Introduction

Last summer Icom announced a new radio that caused quite a stir in the amateur radio community. The new Icom IC-7300 was the first SDR HF / 6M direct sampling transceiver available produced by one of the “big three” manufacturers of  amateur radio equipment. The announcement of the IC-7300 caused quite a bit of buzz, controversy, and anticipation amongst the amateur radio community. After approximately 8 months of waiting, the Icom 7300 finally landed on US shores in the later part of March of this year. The IC-7300 has made into the hands of eagerly awaiting amateurs to be put through its paces. So far the reports from early adopters have been nothing short of stellar. Some users are reporting that the  IC-7300 easily matches or bests the performance and features of their existing high end “legacy” transceivers costing 2 to 3 times more than the IC-7300. Speaking of price the US version of the IC-7300 currently comes to $1499. The IC-7300 is considered to be an “entry level” transceiver, but that is really not the best description. The IC-7300 is really more of a high end transceiver in a lot of ways that offers a huge bang for the buck factor. Unlike a great number of past new transceiver releases, Icom shipped a fairly large number of IC-7300s to the US market. So at this writing the IC7300 is readily available from most amateur radio equipment dealers such as Ham Radio Outlet, Amateur Electronic Supply, and Gigaparts.

Game Changer?

Absolutely! The Icom 7300 is an example of the type of SDR transceiver that amateur radio users have been asking for since Software Defined Radio sprang on to the scene years ago. A standalone direct sampling SDR transceiver, with knobs, built in spectrum / waterfall display, touch screen, and no computer required. To be fair, Icom was not the first to do this, but the first to do it affordably. The Icom 7300 will certainly appeal to amateur radio operators who would like to upgrade to SDR, but without the “fiddly nature” of dealing with a PC that is required when using a “black box” SDR system. Not to mention the often steeper learning curve that goes along with setting up and operating a “blackbox system”. For those who are familiar with the Icom design paradigm, operating the radio will be a “plug and play” type experience. However, don’t let that fool you there is a lot under the hood on the IC-7300. The other thing to consider is at this time the IC-7300 is basically a “gateway product” to test the waters for future SDR transceivers. It won’t be long before we see similar or even more advanced models from Icom, Yaesu, or Kenwood.


Will the introduction of the ICOM-7300 spell doom for high end “blackbox” SDR systems?

This question has been bandied around a bit lately, so let’s address that a moment. The answer is yes and no. The IC-73oo in it’s current form will certainly give some buyers SDR some pause and offer a choice in SDR technology that was not readily available before. Certainly the cheaper price of the IC-7300 over some higher end SDR systems will come into play. So yes, there will be some impact on current “blackbox” systems sales. On the other hand comparing performance and features of the IC-7300 to the higher end “blackbox” systems is definitely an Apples to Oranges comparison. Right now the IC-7300 doesn’t even offer a useful IQ output via the USB port. Which is a bit of a disappoint for those who wish to leverage the extra power and features using a software based SDR processing. However, that can be mitigated a bit by purchasing the optional $100 RS-BA1 remote control software. The RS-BA1 software will allow you to remotely control the IC-7300 and display the spectrum scope via a direct connected computer. Now, keep in mind that the RS-BA1 software only allows remote access and doesn’t do any signal processing since it is all done in the IC-7300. Sort of like a “poor mans” Flex Maestro. If you want a hardware controller for the RS-BA1 software you can add the Icom RC-28 usb encoder. Now, this could possibly change in the future if Icom decides to add full IQ out with a future firmware update. So, no the IC-7300 itself doesn’t spell doom for the high end “blackbox” , but it’s very existence could. If follow up products from Icom, Yaesu, or Kenwood come along in the very near future based on the IC-7300 design  language that include SDR software for optional PC processing, multiple slice receivers and other features that the blackbox systems offer at a competitive price, that would definitely hurt the blackbox SDR manufacturers. If future variants do reach the levels of current high end “blackbox” systems the decision for buyers will be “Do I buy a complete standalone SDR system for less or half a system for more?” So yes at that point their could be a significant negative effect on the sales of “blackbox” systems. The “blackbox” manufacturers would have to make a change by offering cheaper systems that could compete with the  standalone “all in one” SDR systems. Who knows for sure what the future will bring, but it’s a pretty good guess that variants of the IC-7300 will probably be popping up in the near future.

One significant advantage the IC-7300 has over “blackbox” SDR systems

One very commonly annoying attribute in using “blackbox” SDR systems is RFI from the attached computer system. Modern computer systems and monitors  can be notoriously bad RFI generators all by themselves. Since you pretty much have to attach a “blackbox” system to a computer system it just makes matters a bit worse. The computer RFI will often show up as evenly spaced small lines across the spectrum display or large evenly spaced bright bars. Now to be fair this may not be problem with all “blackbox” SDR systems. There are a large number of factors that can influence this. One is the computer itself. Tower type systems can be the worst offenders because of they are often in plastic cases with cables that run to the monitor, keyboard, etc. Not to mention that most modern LCD monitors are terrible RFI generators. All in one desktop computers can be better especially if they are encased in aluminum like the Apple iMac series. Modern low power laptops are often the least offenders. The other factor that comes into play is how well the “blackbox” SDR is shielded itself considering you typically have cables connecting directly to the computer. The RFI problem can go from just annoying to rendering the SDR system almost useless for weak signal work depending on the factors above and what the operator has done to mitigate some of the problems. Since the IC-7300 doesn’t rely on a computer connection to use it’s spectrum and waterfall displays, you shut can down the computers in the shack for a much quieter RF environment. Not really possible with “blackbox” system. However there are times when you are going to want to use a computer for logging or digital work. Since the IC-7300 is doing all the SDR work, you can use an inexpensive lower power laptop connected to the IC-7300’s USB that shouldn’t generate as much significant RFI. Another advantage of the self contained systems is that they will be more portable for field or mobile use.

17 thoughts on “Icom 7300 Review”
  1. I own a Icom IC7300 and it is a very nice radio for the price. However, i think it is only half of what I would consider a SDR without the ability to leverage other than OEM SDR software.

    An I/Q output in the current USB needs to be a top priority for either the next or following firmware. Otherwise, this radio will be overcome by the next Japanese manufacturer that decides to incorporate such capability.

    Maybe Icom won’t care since they have sold so many units as a first mover in the space, but I certainly hope that they add this capability to this rig. There are certainly many reasons why they will hold back (primarily because they will want people to purchase their next higher cost unit that will have more open architecture and capability) but I hope they don’t.

    This rig is super nice but it is a bit of a shocker that this was not included as a capability. I did not buy the additional icom software because because of all the negative reviews and the YouTube videos I have seen demoing it make me really question the need to actually buy it. It appears to be very clunky and the panadapter inflexibility to scale to the computer screen and apparent latency compared to the ic-7300 touch screen panel are a huge turnoff for me.

    1. Hi Keith, thanks for your input on your IC-7300. I’m considering investing in one of these rigs. I live in a Very noisy area, and need a receiver that can reject as much noise as possible. In the review above, it says ” Recorded transmissions can be be played back over the air, if someone wants to know what their audio sounds like. ” I looked over the manual and even called Icom tech support, and they said it would not allow you to re-transmit QSO audio recordings. He wasn’t absolutely certain, however. Can you verify this function. Thanks, ’73 Bob

      1. Yes it can be done, but not directly from the radio. The RSBA1 software adds that feature. The other technique is to remove the SD card and plug the card into a computer. Move the recording to the voice memory directory , plug the card back into the 7300. Assign the file to a voice memory button. Press the button on the voice memory on screen and the recorded audio will be transmitted. It’s a lot easier than it sounds.

    2. Just curious. I’ve been thinking of purchasing an IC-7300 to be used primarily as a replacement for my aging Icom R75 receiver. So aside from transceiver use, and instead using it as a communications receiver, how would you compare it’s receive capabilities in comparison to the R75? Would it be a worthy replacement? Or would I be better off purchasing a dedicated receiver?

    3. Pretty negative post. Try saying something positive about this super rig. Why buy it in the first place ?? I won’t be selling mine thats for sure its just amazing. ZL1ER

  2. I have an IC-7300 and am very satisfied with the performance. It is easy to operate and does have too many unnesaccery unwanted bells and whistles. ICOM have issued 4 firmware updates which I have installed the last one rectifying problems with the USB port. ICOM are bringing out the IC-7610 which is also a SDR touchscreen but at twice the price which I think is a bit steep but as I say I am very happy with my 7300 and would recommend it.

    1. Just curious about the USB Port problem you are referring to. Mine has the 1.13 firmware and I am having issues setting up the USB Port for both radio control and sending CW. I just got my radio a few days ago (12/23/16). I did notice on the Icom site that there was newer firmware to download so I was just wondering about the USB Port Issue

    1. it does just use the soft menu through I think the cw menu (has the picture of the key on it) I believe to get to that part of the menu… same place to change between fully automatic bug and the old style J38 key

  3. Refering to Third party software, please confirm that the 7300 will handle NBEMS digital applications such as FLdigi, FLmsg, etc. In addition the recent addition of FSQcall that is gaining in popularity.

    Rick
    k0kex

  4. This is a really nice radio, it initially sold well, and ignoring the internal SDR architecture, it’s main competition is the Yaesu FT-991A which adds 2 meter and 70cm transmit and VHF/UHF receiver coverage. Without having a true I/Q output, or coverage above 70Mhz, the 7300 is largely more comparable to the FT-991A than most any wideband SDR. The Yaesu also comes with more options included and you don’t have to spend $100 on the software. The 7300 has an edge in dynamic range on a test bench but real world performance seems to be very similar to the FT-991A. The “A” revision of the 991 fixed the two major problems–finals failing and a realtime waterfall making it a much stronger competitor to the 7300. In short, I think Icom either needs to add I/Q or risk Yaesu or Kenwood beating them to it leaving Icom in the dust. Right now the FT-991A appeals to many more buyers than the 7300 primarily because of the VHF and UHF support. So Icom is already behind in some ways and the far more expensive IC-7610 does nothing to correct any of the above issues.

  5. What are the pluses to the Icom IC-7300 to a medium wave / short wave listener ? I would say the first on the list is it being a “Direct Sampling” Software Defined Receiver design. That’s right….no traditional mixer and IF stages. Right from the antenna input there are 15 bandpass filters then to a 14 bit analog to digital converter, after that there is a FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). Use of a TI TMS320C6745 DSP after that which makes sense being this is standalone SDR device.

    As Adam VA7OJ said: “The IC-7300 is not a “hybrid”. One looking at the simplified block diagram is all it takes. It is a fully-architected direct-sampling / DUC SDR, in which the baseband port of the FPGA is connected to an internal DSP complex rather than an external PC. By converting the baseband to a 36 kHz “pseudo-IF”, Icom have made a very clever move, which has enabled them to use their well-proven DSP hardware platform and code libraries.”

  6. Well after blowing hot and cold over it, I’m going to get a used 7300 to use as a standalone “always on” Rx to monitor the Eastern FM band 65.75 – 74.00 MHz – the band scope will be great for meteor pings

    It should compliment my existing 88-108mhz SDRs

  7. Pretty negative posts here. Try saying something positive about this super rig. Why buy it in the first place ?? I won’t be selling mine thats for sure its just amazing. ZL1ER

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