Icom IC-7300 HF Transceiver Review

[tba02]

I sent a longer reply via PM, but the sort answer for those playing along,

I found the IC-7300 very easy to get on the air operate. I connected power, coax, did a quick mic gain check and called out CQ. I used the radio with 98% of the settings at default for about 4 weeks before I started tweaking settings to further refine things. The tweaks made operating even more enjoyable as they suit my operating needs/wants, but even before that I was pleased. I just took the time to learn what I wanted and then it was very easy to fine tune and grow into.

 

[Riverman]

Thank you very much!
That's very helpful.

 

[Steve_Buckeye]

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

Congrats

 

[w9cll]

The tweaks made operating even more enjoyable as they suit my operating needs/wants

I would be interested in knowing those

 

[tba02]

I would be interested in knowing those

Once I get some time to sit back down in front of the radio I will review my notes.
One change was the scope/meter settings based on this document -
http://webpages.charter.net/n9ewo2/ic7300_scope.pdf
I also know I have been riding the RF gain or attenuator a lot more while upping the scope reflect settings to +3 on average.

 

[RatsoW8]

Well, I finally got the ham fund back up and dropped the hammer on a 7300. DX Engineering had it on my doorstep next day (yesterday) and I've been bingeing on the rig ever since. Is there such a thing as radio hangover Last night 10 and 6 meters were open until after 2100 L and I had a blast. That was probably spradic E from the solar storms we're having through 5/30.

What a fantastic radio. Aside from the super receiver and scopes it has a lot of other nice features. For one, I can't remember the last rig I owned that used a basic rca plug for amplifier relay control. Icom did us right with this little radio.

 

[fourstringburn]

. For one, I can't remember the last rig I owned that used a basic rca plug for amplifier relay

Congrats on the new Radio, That's a nice one indeed! Everyone I've heard so far sound great.

That's a good point on the RCA jacks.

It's ridiculous that most modern radio's have the amp relay integrated with the ACC out. This ties up the output if you wanted to use it for something else forcing you to make a breakout cable or box.

Most HF amps have an RCA relay jack so it only make sense for radio manufacturers to put a convienent 50 cent jack on the back.

Maybe because it makes sense to do so is why!

 

[sp5it]

Is ALC in your radios fixed already?
http://sp3rnz.blogspot.com/2017/01/icom-ic-7300-ssb-power-mod.html

 

[fourstringburn]

Is ALC in your radios fixed already?
http://sp3rnz.blogspot.com/2017/01/icom-ic-7300-ssb-power-mod.html

I had the same problem with my TS-590s. It took a few years before Kenwood acknowledged it and finally fixed them for free.

The SSB power issue on mine seem to be more from users going by the radio's power meter which shows average power, not peak. My external true peak reading meters would show 100 watts on max.

 

[sp5it]

Kenwood did that, ICOM never

 

[RatsoW8]

Mine came with the latest firmware installed - v 1.14. I have not seen any indication of alc overshoot at any power level barefoot or when running it wih an SB-200.

 

[2RT307]

Well, I finally got the ham fund back up and dropped the hammer on a 7300. DX Engineering had it on my doorstep next day (yesterday) and I've been bingeing on the rig ever since. Is there such a thing as radio hangover Last night 10 and 6 meters were open until after 2100 L and I had a blast. That was probably spradic E from the solar storms we're having through 5/30.

What a fantastic radio. Aside from the super receiver and scopes it has a lot of other nice features. For one, I can't remember the last rig I owned that used a basic rca plug for amplifier relay control. Icom did us right with this little radio.

I know they sound fantastic, having heard some on the air. Did you get rid of your Yaesu, or just add to the herd?

73,
Brett

 

[sp5it]

Mine came with the latest firmware installed - v 1.14. I have not seen any indication of alc overshoot at any power level barefoot or when running it wih an SB-200.

Good for you, but it is hardware issue, not software All IC-7300 are defective, no exceptions. No mention DAC overload problem. Hard to notice on wire, but on good antenna system it is pain in the ass.
Mike

 

[2RT307]

Mine came with the latest firmware installed - v 1.14. I have not seen any indication of alc overshoot at any power level barefoot or when running it wih an SB-200.

Hard to blow up a Heathkit, anyway!

73,
Brett

 

[RatsoW8]

Hard to blow up a Heathkit, anyway!

73,
Brett

This is true. Yes, I kept the 1200 for now. I have a hard time parting with radios.