Icom IC-7300 vs Yaesu FT-710 AESS - These Unique Radios have a lot to offer.

Peter G3OJV, takes a look at these two radios. Both are fully SDR with some high performance features. Both have extended coverage up to 4m. Yet both are in the budget price class! Learn more.

[@ggzz6862]

The receive is far superior on the 710 ( 2db lower noise floor without even engaging a single filter. That's 12 S units of noise gone !) . I have no vision problems but running a 21" 16:9 monitor is a premium feature. I could never go back. PS: The 710 is #3 on Sherwood's list ( Flex is disqualified, the 7300 is # 28). I use it as a base station....Sexy Radio ! The 710 is a clear winner and 7 years newer tech !

[@w9awx1]

Why is the Flex disqualified?

[@ggzz6862]

@@w9awx1 Because it was not stock, fresh outa the box....It was modified !

[@1967deek]

I just bought ft 710 from you 2 weeks ago, it's a brilliant radio.

[@watersstanton]

Nice to hear. Have fun with it.73 Peter.

[@l.a.2646]

I really like Icom's and have several , but I got a Yaesu FTDX-3000 as a gift, I've been amazed by its excellent receiver, I wanted a radio that I can go into the field, I chose an FT-710 ( can't beat the price) and wow the little FT-710 just blew me away! Absolutely Phenomenal !

[@watersstanton]

Yes agreed.

[@kellyw1648]

I have owned both and like them both. Each has pluses and minuses. Get the one you like.

[@tomfoley1265]

Peter, you are like the David Attenborough of ham radio.

[@mikewright8174]

Hi Peter, Many thanks for another Great video. One of the first items I bought from you way back in the mid 70's was a s/h HQ1 mini beam at the Alexandra-Palace rally and since then I purchased many items from Mark Francis at Great rallies, inc. Leicester, Brighton, Longleat, Blackpool, etc. Keep up the great videos and I hope you are enjoying your semi retirement. Mike EI2DJ / G4GXN

[@watersstanton]

The HQ-1 was one of our very first products in the mid 1970s. Great to hear from you and lots of nice memories of the Rallies. 73 Peter.

[@thomashardy9994]

I bought the DX10 around Thanksgiving during a sale Yaesu was running. My intention was to use it as a base station. I unfortunately have not set it up yet. Recently I bought the 710 field to use as a portable because again it was on sale at a good price. I envision traveling to various parts of the US and connecting with the world using HF. Hopefully that will materialize.

[@watersstanton]

Great idea. Enjoy your planned trips. 73 Peter

[@grahamkent2868]

The TS590SG has a quieter RX and also has 2 antenna ports which is great when operating HF and 6M, it also has selectable output to drive a panadaptor.

[@watersstanton]

The noise floor is identical - check Sherwood Engineering test.

[@derek45auto23]

The TS590 ergonomics are superior also

[@WarrenPostma]

Two fantastic radios really.

[@Steve-GM0HUU]

Good video, thanks Peter. I remember, over 10 years ago, when transcievers like the Flex series were appearing that all future ham transcievers might end up being SDRs with computer built in and front panels added to resemble traditional transcievers. They do offer a lot of advantages with "brick wall" filtering and panfall displays being just two. I have been using an IC-7300 as an everyday transciever for a while now and I really like it. However, for certain applications, like more serious digital operation, I still fall back to my Flex. Also, on CW, I still sometimes fall back to my 1980s TenTec Corsair II - yes, on CW, it hears everything the IC-7300 hears and still has very nice full break-in (very useful on those pile ups).

[@watersstanton]

Thanks for sharing. 73 Peter.

[@MrStanwyck]

Hello Peter, I live in New York but I do enjoy watching your videos. I like both Icom and Yaesu. I have the 7300 and 705 for HF and Yaesu for my mobile and handhelds for the VHF and UHF bands. Cheers, Bill KC2KNA

[@watersstanton]

Thanks for sharing Bill. 73 Peter

[@curronhill2744]

Great review, I was pondering which one of these two would i buy and this has been very informative. Thanks!

[@watersstanton]

Glad it was helpful!

[@petersichel9934]

This is a good review and both of these radios are excellent and unlikely to disappoint. I own the FTdx10 and IC-705 so am familiar with both user interfaces. You say deciding which user interface is easier is mostly a matter of personal taste. I disagree. As a Macintosh software developer and user interface designer I'm familiar with decades of user interface research. In my view the Icom user interface is objectively easier to learn and use in most (but not all) areas. It uses icons to leverage our natural ability to recognize images. It allows common mode specific adjustments to be accessed quickly without taking over the entire screen. The touch-screen interface is available during transmit and receive (on the FTdx10 the touch-screen interface is not available while transmitting). The CW tuning indicator on Yaesu radios is brilliant, the selectivity is superb, and the external display is a great option. Both are excellent radios with amazing capabilities. However, I think you do a slight disservice to potential customers when you say the User Interfaces are mainly a matter of personal taste. No they are not. If you can't find a way to try both radios, think carefully about what type of operating you do most, check-out the online user manuals, and talk to other hams about which might be a better fit for you. You won't go wrong with either one, but the Icom user interface will be easier to learn, easier to remember, and perhaps more fun for many. If you get a thrill from digging weak signals out of the noise or a crowded band, the Yaesu will absolutely delight. If you're into digital modes, support for the 7300 over USB is ubiquitous. For multi-radio events like Field Day, the 7300 could need an external bandpass filter to avoid overloading the front end. It's fantastic we have two major manufacturers building such excellent products.

[@watersstanton]

Interesting observations. I have seen the same arguments over camera menus. I am sure readers will chip in with their experiences. Many thanks. 73 Peter.

[@GoonyMclinux]

Ft -710 has usb, it was plug and play with windows, menu can be manipulated while transmitting also.

[@petersichel9934]

​@@GoonyMclinux Yes, the FT-710 (FTdx10) has USB but the software support isn't as deep. On the FTdx10 using N3FJP AC Log or N1MM+ Logger it only tracks UFO-A. It doesn't see when you switch to UFO-B. The FTdx10 frequently isn't listed as a known rig so you may need to do some trial and error to find one that works like the FT-991. Just about all HF radio software knows about the IC-7300. The software eco-system is constantly improving so some observations may be outdated. When I think through a list of things hams do or adjust while operating in different situations and how to do it on each radio, I find it often takes a little more searching, screen tapping, or cognitive overhead on one radio versus the other depending on the type of operating (CW, SSB, DX, contest, FT8, rag chew, etc). Both radios have great strengths to enjoy and neither is a bad choice. As a software designer I tend to notice specific scenarios where "Team Icom" or "Team Yaesu" came up with a better solution. How the amateur community evaluates these things is interesting. Kind of like Mac vs Windows or iPhone vs Android. There's no right answer, but there are objective differences that matter a lot to some and less to others.

[@michaelwalsh7846]

I have the Icom pro but on receive the Ft 710 is way beyond. I am listening to hams I would not hear before through the noise on 80 and 40, and with a extension speaker it sounds superb.

[@peter-vk3acz]

Have both, love them both! Trying to pick one over the other is almost like trying to decide which child of yours you prefer… in other words, some comparisons are unnecessary. Having said all that… the 710 for me, by half a whisker! Cheers, Peter. Peter VK3ACZ

[@watersstanton]

Great to hear from you Peter.

[@j3xk72r9]

I am lucky to have both, but would struggle to decide between them if I could only keep one. They are both really good radios. I also have the IC9700; it would be really great if Yaesu could offer a VHF/UHF version of the FT710.

[@watersstanton]

Yes a Serious VHFUHF from Yaesu would be i teresting.

[@GoonyMclinux]

Although im an icom fan I really like the ft-710, its such a good radio.

[@watersstanton]

Full details below videio.

[@royfowler5637]

I own both radios. And they both fantastic radios for lower price range. Remember, though that the 710 does not decode or display ready or. RFTHOPSK31. But neither does the seventy three hundred accept it will decode rtty And I will say navigating wise. The 7300 might be a little bit simple to navigate. But being able to use the mouse and the monitor in the back of the seventeen is a tremendous advantage that is seventy three hundred won't give you

[@watersstanton]

Yes there are pos for both radios.

[@m7trsradio]

Fantastic work I must make one, well one day. All the best to your family 73

[@jph1969uk]

I've overcome the RX only antenna problem by using a cheap QRM phase eliminator and adjusting the gain to favour the aux antenna. Adding a panadapter board helps with the eye strain on my 7300. I haven't tried the 710 yet, but it looks like a great little radio. TNX for the video. G1PQR

[@watersstanton]

Yes a QRM eliminator is a good way to achieve this. For those using amplifiers it should be possible to place the QRM eliminator in the coax feed to the amp and still mix the signal between main antenna and rx loop or similar.

[@jph1969uk]

@@watersstanton that's how I've done it. I use the PTT lead from the accessory socket for the QRM eliminator (red and orange wire, I think) and PTT phono lead for the amp. I'm very happy with the results.

[@juhanivalimaki5418]

One question from non-pro, is it really so that with HAM radios one cannot receive 78,5-108MHz which at least in Finland are commercial FM stations, AND more importantly, the state radio channels, used e.g. in case of emergency. I understand not being able to broadcast on that band.

[@watersstanton]

Most base station radios do not cover this WFM band. Some portables and handhellds

[@juhanivalimaki5418]

@@watersstanton Ok, need another radio beside, with probably worse antenna. How about 67,500-72,325 MHz, is that covered by these two? National use cases like in Finland for volunteers for SAR or road help, rally coordination and hunting groups: fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/RHA68

[@notathome13]

Ic7300 must be close to a tech refresh, it’s been on the market for 6 years or so. Wonder if ic-7310 will be announced soon which will bring into line with current thinking.

[@watersstanton]

Its 8 years old.

[@w9awx1]

I use them often like yourself. Within the price range these two radios are in, they are amazing radios. For many people it comes does to how they like the user interface. But is there a winner betwen them? Not in what the general user would be able to determine.

[@kenandbarbie-b6c]

The FT-710 should have come with HDMI for the external monitor since the design is relatively new.

[@johnharrison373]

I went for the Yaesu FT990A instead, really happy with that. Has HF + 6m on one antenna input, and 2m 70cm on the other.

[@watersstanton]

Yes a great radio for HF to UHF.

[@JxH]

FT-991A ?

[@johnharrison373]

@@JxH Yes, typo.

[@ultravy]

I would like to have one of them as a general coverage receiver (communication receiver). How they both working on the broadcast bands since they receive from0to 30 mhz? I have a JRC nrd 525 but i would like table top with waterfall! Thank you.

[@MrDaveaccord]

I have an Icom 7300 and it's the best bang for the buck in ham radio.

[@watersstanton]

Great to hear.

[@timholtzclaw8930]

Help me, I'm racking my brain over this. ICOM 7300, at $999.95 on sale. One year warranty. 710, $874.95 Field model. 3 year warranty. What's the big difference?

[@watersstanton]

Apart from price and warranty, the Yaesu has a better receiver in my opinion. Oh and the Yaesu can be used with an external display.

[@jimdavis5230]

Lovely transceivers maybe I should upgrade to one of them. My 42 year old JRC JST100 HF transceiver is still working fine despite it's age. People still comment on it's superb transmitted audio quality even with the speech compressor on. I wonder if these modern transceivers will last as long as my old JRC. I somehow doubt it.

[@watersstanton]

Never used the JST myself but sounds a classic.

[@LemmieGower]

Always a great video!

[@watersstanton]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@sv1dkd]

I don’t know about the FT-710, however the IC-7300 offers full cw break-in AND semi break-in functionality. You just press the break-in button to switch between break-in modes. I recommend you refer to the manual.

[@watersstanton]

It uses relay switching. Full break in requires solid state switching.

[@brian.7966]

why don't you buy both of them, end of problem.

[@sv1dkd]

@watersstanton not sure if I agree… the switching time is almost instant on the 7300, and I can run full QSK up to 40WPM without issue….

[@sv1dkd]

And in contrast don’t forget Peter that almost all QSK capable valve amps use vacuum relays for tx switching not diodes… it’s not the component type (relay vs solid state) that makes something QSK cable, it’s purely the switch time and the MTBF (number of cycles that the components can handle before it fails). The 7300 does offer full break-in out of the box…

[@andrewwood9281]

Be interested to know how the 710 performs in AM, the 7300 is very good in AM mode and has exceptional RX

[@32_bits]

The Icom is easier to drive but is out performed by the Yaesu, to be expected with the later design. Also, if you like listening outside the amateur bands, the Icom RX is very poor, whereas the Yaesu makes for a high spec receiver. I like your desktop unit shelves with the curved edges, can you share where you bought these from?

[@watersstanton]

Ikea UK store

[@M7XCB]

Am icom 7300 user it great set on HF it little deaf on 4m just wondering what is 4m like on the ft-710 am still pondering about getting one.

[@watersstanton]

I have only had a couple of QSOs on 4m so not able to compRe.

[@David-km8in]

In the future I will be only purchasing ICOM equipment. I purchased the Yaesu FTDX10 and within three months I had to send it back for repair. The only good thing to come out of it was Yaesu UK and Moonraker were very efficient in resolving my problem. My other problem was setting up the microphone settings. It took me well over a year to getting the settings right for my voice. All the best David M0DUU

[@watersstanton]

Hi David, glad you resolved the issue and the mic EQ.

[@IZ0PXT]

On low bands 40/80/160 the ft 710 is better than the 7300..

[@watersstanton]

Interesting. Thanks. 73 Peter

[@georgenunes1614]

Very well put sir…No significant down side either rig when set up and used properly.

[@johnk8091]

Amongst my dozens of HF radios, I have 2 x IC-7300 and 1 x FTDX10. A lot of people put far too much into Rob Sherwoods ratings - the FTDX10 and FT-710 are very high up the list....but for only one receiver metric, selectivity. They are good in multi radio setups, such as contest stations - they are good at ignoring very strong nearby stations. Many hams think Sherwood is ranked in terms of receiver sensitivity. No, both have similar sensitivity - in fact modern receivers have become so good now, that sensitivity levels on HF bands is well below the noise floor. So the limiting factor is the noise floor and not sensitivity. I like my FTDX10, but Icom beats it in many other fields - IC-7300 can go down to below half a watt, whereas the Yaesu cannot go below 5 watts. This is important if you are driving a MOSFET amplifier or driving transverters that only take 1 or 2 watts max. Band scope averaging is also much better on the IC-7300, its smooth as butter, whereas the Yaesu does not have averaging, so the display flashes and is very distracting. Icom also has better amplifier hookup using common RCA connectors that you can buy at any grocery store. Icom also has the clock on the screen, Yaesu does not show the clock anywhere on the screen. The other REALLY important feature, is IC-7300 can display ALL meters on the screen at the same time - so you can see ALC, Power, SWR, current drain, input voltage, temperature etc etc all at the same time. Yeasu you can only see one meter at a time. This is critical when operating digital modes...or any modes really. If you are in a RF noisy environment, contests, multi station field day, or if you have neighbors down the road that are on the same HF band...then the choice is clear - FTDX10 or FT-710. But for all other situations, I prefer using the IC-7300.

[@watersstanton]

Interesting observations. Thanks for sharing your views.

[@paulsengupta971]

My FT-991 has the clock at the top of the screen. Funny how the DX10 and 710 don't have it.

[@nine7295]

Spelled Yaesu

[@AmericanConstellation]

I say get the 7300 and the DX10. I have them both.

[@glenn718]

I sold my 7300 and purchased the 710. The 710 is IMHO the better value.

[@watersstanton]

Thanks.

[@g4jnw]

I had the icom 7300 for a while but recently sold it and bought a FT-710 AESS, why? well because of hearing loss and eye problems the 710 with an external monitor and AESS fitted the bill. What i didn't like also with the 7300 was clock battery failure and no easy way to replace the battery although this was probably due to the age of the 7300.

[@watersstanton]

Thanks for sharing.

[@paulsengupta971]

I have a similar problem with the clock battery on one of my FT-991s, I think because the previous owner had the unit packed away in a box and not used much, so the battery discharged and never charged again!

[@marksmith8781]

The rx on the ft710 leaves my ts890 way be hind my Orion is nowhere close to it and junks my ic7300

[@watersstanton]

Interesting. Some IC-7300 owners see other benefits but this hi lights the fact that both models have their Pros.

[@marksmith8781]

@@watersstanton interesting I was mil signals and an engineer before I was retired due to losing my left arm below the elbow I repair a lot of equipment in my workshop and get to compare radios the ft710 sits at the 3rd place for a reason it gives mic7851 a good run fornits money a very quiet receiver I wonder how man know how to use the rf gain lol 😂

[@robertdickson6317]

Disagree with your comment about the receive on the 890 ignoring the Sherwood's listing on a decent antenna you would be hard pushed to tell the difference but if your talking noise floor the yaesu is better i rate the dnr they have got that right i have had the dx10 and ic 7610 got rid of both as the 890 suits my style of operating

[@marksmith8781]

@@robertdickson6317 get a life for goodness sake just because you paid 4k for a Kenwood ts890 doesn't mean it's the best you either belive the sherwood test or do your own I have and my test results are the same as the sherwood grow up stop bitiching and stop acting like a fucking price lol

[@mikesey1]

You might consider over a thousand quid "budget", but in these difficult days I do NOT.

[@watersstanton]

Yes agreed and I did qualify this in the video..

[@mewrongwayKOCXF]

The 7300 is almost a antique compared to the 710!

[@forgetyourlife]

I much prefer the larger quieter fan and menus.

[@ggzz6862]

On the larger 710 display ?....Absolutely !@@forgetyourlife Ps:....I never hear my fans as that was fixed almost a year ago through a firmware update ! ( Old news)....oh and the 7300 screen, it's taller, but narrower and in the end smaller....especially with an external monitor !

[@forgetyourlife]

@@ggzz6862 glad they fixed the fan. I was a day one release buyer so I wouldnt know. Sold that jet engine before the update I guess.

[@edaravenkanna341]

VU3TNL EDARA VENKANNA INDIA

[@watersstanton]

Nice to hear from you. 73 Peter.