Icom IC-7300 HF Transceiver Review

[Road Squawker]

New Update #5 posted above.

the linky doesn't seem to work,

perhaps it's on my end

 

[Moleculo]

the linky doesn't seem to work,

perhaps it's on my end

No, I forgot to attach the link to the text. It's fixed now.

 

[Moleculo]

Hello Moleculo: How does this Icom 7300 say compare with the 746 / 746 Pro radios in having the ability / selectivity to reject near by frequency strong stations, and opposite side band stations on the same frequency? Not a bad price for a new design. Great review.

Hope all is well.

Jay in the Great Mojave Desert

This radio smokes the 746 line of radios in adjacent frequency rejection and every other RX measurement. The IC-7300 is in a class that's almost up to the level of Elecraft or Flex radios in this regard. This radio isn't just a minor improvement - it's in a whole different class. Here's an example from last night:

A few of us here in SoCal decided to get on 75 meters last night and someone chose 3.835, 5khz away from the 3.840 war zone. Several other stations running various rigs (including a TS-2000) were commenting about how bad 3.840 was bleeding over to 3.835. The IC-7300 completely rejected the wide signals and it was like they weren't even there.

 

[Moleculo]

New Update #6 posted above

 

[2RT307]

Moleculo, sorry if I missed it in a previous post... I am reading this from my phone. I know you said there is IF out via the USB using the 100 buck Icom software. Is there a way to run a large tablet or touch screen monitor to enable a larger version of the rig's screen?

73,
Brett

 

[RatsoW8]

Moleculo, sorry if I missed it in a previous post... I am reading this from my phone. I know you said there is IF out via the USB using the 100 buck Icom software. Is there a way to run a large tablet or touch screen monitor to enable a larger version of the rig's screen?

73,
Brett

I think that is a great question but I would imagine Icom would have used that as a major selling point if it could be done. I hope I'm wrong because that would be an awesome perk.

 

[Moleculo]

Moleculo, sorry if I missed it in a previous post... I am reading this from my phone. I know you said there is IF out via the USB using the 100 buck Icom software. Is there a way to run a large tablet or touch screen monitor to enable a larger version of the rig's screen?

73,
Brett

No. Keep in mind that the "IF Out" is really a digital out that only the Icom software can use at this point. If you want to run it on a large touch screen, you'll need to use a Windows tablet / notebook - something like a Microsoft Surface.

 

[2RT307]

No. Keep in mind that the "IF Out" is really a digital out that only the Icom software can use at this point. If you want to run it on a large touch screen, you'll need to use a Windows tablet / notebook - something like a Microsoft Surface.

Ok, then it will via the USB port. That's cool! I have seen some pretty cool Chinese knock offs of the Surface, and they come preloaded with Windows 10. So you could feasibly have a nice touch screen controlled rig, 100 bucks for the software, and about 250 for the tablet. Not too shabby. Makes me wonder where Icom is going with their next rig, though!

Many thanks for your detailed reports on your new rig!

73,
Brett

 

[tba02]

AB4OJ's test results for those that haven't seen the yet -
http://www.ab4oj.com/icom/ic7300/7300notes.pdf

 

[Sonar]

Heard one this evening on 38lsb. A local in southern nj or eastern penn. Can't recall his handle/numbers but, I must say with the supplied icom hand mic the transceiver sounedd very nice
Thanks for the first part of your review. Very informative. And the transceiver seems to be easy to use for the first time HF owner and at $1500 seems like a deal. Used 756 for $1000-$1300 or a brand new rig for $500 more. A no brained IMO. If the general coverage mod can be done for 27 MHz via the menu as opposed to going inside the rig is a plus as I'm sure the important warranty stays intact. I'm not sure if I'd void the warranty. New rig designs sometimes have bugs which require a return to place of purchase or an authorized tec for warranty repairs. Looking forward to your followup.. Thanks

Joe in NJ who is currently operating the 7300 is now using a Heil (don't know the model no) has managed to make the 7300 sound much nicer. The supplied stock mic sounds very nice but, the heil sounds incredible with the 7300. There are a couple of regulars in PA. who operate the $5000&$9000 yeasus and the 7300 is IMO heads above those hf's in the audio Dept. Maybe it's the way the yeasu operators have their rigs set up but I suspect the 7300 just out performs those very expensive yeasus. I'm sure theres so much more a $9000 tranciver will do but as far as the audio goes the 7300 wins. IMO of course.

 

[Moleculo]

New Post with some issues discussed: posted above.

 

[Moleculo]

A brief summary of my overall impressions are posted above here

 

[dxhound]

Hi Mole, I was wondering, what is the highest TX bandwidth? It looks like in the picture you posted that the audio scope goes out to 4k, But will the software allow to go to 4k or does it brick wall a 2.9 like most Icoms?

Also, have you tried AM?
Thanks

 

[tba02]

I just put a new 7300 on the desk. I'm very pleased.

 

[Riverman]

I just put a new 7300 on the desk. I'm very pleased.

Would love to hear your overall thoughts, tba, now that you've had it a while. I've been looking at the Yaesu 450D, Yaesu 891, and Icom 718, but I really like all the features on the 7300 and how easy it appears to be to operate.