Posted: 4/5/2016 10:31:24 PM EDT
Mine will be here soon... Farmer-Dave and Brundoggie are also confirmed 7300 owners according to this thread. So I'm posting this thread in hopes they will pop in for a review 
Otherwise, I will have mine up... ...Soon
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Ok, so bear in mind I'm a pretty casual ham. I'm not terribly serious about any aspect of the hobby and I don't have but a fraction of what a lot of people have invested in their gear. So when reading this, look through that lens.
First impressions: In the box: Radio Microphone 8,000 feet of fused power cable Various plugs for DIN connections and audio jacks (standard icom stuff) Paper "basic" manual CD with additional literature - advanced manual, schematic. No drivers. Physical features: For size comparison, very close in size to the IC-7200. Same width, a bit taller (bottom to top) a bit shallower (front to back.) Back end is flat except for the cooling fan and very easy to feel connections for when you don't have the best viewing angle. Single SO-239 antenna jack. Molex style power connector. Also includes send, ALC jacks, DIN accessory port, 1/4" stereo jack for key, external tuner connection and 1/8" external speaker jack, 1/4" C-IV jack. Front panel - in addition to the expected stuff you get 1/8" phone jack (nice for using everyday earbuds/phones without an adapter) mic jack, SD card slot and a 4.3" screen. (For comparison, a few common smartphone screen sizes: iPhone 5 4.0", iPhone 6 4.7", iPhone 6 plus 5.5", Samsung Galaxy S6 5.7") Screen is viewable from most any angle. Controls feel pretty good, tuning knob is nice and solid with a free spinning dimple insert (I am sure there is a term for this, excuse my ignorance. The detents on the PBT knob admittedly feel a little cheap and are a little loud but overall quality seems high enough. The spectrum scope is freaking AWESOME and to my knowledge, unheard of at this price point outside of the true SDR radios. The S meter has a beautiful degree of clarity and is actually very readable. I can't speak to its accuracy other than a 1.5 KW AM station that's about 2 miles down the road is 20 over. Speaking of readable, the screen seems a little crowded at first but to be honest I can tell what's going on from better than arm's length away. May need to lean in a bit to get full use of the bandscope but otherwise the screen is very readable, although note that it doesn't quite compare to a smartphone screen in resolution (but doesn't need to) and from what I can remember of the IC-7000 screen the 7300 is much, much better. Speaker isn't the greatest out there but I'll be honest anyone that really cares about audio quality is going to use external speakers or headphones anyway. Controls, first impression- I'm impressed. Everything you need is very easily accessed. Most major controls are very easily accessed from the front panel buttons or the touchscreen. The multifunction knob takes care of everything else. QSY quickly by tapping the frequency. Switch between modes by tapping the mode. It really is that easy. Menus aren't very deep at all and seem fairly intuitive. For our CW guys, do not be scared of this radio. Change between semi and full QSK via button on the front face. Change keyer speed and tone pitch by pressing the multifunction knob while in CW mode. QSY to some activity in a couple of touches. Real, RF bandscope. In a self contained, 100 watt radio for $1500. Yes, please and thank you. I haven't gotten to transmit other than I threw out my call a few times on CW, so that's for a later, more in depth test and review. Also haven't gotten it fully up and running on the computer, need a little more time to take care of that. I'll be honest, I like everything about the radio, so I'll just give you my few dislikes: There are two things that feel a little "cheap" on this radio - first is the speaker and second is the "clicky" PBT knob. Neither affect function but I had expected a little more out of a radio of this caliber, you know? More later. |
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Here is my review after using the IC-7300 since Monday:
BLUF- I love it so far. It is a solid, well built transceiver with a lot of features but very easy to use. LIKES - -The spectrum scope is my favorite feature. It is adjustable for bandwidth and when using the waterfall it is easy to pick signals out of the noise. Switching frequencies is as easy as tapping the signal to zoom in and then tapping again to switch to that freq. I'm looking forward to playing around more with the settings to change color, sensitivity, band edges, etc. - Since I mentioned the touch screen, I have found that it works flawlessly and allows you to change a ton of settings just by tapping the screen. The screen is bright, sharp, and easy to read despite its size. - Many of the functions and settings are menu driven but most of the common settings are only a button push and screen tap away. No digging through multiple layers of menus to get to what you need. Almost all of the physical buttons and knobs are single function and logically placed. There is a knob at the upper right corner of the screen labeled "Multi" which is really clever. Push in on this button and a selection menu pops up on the touch screen with common settings for the mode you are operating in. For example, if operating SSB the menu choices are RF Power, Mic Gain, Compression, & Monitor but when in CW the choices are RF Power, Key Speed, and CW Pitch. - Receive sensitivity is excellent and filters are fast and easy to adjust with a lot of flexibility. - Setup was fast and easy and I was on the air without opening the manual. - The internal antenna tuner is fast and seems to have a pretty good range though it is kinda hard to tell since my 6BTV is pretty resonant already. I may have to throw up an EARCHI end fed to really test it. - The Voice TX feature allows you to record up to 8 messages and transmit them at the touch of the screen. Audio quality is excellent and messages are saved on an SD card easily accessible from the front of the unit. - Integration with Ham Radio Deluxe was flawless. Connection to computer is with standard USB cable (not included) and does not require a special interface cable. DISLIKES - - Personally, I wish the positions of the "Twin PBT" and "AF RF/SQL" knobs were reversed. I have a habit of grabbing the PBT knob when adjusting volume since it is on top. - The included microphone seems a little lightweight to me and the freq change buttons on top are somewhat sensitive. I found myself accidently changing freqs a couple of times during phone QSOs. I have the interface cable for my Heil Proset on order so this shouldn't be an issue in the future. - The internal speaker is ok but a little tinny. Audio through my headset is excellent. Additional note: DX Engineering did an awesome job of packaging for overseas shipment. |
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OK, it sounds like my objections regarding the access to some CW functions is not as tedious as I had assumed. As said before, an $80 keyer is a snap to add if they prove bothersome.
I like it's waterfall display. I was looking at the Elecraft P3, but I'm definitely going for the Ruger AR-556 instead. After thinking about it, the Elecraft Panadaptor seems dated and an updated version is probably already in the works. I'll wait for it. As far as the microphone, I have yet to see one that was suitable for fixed station use. Even the K3 microphone sucks (based on the two -- count 'em -- QSOs I had using it). 
Regarding the internal speaker, decent sounding ones went away with the vacuum tube era. Sounds like the 7300 is fast becoming the new official ArfCom radio. Now if it just had handles... |
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Quoted: From the photos there seems to be more than enough fasteners on the sides to exploit for handle mounting purposes. Any arfhams with a CNC mill out there?  Quoted: Quoted: Sounds like the 7300 is fast becoming the new official ArfCom radio. Now if it just had handles... From the photos there seems to be more than enough fasteners on the sides to exploit for handle mounting purposes. Any arfhams with a CNC mill out there? |
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The below (text has been struck through) will work, however I have found a better configuration that works with HRD and FLDIG. Download USB drivers https://sourceforge.net/projects/fldigi/files/xmls/icom/ Download the above driver from icom Download the 7300 XML file from sourceforge and save it somewhere Now, go to http://tickets.hrdsoftwarellc.com/kb/faq.php?id=85 and set up your radio just like they indicate. This should enable you to set up HRD while you are at it. Now, on to FLDIG. Configure>Rig control> RigCAT tab. Open the 7300 XML file Retries: 2 Retry interval: 50 Write delay: 50 Check: Commands are echoed CAT command for PTT DTR +12V Device: select appropriate com port Baud rate: 9600 Stopbits:1 Click save and then initialize! You people and your damn handles... lol Anyway, got FLDIGI figured out, although I did google a little bit. The basics: Download USB drivers Download ICOM 7100 RigCAT XML file Connect IC-7300 and power on Press Menu Tap settings Tap connectors Tap C-IV C-IV Baud rate: 9600 CI-V address: 88h CI-V transceive: on CI-V USB baud rate: 9600 CI-V Echo back: OFF Tap Return USB serial function: CI-V Exit menu Open FLDIGI Menu>Configure>Sound Card Check Port Audio Capture: Microphone (USB audio codec) Speakers (USB audio codec) Click "SAVE" Menu>Configure>Rig control Check use RigCAT Open IC7100.xml rig file Device: Use appropriate COM port Retries 3 Retry interval 100 Write delay 20 Baud rate 9600 Stopbits: 1 Check CAT command for PTT only Cick "Initialize" - should read frequency and mode Click "Save" |
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Internal tuner test results
Antenna: G5RV (original 102' version in an inverted-vee) with about 70' of low loss 400 coax and ferrite chokes at the transition from coax to window line 50.1 2.8:1 53.65 1.1:1 28.0 2.6:1 15M 2.5:1 18M 3.1:1 20M 1:1 30M >3 40M 2.3:1 3.55 - 1:1 3.985 - >3 |
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Quoted:
I've got two days on the IC-7300 now, mostly on 40 & 80 meters. This is a game-changing radio. Truly game-changing. Anybody want a nice deal on a clean used TS-590s. sounds like a tall stack of pancakes the 590 has one of the best rated recievers on the market, ....sherwood or QST what do you like about the 7300 enough to sell the 590 ? |
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Quoted:
sounds like a tall stack of pancakes the 590 has one of the best rated recievers on the market, ....sherwood or QST what do you like about the 7300 enough to sell the 590 ? Quoted:
Quoted:
I've got two days on the IC-7300 now, mostly on 40 & 80 meters. This is a game-changing radio. Truly game-changing. Anybody want a nice deal on a clean used TS-590s. sounds like a tall stack of pancakes the 590 has one of the best rated recievers on the market, ....sherwood or QST what do you like about the 7300 enough to sell the 590 ? The hear mo' better circuit. |
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Picked up the last one at HRO in dallas this week. Only have about two hours on the radio but its pretty fun radio. I am a new ham so I really don't know what to compare it to. Only radios I have used are IC-746, IC-706mkiig, IC-7410, and now the IC-7300. I kinda miss the knobs but so far its a real fun little radio..
Prosise |
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Quoted:
sounds like a tall stack of pancakes the 590 has one of the best rated recievers on the market, ....sherwood or QST what do you like about the 7300 enough to sell the 590 ? Quoted:
Quoted:
I've got two days on the IC-7300 now, mostly on 40 & 80 meters. This is a game-changing radio. Truly game-changing. Anybody want a nice deal on a clean used TS-590s. sounds like a tall stack of pancakes the 590 has one of the best rated recievers on the market, ....sherwood or QST what do you like about the 7300 enough to sell the 590 ? If I am reading the Sherwood 7300 test pdf right. The 7300 gets a 94dB vs the 92dB of the 590SG on narrow. Noise floor for the 7300 is -136 dBm vs the 590SG at -135. I think those are the big deal Sherwood numbers. So I read that as same-same. Prior to this the highest range an Icom had was the R9500 at 85dB and it had a noise floor of -135 dBm. The 7X00's are all in the 80s. So they just hammered there own flagship specs by a good bit. I have no idea how much these numbers matter in the real world. I remain able to not buy the 7300 just yet...but it is getting harder. One of my elmers got a 7300 and he is doing cartwheels over it, and he came from a flex1500. |
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Quoted:
If I am reading the Sherwood 7300 test pdf right. The 7300 gets a 94dB vs the 92dB of the 590SG on narrow. Noise floor for the 7300 is -136 dBm vs the 590SG at -135. I think those are the big deal Sherwood numbers. So I read that as same-same. Prior to this the highest range an Icom had was the R9500 at 85dB and it had a noise floor of -135 dBm. The 7X00's are all in the 80s. So they just hammered there own flagship specs by a good bit. This is my understanding, although I was hoping someone much smarter than I would come along and verify my thinking 
Either way, the IP+ function must be enabled in order to achieve the reported results and I've not yet had a chance to test this (my antenna system is down at the moment because... issues) |
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Let's see:
K3 in kit form with ONE filter is $2800. Flex 6300 is $2500. ANAN-100B is $1800. IC7300 is $1500. TS-590SG is $1400. All of these radios fall, or will when they are tested, into the top 15 radios in the Sherwood test reports. From a receive performance perspective there is little to distinguish them. It's obvious that if you want a "no client" radio the 7300 is the best bang for the buck. For "thick client" radio the 100B. And for a "thin client" radio, the 6300. And, arguably, if you add a tiny server PC to the 7300 and run the RS-BA1 software it becomes a "thin client" radio also, although not in the same league as the 6300. Similarly, if you add a Maestro to a 6300 it effectively becomes a "no client" radio, but, my god, the price, $3650, is stratospheric for what you get. Although it does compare favorably with a heavily optioned K3. |
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Quoted:
And, arguably, if you add a tiny server PC to the 7300 and run the RS-BA1 software it becomes a "thin client" radio also, although not in the same league as the 6300. From what I am reading, the 7300 seems to be getting quite popular. My feeling (and from my reading I'm not alone) is that the 7300 is the first in its class from icom and we'll see more rigs that share the same architecture. I am wondering (although I'm not holding my breath) if someone (maybe even icom?) will come up with a cheaper/free/better alternative to the $100 RS-BA1 software. I could see it if this thing develops like I am thinking it will. |
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Quoted:
From what I am reading, the 7300 seems to be getting quite popular. My feeling (and from my reading I'm not a lone) is that the 7300 is the first in its class from icom and we'll see more rigs that share the same architecture. I am wondering (although I'm not holding my breath) if someone (maybe even icom?) will come up with a cheaper/free/better alternative to the $100 RS-BA1 software. I could see it if this thing develops like I am thinking it will. Quoted:
Quoted:
And, arguably, if you add a tiny server PC to the 7300 and run the RS-BA1 software it becomes a "thin client" radio also, although not in the same league as the 6300. From what I am reading, the 7300 seems to be getting quite popular. My feeling (and from my reading I'm not a lone) is that the 7300 is the first in its class from icom and we'll see more rigs that share the same architecture. I am wondering (although I'm not holding my breath) if someone (maybe even icom?) will come up with a cheaper/free/better alternative to the $100 RS-BA1 software. I could see it if this thing develops like I am thinking it will. The software issue would be my biggest gripe too. I like the idea of SDR radios going mainstream, but limiting the rig to just the factory software seemed short sighted on Icom's part. As time goes on maybe something will develop to take it to the next level. |
| I've only got to play with mine for a couple of evenings, kids and farming schedule it's the worst time for me to play radio. My biggest gripe is I wish they would have gotten it out sooner, in the winter when I would have had time to play. I think it's fantastic but I don't have another radio to compare it to. I think the controls are pretty intuitive, and I haven't had much problems figuring them out, a quick glance at the manual or just playing around and I can generally figure out what's going on. The best thing for me is the scope, I can see people talking and just turn to where they are. Switching bands is very simple. I wish I could give a better review by having some previous experience but I'm pretty much a noob and can't compare it to anything. |
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Quoted:
Anyone having overshoot issues with their 7300?  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=up5DgMwhlDM
ETA: I'm not sure if this an actual issue or just this guys radio/setup but could be an issue for solid state amps. Just did some experiments on a dummy load. I couldn't get any overshoot barefoot so I fired up the 811. I never got any peaks above 650 mA iP or 150 mA of grid. |
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Quoted:
Same here. I have done a ton more SSB now that I can see the whole phone spectrum instead of spinning the dial. Quoted:
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bump to keep out of archives 2 months in and I still love it, BTW. Same here. I have done a ton more SSB now that I can see the whole phone spectrum instead of spinning the dial. Oh yeah. Since getting the Flex 3000 three years ago, and transitioning to an Apache Labs ANAN-100D two years ago, I feel like a blind man when operating a radio without a good panadapter and waterfall. I rely much more heavily on the waterfall to find signals as well. It's amazing how efficient it is to check an entire band of signals with the mouse, or, in your case, the touch screen. Just click/touch, fine tune, listen, move on (or work the station). We don't spin the dial anymore. Now we click the band!
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