Yaesu FT 991A vs Icom IC 7300 - Which Radio Should You Buy?

I get asked this question a lot!

Which radio should you buy? The Yaesu FT-991A or the Icom IC-7300, both great radios for the starting ham. In this video I hope to answer that question and show the key similarities, differences and specifications that I looked at when comparing the two radios.

 

Wonder how many hundreds of videos are already out there about the same topic? And every one will give a different answer.

 

I think the best solution to tell the difference is to buy the two tranceivers

 

I did my research on both radios and decided to buy a IC-7300 and I am very satisfied with its performance and friendly menus for set up on all the modes this radio offers.
I use Fldigi for BPSK, Olivia, Contestia, DominoEX and several other modes. It was very easy to set up the IC-7300 to operate in D-SSB mode.
You can find plenty of information on YouTube about both radios. I viewed WA2IVD Ham Cured Smoke IC-7300 A-Z videos and they were a great help for understanding this radio.
It is a great level entry radio too.
It comes down to what you want the radio to do.
I hope to hear you on the air.
73!

 

there more 7300 for sale after people have had them , I don't see to many 991a for sale , and the 991a is a shack in a box 7300 is not , Yaesu comes with a 3 yr factory warranty the 7300 don't, not a very good comparison

 

If your not big into 2m/430 SSB then the 7300 is nice. I did like the audio on the 991a better with the stock mike. (listening to other station). I bought the 991a because of that and I like vhf/uhf I sideband. I didn't want to buy two rigs also.
That being said the menus are just plain stupid on it and a real PITA to get up on digital modes. If someone asked I would tell them to go with the 7300 if they are looking to do mainly HF.
Would I buy the 991a again? Most likely no. Yaesu has a way to go with user friendly.

 

Having owned both radios myself, your experience mirrors mine. Still, if on a budget, I would buy the 991 instead of the 7300 if I ALSO wanted VHF/UHF SSB and couldn't afford a second rig. There just aren't many options for 2m/440 radios with SSB.

 

Looked at both got 991A, vhf and uhf, better audio receive better DNR, didn't buy them for the display, Used to Yaesu menu's ( also having FT847 with Collins filters, FT2000=D, and FT100.)
Easy setup for digital modes, C4FM, working good on HF and 2/70.
If the Ftdx 10 had 2 and 70 it would have been the choice.
It didn't so the 991a was the choice.

 

I've owned both. I kept the 7300. Maybe it's because I have two 9700s and prefer the UI and capability of running radios remotely, or the waterfall display on the Icom's is superior. The Yaesu is a quality product, built well, but the UI plain sucks.

 

It's a real personal choice (I operate CW and SSB mostly).

I too had the 7300 and sold it as I could not get used to the audio (raspy to my ears), and inferior to my 7610 and 705 in that regard

I like my 991a much better because it is less fatiguing to listen to. Menus are easy once you understand the structure-not difficult

 

It does not make any difference because neither one of them are in stock at most dealers. HI

73 from,
The K0UO " Rhombic Antenna Farm" 2 miles of wire in the Air & On the daily

 

Good answer is to compare on Sherwood Engineering's website. Raspy sound can be corrected many ways.

 

The FT-991a would take the prize in every category if the user interface were better... and if their tech support were friendlier. (They gave me the cold shoulder when I asked pre-sales questions.) About the only thing it doesn't have that I would want in a shack-in-the-box is support for the 1.25m band. As it was, their attitude on the phone turned me off and I opted for an IC-7300.

 

ez choice. need/want uhf/vhf its the 991a.
want to experience modern 2 way radio with a view of the entire
band you work, the 7300 is fantastic, the 991a display is a joke.
i love the 991a concept. had one, sent it back.
hoping for icom to make me an ic 991a... !!!

 

There are only two major factors involved in this decision. 1. Do you want all band all mode transceiver and are you willing to accept a smaller waterfall display? 2. Do you want a bigger waterfall display and are you willing to buy an additional VHF/UHF radio? If you answer yes to #1. then buy the Yaesu FT-991A, if your answer is yes to #2. then buy ICOM 7300.