Posted: 6/14/2026 12:18:07 AM EDT
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Yaesu FT-710 Field vs. Icom 7300MK2. Use case. I dont have a "Ham Shack"; I operate entirely in the field. Even at home im throwing up a wire and operating on the property but not from in the house. I use all kinds of antennas. Lately ive stayed at a few state parks overnight and operated POTA late on 40 and 80m. I currently have a G90 and I want to move up to 100w. What say the ham forum? |
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I have owned both, but my pick would be the IC-7300Mk2 over the FT-710. It's a much easier radio to set up and operate than the Yaesu. |
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| You may be planning for an external tuner, but if not, my experience is that the FTDX10 tuner has a larger range than the 7300. If the 710 is similar that might be useful. I agree that the 7300 is easy to use, but I find the receive audio to be fatiguing. The 710 i operated seemed nicer but there wasnt a 7300 for side by side comparison. |
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I can't compare the 7300MkII and the FT710 as I have never used either. I can compare the 7300 and FTDX10 though. The 7300 has an easier to use menu. Receive audio with both radios is about the same to my half deaf ears I haven't noticed much difference in the internal tuners either. The 7300 also wins when it comes to operating the buttons as they aren't as crammed together like they are on the FTDX10. The advantage goes to the FTDX10 when it comes to receive sensitivity as it doesn't get overloaded quite as bad as the 7300. I have three other amateur radio operators in my small town. two are about 300-250 yards away while the third is 550 yards away. Most of the time it is not a problem as its usually just me and the guy 550 yards away on the air and working FT8. All radios will have issues with receive sensitivity in my case. You won't go wrong with either radio. Go with the one that you like best. |
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While I agree that the user interface of the 7300 is easier to use, the far superior performance of the 710 receiver more than makes up for this issue. It is one of the best performing receivers ever produced. As for listening fatigue, I'm not sure how you compared things, Gamma, but most people forget that the speakers built into pretty much all radios are total junk and, more than anything else, color the perceived differences in receiver performance and listening fatigue. The differences in those speakers completely disappear when the same pair of headphones (for POTA/SOTA/etc.) or the same external speaker is used to compare both radios. As many of you know  this is a favorite subject of mine. Suffice to say that buying and using what appears to be "more" speaker or headphone than you think might be needed for "mere communications audio" will change your life for the better, regardless of the radio  The other issue with listening fatigue is using too narrow a receive bandwidth. While conventional wisdom on this tends towards "less is more", I would encourage folks to try listening at a receive bandwidth that matches the signal, i.e. don't throw any of it away. Unless you are fighting QRM, of course. Back on point: the "AESS" feature of the 710 is worthless. Don't let that sway you. And the 3D display is, IMHO, less useful than the plain waterfall mode. Regardless, the 710 receiver is much better than almost any other radio you can buy. My radio evolution was sadly and predictably the arfcom standard Phase 1: tactical wannabee with an FT-817. Not enough radio for a newbie. Too hard to hear with the shitty receiver, too hard to make contacts with only 5W. Phase 2: the "shack in a box" phase, with an IC-7000. Another shitty receiver and a radio that got quite hot when used for digital modes. It worked a lot better than the 817, but eventually it fell into disuse because it was simply too fatiguing to use. Phase 3: time to get serious with a Flex-3000, a top-tier radio in it's day. That was when my enjoyment of the hobby really took off. If I was starting all over again today, the 710 would be top of my short list of radios to start with.
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I agree that a good set of headphones or a good external speaker makes a big difference no matter what radio one uses. Even the CCR "Hop Sing Specials" sound better with a good seat of headphones or a good external speaker. The G90 is a joy to use with an external speaker compared to using the 7300 or FTDX10 with their internal speakers. I have also found that the little Icom SP-35 speaker sounds as good if not better than the Yaesu SP-30. I don't know how the Yaesu SP-40 compares to the SP-30, but I am not impressed with the SP-30. I did not buy the matching speaker for the 7300 either, I use the Icom SP35 instead. You can find the SP35 on Amazon for around $35. As far as headsets go, my only experience is with the Heil BM-17 IC headset. It works well with my XIegu radios and my Icom 7300, 2730, and 706MkiiG. I would go with the 710 Field if I was going to buy another Yaesu radio since I would use either a good headset or a better external speaker. The 7300MKII and 710 both have their positives and negatives. Go with the one that you like better. I will suggest trying both out if you can before buying. |
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| I also own the FT-891 and use it for POTA, but it has the worst menu system ever designed. I have to use a cheat sheet to run it, because it's not very intuitive to operate. |
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The 891 has long been the gold standard for "portable". But it's only true for "backpack portable". For vehicular (or maybe ATV/UTV) portable does size and weight matter that much? Also, if you add the FT50 tuner to the 891 it's not that much more to carry the 710. 891+FT50 = 196 cu. in, 7 lb 710 = 282 cu. in, 10 lb And the 891 is pretty deaf compared to the 710, and not nearly as easy to use as the 710. BTW, WiMo makes really nice field-style carry handles for the 7300, 710, and other radios. |
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Originally Posted By chumpmiester: I have also found that the little Icom SP-35 speaker sounds as good if not better than the Yaesu SP-30. I don't know how the Yaesu SP-40 compares to the SP-30, but I am not impressed with the SP-30. I did not buy the matching speaker for the 7300 either, I use the Icom SP35 instead. You can find the SP35 on Amazon for around $35. As far as headsets go, my only experience is with the Heil BM-17 IC headset. It works well with my XIegu radios and my Icom 7300, 2730, and 706MkiiG. For a speaker or speakers, look for those that are internally amplified ("self-powered") intended for music. Similarly, obtain music-oriented headphones. You can be leaps and bounds ahead of "ham radio" speakers and headphones for a LOT less money than Heil and others want to charge. I use a set of Presonus HD7 headphones that are absolutely phenomenal for only $59. Very light, open-air, perfect for POTA/SOTA. Get them on Amazon. Yeah, it seems like overkill for ham radio, until you try it. Hell, buy some off of Amazon. If you still think it's overkill and not worth it you can just return them
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Originally Posted By K9-Bob: I also own the FT-891 and use it for POTA, but it has the worst menu system ever designed. I have to use a cheat sheet to run it, because it's not very intuitive to operate. The menu system does suck. And there are several things that would be easy to change like the "timer" that when you change bands and have to use the VFO knob you don't have much time, same way with the mode. So yes, like you I hate the menu system BUT, Here recently I use the FT891 more than any rig because of being out and hunting POTA from my truck. I have gotten to the point I can operate the thing without really thinking about it. It sucks but you can get used to anything. The rig performs well enough, especially for the money. The form factor of course fits in just about any automobile or backpack for that matter. It sucks as a digital rig, REALLY sucks with no built in modem and no ability to dissipate the heat buildup, except for the screaming little fan/s. But overall even with all the downsides, I feel I got my moneys worth with this rig. In my opinion it is a ways from a 7300, and one hell of a long way from my 7610, but these rigs are in a different class. |
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Originally Posted By aa777888-2: Rule #1: never buy and use a speaker or headphone that is made and marketed to the ham radio community. They are all overpriced junk. Perhaps less junky than the internal speakers, but still junk. For a speaker or speakers, look for those that are internally amplified ("self-powered") intended for music. Similarly, obtain music-oriented headphones. You can be leaps and bounds ahead of "ham radio" speakers and headphones for a LOT less money than Heil and others want to charge. I use a set of Presonus HD7 headphones that are absolutely phenomenal for only $59. Very light, open-air, perfect for POTA/SOTA. Get them on Amazon. Yeah, it seems like overkill for ham radio, until you try it. Hell, buy some off of Amazon. If you still think it's overkill and not worth it you can just return them I run Minimus/Optimus series bookshelf speakers with most of my gear, and they can be found a LOT cheaper than the OEM accessory speakers. A few of the OEM offerings do sound good, however. Two I have in mind are the Yaesu SP-101 and 901 series. Many of the others...not so much. |
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Originally Posted By aa777888-2: Rule #1: never buy and use a speaker or headphone that is made and marketed to the ham radio community. They are all overpriced junk. Perhaps less junky than the internal speakers, but still junk. For a speaker or speakers, look for those that are internally amplified ("self-powered") intended for music. Similarly, obtain music-oriented headphones. You can be leaps and bounds ahead of "ham radio" speakers and headphones for a LOT less money than Heil and others want to charge. I use a set of Presonus HD7 headphones that are absolutely phenomenal for only $59. Very light, open-air, perfect for POTA/SOTA. Get them on Amazon. Yeah, it seems like overkill for ham radio, until you try it. Hell, buy some off of Amazon. If you still think it's overkill and not worth it you can just return them |
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Originally Posted By K9-Bob: I also own the FT-891 and use it for POTA, but it has the worst menu system ever designed. I have to use a cheat sheet to run it, because it's not very intuitive to operate. Originally Posted By K9-Bob: I also own the FT-891 and use it for POTA, but it has the worst menu system ever designed. I have to use a cheat sheet to run it, because it's not very intuitive to operate. I guess I need the cheat sheet, because most of the time if I want to change anything I hook it up to the computer and fire up the RT Systems software that I bought because the radio was such a PITA. Originally Posted By SandHillsHillbilly: Headset Audio-Technica BPHS1 Now we're talking. The BPHS1 is a professional-level product that you can often see on TV on sports announcers and the like. The long-discontinued Audio Technica ATH-COM2 was a great little headset, and inexpensive. Had the same dynamic mic element as one of their pro headworn microphones and the whole headset was half the price 
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Originally Posted By K0UA: The menu system does suck. And there are several things that would be easy to change like the "timer" that when you change bands and have to use the VFO knob you don't have much time, same way with the mode. So yes, like you I hate the menu system BUT, Here recently I use the FT891 more than any rig because of being out and hunting POTA from my truck. I have gotten to the point I can operate the thing without really thinking about it. It sucks but you can get used to anything. The rig performs well enough, especially for the money. The form factor of course fits in just about any automobile or backpack for that matter. It sucks as a digital rig, REALLY sucks with no built in modem and no ability to dissipate the heat buildup, except for the screaming little fan/s. But overall even with all the downsides, I feel I got my moneys worth with this rig. In my opinion it is a ways from a 7300, and one hell of a long way from my 7610, but these rigs are in a different class. If I operated the Yaesu FT-891 every day maybe the menus might make more sense, but as an occasional user it just sucks. I think I would rather mount an IC-7300 in my truck instead ofr the FT-891, but the CB sized form factor makes is my POTA go to radio. |
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The Nifty guide is very handy to have for the 891, as well as some other radios. Particularly yaesu handhelds. I know some scoff at the price, but... I think they're worth it. Almost everything you *need* as well as those special functions you rarely use, all laid out and easy to reference. I've long thought someone could make a little money / get kudos by building a pseudo remote control head out of a raspberry pi, touchscreen interface, and digirig (to move audio back and forth) for things like the 7300. Allowing remote mounting of the 7300 (or other not-quite-mobile size) radio in the vehicle. Even with a radio like the 891 a supplemental interface could be handy. You could build macro hotkeys to quickly switch you from "I'm casually driving and want to tune around for any voice" vs "let's run ARPS-HF" to "I'm sitting in a park for POTA" to "dump my memories for North Carolina and load memories for Texas" type functions. |
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I cant speak to the Icom, I have a older 706mk2G and thats my main POTA rig. My 710 is my shack rig but I have used it for a few POTAs. The 710 in my opinion has really good filters and I really like the digital noise reduction. I do have the AESS and I like the speaker for shack use, I have Tinnitus and hearing loss so I like it. The 710 has a built in sound card and no need for digirigs or anything like that for digital modes plus has FT8 preset. I dont use the 3d waterfall myself but its there I guess. Lots of customization for colors on the waterfall which is cool. Its a beast but for me most POTAs I do I setup pretty close to my vehicle or in my vehicle and having something manpack-able isnt that important. Oh one negative I just thought of: the 710 has an external monitor hook up: its a old ass DVI-D (like WTF Yaesu cant just do a HDMI???) That was a pain in the poop shoot finding the cable and then a monitor to hook it up to. Hope this helps ya out I have a buddy that has the 7300 and he really like it, just throwing this out there if you have a Ham Radio Outlet near ya might be worth a trip to see if they have demos of each. |
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Originally Posted By markl32: Yaesu FT-710 Field vs. Icom 7300MK2. Use case. I dont have a "Ham Shack"; I operate entirely in the field. Even at home im throwing up a wire and operating on the property but not from in the house. I use all kinds of antennas. Lately ive stayed at a few state parks overnight and operated POTA late on 40 and 80m. I currently have a G90 and I want to move up to 100w. What say the ham forum? Sir, I have repaired literally thousands of radio transceivers. Military, public safety, amateur, and cb/gmrs. As soon as you pay more than, let's say $50 or so for a radio they are indistinguishable from one another on the air. And claims of one radio "hearing" signals the other cannot are not true. The choice is buttons vs knobs, silver face vs black face. For several decades now, I have a standing offer to the world. Put up some $$$ I will transmit with 5 different radios, if you can tell me the brand of each you win the $$$ Of you cannot, you pay me the $$$.  You will be happy with Any modern radio. And nobody will take the bet. Rege P.S. I also have repaired about 10,000 stereos  The advice about headphones is solid. The ONLY difference in sound quality of modern electronic gear is the speaker and microphone, and I caution you that co$t is no indication of sound "quality" or lack thereove. |
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Originally Posted By Asheville-Hippy: Sir, I have repaired literally thousands of radio transceivers. Military, public safety, amateur, and cb/gmrs. As soon as you pay more than, let's say $50 or so for a radio they are indistinguishable from one another on the air. And claims of one radio "hearing" signals the other cannot are not true. The choice is buttons vs knobs, silver face vs black face. For several decades now, I have a standing offer to the world. Put up some $$$ I will transmit with 5 different radios, if you can tell me the brand of each you win the $$$ Of you cannot, you pay me the $$$. You will be happy with Any modern radio. And nobody will take the bet. Rege P.S. I also have repaired about 10,000 stereos The advice about headphones is solid. The ONLY difference in sound quality of modern electronic gear is the speaker and microphone, and I caution you that co$t is no indication of sound "quality" or lack thereove. I really can't tell much of a difference between the G90, 7300, or FTDX 10 when using a good external speaker or a good headset. |
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Originally Posted By chumpmiester: I agree that a good set of headphones or a good external speaker makes a big difference no matter what radio one uses. Even the CCR "Hop Sing Specials" sound better with a good seat of headphones or a good external speaker. ... I laughed. |
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I've owned an IC-7300 since '18 and like it a lot. I also have an Elecraft K3 with a sub-receiver and several IF filters. For everyday operation, I have no preference for one over the other, but for breaking pileup and contesting, of course the K3 wins out. The Icom is easy to use because the most-used functions are either on panel controls or at the surface of the menus. There are a lot of other functions that the basic manual doesn't cover but the extended manual does. I only operate CW and usually run 50 watts into a homebrew trap/fan dipole 35' above ground level on 80 through 10 Meters. The antenna doesn't have elements for 10, 12, or 17 but the rig loads it anyway. If I put a VNA on the antenna, the SWR plot looks like one of those old Miller "bouncing ball" signs.  1960s Miller High Life Bouncing Ball sign |
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Originally Posted By lorazepam: You could also get a compact 100w amp, and a tuner to go with the G90. The micro PA 100 is a fairly decent amp, and the antuner at100 does a pretty good job. You know the radio, and it would give you the option to have 100w when you need it. Interesting! I assume I can not use the internal g90 tuner and the amp? So it would look like G90>Amp>Tuner>Antenna ? Quick look at youtube and the ham tubers seem to like it. |
| Why the 7300mkII for portable? Do you intend to use the HDMI output, RX antenna in or IF output to an SDR? If not the MkI would save you $600. If you want to do a lot of digital I'd get the 7300, if you want to do a lot of voice I'd get the 710. I don't CW, so can't comment on that. Field performance wise, they are essentially a coin flip. The biggest difference is going to be the man-machine interface, so either go sit down at an HRO and test drive both or reach out to a POTA group and see if you can go some tag a longs, or by both from a retailer with a generous return policy and return the one that isn't your favorite. |
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Originally Posted By lorazepam: You could also get a compact 100w amp, and a tuner to go with the G90. The micro PA 100 is a fairly decent amp, and the antuner at100 does a pretty good job. You know the radio, and it would give you the option to have 100w when you need it. |
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Originally Posted By markl32: Interesting! I assume I can not use the internal g90 tuner and the amp? So it would look like G90>Amp>Tuner>Antenna ? Quick look at youtube and the ham tubers seem to like it. |
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Originally Posted By lorazepam: I have both, and would choose the smaller and cheaper pa100 for the field. I would use the XPA125 amp with built in tuner when using any antenna that requires a tuner such as a Rybakov antenna or an end fed random wire antenna. The reason is the fact that you only need the radio and XPA125 amp and one jumper coax versus needing a radio, amp, tuner and two jumper coax cable. |
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Here are the dimensions and weights of the IC-7300MkII and Yaesu FT710 Field:
As you can see, they are very similar in size and weight. I suggest that the OP try both radios and see which one he likes best as far as ease of use, ergonomics, and menu. He won't go wrong with either radio. |
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If you use the FT-891 frequently it becomes easy to use if your muscle memory is used to a TS-590 or 7300 you get spoiled by them and the infrequent ft891 becomes a challenge OP says he’s portable get the FT891 when you get a radio room at the house, get the bigger radio Attached File |
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As long as there's $300-400 price difference I'd go with the 710 on that principle alone. I had one and sold it. In hindsight, I should have kept in and not bought the POTA darling, the 891, but I'm a picnic table or tailgate type OP. lol. I happily run a dx10 now, so I can get around a 710 much better than the 891. |
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Originally Posted By chumpmiester: I will agree with you about using the PA100 amp but only if one is using a resonant antenna that does not require a tuner. I would use the XPA125 amp with built in tuner when using any antenna that requires a tuner such as a Rybakov antenna or an end fed random wire antenna. The reason is the fact that you only need the radio and XPA125 amp and one jumper coax versus needing a radio, amp, tuner and two jumper coax cable. The tuner is the size of a pack of 100mm cigarettes, and the extra jumper is nbd. Tuner has a self contained battery and usbc charging. Tunes better with 10w than 5w is a con in my book, but works fine.  Antuner AT-100M Pro Antenna Tuner - Honest Review and Setup Guide |
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| Used an FT710 at Field Day this year. My anecdotal opinion is that it's not as good as the FTDX10, but better than the IC7300 that I've used at previous Field Days. Performance on crowded FD conditions was very reasonable. Haven't used a Mk2. Agree with previous poster that you're really not wrong with either one though, especially for more normal conditions versus extreme FD/contest congestion. The Icom seems to be a much better option for digital than the Yaesus if digital is in the cards. |
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FWIW: I have an FT-710 as my newest radio, and the only Icom I have is an IC-202 (ssb 2m) I have 2 FT-891's and they're great for portable/mobile use; I've logged thousands of Q's with 'em /m and POTA. I got the 710 based upon user reviews and the Sherwood tests... I'm not disappointed with it, but it was either the FT-710 or K3/100 or K3S/100.. and I'm kinda wishing I'd got the K3S, but it was moar $$ and the reason being the filtering on the 710 seems cumbersome to manipulate, but that's probably all on me, as I also have a 3rd model radio to deal with, that being an FT-450AT at home as my garage radio (which sees mostly FT4/8 and CW) for tuners, I use the internal ones on the 450 and 710, and have used the mAT-Y200 on all three. My backup tuner is one of those inexpensive ATU-100's, which I built from a kit, due to the numerous complaints of the lack of quality for the pre-built ones. I was also considering getting a LDG AT-200ProII to get the wider tuning range for my portable operations, to accommodate my assortment of antennas. I used my FT-710 for field day, and I got Q's on 80-6m. CW, SSB, FT-4 and FT-8 I wasn't able to get a tune on 160 with a 225' EFLW (not an optimal deployment) The phone band was terrible during the opening hours, for ssb, people were stacked like firewood; but after a lot of people went away, it was more manageable. The number of people getting picked up in a pile-up, and not knowing how FD worked, the exchange, the op's call and exchange info, made me hate life... 10x Q's/ hr  but I digress... the bulk of my issues is probably related to not having a good handle or process for dialing in filter options on the fly I like the scope on the 710, to see where things are happening, when in hunt mode. |
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