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Icom IC-7300

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djacobow:

So, the IC-7300, the first SDR to come from a "big three" Japanese manufacturer was just approved by the US FCC. Is anybody looking at it? It'll be $1500 -- a huge discount compared to the other SDR transceivers like K3s, FlexRadio units, and Anan units.

I actually don't own an HF transceiver, and am looking to buy my first. I've been surprised/disappointed to see how none of the mainstream ones seem to have a modern receiver, all with traditional superhet architectures and similar performance, like IP3 or "close in dynamic range" being on mainstream units being a good 20dB worse than the best SDR-based units.

I'm just getting into the hobby, and am not going to drop $2k on a transceiver, so have been considering an IC-7200 for awhile, despite it being traditional. But IC-7300 looks interesting. On the other hand, perhaps if this radio is good it will push down the price of the -7200.

http://www.icomamerica.com/en/products/amateur/hf/7300/default.aspx

AF6LJ:
There is a big difference between spending what a Flex  SDR costs and what a modern non SDR radio costs. At this point in time I am not convinced the cost difference is justified considering I would be tied down to a computer and a radio; something only one of my radios requires.

The kind of figures you mention in terms of IP3 and close in dynamic range occur only in multi operator conditions. If you are the only ham on your block operating HF you are not going to ever require those performance standards. Chasing numbers in the hope of having the best radio is a good way to spend all your money in the wrong place. What good would having a Flex 6500 if you live in a condo with an HOA that is hostile toward amateur radio, and can't put up a decent antenna?

Among the "Big Three" they have alternatives with digital IF sections instead of a filter like the IC-7200, however you get what you pay for.

The price point on the IC-7300 is almost too good to be true, makes me wonder just how well it well actually work. Thankfully I am within a few miles of the local Ham Radio Outlet and when it comes out, I plan on spending some time up there playing with it.

Never buy a radio sight unseen, always play with it, or the same model first.
This is the voice of experience. ;)

TheSteve:
Pretty sure the IC-7200 has been discontinued.

I know there is a lot of excitement surrounding the 7300, I hope it lives up to the hype. If you're new to HF you might want to consider a used transceiver to get your feet wet. And, more importantly, what antenna do you have? End of the day that is generally more important then the radio you pick.

djacobow:

--- Quote from: TheSteve on March 03, 2016, 08:49:44 pm ---Pretty sure the IC-7200 has been discontinued.

I know there is a lot of excitement surrounding the 7300, I hope it lives up to the hype. If you're new to HF you might want to consider a used transceiver to get your feet wet. And, more importantly, what antenna do you have? End of the day that is generally more important then the radio you pick.

--- End quote ---

Yeah, -7200 is discontinued, but you can still get them for now. Used is potentially interesting, though I am not interested in boat anchor vintage. Seems, though, that a lot of used solid state HF gear has issues. Is that so? I personally haven't found much appealing on E-bay. Where should a new ham be looking?

My antenna situation is pretty sketchy. I'm on a small lot with a single medium tall tree. I have a G5RVjr hung as an inverted vee. Top is about 30' up and ends about about 10-15' off the ground. It's not optimal, but I have pretty good performance on 40m in particular. Hear SSB from as much as 1000 miles away, CW from maybe 2x that, and JT65 from all manner of crazy places.

I might convert the G5RVjr to a center fed zepp. We'll see. Verticals, ground- or roof-mounted seem a step too far for me right now.

TheSteve:
Most used equipment on ebay is too expensive anyway - unless you get a buy it now item that was just listed for a good price. I'd look for used gear locally - craigslist, ham swaps, or in the FS section of qrz.com etc. I don't recommend a boat anchor but anything from the last 10-15 years should be fine. Don't forget a power supply and an external antenna tuner.

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