This was my first, and only, rig. The value is fantastic. The USB interface to my computers works great. I can run at 90-100 watts in digital modes with no overheating.
Boy oh boy! I am new to ham radio. I played on my cousins CB radio as a kid and have been curious my whole life. Its finally time to dive in and I think I will do it with the Icom IC-7300. Thank you very much for the video, it was informative, to the point and exactly what I was looking for with just enough opinion and insight added. Much appreciated. I will rewatch when the box comes!
I just ordered th3 7300 yesterday. Now I'm watching all the videos I can on it. You always put things how I can understand things it seems so I will be back once I receive mine (the wait is killing me and its only been a day lol). This is replacing my IC-707 which was my first HF rig I made contacts on. I heard one of the 7300s in person at VOA and wow I wanted it even more.
Well thanks Dave Casler, for doing a great review of this radio. I was so impressed that I bought an IC-7300 in December 2019, to upgrade my station from my IC-7000. I am keeping the IC-7000 as my Ham Shack in a box so to speak, and as a secondary HF station in the radio room. I only wish ICOM had a video output port on the IC-7300 like they have on the IC-7000. I love both radios. The IC-7300 is a joy to operate and use. Great audio reports with the standard hand mike that comes with it. The one thing I most enjoy about the IC-7300 is that it does not overheat on heavy duty cycle digital modes like the IC-7000 does. I am glad I bought the IC-7300 and have no regrets buying it.
I just received my Icom IC7300 and really love how it's working. I'm hoping the screen back light will continue to work for a long time. That said, after my Icom IC-756ProIII's back light flickered out to never return. I have had that radio for 16 years when I purchased new from Austin Radio Supply. (That business is not longer around) Anyway, I do plan on seeing about 'fixing the back light situation with the ProIII but it will certainly become a back up for my ham shack. I'm presenting setting up connection an Ameritron ALS-600 to the 7300. Yes, the solid state amp is a replacement of my Ameritron AL-811A amp. Thanks for your TH-cam video. It helps in finding things and understanding how to operate it. 73 Jim N5FKW
One of the features I really like is that if hold touch and hold the meter, the radio will display all the meters, great for SSB since you can see Power, Comp, SWR and ALC at one glance.
Thank you for the information. Taking my tech test Monday and plans on the general next month. I have an IC-7000 up here in northern Idaho with a 1/4 wave 2 meter ground plane on the roof for starters. This radio is quite a handful for a newb. But I am getting used to it listening to the locals and those on the repeaters. Hopeful soon I can get in on the conversation. Some of the functionality of this radio is similar to your 7300 and cleared up a lot for me, thank you!!!
Great video Dave, thanks. I just got my General lic two months ago, and have been on a quest to get the "right" HF radio. I'm fully equipped with VHF/UHF radios (well, I can always buy more!) but making the jump into HF is definitely a lot more complicated with a steeper learning curve and more equipment and greater logistics with HOA/CCR implications than VHF/UHF radios. My local DX Club, which I just started attending, have made the strong suggestion that I seriously consider the IC-7300 as my first HF radio. I've been looking at other "entry level" radios, but as one member put it, you want to buy something you can grow into... and for a few hundred more dollars, I've got something with current technology as opposed to 10 or 20 year old technology. Your video really does help understand the why and the what makes this a great radio, for first timers and seasoned salts... thanks again. Now on to watch your next video #201! Mike N7GND
I think I'm going to buy this radio for my station. It'll be my first modern radio. It has all the features a lone wolf ham like me could ever need, including digital modes capability which my boat anchor Kenwood TS-830S can't do without additional circuitry. Thanks for the walk-through - very helpful.
I love my IC-7300. I'm an old school tube-type guy, and this was my first venture into the new millennia, and I love it. I use it in the shop, and it will receive just about everything from DC to white light, making for some very interesting listening on other freqs when you get bored with QSOs. (I tune mine in to my favorite AM broadcast oldies station when I'm puttering around the shop). You can't go wrong with radio....great deal for the money. BTW I have no connection to ICOM, I'm a Collins S line man.
Much appreciated your explanations of many features of this radio. I’m impressed and considering purchasing ICOM factory refurbished 7300, with 2 year silver warranty to replace my old Kenwood TS-2000. The waterfall and spectral display essentially are the best features in my opinion the main reason to updating my shack & mobile abilities. 73 Steve AA4SH
I use the memory card to record separate configurations of my radio. I have one saved for any setups for FT-8, and one for SSB. This way, if I want to do FT-8, I reboot the radio to load that configuration, and vice-versa. This is extremely handy.
I use the SD card to save QSO's. The SD can then be brought to a computer, then copy and paste the recorded QSO with Windows, as the file is a .wav file, then copied over the same folder on the SD where the recordings are kept for transmitting, then the recorded QSO can be transmitted so other can hear themselves if asked. Such audio, it is not recorded on the radio in a way that can be transmitted on the air, but this way it can. Now, the voice recordings, yes those can be transmitted by the radio, as those are in the correct folder, as intended from factory. Therefore, saving with a PC to there, it will also transmit a recorded QSO this way. The card is then set back into the radio from the PC, and done.
This is a great video to watch while I am waiting for my new IC-7300 to arrive that I just ordered. I like the way you started from the upper left corner of the front of the radio and worked your way down and across the entire radio with the basic information, same with the back side. Excellent overview, well done! KE5FAR.
Congratulations Dave on your 200th episode. A great review of the IC-7300. I recently swapped out a Yaesu 897D for the Icom 7300. I find it a really easy rig to use. South Australia. 73 VK5FBBQ.
I'm a bit late to the party, but just for clarification the Auto Tune button on the lower right side allows you to "Auto Tune" a CW signal instantly with a single press. It only is intended for CW mode.
Great point, a confusion that ICOM could have easily avoided. The third button from the top all the way on the left that says “Tune”, refers to the internal antenna tuner. The “Auto Tune” (what you are referring to, lower right side, to the left of the VFO dial), would make one think it is related to the same function. Apparently not? Totally unrelated? Why isn’t there a basic set up and quick start video guide from the manufacturer for a thousand dollar equipment like this one?
We have electric fences to keep our cows in. The noise blanker (NB) is very effective in eliminating the click click of the impulse from the fence charger. W2UW
Thank You Dave !!! I have been thinking of this as my first radio ever since I took your course and got my tech a couple months ago...now I am ready for my General...Gonna take it with the Extra when you finish the last Extra Class
I just picked up a IC 7300 to replace my Icom 735 which was purchased new in 1985. Back then that radio cost almost $900. The 7300 was a great value with the rebates bringing the radio under a thousand dollars. I am impressed with all the features and how easy it is to operation in spite of it seeming intimidating. I see no problem with the single SO-239 connector since I already switch multiple antennas and radios with an MFJ switch. I do find the internal tuner to work okay but my Kenwood AT-230 tuner does allow me to use my less than perfect trap 80-10 dipole. I plan on replacing the hand mic with an Icom SM-30 at some point, more for convenience since the hand mic gets excellent reports. One item I am going to add is a screen protector, Amazon has one available for $6.00, seems like a good option to protect the screen.
Congrats on 200, and great intro to a radio I'm considering as my first HF. I live just south of Dayton, and plan on visiting Hamvention for the first time this year... they're offering free testing, and I've been studying up for my Tech & General. When it was still at Hara Arena, I was always at the gun show next door, and always thought about checking it out, just never got around to it. You and a few others here on TH-cam have been a big influence in sparking my interest... Thank you for the great content and taking the time to pass on your knowledge.
Great walk through on the IC-7300 Dave. It really helped me a lot to play with some of the important features i was unsure of! Also, I think your reference station series is great. (specially since I am building my station around the 7300) This really is a great idea. Glad to see ICOM noticed the value you bring and are adding to ownership of this rig. Subscribed and walking back through some of your stuff. Thanks from a new ham ... : )
If the Auto Tune button works like it does on my IC-7610, this is for CW mode. It will automatically tune the receiver to obtain the proper side tone for a CW signal.
The remote keypad goes to the front microphone connector. The remote jack is used for CT-17 compatible CI-V cable. In some rare cases, you might need two CI-V cables.
Good intro, Dave. Once you really get into the 7300 you'll find more to talk about on the front panel controls and the menus. I've been using mine daily for 2 years, and would be lost without it. Best new rig I've owned in 50 years! Pay attention to the Notch Filter and how it can be fine tuned. Also, I use the SD card to store custom configurations I've set up for various digital modes. What a time saver! If you check Facebook, you'll also see my posts on 630 meter operation. And I use Icom's AH-4 tuner for everything. 73, W0LEN
Nice job! 200 and counting! Im trying to get a technitians licence right now. i have a boafeng hand held i watch the video and im thinking about buying the radio. thank you for the information.
Thanks for the overview of the rig! A couple of corrections - On the Audio Scope screen, the ATT attenuator works only for the displayed audio spectrum scope; TIME is to change the Time Base of the waveform scope (like an oscilloscope), not to change the Clock Time. The physical Speech button announces the current rig configuration (eg, for vision impaired), not speech compression.
Unfortunately, the clock runs behind. Everybody knows it, & we all live with it. Mystifying why this is. They build a sophisticated SDR transceiver & fail to include an adequate clock. Oh, the humanity, lol! 🙃
Dave concerning the "manual", the supplied book is merely a quick start guide. You must download the 170+ page manual. I use both and yes I have a binder with plastic sleeves for the manual and a "Nifty" reference guide. Ken Mixon KC6WOK
Great video Dave. I got a 7300 when I got back into the hobby last October after passing my Extra test. I was a Novice in high school back in 1972 and was out of the hobby since. The 7300 is the IPhone of radios. Lots of features I still don’t use or fully understand. Watching videos like this really help. I am primarily a CW operator now on SKCC. I’ve always got good audio reports with the 7300 both SSB and CW. It’s a great radio and evidently I share that opinion with many others as it seems every other QSO is with another 7300 owner 73 WA9SWW Steve
Nice review/walk around Dave. My club purchased 3 IC-7300's a few months ago. We, club members were not permitted to touch the radios until we received training on how to use this fine piece of electronics. About 12 of us were in the first training class so we could a QSO Party in a few days. This radio has a lot of functionality. Few buttons and knobs which is one of my preferences. One can learn how to do much with the transceiver touch screen especially if one has had experience with touch screen computing and radio equipment with a lot of functionality. My concern with using the radio was how to do things "on the fly" without having to pull the manual out. I run CW most with my club in contesting so I my concerns are less than those of a phone operator. Things like increasing audio output or changing key send speed. My requirements are mostly attune to those of an operator that is comfortable with the Heathkit HW-8/9. I began using filters on receive when I began contesting with this club on Field Day. I soon began turning off the filters when it was turn at the key. My ear over the years has come to tune out those signals that the filter attenuates. Basically, all I need knowledge of handling on the 7300 is Notch filter, NB, RIT, AF, key send speed, and where I plug in my key. Then I'm a happy camper. Any extras are just that, extra. I am looking forward to your future videos about this great transceiver.
Thanks for the great review. One request: please don't put your whole hand in front of the camera as it blocks out what you are talking about. Please use a pointer (e.g. a pencil or biro) and operate controls with your finger or fingers below the control or icon.
@@davecasler Yes, absolutely brilliant video, many thanks, and I do agree that something to point at the controls would be great when you do a similar video. Many thanks again.
Thanks for the walk-through. Just got mine the other day, and you showed me some features I hadn't yet found. "Entry-level" is quite appropriate for me, but this radio seems like something that should last me a good while, as you suggested in your review. LOVE the waterfall, which my old superheterodyne Kenwood TS-570D obviously does not have. 73s!
Overall good explanations other than when the large hand covers the menu buttons when describing them. It would have been better if the front of the unit was lifted up to allow the face to be higher in the air so your hand would not block the view.
I've had mine for about a month and still learning new things. This is a great radio, but if I had a wish list I would like the radio to be able to identify the type of digital mode that I tune to, decode the digital signal I'm receiving and have a full keyboard connection on the back so I don't have to connect a PC for digital mode operation.
Hello David! Thanks for all your videos and other instructional resources you have available. I just passed my Technician & General exams this weekend at the Cowtown Hamfest in Ft Worth. They talked me into trying the Extra test (of which I had never seen a practice question). I failed that miserably (27/50) but it was educational and doesn’t look too hard with study. So no I am studying what modes and types of communication interest me. I am not asking for what to buy from anyone as I understand that all depends on what I a want to do which is what I am learning about. I am a former engineer that used RF links to put IP or Internet-like traffic over it so digital mode does interest me. I don’t see handheld as an appeal, but Mobile communication does. I am also interested in powering the shack with some solar power which you have mentioned in the past. I will be looking for my call sign this week as I have not seen it pop up in the fcc database license search yet. Am I anxious? Haha. Finally, sorry so wordy, but I want to thank you so much for your help in me getting my license. Thanks and keep up the good work. If I am ever in your neighborhood, I would love to buy you a cup of coffee where we could talk about this fascinating hobby. 73 from Dallas Texas area!
David Casler thank you sir! It has been a long time desire dating back to the 1960s when we strung a long wire around the Eve’s of the house for a short wave receiver. Now as a retired engineer I am able to pursue the hobby. I am busy researching the antennas I want to build or put up in my office/Ham Shack. Thanks for the videos on antennas. I am also studying the ARRL Antenna Book.
Great topic, thanks for posting it. My only complaint is that as you describe features and point them out on the radio your hand blocks what you are talking about. This is a problem throughout the video and becomes very frustrating since the viewer cannot see what you are talking about. I suggest looking into different options to "resolve" this issue like repositioning your hand or using a pointer. The large view of the front of the radio is very nice throughout the video.
My orig choice was 7300 for HF, 9700 for UHF, but got a 991A to save $ & combine the two. Would've been better off w/ first choice, & what I have now, while my 101MP is getting serviced. Yes! Love it!
Hi Dave. Enjoyed this video a lot. I'm starting the move from VHF/UHF FM to HF (and 6M.) I've built a 6m Moxon antenna and need a Transceiver to go with. Since your review was done awhile ago, I'm wondering if the ICOM 7300 would be your choice yet today. Are there alternative transceivers available today that you might suggest? Thanks!
Hi Dave, Great intro video for the 7300 on your 200th episode - congrats! But I noticed something odd during the video when you went to change bands; why is there no button for the 60 meter band? Do you have to manually tune it to those frequencies? Does the radio auto-channelize for USB/DATA/CW? Thanks Dave & 73 John - N7GHZ
There is a section in the instruction manual for the 60 meter band that suggests putting the correct frequencies and modes into memory channels. It has a table that shows the right frequencies. Conversely, my FTDX3000 came with the 60m frequencies already in memory channels.
This is one of the best reviews of the Icom 7300 I have seen. Just open the manual and walk through the buttons and compare it to the FT-DX3000. I just ordered one from HRO with their Dayton special pricing. Can you do an Icom 9700 review?
John Leonardelli why would you want a review of any radio that drifts as badly as the ICOM 9700? Lots of people are Very Unhappy about them drifting all over the band.
Hey Dave! Just wanted to let you know that I just bought a 7300 at DX Engineering @ 3:00AM this morning for $899.xx, charged transaction to my VISA! Now at 10:00AM I get a call from DXE saying ICOM won't let them honor the sale! I said then let ICOM know that the 7300 was my second ICOM HF Base purchase from you (and them), previously having purchased a new 7200. They said sorry, but they can't fulfill the transaction!!! I said...well, you're not yet sorry enough!
@@davecasler Got one. I meant it was not labeled an SDR like others, so I had my doubts. This is an amazing radio with features, such as band range settings, etc, waterfall settings, colors, etc, advanced ones such as using IF not AF to get the full 12khz audio out, etc. Well, the included manual in the box is not the big one, but I downloaded from the manufacturer, 174 pages long and more. Thanks.
I am a newbie to HAM radio and studying for my license. I am considering the IC-7600 as my first radio. Is this a good radio that I will probably be happy with? Thanks for the explanation. Well done. I clicked on Subscribe, I like your style. I like that you get to the point and pack in a lot of information.
Hello, I could use some help. I have a Kenwood 590 and an ACOM 700S amp. I need the correct control cable that will key my amp. I'm guessing I can make one. The ACOM amp has an RCA input that says KEY. What connector do I need on the other end to connect to my Kenwood 590? Thank you much. Mel
@@kingdomwatcher 30 watts at 18 volts is less than 2 amps. If the battery is rated at 10 amp hours, it should provide theoretically 5 hours of operation. But in practice, you should downrate that by half to 2.5 hours max.
Dave, can you do a video on antenna rotators? how it work and how to operate and how to point it to the direction you want - like how to know where its pointed and whether the signal is going to the location you are looking for it to go?
Hi Dave, my name is Greg and I just punched an older version without meter of the als 500 amertron amp at a garage Saale for $ 30. and no power cord ! is is worth buying a power supply and power cord to use in my bass station with my IC 7300 ! I'm running a MYAntenna long wire rated at 2K and my tuner is a KDG 600pro 2 ! Appricate your advice
This was my first, and only, rig. The value is fantastic. The USB interface to my computers works great. I can run at 90-100 watts in digital modes with no overheating.
Boy oh boy! I am new to ham radio. I played on my cousins CB radio as a kid and have been curious my whole life. Its finally time to dive in and I think I will do it with the Icom IC-7300. Thank you very much for the video, it was informative, to the point and exactly what I was looking for with just enough opinion and insight added. Much appreciated. I will rewatch when the box comes!
I just ordered th3 7300 yesterday. Now I'm watching all the videos I can on it. You always put things how I can understand things it seems so I will be back once I receive mine (the wait is killing me and its only been a day lol). This is replacing my IC-707 which was my first HF rig I made contacts on. I heard one of the 7300s in person at VOA and wow I wanted it even more.
Well thanks Dave Casler, for doing a great review of this radio. I was so impressed that I bought an IC-7300 in December 2019, to upgrade my station from my IC-7000. I am keeping the IC-7000 as my Ham Shack in a box so to speak, and as a secondary HF station in the radio room. I only wish ICOM had a video output port on the IC-7300 like they have on the IC-7000. I love both radios. The IC-7300 is a joy to operate and use. Great audio reports with the standard hand mike that comes with it. The one thing I most enjoy about the IC-7300 is that it does not overheat on heavy duty cycle digital modes like the IC-7000 does. I am glad I bought the IC-7300 and have no regrets buying it.
Just recently found your channel love how you break everything down so that everyone can understand it good job keep it up
I just received my Icom IC7300 and really love how it's working. I'm hoping the screen back light will continue to work for a long time. That said, after my Icom IC-756ProIII's back light flickered out to never return. I have had that radio for 16 years when I purchased new from Austin Radio Supply. (That business is not longer around) Anyway, I do plan on seeing about 'fixing the back light situation with the ProIII but it will certainly become a back up for my ham shack. I'm presenting setting up connection an Ameritron ALS-600 to the 7300. Yes, the solid state amp is a replacement of my Ameritron AL-811A amp.
Thanks for your TH-cam video. It helps in finding things and understanding how to operate it.
73 Jim N5FKW
One of the features I really like is that if hold touch and hold the meter, the radio will display all the meters, great for SSB since you can see Power, Comp, SWR and ALC at one glance.
Thank you for the information. Taking my tech test Monday and plans on the general next month. I have an IC-7000 up here in northern Idaho with a 1/4 wave 2 meter ground plane on the roof for starters. This radio is quite a handful for a newb. But I am getting used to it listening to the locals and those on the repeaters. Hopeful soon I can get in on the conversation. Some of the functionality of this radio is similar to your 7300 and cleared up a lot for me, thank you!!!
if you push and hold the notch, NB, noise filter buttons you get on screen menus to tweak the settings, using upper right rotatory dial
Congrats on the #200 episode. Well done 👍🏻
You deserve it.
Great video Dave, thanks. I just got my General lic two months ago, and have been on a quest to get the "right" HF radio. I'm fully equipped with VHF/UHF radios (well, I can always buy more!) but making the jump into HF is definitely a lot more complicated with a steeper learning curve and more equipment and greater logistics with HOA/CCR implications than VHF/UHF radios. My local DX Club, which I just started attending, have made the strong suggestion that I seriously consider the IC-7300 as my first HF radio. I've been looking at other "entry level" radios, but as one member put it, you want to buy something you can grow into... and for a few hundred more dollars, I've got something with current technology as opposed to 10 or 20 year old technology.
Your video really does help understand the why and the what makes this a great radio, for first timers and seasoned salts... thanks again.
Now on to watch your next video #201!
Mike
N7GND
I think I'm going to buy this radio for my station. It'll be my first modern radio. It has all the features a lone wolf ham like me could ever need, including digital modes capability which my boat anchor Kenwood TS-830S can't do without additional circuitry. Thanks for the walk-through - very helpful.
I love my IC-7300. I'm an old school tube-type guy, and this was my first venture into the new millennia, and I love it. I use it in the shop, and it will receive just about everything from DC to white light, making for some very interesting listening on other freqs when you get bored with QSOs. (I tune mine in to my favorite AM broadcast oldies station when I'm puttering around the shop). You can't go wrong with radio....great deal for the money. BTW I have no connection to ICOM, I'm a Collins S line man.
Thanks!
Much appreciated your explanations of many features of this radio. I’m impressed and considering purchasing ICOM factory refurbished 7300, with 2 year silver warranty to replace my old Kenwood TS-2000. The waterfall and spectral display essentially are the best features in my opinion the main reason to updating my shack & mobile abilities.
73 Steve AA4SH
Icom 7600 as main. Just bought my second 7300 for back up and FUN! It's a great rig!
Good review...
I use the memory card to record separate configurations of my radio. I have one saved for any setups for FT-8, and one for SSB. This way, if I want to do FT-8, I reboot the radio to load that configuration, and vice-versa. This is extremely handy.
Good tip, thanks!
I use the SD card to save QSO's. The SD can then be brought to a computer, then copy and paste the recorded QSO with Windows, as the file is a .wav file, then copied over the same folder on the SD where the recordings are kept for transmitting, then the recorded QSO can be transmitted so other can hear themselves if asked.
Such audio, it is not recorded on the radio in a way that can be transmitted on the air, but this way it can. Now, the voice recordings, yes those can be transmitted by the radio, as those are in the correct folder, as intended from factory. Therefore, saving with a PC to there, it will also transmit a recorded QSO this way. The card is then set back into the radio from the PC, and done.
This is a great video to watch while I am waiting for my new IC-7300 to arrive that I just ordered. I like the way you started from the upper left corner of the front of the radio and worked your way down and across the entire radio with the basic information, same with the back side. Excellent overview, well done! KE5FAR.
Congratulations Dave on your 200th episode. A great review of the IC-7300. I recently swapped out a Yaesu 897D for the Icom 7300. I find it a really easy rig to use. South Australia. 73 VK5FBBQ.
Greatest QSO I ever had, Flex 1500, 3 watts, FM Simplex on 10m, to Spain that continued for nearly an hour. From near Seattle. Epic!
I'm a bit late to the party, but just for clarification the Auto Tune button on the lower right side allows you to "Auto Tune" a CW signal instantly with a single press. It only is intended for CW mode.
Great point, a confusion that ICOM could have easily avoided.
The third button from the top all the way on the left that says “Tune”, refers to the internal antenna tuner.
The “Auto Tune” (what you are referring to, lower right side, to the left of the VFO dial), would make one think it is related to the same function.
Apparently not? Totally unrelated?
Why isn’t there a basic set up and quick start video guide from the manufacturer for a thousand dollar equipment like this one?
The 7300 is the radio i am saving for!
We have electric fences to keep our cows in. The noise blanker (NB) is very effective in eliminating the click click of the impulse from the fence charger. W2UW
Thanks for this video Dave! Im a new ham, and purchased a 7300 used for my first HF radio.
For some reason I think you really like this radio Dave.😀
I like it too! Its crazy amazing!
Good stuff Dave. As always.
Thank You Dave !!! I have been thinking of this as my first radio ever since I took your course and got my tech a couple months ago...now I am ready for my General...Gonna take it with the Extra when you finish the last Extra Class
All the Amateur Extra videos have been updated. See www.ke0og.net/extra
I really love my IC7300. It's quite an upgrade from my TS450s/AT. Thanks for the great video.
I just picked up a IC 7300 to replace my Icom 735 which was purchased new in 1985. Back then that radio cost almost $900. The 7300 was a great value with the rebates bringing the radio under a thousand dollars. I am impressed with all the features and how easy it is to operation in spite of it seeming intimidating. I see no problem with the single SO-239 connector since I already switch multiple antennas and radios with an MFJ switch. I do find the internal tuner to work okay but my Kenwood AT-230 tuner does allow me to use my less than perfect trap 80-10 dipole. I plan on replacing the hand mic with an Icom SM-30 at some point, more for convenience since the hand mic gets excellent reports. One item I am going to add is a screen protector, Amazon has one available for $6.00, seems like a good option to protect the screen.
Yes, and from time to time you will need to clean the screen.
The default display setting do little for the radio. You can change it up a lot and get a lot of detail out of it particularly the waterfall.
Just bought one yesterday, collecting it on Saturday. Coming back into Ham radio after a few years off the air. Thanks Dave. ON9CJD
Welcome back to ham radio!
Congrats on 200, and great intro to a radio I'm considering as my first HF. I live just south of Dayton, and plan on visiting Hamvention for the first time this year... they're offering free testing, and I've been studying up for my Tech & General. When it was still at Hara Arena, I was always at the gun show next door, and always thought about checking it out, just never got around to it. You and a few others here on TH-cam have been a big influence in sparking my interest... Thank you for the great content and taking the time to pass on your knowledge.
I think you really like the radio Dave. You could tell by the way you were hugging it for most of the video.
Kevin McCarthy I second that :-)
:-)
Best review I've seen on the IC 7300 Dave. Thanks for sharing.
Great walk through on the IC-7300 Dave. It really helped me a lot to play with some of the important features i was unsure of! Also, I think your reference station series is great. (specially since I am building my station around the 7300) This really is a great idea. Glad to see ICOM noticed the value you bring and are adding to ownership of this rig. Subscribed and walking back through some of your stuff. Thanks from a new ham ... : )
Had my ic-7300 over a year love it and the more you use it the more you will learn about it 73s kn4kbn
A fast and clear explanation as water could not be better. 👍
Good one Dave. my very first ham radio was an Icom IC730 and it recently died, so your review comes in very handy
Dave Thanks for the review. I have just ordered one for myself as I watched your review a second time. This is my first time with SDR.
Thanks Dave! 🍺
If the Auto Tune button works like it does on my IC-7610, this is for CW mode. It will automatically tune the receiver to obtain the proper side tone for a CW signal.
From the manual: AUTO TUNE KEY AUTO TUNE (p. 4-16) Automatically tunes the operating frequency to a received CW signal.
Thanks for pointing this out.
600 hz (audio)? Correct?
The remote keypad goes to the front microphone connector. The remote jack is used for CT-17 compatible CI-V cable. In some rare cases, you might need two CI-V cables.
Good intro, Dave. Once you really get into the 7300 you'll find more to talk about on the front panel controls and the menus. I've been using mine daily for 2 years, and would be lost without it. Best new rig I've owned in 50 years! Pay attention to the Notch Filter and how it can be fine tuned. Also, I use the SD card to store custom configurations I've set up for various digital modes. What a time saver! If you check Facebook, you'll also see my posts on 630 meter operation. And I use Icom's AH-4 tuner for everything. 73, W0LEN
Greetings from South Dakota! Terrific info and thank you for sharing.
Nice job! 200 and counting! Im trying to get a technitians licence right now. i have a boafeng hand held i watch the video and im thinking about buying the radio. thank you for the information.
Thanks for the overview of the rig! A couple of corrections - On the Audio Scope screen, the ATT attenuator works only for the displayed audio spectrum scope; TIME is to change the Time Base of the waveform scope (like an oscilloscope), not to change the Clock Time. The physical Speech button announces the current rig configuration (eg, for vision impaired), not speech compression.
Thanks for the clarifications
Unfortunately, the clock runs behind. Everybody knows it, & we all live with it. Mystifying why this is. They build a sophisticated SDR transceiver & fail to include an adequate clock. Oh, the humanity, lol! 🙃
I love it, great radio. KX3 for portable IC7300 as base. SteppIR Urban Beam and Air Gap Titan DX Antennas. 73 VK6MMB
Dave concerning the "manual", the supplied book is merely a quick start guide. You must download the 170+ page manual. I use both and yes I have a binder with plastic sleeves for the manual and a "Nifty" reference guide. Ken Mixon KC6WOK
Great video Dave. I got a 7300 when I got back into the hobby last October after passing my Extra test. I was a Novice in high school back in 1972 and was out of the hobby since. The 7300 is the IPhone of radios. Lots of features I still don’t use or fully understand. Watching videos like this really help. I am primarily a CW operator now on SKCC. I’ve always got good audio reports with the 7300 both SSB and CW. It’s a great radio and evidently I share that opinion with many others as it seems every other QSO is with another 7300 owner
73
WA9SWW
Steve
Nice one from John M7XNR
Nice review/walk around Dave. My club purchased 3 IC-7300's a few months ago. We, club members were not permitted to touch the radios until we received training on how to use this fine piece of electronics. About 12 of us were in the first training class so we could a QSO Party in a few days. This radio has a lot of functionality. Few buttons and knobs which is one of my preferences. One can learn how to do much with the transceiver touch screen especially if one has had experience with touch screen computing and radio equipment with a lot of functionality. My concern with using the radio was how to do things "on the fly" without having to pull the manual out. I run CW most with my club in contesting so I my concerns are less than those of a phone operator. Things like increasing audio output or changing key send speed. My requirements are mostly attune to those of an operator that is comfortable with the Heathkit HW-8/9. I began using filters on receive when I began contesting with this club on Field Day. I soon began turning off the filters when it was turn at the key. My ear over the years has come to tune out those signals that the filter attenuates. Basically, all I need knowledge of handling on the 7300 is Notch filter, NB, RIT, AF, key send speed, and where I plug in my key. Then I'm a happy camper. Any extras are just that, extra. I am looking forward to your future videos about this great transceiver.
Thanks for the great review. One request: please don't put your whole hand in front of the camera as it blocks out what you are talking about. Please use a pointer (e.g. a pencil or biro) and operate controls with your finger or fingers below the control or icon.
Good point. I put the radio sideways on the desk and shot down the desk at the radio. It seemed to help, but using a pointer is a good idea.
@@davecasler Yes, absolutely brilliant video, many thanks, and I do agree that something to point at the controls would be great when you do a similar video. Many thanks again.
I had the same suggestion James. Great video other than that.
Thanks for the walk-through. Just got mine the other day, and you showed me some features I hadn't yet found. "Entry-level" is quite appropriate for me, but this radio seems like something that should last me a good while, as you suggested in your review. LOVE the waterfall, which my old superheterodyne Kenwood TS-570D obviously does not have. 73s!
That's a nice hands-on review. Lots of things are now clear to me. Think I put it on my hobby shopping / birthday list :-)
Thank you for posting it.
Overall good explanations other than when the large hand covers the menu buttons when describing them. It would have been better if the front of the unit was lifted up to allow the face to be higher in the air so your hand would not block the view.
Besides rapidly turning the tuner knob, you can also touch the kHz digit and the tuning step will be in kHz.
And touch the MCs to really
speed things up
I am going to be purchasing one of these soon. Thanks for your video and information. '73 / Steve / K4SRF
First time viewer your #200 episode old ham new radio Icom 7300 enjoyed your review will help me a lot. w8usn retired navy radioman
Well done David, Its always good to watch your film. regards from the UK.
Thanx for the intro sir....Never been on ham....Was Army signal corp in the 70s...
I hope you come to enjoy ham radio. Check out my website at www.ke0og.net/training.
Thank you David. I appreciate your efforts here.
Very nice video "tour" of the Icom IC-7300.
Thanks for this. Im getting one soon!
I've had mine for about a month and still learning new things. This is a great radio, but if I had a wish list I would like the radio to be able to identify the type of digital mode that I tune to, decode the digital signal I'm receiving and have a full keyboard connection on the back so I don't have to connect a PC for digital mode operation.
Nice job Dave, I appreciate it, was just looking at this unit at the Hamcation in Orlando last week. Good job.
Have a 7300 and love it! Welcome to the 21st Century. Imagine touch screen instead of buttons!
Well done David.
Hello David! Thanks for all your videos and other instructional resources you have available. I just passed my Technician & General exams this weekend at the Cowtown Hamfest in Ft Worth. They talked me into trying the Extra test (of which I had never seen a practice question). I failed that miserably (27/50) but it was educational and doesn’t look too hard with study.
So no I am studying what modes and types of communication interest me. I am not asking for what to buy from anyone as I understand that all depends on what I a want to do which is what I am learning about. I am a former engineer that used RF links to put IP or Internet-like traffic over it so digital mode does interest me. I don’t see handheld as an appeal, but Mobile communication does. I am also interested in powering the shack with some solar power which you have mentioned in the past. I will be looking for my call sign this week as I have not seen it pop up in the fcc database license search yet. Am I anxious? Haha. Finally, sorry so wordy, but I want to thank you so much for your help in me getting my license. Thanks and keep up the good work. If I am ever in your neighborhood, I would love to buy you a cup of coffee where we could talk about this fascinating hobby. 73 from Dallas Texas area!
Congrats on becoming a ham!
David Casler thank you sir! It has been a long time desire dating back to the 1960s when we strung a long wire around the Eve’s of the house for a short wave receiver.
Now as a retired engineer I am able to pursue the hobby. I am busy researching the antennas I want to build or put up in my office/Ham Shack. Thanks for the videos on antennas. I am also studying the ARRL Antenna Book.
Got mine, Nice radio. I been looking for the the lock. Thanks!
The touch screen works in the SET menu items, you don't need to use the multi knob if you prefer to use the touchscreen,
Great topic, thanks for posting it. My only complaint is that as you describe features and point them out on the radio your hand blocks what you are talking about. This is a problem throughout the video and becomes very frustrating since the viewer cannot see what you are talking about. I suggest looking into different options to "resolve" this issue like repositioning your hand or using a pointer. The large view of the front of the radio is very nice throughout the video.
"Clubby-Chubby-Paws" syndrome ?
Haw 🤠 !
My orig choice was 7300 for HF, 9700 for UHF, but got a 991A to save $ & combine the two. Would've been better off w/ first choice, & what I have now, while my 101MP is getting serviced. Yes! Love it!
This was an AWESOME tutorial vid. Thank you!
Thanks, great walk through and explanation.
Great video ! I am considering buying this radio.
Hi Dave. Enjoyed this video a lot. I'm starting the move from VHF/UHF FM to HF (and 6M.) I've built a 6m Moxon antenna and need a Transceiver to go with. Since your review was done awhile ago, I'm wondering if the ICOM 7300 would be your choice yet today. Are there alternative transceivers available today that you might suggest? Thanks!
The touch screen also will do most things in the menu as well.
Thanks, Dave you are very informative. helped out a lot.
When making a portable/go kit or box should I carry and hook up a short ground rod?
Hi Dave,
Great intro video for the 7300 on your 200th episode - congrats!
But I noticed something odd during the video when you went to change bands; why is there no button for the 60 meter band? Do you have to manually tune it to those frequencies? Does the radio auto-channelize for USB/DATA/CW?
Thanks Dave & 73
John - N7GHZ
There is a section in the instruction manual for the 60 meter band that suggests putting the correct frequencies and modes into memory channels. It has a table that shows the right frequencies. Conversely, my FTDX3000 came with the 60m frequencies already in memory channels.
@@davecasler thanks dave for that info.
73 John
This is one of the best reviews of the Icom 7300 I have seen. Just open the manual and walk through the buttons and compare it to the FT-DX3000. I just ordered one from HRO with their Dayton special pricing. Can you do an Icom 9700 review?
If I can get hold of one!
John Leonardelli why would you want a review of any radio that drifts as badly as the ICOM 9700? Lots of people are Very Unhappy about them drifting all over the band.
Hey Dave! Just wanted to let you know that I just bought a 7300 at DX Engineering @ 3:00AM this morning for $899.xx, charged transaction to my VISA! Now at 10:00AM I get a call from DXE saying ICOM won't let them honor the sale! I said then let ICOM know that the 7300 was my second ICOM HF Base purchase from you (and them), previously having purchased a new 7200. They said sorry, but they can't fulfill the transaction!!! I said...well, you're not yet sorry enough!
I hope you are well Dave !
Thanks for your detailed review. It is very helpful.
Production tip: Angle the camera at about 45 degrees so that your hand isn't interfering as much with whatever your trying to show .
Many thanks for the review!
How do you compare the IC7300 to the FTDX3000 in SWL and SSB TX?
They are both great radios. I really like the 7300's screen. The 3000's screen is informative but not as much as the 7300. I'm about to test a 7610.
On the ftdx3000 you don't need to punch a button, you can set in the menu how you use that knob for Rf/sq
Not an SDR, but I ordered one anyway. Will arrive Monday. Nice video. 73.
The 7300 is an SDR
@@davecasler Got one. I meant it was not labeled an SDR like others, so I had my doubts. This is an amazing radio with features, such as band range settings, etc, waterfall settings, colors, etc, advanced ones such as using IF not AF to get the full 12khz audio out, etc.
Well, the included manual in the box is not the big one, but I downloaded from the manufacturer, 174 pages long and more. Thanks.
I am a newbie to HAM radio and studying for my license. I am considering the IC-7600 as my first radio. Is this a good radio that I will probably be happy with? Thanks for the explanation. Well done. I clicked on Subscribe, I like your style. I like that you get to the point and pack in a lot of information.
Great presentation. Sure beats my Clegg Venus when they came out in 1964. You did a great job going over the radio. k6LIG
Hello, I could use some help.
I have a Kenwood 590 and an ACOM 700S amp.
I need the correct control cable that will key my amp. I'm guessing I can make one. The ACOM amp has an RCA input that says KEY. What connector do I need on the other end to connect to my Kenwood 590? Thank you much.
Mel
Sorry... off topic... Would it be possible to use the 18v battery pack from my power drill to charge/power my CommRadio CTX 10 in the field?
You need to regulate the voltage down to what the radio wants, which I suspect is 12v.
@@davecasler The radio will work on anything between 5v and 20v and needs at least 30w. So it says. Just wondering about amp hours, etc.
@@kingdomwatcher 30 watts at 18 volts is less than 2 amps. If the battery is rated at 10 amp hours, it should provide theoretically 5 hours of operation. But in practice, you should downrate that by half to 2.5 hours max.
Great video!! and you speak very clear. Easy to understand all, 73 de XE1EE
Good job Ray i mean Dave
The Ray he's referring to is Ray Novak, Icom's US marketing manager.
@@davecasler yes indeed he shoud hire you as a assistance om
@@jeromegrzelak8236 :-) I'll see him at Dayton. It really is a very nice radio. But I'm going to stick with my Yaesu FTDX3000.
does this radio have a built in antenna in this radio???
Dave, can you do a video on antenna rotators? how it work and how to operate and how to point it to the direction you want - like how to know where its pointed and whether the signal is going to the location you are looking for it to go?
Thanks, good idea. I'll add that topic to my list of future topics.
Did you talk to Roberto, Dave? He's on 40 meters quite a bit.
Love your hand Dave as you illustrate the back panel but we cant see what you are pointing at.
Using a pencil as a pointer would be better
Does this radio have where I can talk on cb band? And how many what’s is this radio ?
You the man Dave
Maybe use a pointer to show features, as once you put your hand in front of the radio, we can't see anything. Thanks!
Hi Dave, my name is Greg and I just punched an older version without meter of the als 500 amertron amp at a garage Saale for $ 30. and no power cord ! is is worth buying a power supply and power cord to use in my bass station with my IC 7300 ! I'm running a MYAntenna long wire rated at 2K and my tuner is a KDG 600pro 2 ! Appricate your advice