What is the best entry level HF transceiver?

People often question what HF transceiver is the best to buy at entry level. Now the IC7300 is available as a Mk2, the Mk1, which has sold over 100k units worldwide, is available readily on the second hand market.

ICOM portables

In the late 20th century, ICOM produced a range of VHF and UHF portables, that worked on SSB and CW. Their style was very military. 

I owned the IC202 which covered 200kHz on 2m using a very clever VXO. Using a home-designed transverter it worked the world with 1W SSB on 10m with simple wire dipoles or a CB vertical.

On 2m it worked some amazing DX handheld using just the whip on the rig.

ICOM X-026

ICOM announced that they will be showing their concept model transceiver at the Dayton Hamvention. 

So far all that has appeared from ICOM is a ghostly video. In truth, I think it is some way off production and they are testing the interest. Some speculate that it is a "shack in the box" replacement for the IC706 range covering HF, VHF and UHF but with a head unit that is remotely connected wirelessly via bluetooth or wifi. 

The truth is we just don't know. One thing is certain, this could really hit the Yaesu FTX1 range. In my view the FTX1 is a poor second and shows Yaesu is now a (poor) follower.

New ICOM mobile transceiver?

Hamvention is now only a few weeks away. It is often the place where new rigs are announced. ICOM has announced a new concept model called the X-026 which may be an HF/VHF/UHF mobile transceiver although details are sketchy. Often these annoucements pre-date release by some time.

 

Are the days of the major Japanese manufacturers numbered?

Many people in amateur radio get a lot of pleasure from unpacking a new radio for the first time. 

Often these new radios come with some new feature that a person "must have". Sometimes older radios are traded in to pay for the new box.  In reality, this new feature will not be noticed or rarely used.

Of late, the Chinese, Indians and others have been producing transceivers that are superior at much lower prices. In my view, as the demographic of radio amateurs ages, many of the traditional Japanese manufacturers will think twice or even leave the market.

It would appear that many of these Japanese radios are still using conservative designs. In the past, I think I am right, the Japanese have not been so good on innovation.

Maybe the "big three" are about to get a bloody nose?

QRP Labs

It would seem that the big Japanese manufacturers are using very conservative designs. It is interesting how much less some other companies can make products for .   

It suggests the consumer is really being ripped off by these big manufacturers. In the future, I am sure a major shake-up is coming and not all will survive.

Icom IC-705

This radio was first introduced in 2020. Its price in the UK has recently been reduced. My personal opinion is that it represents much better value than the Yaseu FTX-1.

I have no idea what plans ICOM has for the future, but an IC-705A with a new form factor, an auto ATU built in, 4m, and USB-C socket would not surprise me aimed at the portable handheld market. They have the electronics, and could even use the same case.

ICOM IC705

In my view the IC-705 vastly beats the Yaesu FTX-1. Certainly in the UK, the FTX-1 is very expensive and still lacks many of the features that the IC-705 had years ago. It was introduced about 5 years ago.  In my humble view Yaesu is playing catch up ... and losing badly.

It would not surprise me at all if ICOM announced an IC705A later this year in a portable form factor aimed at SOTA and POTA users with internal auto ATU and maybe 4m in European versions. It could sell well.

Yaesu have made some great kit and the majority of my commercial transceivers have been Yaesu. But I get the distinct impression Yaesu have "gone off the boil".

FT710 and IC7300mk2

ICOM has announced the mark 2 version of the IC7300, which has sold well across the world. 100,000 units have been sold. 

The FT-710 scores very highly on the Sherwood tests. I do not think the latest ICOM rig has been tested, although the mark 1 was somewhat lower down. For most people most of the time these numbers are academic.

Both rigs cover up to 70MHz. I know the FT710 can be widebanded without uncasing. I am not sure about the IC7300mk2.

The Yaesu radio is considerably less expensive in the UK and comes with a Yaesu cashback. I think Yaesu offers a 3 year warranty.

I am sure both are good radios.

IC-705 Portable?

If I was ICOM develepment now I would be working on a true handheld version of the IC-705. They have the electronics, so just need to re-develop the mechanics. There has never been a decent replacement of the FT817 by Yaesu.

Should such a product come to market, ICOM could make a killing.

ICOM IC-5200 announced

At the recent Tokyo Ham Fair ICOM announced the IC-5200 VHF/UHF mobile transceiver. 

It is still in development, so we might see it in 2026. I have no idea about the sort of price.

Being satisfied

There is a temptation to always lust after the newest shiniest transceiver. 

Steve G1KQH was looking at the ICOM Japan website where they have announced the IC7300Mk2. I think I shall resist it and try to be satisfied with what I have.

MLS and the FTX-1

With great fanfare the UK dealer MLS has announced that soon people who pre-ordered the rig will get deliveries after the first UK unit arrived.

I fail to see what the attraction is: it is £400 more than the ICOM IC-705 and, as far as I can see, offers less than the ICOM rig apart from 4m in European versions and the larger battery.  The IC-705 is now several years old .

When I saw what was on offer I was seriously underwhelmed. In my view at under £1000 they might have stood a chance.  At £1599, no chance. 

People who must have a shiny new radio, maybe, but the vast majority will give it a miss at this stupid price. 

If ICOM next make a true mutlimode, multiband portable, they could make a killing. In my view Yaesu has seriously "lost the plot"..... and the market.

FTX-1 versus IC-705

In the USA the FTX -1 is now on sale. 

People have reported some bugs with the Yasesu radio and I am not sure if these have been corrected with latest firmware. Certainly in the UK, the Yaesu radio is far more expensive that the IC-705. 

In my view the ICOM IC-705 represents far better value. There is certainly (at least) one video on YouTube comparing the two. 

I am definitely NOT rushing out to buy the FTX-1F. Personally, I still think Yaesu is floundering again.

Yaesu FTX 1F unboxing

My own view is this radio is far too expensive and lacks many essential features (you pay extra for GPS and it lacks wifi!! I don't think it has Bluetooth either). 

The ICOM  IC-705 looks far better value even before they dropped the price. Hopefully the price of the FTX 1F will soon fall so that it becomes a market leader. 

I have the feeling ICOM will soon sell the IC-705A with some features that kill the FTX 1F. Often the price of radios drops before they sell a new version.  If so, I think Yaesu is finished or soon will be. 

Selling a competitor to the IC-705 with what seems like fewer features at a higher price? Are they stupid? If I was in charge of their marketing team I would sack the lot. In the last few years they seem to have made some daft decisions. They come across as followers rather than leaders, and poor followers too.

Many like it, so I have attached the video of it being unboxed.

ICOM IC-705 versus Yaesu FTX-1F

You can see what ICOM need to do as an upgrade to the IC-705. Let's call this the IC-705A.  They could include an ATU internally and offer 4m. If they did these, they would probably easily compete against the Yaesu FTX-1F if it ever does come to market. 

I am losing faith with Yaesu, who appear to be drifting yet again. The last I heard was they were planning a worldwide launch after FCC approval. With the goings-on in the USA, I cannot see the FCC approving it soon. Also, Japan now faces a 10% tariff in the USA. I expect all Japanese manufacturers are revisiting their business plans. We have heard nothing more about this product since it appeared under glass last summer in Tokyo. I expect (if not withdrawn altogether!) Yaesu is trying to see which features will make it a real winner.

In my view the FTX-1F was put out in Tokyo to judge reaction. Unless it comes to market very soon, it is dead. It is interesting that we have not even seen updated specs! 

Meanwhile, the IC-705 is already years old, has many features already and the only thing against it is price. Just imagine if ICOM dropped its price by £150. Yaesu would be scrabbling around in a right mess.

Remote control of an ICOM rig

It would be good to operate my IC-705 over wi-fi from my iPhone. This would mean I could control the radio whilst in the lounge or even in bed! 

I am sure there are several programs, but I saw this one yesterday. It is not cheap at $36.99. There are versions for the Mac and iPad. 

One could even control the radio over the internet.

See https://ham-radio-apps.com/sdr-control-for-icom/ .

Yaesu FTX-1F video

 As mentioned before, the Yaesu FTX-1F (due "early 2025") is meant to be the competitor to the ICOM IC-705 and the successor to the FT817/818 QRP radios. I have not yet heard any more details of specs or price. With the stiff competition, it has to be keenly priced.

I came across this video earlier. Many are trying to show what it can do, but without full specs there are lots of guesses!

A  quick check at  Ham Radio Japan (all in Japanese!) had no more details. I wonder if Yaesu was "testing the waters" to judge interest?  It would not surprise me if Yaesu decided the competition is just too fierce to make any money and drop it even before it is launched. Do you have any more details?

I cannot imagine the IC-905 sells many and makes ICOM any profits.

MLS announce new portable

MLS has announced a new ICOM hand portable to coincide with ICOM's 60th anniversary. 

£619.99 for a hand portable? Hmm.  A lot more than I would pay, although I expect some will pay up for a fairly unique transceiver. Look for the ID-52 anniversary edition. 

See https://www.hamradio.co.uk/id-52-plus .

New ICOM HF transceiver?

On John's blog he mentions a new concept radio from ICOM called the X60. This is on show at the Dayton Hamvention this weekend. The main unveiling will be at the Tokyo Ham Fair later this summer.

The Dayton Hamvention is probably the biggest amateur radio show in the world. 

I have not yet heard if Yaesu will announce anything. Personally, I think they are in a total muddle and it would not surprise me if Yaesu and Kenwood leave the amateur radio market within 5 years.

See https://hamvention.org/