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HR2.0 - Best HF Ham Radio Under $1000 - 6 Best HF Transceivers 2020

Discussion in 'Amateur Radio News' started by KC5HWB, Oct 29, 2020.

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  1. KC5HWB

    KC5HWB Premium Subscriber QRZ Page

    What is the Best HF Radio for under $1000 for the new Ham Radio Operator in 2020? This list of 6 transceivers that I would recommend to new Ham Radio Operators who are on a budget. Comments welcome!

    All Radios: https://kit.co/kc5hwb/best-hf-ham-radio-for-2020


     
    K7SKE, G5ROB, KD4SH and 7 others like this.
  2. NQ6M

    NQ6M Premium Subscriber QRZ Page

    For under $600 (with rebates) the little FT891 has the best receiver and DSP of the lot (including the 7300). If you work primarily CW and SSB
    and don't mind the menu system and small form factor it's a hard radio to beat!
     
    Last edited: Oct 29, 2020
    OZ1RE, MI0UFT, KN4SMR and 15 others like this.
  3. K9GLS

    K9GLS Guest

    According to Sherwood Engineering the 891 isn't even close to the 7300. The 7300 is ranked 20th and I stopped counting at 70 before I found the 891 way down below that. For the lower information crowd not even close on Eham... For a couple hundred more dollars buy a 7300 on the used market and be a lot happier.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 29, 2020
    N9DOK, G5ROB, K3DGR and 14 others like this.
  4. KA8VNG

    KA8VNG Ham Member QRZ Page

    I saw a ICOM 7300 the other day for $200.00 , only hit by lightning once .... ..
     
    KT0DD, K7TP, K1OC and 15 others like this.
  5. NQ6M

    NQ6M Premium Subscriber QRZ Page

    Performance in the Lab is one thing, I base my comments on my usage- I own both and compare them often. The tools in the 891 do a much better job in pulling signals out of the mud and removing noise than the 7300. The 7300 "sounds" better because it's
    a bigger radio with a bigger speaker, and it looks better.... But when I need to dig signals out of the muck- the 891's receiver kicks it's a$$. Doesn't matter what Sherwood says lol...
     
    W5ZZ, OZ1RE, N5MNX and 19 others like this.
  6. KB9SUP

    KB9SUP Ham Member QRZ Page

    I have the Icom IC-718 and it is outstanding for my very casual operating style. But I must say, I do love reading reviews, and I am thinking about trading in the 718 to get the tiny Yaesu FT-891 which was being discussed above. This is because of the triple conversion receiver -- I was an SWL for years and still mostly listen which gives me pleasure without much effort while I cruise the web reading political articles, and because my simple end-fed LNR 66 foot antenna up just 10-12 feet does just fine. I have actually worked Europe, Japan, S America etc with that modest antenna and the Icom 718 is great - just use the controls well just as the RIT, the DSP, NR noise reduction, ATT and COM -- so I had to break down and read the instruction manual. The 891 appeals to me because a newer design, the great receiver, less desk space. Also the 891 has a USB port and while that doesn't float my boat right at the moment, it is there -- and I would not buy a new radio today without that if for no other reason than resale value - -as a retired computer specialist this seems like work to me so I shun it, but we can divide all radios now according to have or have-not at minimum USB and some computer control abilities.
     
    K3SX, KZ4TN and KQ4IN like this.
  7. K7CB

    K7CB Premium Subscriber QRZ Page

    Here's what I also don't like about these videos - they're just opinions and subjective. I don't really need to watch a video of someone telling me their opinion on what they think are the best radios. For me - it's going to come down to what I like when I buy a radio...what works best for me.
     
    WB2YMU, N5MNX, KZ4TN and 23 others like this.
  8. AF5CC

    AF5CC Ham Member QRZ Page

    The Alinco DX-SR8T doesn't do 6 meters, only 160-10m.

    73 John AF5CC
     
    WA5LB and VE3TNE like this.
  9. KP4CZ

    KP4CZ Ham Member QRZ Page

    Icom 7300 no doubt about it, great receiver, excellent audio with nice Eq & HM-219 microphone, easy to navigate and awesome price either new or used. SDR Radio is small but Awesome Quality. 73's
     
    KD5BVX, KG4BFR, KC5HWB and 1 other person like this.
  10. NS4WT

    NS4WT Platinum Subscriber Platinum Subscriber QRZ Page

    I have both the IC-7300 and the FT-891, and I like both. I think they're both great. For the price, the 7300 packs a lot into an "entry level" radio. I like the form factor of the 891 when I set up in a field environment. At a bit over 4 pounds it's not exactly lightweight, but you can fit it in a backpack. It would have been nice if it had a USB soundcard instead of just for control, but still a good part of a field kit (pack your RigBlaster/SignalLink, etc.). For a couple more pounds in weight, you could go with the IC-7100 as a shack in a box solution (all band, all mode, HF+6, VHF, UHF, D-STAR).
     
    VU3DRU and N0YPD like this.
  11. AF5CC

    AF5CC Ham Member QRZ Page

    The 7100 has a built in soundcard-you can interface it and run digital modes on it using just a USB cable.

    73 John AF5CC
     
    K2NCC likes this.
  12. K9UR

    K9UR Premium Subscriber QRZ Page

    silly post. "Best" is totally subjective to the user's need.

    The 7300 receiver is great, but overloads on strong signals.
    The 891 peak size is nice, audio filter really brightens the receiver, but flaky ALC & all the menus are terrible
    The 7100 is nice, a shack in the box but you can not key the radio via DTR/RTS (USB) for CW computer keying
    The TS590SG is a nice radio, but no spectrum display,
    FTDX1200 isn't bad, nor is the FT-991A although tuner problems plague this radio.

    All require a separate 25 amp 13.8V power supply. Some have built in ATU, some don't

    I think the old Kenwood TS-520S is great. I can have four or five of them for one of the above. built in power supply. tubes and no WARC


    you get the idea.


    They all have plus and minus. For $1000 you sure get a lot for your money now days.
     
    WD4IGX, G7DAZ, NL7W and 4 others like this.
  13. AA4MB

    AA4MB XML Subscriber QRZ Page

    They are all nice radios, for sure. $1,000 gets you an incredibly capable rig, particularly when you factor in inflation from just 20 years ago to today. I have always heard about the IC-7300 overload but never experienced it, myself - and I live in an urban area and check into the occasional 80/75 meter nets with some darned strong signals. Of course if you're on 7 Mhz and below and run the preamp(s), all bets are off - but why would you do that anyway? I've even seen a trailer at Field Day with 2 of them in it and other transmitters/antennas within 200 feet and they said they had no issues, either. But I'll climb off of the IC-7300 soapbox to say that I don't think you can really go wrong with any of the radios mentioned - depending upon where you start and how much (and what type of) operating you'll be doing.

    - Matt, AA4MB
     
    Last edited: Oct 30, 2020
    WB4NQF and N3FAA like this.
  14. AA4MB

    AA4MB XML Subscriber QRZ Page

    John is absolutely correct. The IC-7100 certainly does have a sound card built in. Plug your laptop directly in and go on the digital modes. Yeah, if you're a dunce, you can certainly plug in a Signal Link box into it - but why? Whatever vendors told you that it didn't have one - well, let's just say they need to sit down and learn the products they have for sale a bit better. I was blown away by what a truly capable CW radio it was as well. The really big shortcoming to it vs the 7300 is the lack of a real time band scope and waterfall. I always laugh at folks that say, "How can you mount that cumbersome control head in a car?" There are a lot of different ways, but any way you slice it the control head is way smaller than anyone else's 100 watt radio that doesn't have a control head, so in my opinion it's a weird thing to bemoan.

    - Matt, AA4MB
     
    N0YPD and W9CO like this.
  15. KJ7OMD

    KJ7OMD Ham Member QRZ Page

    I watched this video and the Ham Radio Crash Course version of the same thing. Not trying to stir the pot, but a lot of folks are wanting to get into this hobby simply do not have $1000.00. I believe these videos do as much harm as good when they set the bar to high. Those that don't have $1000.00 see it and close their book because it is to expensive. I think you should have highlighted more avenues to get used equipment and maybe some idea's of what used equipment is worth buying.

    I know this is about HF, and it may not meet with any approval here, but with a $100 Pi-Star and a $100 Chinese radio, my friend can reach 90% of the world. I spent 20x more than him on my computer, Yaesu FT-991a radio, cables, antennas, and can get no where with 10 meter & a technician license. I will take the General and get to 20 meters, about the time the sun spots return. Meanwhile my friend is still reaching the world.

    I am a subscriber on the Youtube channels and do enjoy the material. Hoping to spark interest in your next video. :)
     
    N7BWB and N3FAA like this.

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