would get the FTDX-3000 or TS-590 SG, both have much better receivers and much better audio and the TS-590 SG has a panadapter built in so you can add a SDR Play so you will have the best of both worlds and more because this will allow you SDR on the big screen, and a proper radio with all the buttons + the ability to control the radio from a computer using Omnirig, having the waterfall on a big screen is just amazing, believe me you will much prefer this setup. I wish more manufacturers would go this route, proper radio with buttons and IF out so the buyer can choose to add an sdr if they want. I now have my 7300 up for sale while I wait for the 590SG , the 7300 is a decent first rig but for a little extra you can get a lot better.

[@sergeybelov1682]

@@o00scorpion00o , Did you buy 590SG?. If yes, do you like how it work?.

[@o00scorpion00o]

@@sergeybelov1682 HI Sergey, no I didn't get the 590SG after, it was taking a very long time to arrive, it was out of stock a long time so I decided to get the Acom 1000 instead but my Friend has the 590SG and I like it a lot, every time I go to this house I have to get to work his 590SG. 590SG has better audio and filters than my 7300 and It's much better to operate. I really like it but shame I don't have it but acom 1000 is excellent too but sooner I get rid of the 7300 the better while nice radio it's audio and filtering are not so good when you use a radio like the 590SG.

[@jtshannon]

That is an amazing rig. I was really jealous of the noise reduction as my TS-440s has a lot of noise, but I quickly got over it when I realized I'd mostly be hearing old men's health issues with greater clarity if I had the Icom.

[@Pieh0]

"Welcome to Amateur Radio, Where old men talk about their health problems!" 🤣

[@Sneaky-Sneaky]

Old men.....hahaha turn your VFO.....Who do you think kept the hobby alive so you could get your license these days ?? hahaha

[@Pieh0]

@@Sneaky-Sneaky Someone needs to learn what the emoji 🤣 means... And I got my licence in the mid 90's, when I was 12.

[@Sneaky-Sneaky]

Pieh0 I got my lic. In 1974 and I know what🤣 means....hahaha ....you might of guessed my comment wasn’t directed at you but the orig. comment...🤣

[@georgeorwell100]

Pieh0 yep

[@davidprice2861]

I have always loved radio, very interesting and informative video, from tv to wifi, radar to satellite, pay wave to Bluetooth, its all based on radio.

[@hoggif]

I think the user interface is very good and it has lots of features. The only thing I've missed so far is a keyboard interface for RTTY. Without a computer you can send only presaved messages and editing them for a "quick" reply just does not work. You can send CQ with them well and decode the responses from others. I'd love to use the radio without a computer.

[@nicklikesradio]

Does it have any usb-a recepticles?

[@hoggif]

@@nicklikesradio Only ubs-B on the back.

[@korlilkatana7653]

Ok I have a question, how did you get the scope on top of the audio scope, that's so cool. I use the audio scope for digital, but I did not know you could have the spectrum scope and the audio scope at the same time.

[@o00scorpion00o]

I have the 7300 around a year too but it's gathering dust a couple of months because I just enjoy the audio from my FT-891 a lot more, pure analogue sound not destroyed by SDR mutilated digital noise. Disconnect the antenna and that harsh white noise is dreadful and makes listening fatiguing, connect an antenna and you get band noise + this harsh sounding audio. I thought the 7300 was great until I got the FT-891 for portable use but now use it as a base rig, the menus are plenty but most set and forget and it's not bad to operate, harder alright than the 7300 but the best scope in the world can not compensate for the bad audio on the 7300 and it's nr isn't very effective, the DNR on the 891 is fantastic, it can really help pull a weak signal out of the noise where as the nr on the 7300 doesn't because it just changes the audio tone rather than enhance the signal but even without DNR the 891 is a real sweet sounding radio. I always listen via headphones. The 891 filters are also better too, an amazing rig for the money, now I have my 7300 for sale and have a TS-590SG on the way, best of both worlds, great receiver, excellent filters and built in pan adaptor and it looks like a radio. For any new hams, if you can stretch to a 590 SG then do or even the FTDX-1200/3000, all the screens in the world won't help you hear a signal better. I even got the PTRX-7300 panadapter but by that time it was too late, I have fallen out of love with the 7300 because as I got more experienced I realised that Icom spent a lot more time on bling than on receiver quality and performance. Just my opinion, don't flame me lol.

[@d.jensen5153]

I have both radios, too, but have gone the opposite direction. I never really cottoned to the exhaustive menu system of the FT-891. On the other hand, I consider a waterfall display to be the greatest feature ever added to an HF ham rig. The 7300's built-in sound card clinched the deal.

[@o00scorpion00o]

@@d.jensen5153 The 891 is one of the most underrated radios in Amateur radio in my opinion, sure the menus are a lot but most are set and forget, changing bands and modes then isn't much of a hassle and one really neat feature is that when you press PTT and up on the 891 hand mic it automatically sends a carrier and changes the meter to read the SWR and if using an auto tuner it will tune automatically or if using a loop antenna it makes things quite convenient. Other than this you'd have to go into the menu change to AM then change the meter to SWR, this really is a neat feature the 891 has. One thing you have to do is make sure AM power is set to 5 Watts max so when you press PTT and UP it will automatically send a 5w carrier. I use the MFJ-939Y and had to set an internal jumper but it works amazingly well with the 891. The 891 has amazing audio I found to be much better than the 7300 with headphones as I listen with headphones 99% of the time and one of the reasons I sold the 7300 was because I needed the noise reduction on all the time which effects the audio quality and I rarely Duse DNR on the 891 or especially on my FTDX-10, the audio on this is amazing and the receiver performance. It also has a built in sound card and I use it for PSK31, RTTY and Olivia, Contestia etc. The other issue I had with the 7300 is that it wasn't the best for SWL as it cut a lot of the low frequencies from the audio. The 891 works amazingly well as a portable rig and also as a base station for not a lot of money, I also have the 450D and while I like using the radio and love the way it lights up at night the audio is terrible compared to the 891. Connected to a computer, the 891 is even easier to use with the likes of FL Rig or Ham Radio Deluxe. Waterfalls are nice to have but not the be-all and end-all, I'd rather a radio with great audio and receiver performance but I suppose the FTDX-10 has it all, screen and waterfall, amazing audio and receiver performance and amazing low noise floor compared say, to the 7300. Full SDR can sound noisy and harsh but superhet and SDR gives the dx10 amazing audio and receiver performance and waterfall and thankfully yaesu didn't go full sdr with the DX10 though I believe they went full SDR with the 710 but not certain. Anyway, the 891 is truly an amazing radio for the size + money and considering it's around the same size but a bit heavier than the xiegu g90 it's by far a much better radio and 100 watts. I had the G90 but didn't like it at all, horrible radio to use and noisy audio and a crappy menu system.

[@richardg4817]

Looks like you have an external tuner. Is the internal tuner on the 7300 not that good? Also, how good is the noise blanker? Sounds from what you said, it is not that good. I have high noise levels at times where I live.

[@normjacques6853]

You could have 'rambled on' much further with no complaint from me!! I'm getting ready to buy my first HF rig and was pretty well set on the 7300.....and you both made me feel better about that choice *and* taught me a few things in advance of my purchase! Thanks, and 73 DE W1NLJ

[@ronboggio2926]

I just bought one about 30 days ago. Hooked it up and connected a 20m dipole. So let me explain that just a little, sat the box down and 15 minutes later I was running. Literally 5 minutes from power up I was DX’ing with a guy in Ireland. Every primary control was very intuitive and I was tweaking on the fly. A little more detail there, I just entered the ham world in January of this year. Tech in January, General in February. You simply can’t go wrong with this rig.

[@normjacques6853]

@@ronboggio2926 ... Great to hear! Thanks, Ron. 73 W1NLJ

[@samiam9059]

Selling point is the SD sampling receiver. Display is secondary

[@brucechamberlin9666]

Brand new at this. Taking my Technician exam this Sat 11/6/21. Very very helpful. I liked the radio too, so I must be on the right track! Thx. Can the radio operate stand alone? You mentioned a power supply for it?

[@NB3K]

Sir, your demo was great, but the reason why I am buying this radio is because it is an SDR with the user friendliness of an Icom.

[@thomasmaughan4798]

The audio scope function is handy for calibrating digital modes (FT8, PSK31 and so on).

[@davejensen8119]

I believe you have to select the CW mode before the Autotune feature works for CW signals. Not demonstrated right, but enjoyed the rest of the video.

[@normjacques6853]

Great review! Thanks! i'm a brand new General and shopping! it's down to the IC7300 and the Yaesu FT-991a. With regard to the touchscreen: Until retiring about a year ago, I had been working with systems that used touchscreens extensively. Ten years ago, I would have shared your apprehension! Now, though, they are very durable and, in the event of a failure (due to damage, etc.), quite inexpensive! As a bonus, the way that they typically connect to equipment/systems is pretty simple, so in those relatively rare instances where you needed to do a swap, it should all be pretty painless! 73 DE KC1MGW :-)

[@donhody1127]

Thanks, as that had me a bit worried too,

[@WASRT001]

Thanks for the video, it was very informative. I know you use an external tuner because of your amp but what do you think of the internal tuner for someone just using 100w with decent antennas?

[@learnelectronics]

It is very good

[@K4SRF]

@@learnelectronics Thanks. I was going to ask the same question as WASRT asked. I am purchasing one of these units very soon. '73 / Steve / K4SRF

[@joeowen1429]

My 7300's tuner is perfect for my 40m vertical mounted on the rear of our motorhome. If the antenna is connected to a good ground / coounterpoise for a 1/4 wave vertical like I have, it makes perfect 1:1.0 matches a breeze! The radio is extremely easy to tune on it's own internal tuner.

[@ChatGPT1111]

If you need two tuners to get less than 3 to 1 SWR, you need to optimize your coax length and possibly antenna as well. Otherwise you are getting a fraction of the power into the air.

[@kbell101]

Two tuners aren't used at the same time. The IC-7300 will either internally tune or send the signal to the external tuner to tune, but not both at the same time. Works well.

[@SteveH-TN]

Seems to have a great water fall & spectrum display something my old Kenwood TS-2000 lacks. Definitely HamRadio Deluxe has satisfied me for some years. Appreciate you excellent review. 73 Steve AA4SH

[@donaldsmith3048]

You can be a smart ass if you want! Most people I know are. I am! Thank you for the information. I am thinking about getting a HF radio soon. With the ways things are looking I am not sure if I can. May be better to have the radio when things get bad or have that money it cost.

[@fubarsnafu4994]

VHF/UHF I have in spades. No Need But this radio out of the box dose and has everything I didn't know I needed. But the more I see and read the more I want one. Wanted to gift my self once I get my extra but this one is tempting.. Right now ft891 EFLW great setup. has its limitations.

[@learnelectronics]

The 7300 is a great radio. Ive let mine go and currently just running a XieguG90 20W, with a Xiegu XPA125B 100W amp. These are great little radios. Im currently coveting the Yeasu with HDMI output for the spectrum scope!

[@fubarsnafu4994]

@@learnelectronics time I was looking this Ft891 popped up from estate sale. Operator purchased right before his last qso. It was open box and got it for a nice price. Used once and put away.. It's become my rig. Love this radio but like I said. Limited. Like chasing frequencys.. hopping bands. Seems cumbersome. Ic7300 seems like the logical entry level appliance

[@learnelectronics]

It's a great radio

[@annekedebruyn7797]

I almost want one just for the esthetics. It's a well designed radio both internal and external.

[@Gabagabe1]

I see lots of videos showing all the features , what I'd really like is side by side comparisons on the receiver. How is it pulling out weak signals vs other transceivers?

[@samiam9059]

more than a few have claimed it has a weak receive? Own a yaesu ftdx1200 and just receive. No license and not really interested in talking.

[@rowdyron4111]

Do you think it would be feasible to use this particular transceiver with a magnetic loop? Anything I run in my current situation has to be indoors. Dipole wouldn't really be an option. I was initially looking hard at the IC-705 as well. The portability of it (along with that sexy screen) is a serious selling point too. Great video, thanks.

[@nicklikesradio]

Its possible. Homemade is best if you're ok with tinkering a bit to get it working at first.

[@John-uj9zy]

You're in Ohio too. Im sorry. I've been to R and L. Great shop. Stop by if for some ungodly reason you are in Hamilton OH.

[@kn9ioutom]

GREAT RIG !!!

[@rickvanwijngaarden3757]

I just wanna get into this field for the juicy tech...

[@alexdidivyper596]

Nice job

[@bud03038]

IC-7300 on my wish list