I ordered my ic-7300 today along with the mfj-2010 antenna, and Anderson connectors... I already have a new power supply that’s just waiting for to use! Dave thnx for taking the initiative to do this, I have no elmers here and asked questions at the club I used to go to, and they were always too afraid to answer... so I left the club because of that! I have my general license for couple years now and never used a radio because I couldn’t find anyone brave enough to lead me! I’m very happy you are doing this brave enough to suggest a radio( thumbs up ) and antenna! I’ll be following this reference station closely and duplicate to as close as possible! Thank you very much John
Dave, I have found another TH-camr who has developed a complete series on the operation and set-up of the IC-7300. This series is an excellent addition to what you have to offer for the reference station HF radio. He goes into detail of every aspect of the 7300 set-up and function. I've had mine for a couple of years now and I'm still learning the capabilities of the radio. Thanks so much for all the guidance you have given us. You are an invaluable resource to the ham community. 73 KE0JVS
Dave, Great idea. I really appreciate the effort you make to share with us. This series will be gold for folks like me that are stumbling up and down the learning curve. All the best!
Dave, I'm in the went for the Extra all in one shot category. Looking forward to the rest of this series as I take my time deciding what to do for my initial station setup. Got my license just a few weeks ago. All I've done so far is join the local club and purchased a nice DMR HT. Keep up the great work. AE0IG 73
Great video. I had a 7300 on my "wish list" for about two years. Your review pushed me over the edge. I placed my order right after watching the review. I hope Icom (and others) recognize the influence you have.
Thank you so much for launching this series! I'm very excited about this and know of nothing like it out there, most especially that's current. I've been wanting to get the IC-7300 for a very long time now, but you've given me incentive to do so sooner rather than later. I've been a ham for some years now, but there are very many things I haven't done with the hobby being that I've been unable to devote large chunks of time getting up to speed using various modes, functions, etc. So I truly welcome your series, in part as a way to help me fast-track through some procedures that would otherwise take me some time to figure out. Can't wait!
I am definitely in your boat, my friend. I've been away from the hobby for decades and just getting back in. I also have been lusting after the 7300, so, now is the time! I am pretty dumb on the subject of digital modes, so that will be an education as well. I'm currently getting back up to speed on CW (joined SKCC, a great group). Ed KE6BN
I am taking my Extra license exam next week. You helped me through all of them, like an Elmer! I am sooo excited about this series as I’m starting to make my HF station in Ohio. I wanted to buy this radio. Finally I have another reason to pull the trigger!
Dave: I am one of those Extra Class guys who recently earned all of my licenses in a year but remember all of the old gear available in the 1970's when I almost became a ham. I've made a deep dive into DMR, my Anytone 878, APRS, built easy antennas and soon will get a hot spot. Last week, a friend heard me wishing I had more information on HF. He offered to showcase his station. It was an ICOM 7300, all of the digital interfaces I could want (and we are both IT guys!), a nifty antenna tuner, multiple antennas and now an amplifier. I really was looking for a reference station and came away with lots of info. It was also a case of information overload. I also had to completely reset my ideas about what an HF station should be. I think your idea of a video series on a reference station is absolutely on target. This is information that doesn't seem to exist in a coherent way and isn't really covered by the ARRL. Good luck!
Six weeks from the amateur extra exam, and nothing at home as yet but the Baofeng UV-5R. Looking forward to this series as a guide to building the home station.
just stumbled across this and the timing couldn't be better. i'm going to binge watch everything in this series! quick suggestion, could you create a playlist of these videos so they are easy to find?
This is a GREAT idea Dave! Sometimes rather than flooding a newbie's mind with endless theory it can be most helpful just to let them know what will work to get them started quickly with a rig that can grow with them. That was me for sure. We have the rest of our lives to keep learning, it doesn't all have to be done before we get on the air and learn how fun the hobby is!
Setting up a solid, best bang for the buck benchmark system, and demonstrating its functionality is going to be a huge help to a lot of people. I’m particularly looking forward to your treatment of the VHF/UHF station, as the myriad of non-compatible digital standards is far more challenging to reconcile than choices for HF systems. KD0YST 73
This is a great idea Dave... Started less than a year ago, and kind of floundered chasing this than that...you can get started with Tech license with a HT, but with General and moving to HF, well, it's more than a radio and a wire running up a tree. A lot more! A local ham has lent me a ic-7300, and I'm learning (entered a QSO Contest 2 weeks ago and made 3 contacts! 😁 ) but still looking for a road map... Looking forward to this series!
Dave - you got me on this one. I've been subscribed for maybe a year but, you got me on this focused idea. I have met a ham at field day last year and he too, recommended, hands down, the Icom IC-7300. I am studying to take my General test next week and my notifications are on! I am liking forward to doing this.
Please don't leave it in the box unpowered much longer. The Clock battery is rechargeable, and the rig needs to be hooked up to 13 Volt DC power occasionally to keep this battery from dying. The rig does not to be turned on, but just hooked to power will be fine. 73 de James K0UA
Your timing couldn't be better: I've been hemming and hawing about getting on HF. As you say, it's hard to know which components will work together to give a beginner the flexibility to grow for a while, before branching out and trying more exotic configurations. I'm eager to hear your thoughts as the series progresses!
You will not be disappointed in the 7300. I have two of them and a 7610 I use them all daily. I have been licensed for almost 50 years, and like he said the 7300 is the best value in amateur radio for an HF+6 meter radio. There is a good reason for their popularity. It is simply more bang for the buck. 73 de James K0UA
Perfect, I'm really looking forward to this. I just got my 7300 and General License. Haven't even powered it up yet since I'm doing the endless antenna search.
My intention is to follow your recommendations, I was already considering the icom 7300. I followed your recommendation on the Yaesu ft-7900 and MFJ 2m 1/4 WV Ground plane Antenna from several years ago and have enjoyed every minute! Look forward to this next adventure!
Just received my Tech and General about 2 weeks ago. The only radio I have is a Kenwood TH-D74A. I have just started using this with DSTAR. Looking forward to being able to use my General capabilities in the future. I think your series is just what I need. Hope you create a playlist For the series. Thanks keep up the good work.
Looking forward to this series. Being an icom fanboy my decision was really easy. When I earned my Technician in May I purchased the ID-51+2 and a ZUMSPOT, then the ID-5100 and an OS2. Upgraded to General 45 days later. Well fast forward to December and I purchased the 7300 and last week I added a 9700. Lots of RFI here in my apartment, looking forward to solving that problem and finally getting out on HF. So far HAMSTICKS are not working. I have a 20m and a 40m. 73 KN4UOT
Thanks Dave! Just getting back into it after moving countries and a few years off air. So I am starting from scratch without the gear that I donated to the club in Sweden before moving to Montreal. Anyway let's start with the 7300! VE2XPM ex SM0XPM, G0EPM, G8LKU
I really like this idea. I am now going to be saving up for my HF station so I would love to get a reference station. I too am leaning towards the 7300, because of the popularity.
Dave, thank you! I have the Extra license that i got a couple of years ago but have only used VHF/UHF with my Icom 5100a. I have kind of lost interest in hams after just a couple of years because I'm not a tech guy, my training is accounting so all this is so foreign to me. This video has really piqued my interest to get into HF. Others in my church/city group have the 7300 but they are so much more advanced. I've wanted the 7300 eventually so I'm so excited to follow your series. What a great idea to be specific with the reference radio concepts. Thanks for all you do for hams worldwide!
Thanks Dave. I am a prepper and seriously concerned about the stability of our country. The Corona pandemic pushed me over the edge and I purchased the 7300 last week. Comms are crazy important, but it is easier to put away toilet paper and peanut butter than to figure out the Ham radio spaghetti bowl. I am excited about this series of videos and will follow your instructions to the letter. It is easier to copy a well designed wheel than to invent a new one. This information will be a blessing to my family and my neighbors. Best wishes always. M2
I recently came into a IC7300 so I'm really looking forward to this series. I also got an Anytone 878 so I'm really hoping you use your's when you cover DMR. I think this reference station is going to be a hugely popular series.
I bought the IC-7300 last year before Thanksgiving. I could have saved some $ on HRO's Black Friday event but didn't want to get run over by shoppers getting to the radio online. I wish you well with this series. I hope you don't get bogged down with the comment section from viewers saying you should have bought this radio or that radio or can you do one on the Yaesu FT-991a. Looking forward to what you get for a VHF/UHF reference radio. I really like my Yaesu FTM-100DR. Very affordable with Fusion and full on Wires-X node capabilities and a very good analog radio although at first glance has a slightly confusing menu system. I am guessing you will be referencing an Analog VHF/UHF mobile radio. Whatever you pick, it will be a great series. 73!
Great idea Dave and as an IC-7300 owner, I think you made the right gear choice. I'm curious to see what else you add. The 7300 is a very capable radio that so far I've found easy to start with, but able to do so much advanced stuff. I'll be watching.
Hi Dave, just finished the video and thought I'd leave my 2 cents worth. I just got my license renewed last year after a 20 year absence. I also chose the IC-7300, somewhat fortuitously, and it's been a great pick for me. I'm chose an Astron 30 amp switching regulator to power it, and I chose an 80 meter EFHW antenna by myantennas.com. The antenna is resonant on all amateur bands and can handle up to 1000 watts ICAS rated. I'm really very happy with it. I don't have enough space to run it straight, so it's in somewhat of a open ended trapazoid pattern involving my house and two trees. No tuner needed as the IC-7300 has an internal tuner that's not usually needed either. I've also tried several logging programs and really like the latest Log4OM. Really great software. Just thought I'd share my experiences with building a relatively new station. Take care.
Investing in a 7300 is a lot of money for someone brand new or just upgraded to general. It's a fantastic radio of course and I appreciate your point of view on it as far as getting the newly upgraded on the right track for HF. In the addition to the aforementioned cost reason, and perhaps more importantly, I don't think the new general will fully appreciate the rig's many features, particularly its panadapter, unless she had used a conventional superhet previously. I think the 7300 is more apt as a gift to oneself once they've passed their Extra, and have gotten to know HF like the rest of us had to. By tuning around that big knob and listening for signals.
Dave, I don't see a play list for the reference station you are working on. I appreciate all you have done. I have started listening to your channel when I decided to to take the technician test. Last weekend I drove to Denver and walked out with the General. KF0AIZ. Still doesn't roll off my tongue yet. Looking forward to watching the rest of your theory classes as I work towards the extra and getting off a repeater and talking to the world.
This is great - Dave- just what I need. It's nuts but I have not had time to get a license at all - my mom died and having to settle estate - as well as deal with doing business taxes. But I have some money now - enough to buy a radio - etc - but have had no clue where to start when there is no time to do this properly. And I feel like I should have all this learning done - yesterday. So I am hopping on board and will follow you on this series. I may have to buy - and learn and quialify later. But this gives me a reasonable beginning. With that said, guess I won't have VHF/UHF capability - since you're assuming I would have all that already. Well think idiots. You've got at least one following you. I downloaded a slew of your videos awhile back but have not had time to begin watching them - and I have the proper books. But again, no time. So let me just thank you again and hope I can follow what you're saying I should buy.so I can set it up later - but I guess if I get equioment while I have the money to spend - it's a beginning. Wish me well. Smile.
Dave if you deliver on this, I’ll name my firstborn after you. I’ve been scouring for something like this for months of hard searching, nothing even scratches the surface, and what you’re describing goes well beyond the reference station I was searching for to various fundamentals of use and activities. I have a Yaesu 991, but if I see you delivering on this I will get a 7300 as well to travel along. I was planning on a dedicated HF to pair with my 991, and 7300 was on the short list. Bless you. PS... I know this will keep you busy for a while, but pls also consider my recent correspondence requesting a similar reference trilogy series on reference antenna builds/science.
I chose the IC-7100. Since I was starting with no home station, it gave me HF/VHF/UHF in one radio. It does a lot of what the IC-7300 does. A couple things I miss: (1) The ability to scan VHF/UHF while working HF. I took care of this by adding a Uniden BCT-15X scanner. (2) Waterfall. I will probably add an external SDR receiver at some point.
What I am looking for in a rig is "all band, all mode, all type". "All band", in this case, does not actually mean every single frequency band allocated to ham radio. My definition of "all band" means all the ham bands from 160 metres to 2 metres, as well as 70 cm. The IC-7300 does not do 2 metres or 70 cm. "All type" means it is not awkward to use in any of the three types of ham station: Base, mobile and portable. The IC-7300 is really only meant to be a base radio. However, I believe there is a model of rig that does fit my "all band, all mode, all type" concept, and that is actually the Yaesu FT-991A. 73 VE7NDE
IC-7300 is a reasonable choice. Other options are - Yaesu FT-891 and Yaesu FT-991A. The first one is significantly cheaper than IC-7300 but it's a great radio nevertheless. The best thing about it - it's quite lightweight for a 100W radio (~2kg) which makes it a great choice for using outdoors. What makes FT-991A interesting is that it provides much more value than IC-7300 for a little higher price, including 2m and 70cm CW, SSB and digital for 2m DX and EME. Also I like it's filtering capabilities, including narrowband digital filters (50-500 Hz) for CW. Still, you can't go too wrong with any new 100W transceiver from ICOM, Yaesu or Kenwood. 73 de R2AUK
I've bee working through your Tech and Generl series Videos. i will test for Tech on March 14. Perhaps General. The concept of a Reference Station for HF is a great idea. I hve been inspecting and certifying new homes for Energy Star Certification. The process uses a reference home, that matches the home your are inspecting, but only meets the 2006 Energy Code. It is an interesting process to see how little things match ur don''t match up as expected. ULtimately, making contacts 90° to 180* E or W longitude from your location can depend on the radio, the antenna, and how they are hooked together. Change one piece and the whole system changes. i will be foloowing to see your choices of al the other pieces of the system. Thank You!
Excellent idea Dave. Please do not read the slides to me in your future presentations, but instead comment on the “bullets”. By the way, I agree with you, this radio is as good as it gets . Thank You
But what if you're just getting started by studying to get both your technician and general license at the same time? (Like me). Yaesu FT-991a? IC-7300 and an FTM-100DR?
I have the 590 I wonder if it would work, because as you said I already have it. I use my old Icom seven 06 more. now that new 705 well we will just have to wait and see.
Thanks Dave. Being a computer geek by profession, I love the idea of a "reference design". I guess that's what I did when I built my winlink station in a backpack so I added that to the article... www.n1clc.com/2019/12/winlink-station-in-backpack.html You rock.
Randl.com (R and L Electronics), A dealer near Dayton has the IC 7300 for $910 or with a 30 amp power supply for $960 They have low prices on this rig or power supply combination frequently. No affiliation.
It does not. D-STAR is primarily a VHF/UHF protocol, and the 7300 is an HF focused rig. The 7100 does have D-STAR as it also covers the 144 and 440mhz bands. 73 de James K0UA
I have a seventy three hundred. I have a astron five hundred amp. will I have to get any special for this radio. a hundred watts does not get it. ???? I had to jump through hoops to get it hooked to the seven o six.
The receiver in the 7300 is according to several testing authorities including Sherwood, is quite a bit better in the 7300. "The waterfall display is superior, and the operating system is easier to learn. However it does NOT include VHF/UHF like the 991A has. That can either be bad or good depending on your point of view. I like having separate VHF/UHF rigs instead of the "all in one box" concept. 73 de James K0UA
I have seen many of the Ham radio operators that have bought the ICOM IC-7300 and love how well they can use the radio .
You are right in your choice of radios. The IC 7300 was my first HF radio and now, years later, I can't imagine needing or wanting to replace it.
I wish I'd had this series 4 years ago when I first took up this hobby. Thanks for all your efforts.
I ordered my ic-7300 today along with the mfj-2010 antenna, and Anderson connectors... I already have a new power supply that’s just waiting for to use! Dave thnx for taking the initiative to do this, I have no elmers here and asked questions at the club I used to go to, and they were always too afraid to answer... so I left the club because of that! I have my general license for couple years now and never used a radio because I couldn’t find anyone brave enough to lead me! I’m very happy you are doing this brave enough to suggest a radio( thumbs up ) and antenna! I’ll be following this reference station closely and duplicate to as close as possible! Thank you very much John
Dave, I have found another TH-camr who has developed a complete series on the operation and set-up of the IC-7300. This series is an excellent addition to what you have to offer for the reference station HF radio. He goes into detail of every aspect of the 7300 set-up and function. I've had mine for a couple of years now and I'm still learning the capabilities of the radio. Thanks so much for all the guidance you have given us. You are an invaluable resource to the ham community. 73 KE0JVS
Dave, Great idea. I really appreciate the effort you make to share with us. This series will be gold for folks like me that are stumbling up and down the learning curve. All the best!
Dave, I'm in the went for the Extra all in one shot category. Looking forward to the rest of this series as I take my time deciding what to do for my initial station setup. Got my license just a few weeks ago. All I've done so far is join the local club and purchased a nice DMR HT. Keep up the great work. AE0IG 73
Great video. I had a 7300 on my "wish list" for about two years. Your review pushed me over the edge. I placed my order right after watching the review. I hope Icom (and others) recognize the influence you have.
Oh yes! Thank You, Dave! I also am waiting to hear everything you have in this series!
Thank you so much for launching this series! I'm very excited about this and know of nothing like it out there, most especially that's current. I've been wanting to get the IC-7300 for a very long time now, but you've given me incentive to do so sooner rather than later. I've been a ham for some years now, but there are very many things I haven't done with the hobby being that I've been unable to devote large chunks of time getting up to speed using various modes, functions, etc. So I truly welcome your series, in part as a way to help me fast-track through some procedures that would otherwise take me some time to figure out. Can't wait!
I am definitely in your boat, my friend. I've been away from the hobby for decades and just getting back in. I also have been lusting after the 7300, so, now is the time! I am pretty dumb on the subject of digital modes, so that will be an education as well. I'm currently getting back up to speed on CW (joined SKCC, a great group). Ed KE6BN
I am taking my Extra license exam next week. You helped me through all of them, like an Elmer! I am sooo excited about this series as I’m starting to make my HF station in Ohio. I wanted to buy this radio. Finally I have another reason to pull the trigger!
Dave: I am one of those Extra Class guys who recently earned all of my licenses in a year but remember all of the old gear available in the 1970's when I almost became a ham. I've made a deep dive into DMR, my Anytone 878, APRS, built easy antennas and soon will get a hot spot.
Last week, a friend heard me wishing I had more information on HF. He offered to showcase his station. It was an ICOM 7300, all of the digital interfaces I could want (and we are both IT guys!), a nifty antenna tuner, multiple antennas and now an amplifier. I really was looking for a reference station and came away with lots of info. It was also a case of information overload.
I also had to completely reset my ideas about what an HF station should be. I think your idea of a video series on a reference station is absolutely on target. This is information that doesn't seem to exist in a coherent way and isn't really covered by the ARRL.
Good luck!
This is FANTASTIC. Thank you for being willing to undertake such a necessary and worthwhile venture.
Six weeks from the amateur extra exam, and nothing at home as yet but the Baofeng UV-5R. Looking forward to this series as a guide to building the home station.
Sounds like a great series. Thanks for all you do for the hobby.
Perfect because I just bought one!!! Excited to take my general this Saturday!
just stumbled across this and the timing couldn't be better. i'm going to binge watch everything in this series!
quick suggestion, could you create a playlist of these videos so they are easy to find?
I like the idea of reference design. It can really help beginners that may be confused with what if really needed and what not.
This is a GREAT idea Dave! Sometimes rather than flooding a newbie's mind with endless theory it can be most helpful just to let them know what will work to get them started quickly with a rig that can grow with them. That was me for sure. We have the rest of our lives to keep learning, it doesn't all have to be done before we get on the air and learn how fun the hobby is!
Setting up a solid, best bang for the buck benchmark system, and demonstrating its functionality is going to be a huge help to a lot of people. I’m particularly looking forward to your treatment of the VHF/UHF station, as the myriad of non-compatible digital standards is far more challenging to reconcile than choices for HF systems. KD0YST 73
This is a great idea Dave... Started less than a year ago, and kind of floundered chasing this than that...you can get started with Tech license with a HT, but with General and moving to HF, well, it's more than a radio and a wire running up a tree. A lot more! A local ham has lent me a ic-7300, and I'm learning (entered a QSO Contest 2 weeks ago and made 3 contacts! 😁 ) but still looking for a road map... Looking forward to this series!
Dave - you got me on this one. I've been subscribed for maybe a year but, you got me on this focused idea. I have met a ham at field day last year and he too, recommended, hands down, the Icom IC-7300. I am studying to take my General test next week and my notifications are on! I am liking forward to doing this.
You are a "God Send". I have been waiting for someone to teach me on this stuff. I have the 7300 and the 9700. Can't wait for all the info.
ditto - 7300 arrives next week, 9700 already in place.
So many choices, but you have to start somewhere. Your choices are solid and middle of the road for most every style of Ham radio.
Great Dave I got the ic-7300 back in September still in the box so I’m looking forward to your series on this and growing with you Terry.
Please don't leave it in the box unpowered much longer. The Clock battery is rechargeable, and the rig needs to be hooked up to 13 Volt DC power occasionally to keep this battery from dying. The rig does not to be turned on, but just hooked to power will be fine. 73 de James K0UA
Your timing couldn't be better: I've been hemming and hawing about getting on HF. As you say, it's hard to know which components will work together to give a beginner the flexibility to grow for a while, before branching out and trying more exotic configurations. I'm eager to hear your thoughts as the series progresses!
I have my 7300 and am ready for more. Can't wait for this series.
Like the idea. A lot of the choices become daunting when your new or "returning".
I just picked one up today! So excited.
Josh King I hope you love it as much as I love mine!
Congrats!
You will not be disappointed in the 7300. I have two of them and a 7610 I use them all daily. I have been licensed for almost 50 years, and like he said the 7300 is the best value in amateur radio for an HF+6 meter radio. There is a good reason for their popularity. It is simply more bang for the buck. 73 de James K0UA
Perfect, I'm really looking forward to this. I just got my 7300 and General License. Haven't even powered it up yet since I'm doing the endless antenna search.
me too, is driving me crazy
My intention is to follow your recommendations, I was already considering the icom 7300. I followed your recommendation on the Yaesu ft-7900 and MFJ 2m 1/4 WV Ground plane Antenna from several years ago and have enjoyed every minute! Look forward to this next adventure!
Just received my Tech and General about 2 weeks ago. The only radio I have is a Kenwood TH-D74A. I have just started using this with DSTAR. Looking forward to being able to use my General capabilities in the future. I think your series is just what I need. Hope you create a playlist For the series.
Thanks keep up the good work.
Welcome to ham radio!
An excellent idea, sir. I will be anxiously awaiting your next post in this series! Oh, btw, thanks to your guidance, JEFCON-1 is now KC3ORA. 73!
Looking forward to this series. Being an icom fanboy my decision was really easy. When I earned my Technician in May I purchased the ID-51+2 and a ZUMSPOT, then the ID-5100 and an OS2. Upgraded to General 45 days later. Well fast forward to December and I purchased the 7300 and last week I added a 9700. Lots of RFI here in my apartment, looking forward to solving that problem and finally getting out on HF. So far HAMSTICKS are not working. I have a 20m and a 40m. 73
KN4UOT
Thanks Dave! Just getting back into it after moving countries and a few years off air. So I am starting from scratch without the gear that I donated to the club in Sweden before moving to Montreal. Anyway let's start with the 7300! VE2XPM ex SM0XPM, G0EPM, G8LKU
Thank you this will be so helpful I just got my ticket (Technician) KD9OGA and bought a Icom IC7300 and a Icom ID-5100A
I really like this idea. I am now going to be saving up for my HF station so I would love to get a reference station. I too am leaning towards the 7300, because of the popularity.
Dave, thank you! I have the Extra license that i got a couple of years ago but have only used VHF/UHF with my Icom 5100a. I have kind of lost interest in hams after just a couple of years because I'm not a tech guy, my training is accounting so all this is so foreign to me. This video has really piqued my interest to get into HF. Others in my church/city group have the 7300 but they are so much more advanced. I've wanted the 7300 eventually so I'm so excited to follow your series. What a great idea to be specific with the reference radio concepts. Thanks for all you do for hams worldwide!
I'm very much looking forward to watching this series. I hope to take my Basic exam in the next few months. Thanks Dave!
Great Idea, can't wait. just upgraded to General, Thanks, David
Thanks Dave. I am a prepper and seriously concerned about the stability of our country. The Corona pandemic pushed me over the edge and I purchased the 7300 last week. Comms are crazy important, but it is easier to put away toilet paper and peanut butter than to figure out the Ham radio spaghetti bowl. I am excited about this series of videos and will follow your instructions to the letter. It is easier to copy a well designed wheel than to invent a new one. This information will be a blessing to my family and my neighbors. Best wishes always. M2
I recently came into a IC7300 so I'm really looking forward to this series. I also got an Anytone 878 so I'm really hoping you use your's when you cover DMR. I think this reference station is going to be a hugely popular series.
I bought the IC-7300 last year before Thanksgiving. I could have saved some $ on HRO's Black Friday event but didn't want to get run over by shoppers getting to the radio online.
I wish you well with this series. I hope you don't get bogged down with the comment section from viewers saying you should have bought this radio or that radio or can you do one on the Yaesu FT-991a. Looking forward to what you get for a VHF/UHF reference radio. I really like my Yaesu FTM-100DR. Very affordable with Fusion and full on Wires-X node capabilities and a very good analog radio although at first glance has a slightly confusing menu system. I am guessing you will be referencing an Analog VHF/UHF mobile radio. Whatever you pick, it will be a great series.
73!
Great idea Dave and as an IC-7300 owner, I think you made the right gear choice. I'm curious to see what else you add. The 7300 is a very capable radio that so far I've found easy to start with, but able to do so much advanced stuff.
I'll be watching.
Hi Dave, just finished the video and thought I'd leave my 2 cents worth. I just got my license renewed last year after a 20 year absence. I also chose the IC-7300, somewhat fortuitously, and it's been a great pick for me. I'm chose an Astron 30 amp switching regulator to power it, and I chose an 80 meter EFHW antenna by myantennas.com. The antenna is resonant on all amateur bands and can handle up to 1000 watts ICAS rated. I'm really very happy with it. I don't have enough space to run it straight, so it's in somewhat of a open ended trapazoid pattern involving my house and two trees. No tuner needed as the IC-7300 has an internal tuner that's not usually needed either. I've also tried several logging programs and really like the latest Log4OM. Really great software.
Just thought I'd share my experiences with building a relatively new station. Take care.
An excellent concept for a series... and a great start too.
Looking forward to this series. Thanks
I have an Ic-7300 and await your future videos on this HF unit. Thanks and 73 de KE8NQL.
Great concept! Thank you for investing your time to bring us the wisdom. Looking forward to the upcoming videos.
Such a great idea, looking forward to the series! I bought an IC-7300 a few months ago, would love to see what other recommendations you have.
Great idea Dave , and what you designed to cover is excellent.
i like where this series is going, elmer
This promises to be a great series of videos. Thank you Dave!
Investing in a 7300 is a lot of money for someone brand new or just upgraded to general.
It's a fantastic radio of course and I appreciate your point of view on it as far as getting the newly upgraded on the right track for HF.
In the addition to the aforementioned cost reason, and perhaps more importantly, I don't think the new general will fully appreciate the rig's many features, particularly its panadapter, unless she had used a conventional superhet previously.
I think the 7300 is more apt as a gift to oneself once they've passed their Extra, and have gotten to know HF like the rest of us had to. By tuning around that big knob and listening for signals.
Dave, I don't see a play list for the reference station you are working on. I appreciate all you have done. I have started listening to your channel when I decided to to take the technician test. Last weekend I drove to Denver and walked out with the General. KF0AIZ. Still doesn't roll off my tongue yet. Looking forward to watching the rest of your theory classes as I work towards the extra and getting off a repeater and talking to the world.
I am very excited about this! Thank you for the hard work in putting this together.
This is great - Dave- just what I need.
It's nuts but I have not had time to get a license at all - my mom died and having to settle estate - as well as deal with doing business taxes.
But I have some money now - enough to buy a radio - etc - but have had no clue where to start when there is no time to do this properly. And I feel like I should have all this learning done - yesterday.
So I am hopping on board and will follow you on this series. I may have to buy - and learn and quialify later. But this gives me a reasonable beginning.
With that said, guess I won't have VHF/UHF capability - since you're assuming I would have all that already.
Well think idiots. You've got at least one following you. I downloaded a slew of your videos awhile back but have not had time to begin watching them - and I have the proper books. But again, no time.
So let me just thank you again and hope I can follow what you're saying I should buy.so I can set it up later - but I guess if I get equioment while I have the money to spend - it's a beginning.
Wish me well. Smile.
you are the elmer I've needed for years
Great series idea! Looking forward to future episodes. 73!
Dave if you deliver on this, I’ll name my firstborn after you. I’ve been scouring for something like this for months of hard searching, nothing even scratches the surface, and what you’re describing goes well beyond the reference station I was searching for to various fundamentals of use and activities.
I have a Yaesu 991, but if I see you delivering on this I will get a 7300 as well to travel along. I was planning on a dedicated HF to pair with my 991, and 7300 was on the short list.
Bless you.
PS... I know this will keep you busy for a while, but pls also consider my recent correspondence requesting a similar reference trilogy series on reference antenna builds/science.
Great vid, David. I look forward to the future vids and getting a station set up.
I chose the IC-7100. Since I was starting with no home station, it gave me HF/VHF/UHF in one radio. It does a lot of what the IC-7300 does. A couple things I miss: (1) The ability to scan VHF/UHF while working HF. I took care of this by adding a Uniden BCT-15X scanner. (2) Waterfall. I will probably add an external SDR receiver at some point.
What I am looking for in a rig is "all band, all mode, all type". "All band", in this case, does not actually mean every single frequency band allocated to ham radio. My definition of "all band" means all the ham bands from 160 metres to 2 metres, as well as 70 cm. The IC-7300 does not do 2 metres or 70 cm. "All type" means it is not awkward to use in any of the three types of ham station: Base, mobile and portable. The IC-7300 is really only meant to be a base radio.
However, I believe there is a model of rig that does fit my "all band, all mode, all type" concept, and that is actually the Yaesu FT-991A.
73 VE7NDE
Thank you, I am really looking forward to this series.
Awesome. I wish I had that rig so I could follow along, but have a Kenwood TS590
IC-7300 is a reasonable choice. Other options are - Yaesu FT-891 and Yaesu FT-991A. The first one is significantly cheaper than IC-7300 but it's a great radio nevertheless. The best thing about it - it's quite lightweight for a 100W radio (~2kg) which makes it a great choice for using outdoors. What makes FT-991A interesting is that it provides much more value than IC-7300 for a little higher price, including 2m and 70cm CW, SSB and digital for 2m DX and EME. Also I like it's filtering capabilities, including narrowband digital filters (50-500 Hz) for CW. Still, you can't go too wrong with any new 100W transceiver from ICOM, Yaesu or Kenwood. 73 de R2AUK
David!! I am very excited about this series! Thank you.
I’m in for this series, thanks!
Good stuff. Very helpful channel. Thanks for the videos.
I've bee working through your Tech and Generl series Videos. i will test for Tech on March 14. Perhaps General. The concept of a Reference Station for HF is a great idea. I hve been inspecting and certifying new homes for Energy Star Certification. The process uses a reference home, that matches the home your are inspecting, but only meets the 2006 Energy Code. It is an interesting process to see how little things match ur don''t match up as expected.
ULtimately, making contacts 90° to 180* E or W longitude from your location can depend on the radio, the antenna, and how they are hooked together. Change one piece and the whole system changes. i will be foloowing to see your choices of al the other pieces of the system. Thank You!
Good start to the project...
Excellent idea Dave. Please do not read the slides to me in your future presentations, but instead comment on the “bullets”.
By the way, I agree with you, this radio is as good as it gets . Thank You
Great concept, Dave! Looking forward to seeing the upcoming entries in the series and sharing with my fellow club hams!
73,
Tony, KB9A
Looking forward to where you are going with this ! 73 de KM6TRZ
But what if you're just getting started by studying to get both your technician and general license at the same time? (Like me). Yaesu FT-991a? IC-7300 and an FTM-100DR?
I have the 590 I wonder if it would work, because as you said I already have it. I use my old Icom seven 06 more. now that new 705 well we will just have to wait and see.
I'm upgrading from my FT-920 to an FTDX-3000.
The FT-920 will be resigned to be used as a backup.
Thanks Dave. Being a computer geek by profession, I love the idea of a "reference design". I guess that's what I did when I built my winlink station in a backpack so I added that to the article... www.n1clc.com/2019/12/winlink-station-in-backpack.html
You rock.
Randl.com (R and L Electronics), A dealer near Dayton has the IC 7300 for $910 or with a 30 amp power supply for $960 They have low prices on this rig or power supply combination frequently. No affiliation.
Hi Dave I like that video why don't you try the yaesu 450d
Great idea
Thanks can't wait this is wb8idy
One question from a new ham. Do you know if the IC-7300 has D-STAR
It does not. D-STAR is primarily a VHF/UHF protocol, and the 7300 is an HF focused rig. The 7100 does have D-STAR as it also covers the 144 and 440mhz bands. 73 de James K0UA
Please do me a solid, and look into the "long wire" Vee antenna. It is the antenna that predates the rhombus.
I have a seventy three hundred. I have a astron five hundred amp. will I have to get any special for this radio. a hundred watts does not get it. ???? I had to jump through hoops to get it hooked to the seven o six.
Excellent!
Hi David i like to know about yaesu ft991a and lke to know about yaesu fusion
What is the advantage over the Yaseu FT 991A?
The receiver in the 7300 is according to several testing authorities including Sherwood, is quite a bit better in the 7300. "The waterfall display is superior, and the operating system is easier to learn. However it does NOT include VHF/UHF like the 991A has. That can either be bad or good depending on your point of view. I like having separate VHF/UHF rigs instead of the "all in one box" concept. 73 de James K0UA