*_Only a minute into the video but I agree, it's an UNFAIR comparison! One is a noisy, loosey-goosey front end, no RF Gain, gritty sounding glorified CB, and the other is a Yaesu._*
I think the opposite, if I were a new ham now thinking back I would get the much cheaper FT-891 with it's far superior noise reduction. It's a lot of radio for the money and the selectivity I find is also much better, this 891 is better at reducing QRM from close strong stations. Then after that I would keep the 891 and get the FTDX-1200 or 3000. All the fancy screens and menus can't help you hear that contact in the noise. Since I last posted here I got my licence in May 2019, loving the hobby. I got the Xiegu X5105 QRP rig + The Xiegu G90 20 w SDR Rig + the IC-7300 and the FT-891, I have to say that I really like the FT-891, the noise reduction simply blows the 7300, G90 and X5105 away, put on some headphones and the 891 is a real pleasure to listen to, it can really pull a station out of the noise or hit DNR and listen to the background noise disappear, it's amazing. It makes me wonder should I have got the FTDX-1200 or 3000 if Yaesu receivers are that good. The filtering is also excellent on the 891. The 7300 is a good radio and I like it but to be honest the screen is too small to be useful for an SWR, seeing a whole band makes the signals look way too small. The menus in the 891 are not bad because most are set once and forget, using the likes of Flrig and you can control many functions from the computer. Now I'm familiar with the menus it's 2nd nature and don't find it an issue at all. The 891 is probably one of the best and very underrated portable radio out there. I now use the FT-891 portable because the 100 Watts make a big difference and a 8.5 Ah LiFeP04 battery gives me plenty of portable time and I bring a 12V car battery in the car just in case, I don't operate very far from the car mostly so power consumption is a non issue. I also use the FT-891 in the living room, I strung up a 2nd EFHW for this and use it on JS8 Call and PSK31 as well as SSB when I don't want to go up to the shack. Is the kx2 or Kx3 a better receiver ? perhaps but the FT-891 is bloody good and a hell of a lot cheaper when you factor in E.U extortion taxes + that 100 Watts, you simply can't beat having the power when you have limited time to work portable, the FT-891 and Super Antenna MP1 is a great portable setup. You can have 10-50-100 watts whatever you want, better to have the power than want it.
@@hamradiocq Before you make any decision check out the Expert Electronics SUN SDR 2 DX 100 watt, looks really good and I've read a few youtube comments where People who had the FLEX swear the SUN SDR 2 DX is better. Do you still have the 891 ? I still have mine and love it, I use it more than the 7300. I got the Chameleon MPAS 2.0 back in May and got great DX on 20M in the evenings over the Summer from my sitting room with 891 and MPAS 2.0 the sound is just so good from the 891 with Headphones. The MPAS 2.0 with CAP HAT works so good I decided to leave it up permanently and take it down only for portable use and it's funny because I got it only for portable use lol. Anyway, something else for you to ponder about, after using a friends TS-590SG I was absolutely thrilled to use such a radio, all the buttons, great sound, filters etc and built in panadapter so you can get the waterfall on the big screen, I liked it so much I decided to buy one so ordered one but due to you know what it was delayed by months and so then I decided to get the really fantastic Acom 1000 and I'm delighted I did because it makes a good difference when I need it. So finally getting to the point lol, I then got the PTRX 7300 panadapter for the 7300 and hooked it up to the Airspy HF+ I wasn't using and it makes a massive difference to the overall experience having the large waterfall on a monitor, see a gap on a busy 80m band and hover over it with the mouse and it will tell you the frequency and you can tell your friends to qsy, it's a lot easier than on a tiny screen. Anyone thinking of buying a new 7300 + PTRX 3000 and SDR I wouldn't, too expensive better buy a proper SDR or the TS-590 SG which has the panadapter built in and it's a real nice radio to use. I no longer listen to the audio from the 7300 and only from the computer via the Airspy HF+. I use SDR Console and Omnirig to sync the airspy with the 7300. So Flex, Panadapter for the 7300, TS-590 SG with built in Panadapter, SUN SDR 2 DX or Yaesu FT-DX10 ? I have to say now that having used the panadapter for the 7300 going back to small radio screen would be difficult, having the big waterfall on a monitor with mouse control is really great. :-)
@@inferno7654 The 590 SG comes with the panadapter, all you got to do is change some settings in the menu of the radio and connect up your own sdr. It has the connector on the back of the radio, A Ham friend of mine has one and this is how he uses it.
Picked up an FT-891 and I love it. Right now I’m using it as a base station and I worked all over the world with an EFHW antenna 15 feet off the ground. Sure would I like some of the fancy features of course, but I feel like my money was very well spent and if I want, I have the option to go mobile with it. It’s very well-built, and I get nothing but great comments about my audio quality. I can’t speak to the 7300 because I don’t own one. I’m sure it’s a great radio but I have absolutely no regrets for getting the ft-891
Perfect description of me! I'm a brand new ham operator and didn't have a lot of money. So I wanted a good rig I could use both as a base station and take it out in the field. I got the FT-891 and love it!!!
@@hamradiocq Thanks! Not much interest in 2M VHF for me. HF is my passion - just need to get my General license now. But, when 6M is active - I do enjoy the sporadic E contacts!
I absolutely LOVE my FT-891! You really do get a lot for your money. The ability to plug it in at the shack, mobile HF and on location POTA makes it very versatile. The menus take some getting used to, but it all becomes second nature in short time. I’ll be honest, it’s kind of fun working the radio to try and pull someone from the weeds…. It’s all part of the fun!
Got the 891 for portable. Tough little radio with beautiful receiver capabilities. It doesn’t hold you back when you become familiar on how to adjust the settings.
I completely agree, have one in my car on the dash is great as I can remote the mic and head then put the brick in the boot. I get around the menus and settings just fine and better than I do my SR8 on my desk. In the car I run with an atas120a so I have tuner, scope and dnr on the soft buttons. I've found dnr extremely handy in noisy environments and it's something that was totally skipped over here. The colouring of the screen and size matches my IC2730A closely as well for 2/70. My only beef about the 891 is having to manually dim the lights when night driving then manually return the lighting level and the fact it won't auto directly tie to a codan auto tune antenna like the ic7000 and 706/2g will. I *LOVE* the range scan memories on the 891 and they are awesome on the road. R1L>R1U is set for my full 80m allowance, r2 is set for my full 40m allowance, r3 15m and r4 10m. I flick to the lower of the range hit tuner then roll the vfo clockwise quickly, hold up button on mic and it starts scanning. When it hits the upper it auto rolls back to lower and starts again. If you come across something tap the vfo anticlock and then tap a soft key when near and manually fine tune. So easy and handy. It didn't take me long at all to get used to the menus though I've seen people here and there selling because they couldn't fathom the menu nesting and differences.
I have both and love them both! No problem zipping thru the menus on the 891. The 891 is much easier to cart around for portable work while the 7300 sits nicely on my desk and works well for digital modes. I'd say, the amount of time I spend using either one is about the same.
I have an IC-7200 and an Ft-891. Similar results in my unfair comparison . Both radios are great. I get really good signal reports with the FT-891. Looking forward to working portable this spring!
Nice comparison! Would be nice a back to back comparison with and without filters DSP DNR engaged. I've read the Yaesu have more sensitive receiver and sounds a little better. 73 man! Keep going
Yeah, I guess I should have done that, but I also only have 1 antenna line and I don't know as much about the 891. Still a fun video though, thanks for commenting!
As an owner of two Ic7300's and also an FT891, yes this is an unfair comparison. Yes the 7300 is intuitive, and the interface on the 891 is not. I have the 891 in the truck and it is a good mobile rig. ALSO you may not know but the 7300 has a wide ranging tuner if you put the rig in emergency mode. It takes about 10 seconds to put the rig in Emergency mode, It will tune about a 7:1 SWR, BUT you are limited to 50 watts in Emergency mode. In normal mode the tuner is limited to 3:1 SWR. While the 891 has a USB output for CAT control, it DOES NOT pass audio for digital modes over this USB like the ICOM does. You must have an audio interface using analog connections on the back of the 891. The rigs are for two different purposes, and to be fair the 891 has a lot less "real estate" on the front panel and no touch screen so its MMI (Man Machine Interface) must by definition be harder to use. Current price on the 7300 is just under $1000, after rebate and current price on the 891 is about $650 73 James KØUA
Great 'unfair' comparison. :) We can use wider auto tuner range up to 10:1 for IC-7300 if we set it on 'Emergency mode', and its limit thee TX power to 50W only Thank you for sharing your thought. Bahathir 9W2GNU, 73. .
yes but at 50 watts only anyway the tuner in my 7300 is very good if the antenna is more than 3/1 tuning it will not make it work any better if you show the radio 50 ohms
"Cinder block", "huge radio". Even the BIG radios of today are pip-squeaks compared to back in the day of the boat anchors! You haven't lived until you have carried a Viking II up the stairs to the ham shack bedroom. And that was one of the LIGHT ones of the day. Thanks for the video!
My first HF radio was a Yaesu FT 707 with matching PSU, ATU and external VFO. HF only, no 160m. I just bought a Yaesu FT-897 All band All mode because the local club holds 2m SSB nets so I needed something that could do that. I was looking at buying the 7300 but again its only HF. The menus on the 897 are taking a little getting use to especially since my 707 doesn’t have anything other than buttons and knobs. Oh and compared to my 707, the 897 is nice and small on my desk, even with the ATU stuck to the side :-)
I have an IC-7300 and a Yaesu FT-897D and love them both for different reasons. But no experience with the Yaesu FT-891 although I plan to purchase one for portable use. I really think you should have familiarized yourself a little more with the FT-891. Although I agree that the IC-7300 is the far superior radio. I absolutely love mine. I learn something new and very useful about the IC-7300 constantly! It has endless yet easy to figure out features. Good job Tom!
Great comparison. I agree with your thinking. One thing you talked me into without knowing is SSB in the field. I am building the SSB module for my K2 as we speak. Also, signed up for POTA... Thanks for all of your videos... Ron
I love to hear that. Being 'kind of' an inspiration to get out there and do some cool things, makes me feel good about all this stuff. Enjoy your POTA and I'll cu on the air. 73
As stated, it is not a fair comparison regarding rig control and operation. The 7300 has a MUCH better UI than the FT-891. But I'd like to have seen more about the performance. What I would like to have seen was a more detailed comparison of the DSP qualities of both. I just bought an FT-891 and I have to say that its DSP works better than any other radio I have, ICOM included--and was an ICOM guy for a long time. I'd make it my base rig except for the cumbersome menus that I have to navigate to do stuff. As mentioned, adjusting power levels is one of them. I need to buy a new base rig (the 7300 is on the list), but I'd like to see more on the DSP coverage of both so I can see how these two compare before I commit.
Marcus Florido I prefer my ICOM 7600 over Both of these radios any day.I would not own any touch screen radio for FREE no matter who makes it.If the 891 is anywhere as PATHETIC as the 897D was that I had I would not own it either.
The 891 works better for me. I need no Bling Bling self Destroy-Branding-Displays. The 891 will hear also better on large Antennas and is good for Fielddays. Test it. Sorry for my English. 73,s DO9YY
Finally i subscribed to your channel, another great video, another thing to consider is you could go on e-bay and buy a secondhand transceiver full of bells and whistles and get ripped off for the same price point for a NEW 891, they are a great radio, i have been licensed 40 years and i am really tempted to get one, having used a 7300 at my friends house, they are a good radio, they are twice the price and find me a good secondhand ICOM756 Pro without problems with the screen ! Personally i would buy the FT891 at the price....... Keep the videos coming, i like your 'thinking out of the box' style. Best 73 from South West France.
Harbor Freight sells a case: Apache 3800. The IC -7300 fits perfectly inside and is well protected. It’s similar to a Pelican case. On sale 03.08.2019 for about $30! Picked one up today early sale and plucked the foam to fit my radio. I was also worried about bring mine into the field. And like you I also have the FT-891. Both great rigs.
You’re welcome. There is actually enough room to pluck if you want to have a place for some cables but I left the box just for the radio. And the manual fits under the top foam piece.
I have a Yaesu FT450D I always use portable, tomorrow I am getting the Yaesu 891 for portable and leaving the 450D at home connected to my EFHW antenna, before I take the Yaesu out though I am going to change all of the settings I require for portable operation and have it all ready to start operating from about Saturday, then I just need to change band or mode whilst out. good honest video Thanks, Oh by the way the 891 can Zero in (Zin) and spot on CW, it's on page 9 in the advanced manual
A great, "Unfair Comparison." *lol* I almost bought a 7300, and kinda wish I had, but I opted for the 7100, primarily because it has HF/VHF/UHF. I still see a 7300, maybe even a 7610 in my future. I may need to take a second mortgage on the house for the 7610, however. :-( All things considered, including price, the 7300 seems like the perfect radio, if there is such a beast.
It would have been a bit better test concentrating on the reception sound quality, rather than 'ease' of operation. It would be interesting to hear a clear comparison of the two, considering the price difference.
I have both radios. My 7300 is hands down easier to navigate and I use it as a back up radio for my home shack. When I go out and activate WWFF parks and Beaches I actually take both with me. I am 100% CW and the DNR feature on the 891 has the 7300 beat hands down. I am surprised that ICOM hasn't caught up with this little feature. There is no question that the 7300 is easier and quicker to change bands, modes and power levels. I love both radios and have no plans to get rid of either. I recently used my 891 on one of contests and had a lot of fun and was able to pull a lot of stations out of the mud. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. :-) :-) de W6LEN / Jess
So funny. This is me totally. I got the 891 as my first HF radio. I saw the 7300 in action, and had to have it. 7300 base. 891 portable. I am tempted to swap out the 891 with something more fancy for portable, but I'm concerned about durability. Looking the 891 it is. (Changing some stuff on the 891 is DEFINITELY a PitA!!)--mad props for the 897 though. Wow, what a tank?!?!
I came close to pulling the trigger on the 891 but after seeing the display on the 7300 I went for it instead, I also have the kx2 which works excellent but after getting used to the waterfall on the 7300 the kx2 sitting idle. It really is useful, I have the display set to see the whole band so I can get an idea of how much activity is out there....I miss that a lot on radios that don't have it...and yes imo the radio is easy to operate, everything you use often is easy to find without a ton of menu drop downs
Regarding your first stated concern. Either of these, needs to go into a Pelican or similar case for transport. Moreso the 7300 due to the screen and extra weight if it ever got moving during a sudden stop.
I have enough problems using the touch screen on my cell phone, plus I have a shack cat that loves to lay in between my computer keyboard and monitor stand under which my radio would go as I don't have much room and I'm sure he'd be bumping that touch screen and changing things on me. The smaller size and lack of a touch screen makes the 891 a clear winner for me, nt to mention the excellent receiver as I don't have a license yet and would be using the radio just for listening until I'm legal to transmit. It costs way less than either the 7300 or a new general coverage receiver that's far superior than any Tecsun or other portable SW receiver made.
I'm a pretty new ham and have both of these radios. I got the 7300 for a base and did some POTA with it. I discovered it's a pain to pull my shack radio and haul that heavy radio to the park. So got the 891. The 7300 is MUCH easier to use in every way, but I've found that when I'm doing POTA, I set up pretty much the same all the time. So not a lot of changes required, just mode and freq. Most everything else stays the same from park to park.
I had $1000 mad money to spend. Deliberated for days. Do I get an IC-7300 or do I buy an FT-891 plus an Acer Aspire E 15? Long story short, I'm typing this on my new laptop. Menu system becomes pretty automatic if the 891 is the only radio you use.
Do you travel a LOT!? or need a base station??? The 7300 is far superior at home if you don't have to lug it around. You can still lug around a 7300. But it's just less convenient.
@@hamradiocq Ever since I first heard of PSK31 in 1999, I've only been interested in digital modes. The 891 works great with my old Win7 laptop and doesn't take up much space.
I have both radios just as you do. In fact it was because of your reviews of the FT891 that I bought it as my first HF rig. I then got the 7300 and again as a result of your videos and several other hams on UA-cam. I am very happy with both radios. I used the 891 as my base until I got the 7300. They are sitting side by side and I only turn it on when I want to talk on 3.963 and I use may MFJ auto tuner to be able to talk there. My 7300 will not tune there with either my MFJ-939 or my LDG AT100Pro auto tuners. If I want to talk on the net on 3.963 on the 7300 I have to use my MFJ-962D manual tuner. Kind of strange and a pain in the butt if I want to use the 7300 on that frequency. Other than that you are right, it is an unfair comparison but as you those are the two radios I have to compare to each other. The 891 comes to the field with me when I set up for portable use. Thanks for sharing.
The 891 is not a bad portable rig, but it won't hold a candle to the KX2. One glaring difference besides the superior receiver in the KX2 is the fact that the 891 is a 100 watt class PA section. Which means even when turned down to 5 watts it still draws 4 amps of bias current before it makes a single watt of power. This is true for all 100 watt class radios, not just the 891. Of course this is going to eat into your battery bigtime, not to mention it draws just over 1 amp in receive too. So the KX2 is much more battery friendly for portable operation. It also costs more, and if you need 25 or 50 watts or even 100 to make the connection you will need an external amplifier for the KX2. On the 891 just turn it up. As long as your battery can support it. Of course the 891 has no tuner either, but you can add the external LDG tuners for not too much money.
Totally unfair,I don't think so brother, point taken,I have a icom 718, and a 7300, when I use the 718, which has a 7300 hand Mike on it, everyone thinks I'm on the 7300,I tell everyone the only thing better than having 1 718 , is having 2of them, great video do a review of the 718 if you get the chance,it really is the work horse of modern day amateur radio,even though it is discontinued , you can still get a new one,73s brother, kb0uzz
Good video man. I don't plan on getting a 7300 at all, just because it's not inline with my intent (yet). But I do like seeing features an operator might get used to having on a variety of radios. The 891 is in my potential purchase list (for a first HF rig), as is the 991a.
I recently took my 7300 to the Caribbean in a Pelican case, and I tell you it got quite heavy during the long walks in airports from one gate to another. I have been toying with buying an 891 for travel as you suggest.
Thanks for the honesty here. IF you used the Yaesu everyday for a couple of weeks, you'd be more fluid with it. The Icom IS better, but as a newbie I want to start and work up.
891 filters are very good indeed, ZIN will zero in on CW, have both radios and they are great rigs. Fast access to bands can be done several ways on 891, easiest is via stored memories (M->VFO button) then rotate selector to choose. thanks for review :-)
Hey there, Thanks for sharing :) On the band-selection/frequency stuff, did you know you can enter the frequency directly? When in band selection mode - tick the F INP button and you can enter the frequency right away, without having to turn the dial, might be even faster from time to time 73 de PC4AD
I own both of these radios as well. For ease of use, the 7300 is very hard to beat and the ergos are second to none. Yeasu FT 891 can be a little frustrating at first until you get the menus in muscle memory and of course is more portable. The DSP on the FT 891 is best and rivals or beats the IC 7300.
I have the ft891. Here it costs half the price of the ic7300. I do not regret the choice as it has a great receiver for cw my operating mode for hf. It also can lower power to 1w level, nice for a qrper. 73, Luís
ND Ham, I have been called a Yaesu poster child, that being said I HATE the microphone jack for the Yaesu radio's the rest of the radios I have dearly loved but the hokey microphone jacks are a joke. I bought a set of Heil Pro 7's for my FT-991A and have been trying to find a way to keep from tearing the jack from the radio. As far as portable use the FT-891 can't be beat, my guess is you feel about iCom's like I do about the Yaesu products. Lets face it they both have good and bad points, my 991A does everything your iCom 7300 does and in some places more but heck, I've only had the 991A for a few months so I don't know all it will do yet.
I was faced with that decision as a new ham, I thought of it this way. there is no one on 2-meter sofar, am I sure I want to stick with the hobby? also if I stick with the hobby, I am going to want a mobile later. my desk is small I had no room for a 7300. I went with the FT-891. It will work very well in my car later. I used it on field day easily. and it fits on my desk easily with my VHF/UHF rig. I love this radio, it works great. I can see the younger generation liking the 7300 menus that's what you're used to. a little menu doesn't bother me. I grew up with typing the program in your computer before you could play your game. I would recomend the FT-891 to anyone. and you can by your VHF FM rig, SignaLink, coax and antenna's and still not spend as much as you did on the one radio. Maybe something fancy later? but for now I'm transmitting on everything I want for under $1000. Can't beat that.
Is there a reason you have your RF gain turned almost all the way down so there's nothing to see on the waterfal display? Also, try press+hold on the "Filter" button, it will even bring up another menu.
You do realize you have 3 programmable function keys on the front of the 891. You could probably program the power on one of those buttons. That's something you can't do on the 7300.
It seems that this is a comparison of ease of use vs. Actual features and sound. The FT891 is superior in filtering, which is arguably the key element along with transmit signal/cleanliness. Not a bad video, just a misleading title. Perhaps if the videos title matched the subject matter, I'd feel more drawn to it. Regardless, thank you for your efforts. 🙂
I've only been a ham operator for about 2.5 years and I'll make a fair comparison of metal detectors. Just follow along. People dive into hobbies and listen to people who have been in hobbies for 5+ years for advice. They purchase an expensive metal detector and decide they don't like the metal detector and sell it to someone else at a loss. So, right after getting a Technician license a new ham may purchase an FT-991 or IC-7300 because their goal is to get their general license and this will save money. Life gets in the way and their priorities change or they decide the hobby isn't for them. Now they have an expensive radio that is perfect for someone else. My first radio was an FT-60 and I enjoy the hobby. The second radio was an FT-991. Mobile digital sounds interesting so I purchased an FT-70DR. I have the capability now, but I don't enjoy it (this reinforces the statement above). I enjoy POTA. It doesn't make economic sense for me to take the FT-991A with a touch screen to a park and risk damage. So, now I have added the FT-891 to my go bag for ARES, POTA, or just being portable. Ham isn't for everyone and HF isn't for everyone. Some people enjoy repeaters VHF/UHF or GMRS. To be fair, why purchase an FT-891 if the operator hasn't ever been to a Field Day or done POTA? Join a club and operate their rig or maybe an Elmer has a rig you can try before you buy (reinforces the Field Day comment).
Thanks for the comparison! Right now the 7300 runs $1000 incl rebate from DxEngineering and the 7610 is $3100 incl rebate. I am looking to buy my first 100W radio. I built a qcx, am learning morse code, and have been running WSPR. Is the $2100 extra really worth it for a starter radio? I like the idea of spending $1000 for the 7300 now. Then something portable for another $700 (FT-891) maybe in the next couple of months - similar to the setup you compared.
Yeah, unless you have some serious wealth, the 7300 is just fine. It does everything I need. Do wish I had a 7610 though! Go with the 7300 and you can't lose.
I think you are on the right track here. I have 2 of the 7300's and one 891 in the mobile/portable. You will not be dissapointed in the 7300 for sure. and the 891 is a good little mobile rig. 73 James K0UA
The 7600 isnt meant to be any better than the 7300 ive been told off a number of people that owned both. I currently have the 7300 but thinking of swapping to a yaesu ft991a
The 991a is a true shack in the box. You can do anything with it, even C4FM. I love it. The scope is a bummer, and the menue is typical Yaesu but everything else is better than the 7300.
dough.....that's wh you pay almost twice the price of the ft-891,it is called " ease of use ".you talked about one is more easy to operate than the other , but you don't know the yaesu very well. I guess you will find that is not so easy to ride a motorcycle, if don't even know how to ride a bicycle.
Good overview of the two radios but as far as a fair comparison you kind of missed the mark. What you are basically arguing is that you, personally, understand how to use the IC-7300 better. I will agree that the 7300s features are more intuitive but that's because you have a touch screen vs an LCD and buttons. Compare the IC-7300 to the FTDX10 which is more apples to apples and then the comparison becomes a little more relevant and less lopsided. The radios themselves each have great "functionality" but what you are battling out here is "user interface", which just by looking at the radios you can already tell which one is going to come out ahead. Would love to see that 7300 vs FTDX10 comparison though.
My 2 cents is basically this... each radio has its place and specific purpose in ham radio. While I could afford the ICOM 7300 I chose the FT 891 at around $ 575.00 ? The 891 sits mostly on 10 meters on its own dedicated antenna. I have an old Yaesu FT757GX that I use for the other HF bands with a different antenna. I love that the FT757 has no menus to fiddle with. 73 !
the 897 has hf 6 2 70 +you can fit an internal battery +you can fit an internal power supply it depends how many radios you want but it is older technology but it works well
Why you don't have "what buttons to select" for the most common functions you use puzzles me. Trying to remember all the menu functions of early SDR's and current SDR's is mind boggling. The ICOM 7300 touch screen has eliminated much of the guess work without a shortcut list. Still, having a short cut list for each rig that uses multiple menus will give you less frustration. A comparison I might make would be between the HW-9 and the FT-817ND even though the HW-9 is CW only. Comparison could be made for weight, ease of use, packability, and power requirements. Enjoyed your video Tom. 73 KB8AMZ
Did this video push you over the top.??? It was the Bokeh wasn't it!!! Ha ha ha. 7300 was a no brainer for me, I actually did start do go down the full blown SDR path, but then I realized I needed a dedicated computer so I got this. Can't go wrong.
@@hamradiocq Yes , it's hard to do in practice unless you use a multi-band antenna that is resonant on several bands or at least has very low SWR for the bands you want but not practical in every situation.
The 891 superior to 897, 32 bit built in digital recorder nb and dsp that works the rx for a budget radio superb i like it so much i purchased one have the 7300 and the 7410 also which i rate
Junk Man 857D is a POS and by far the WORST Amateur Radio I have ever owned or used and I am so happy I no longer own one and would never own another one even for FREE.
Just wanted to say that I really enjoyed your video about overnight camping and operating qrp with various antennas. I operate portable but there are no places to do overnight camping around here with the same open space freedom you enjoy. 73 de KE2YK
Thank you so much for the nice comment. Whereabouts are you? There really aren't that many places here either to camp... maybe some state parks and those are usually booked up.
AnythingWithWheels i live on Long Island about 60 miles east of manhattan. We have state parks here but most close at sunset an those that offer camping give you a 50/50 foot plot, rather depressing. However, we do have beaches and the ocean. I activate state parks on the air or POTA and try to get out year round. In winter its in side the suv. Appreciate the great videos 73 yk
how can you compare these in so many ways different purposed radios? the only thing to compare is receive / transmit. I expected to hear some noise but you say you don‘t even know the ft-981. strange...
An awful lot of your 891 complaints seem to be of the form "I forget" or "I haven't learned how to do that" or "I haven't bothered to figure out it it has that feature". I agree that the 7300 should usually stay home. Certainly questionable for mobile. While not stock for the 891 there is an available control head separation kit, allowing a more convenient vehicle installation. So long as you have a computer handy, e.g.; for logging, connecting the radio and using HRD or flrig makes the rig feature sets equivalently available. The big display on the 7300 is pretty, but, I agree, a vulnerability. The 891 screen is a smaller target, and not being a touch screen, may actually be more durable, or maybe not. Either would be a big pain to replace. Get a cover for the front of the radio, or, probably better, a suitably fitted, and probably padded, carrying case (maybe with slots for required accessories. That's true for either radio. For those who want a wide range autotuner, consider the LDB Z-11Pro II. Since it uses latching relays, once the match is found, it stops consuming power, so it won't eat into the battery that you're using for portable. And not consuming a lot of power doesn't turn into a problem for home use. (Maybe there's a newer one. I've enjoyed mine for years, and it's still going strong.)
By the way, it didn't look to me like they battled to the death. It seemed they sat there side by side very nicely without any hostility at all. 73 James KØUA
Hi Tommy, The new Icom SDR radios have many features I like, but the deal breaker was Icom using 3dB steps for the S meter from S0 to S9 while everyone else uses 6dB steps per S unit. Don't know why they made the change. 73 WB3BJU
We buy rig for better reception and operability. S-meter is just one of the feature. It is not fun if we got S9 on very accurate S meter, but we only hear lots of noise. I prefer not so accurate S meter if I able to operate it very easy. BTW, I am using hamlib's rigctl, to read signal strength's level. I found that, S0 == -54 dB, S9 == 0 dB.. and each S unit is 6 dB. I am not sure, how the 3 dB for S unit came from. To make sure about it, get another rig, and compare the signal sterength using the same antenna. Anyway, S meter is just a relative measurement and not to be same with other rig.. unless we need a very accurate measurement for lab's experiments. Thank you.
Thanks - I have been looking forward to this video. I have two IC-7300's and will be buying a FT-891 for the mobile./portable ops.
Wow! A real deal 7300 fan! Yep, I like them both. Just wish the 891 had a bit better buttons less menu-y
*_Only a minute into the video but I agree, it's an UNFAIR comparison! One is a noisy, loosey-goosey front end, no RF Gain, gritty sounding glorified CB, and the other is a Yaesu._*
😂
😂😂🤣🤣👍
quite right.
I think the opposite, if I were a new ham now thinking back I would get the much cheaper FT-891 with it's far superior noise reduction. It's a lot of radio for the money and the selectivity I find is also much better, this 891 is better at reducing QRM from close strong stations. Then after that I would keep the 891 and get the FTDX-1200 or 3000. All the fancy screens and menus can't help you hear that contact in the noise.
Since I last posted here I got my licence in May 2019, loving the hobby. I got the Xiegu X5105 QRP rig + The Xiegu G90 20 w SDR Rig + the IC-7300 and the FT-891, I have to say that I really like the FT-891, the noise reduction simply blows the 7300, G90 and X5105 away, put on some headphones and the 891 is a real pleasure to listen to, it can really pull a station out of the noise or hit DNR and listen to the background noise disappear, it's amazing. It makes me wonder should I have got the FTDX-1200 or 3000 if Yaesu receivers are that good. The filtering is also excellent on the 891. The 7300 is a good radio and I like it but to be honest the screen is too small to be useful for an SWR, seeing a whole band makes the signals look way too small.
The menus in the 891 are not bad because most are set once and forget, using the likes of Flrig and you can control many functions from the computer. Now I'm familiar with the menus it's 2nd nature and don't find it an issue at all. The 891 is probably one of the best and very underrated portable radio out there.
I now use the FT-891 portable because the 100 Watts make a big difference and a 8.5 Ah LiFeP04 battery gives me plenty of portable time and I bring a 12V car battery in the car just in case, I don't operate very far from the car mostly so power consumption is a non issue.
I also use the FT-891 in the living room, I strung up a 2nd EFHW for this and use it on JS8 Call and PSK31 as well as SSB when I don't want to go up to the shack.
Is the kx2 or Kx3 a better receiver ? perhaps but the FT-891 is bloody good and a hell of a lot cheaper when you factor in E.U extortion taxes + that 100 Watts, you simply can't beat having the power when you have limited time to work portable, the FT-891 and Super Antenna MP1 is a great portable setup. You can have 10-50-100 watts whatever you want, better to have the power than want it.
I'm thinking of selling the Icom 7300 and getting a Flexradio SDR. In fact, I'm going to do it.
@@hamradiocq Before you make any decision check out the Expert Electronics SUN SDR 2 DX 100 watt, looks really good and I've read a few youtube comments where People who had the FLEX swear the SUN SDR 2 DX is better.
Do you still have the 891 ? I still have mine and love it, I use it more than the 7300. I got the Chameleon MPAS 2.0 back in May and got great DX on 20M in the evenings over the Summer from my sitting room with 891 and MPAS 2.0 the sound is just so good from the 891 with Headphones. The MPAS 2.0 with CAP HAT works so good I decided to leave it up permanently and take it down only for portable use and it's funny because I got it only for portable use lol.
Anyway, something else for you to ponder about, after using a friends TS-590SG I was absolutely thrilled to use such a radio, all the buttons, great sound, filters etc and built in panadapter so you can get the waterfall on the big screen, I liked it so much I decided to buy one so ordered one but due to you know what it was delayed by months and so then I decided to get the really fantastic Acom 1000 and I'm delighted I did because it makes a good difference when I need it. So finally getting to the point lol, I then got the PTRX 7300 panadapter for the 7300 and hooked it up to the Airspy HF+ I wasn't using and it makes a massive difference to the overall experience having the large waterfall on a monitor, see a gap on a busy 80m band and hover over it with the mouse and it will tell you the frequency and you can tell your friends to qsy, it's a lot easier than on a tiny screen.
Anyone thinking of buying a new 7300 + PTRX 3000 and SDR I wouldn't, too expensive better buy a proper SDR or the TS-590 SG which has the panadapter built in and it's a real nice radio to use. I no longer listen to the audio from the 7300 and only from the computer via the Airspy HF+. I use SDR Console and Omnirig to sync the airspy with the 7300.
So Flex, Panadapter for the 7300, TS-590 SG with built in Panadapter, SUN SDR 2 DX or Yaesu FT-DX10 ?
I have to say now that having used the panadapter for the 7300 going back to small radio screen would be difficult, having the big waterfall on a monitor with mouse control is really great. :-)
@@o00scorpion00o where did you seen a TS-590SG with a buiklt-in panadapter ? O_o
@@inferno7654 The 590 SG comes with the panadapter, all you got to do is change some settings in the menu of the radio and connect up your own sdr. It has the connector on the back of the radio, A Ham friend of mine has one and this is how he uses it.
@@o00scorpion00o Ok, one thing is attach an SDR on the back of a radio, another is a panadapter biuilt.-in, is very very different.
Picked up an FT-891 and I love it. Right now I’m using it as a base station and I worked all over the world with an EFHW antenna 15 feet off the ground. Sure would I like some of the fancy features of course, but I feel like my money was very well spent and if I want, I have the option to go mobile with it. It’s very well-built, and I get nothing but great comments about my audio quality. I can’t speak to the 7300 because I don’t own one. I’m sure it’s a great radio but I have absolutely no regrets for getting the ft-891
Thank you so much for the comment friend!
Perfect description of me! I'm a brand new ham operator and didn't have a lot of money. So I wanted a good rig I could use both as a base station and take it out in the field. I got the FT-891 and love it!!!
Great choice! It does everything you need. Get a cheap HT for 2 meters.
@@hamradiocq Thanks! Not much interest in 2M VHF for me. HF is my passion - just need to get my General license now. But, when 6M is active - I do enjoy the sporadic E contacts!
I also bought the FT-891 as first (and so far only) radio. And it has zero-beating.
I absolutely LOVE my FT-891! You really do get a lot for your money. The ability to plug it in at the shack, mobile HF and on location POTA makes it very versatile. The menus take some getting used to, but it all becomes second nature in short time. I’ll be honest, it’s kind of fun working the radio to try and pull someone from the weeds…. It’s all part of the fun!
Yeah, its a work horse and I think it's tough too, but I still baby it.
He's spoiled
Got the 891 for portable. Tough little radio with beautiful receiver capabilities. It doesn’t hold you back when you become familiar on how to adjust the settings.
Yeah, I just tend to forget in between the times that I use it.
I completely agree, have one in my car on the dash is great as I can remote the mic and head then put the brick in the boot. I get around the menus and settings just fine and better than I do my SR8 on my desk. In the car I run with an atas120a so I have tuner, scope and dnr on the soft buttons. I've found dnr extremely handy in noisy environments and it's something that was totally skipped over here. The colouring of the screen and size matches my IC2730A closely as well for 2/70.
My only beef about the 891 is having to manually dim the lights when night driving then manually return the lighting level and the fact it won't auto directly tie to a codan auto tune antenna like the ic7000 and 706/2g will.
I *LOVE* the range scan memories on the 891 and they are awesome on the road. R1L>R1U is set for my full 80m allowance, r2 is set for my full 40m allowance, r3 15m and r4 10m. I flick to the lower of the range hit tuner then roll the vfo clockwise quickly, hold up button on mic and it starts scanning. When it hits the upper it auto rolls back to lower and starts again. If you come across something tap the vfo anticlock and then tap a soft key when near and manually fine tune. So easy and handy.
It didn't take me long at all to get used to the menus though I've seen people here and there selling because they couldn't fathom the menu nesting and differences.
I have both and love them both! No problem zipping thru the menus on the 891. The 891 is much easier to cart around for portable work while the 7300 sits nicely on my desk and works well for digital modes. I'd say, the amount of time I spend using either one is about the same.
Yeah, I hear ya. I like all my radios. They all have strength & weakness.
I have an IC-7200 and an Ft-891. Similar results in my unfair comparison . Both radios are great. I get really good signal reports with the FT-891. Looking forward to working portable this spring!
Nice comparison! Would be nice a back to back comparison with and without filters DSP DNR engaged. I've read the Yaesu have more sensitive receiver and sounds a little better. 73 man! Keep going
Yeah, I guess I should have done that, but I also only have 1 antenna line and I don't know as much about the 891. Still a fun video though, thanks for commenting!
I have both, and the 7300 has a better reciever in all respects. As you would expect it would. 73 James K0UA
As an owner of two Ic7300's and also an FT891, yes this is an unfair comparison. Yes the 7300 is intuitive, and the interface on the 891 is not. I have the 891 in the truck and it is a good mobile rig. ALSO you may not know but the 7300 has a wide ranging tuner if you put the rig in emergency mode. It takes about 10 seconds to put the rig in Emergency mode, It will tune about a 7:1 SWR, BUT you are limited to 50 watts in Emergency mode. In normal mode the tuner is limited to 3:1 SWR. While the 891 has a USB output for CAT control, it DOES NOT pass audio for digital modes over this USB like the ICOM does. You must have an audio interface using analog connections on the back of the 891. The rigs are for two different purposes, and to be fair the 891 has a lot less "real estate" on the front panel and no touch screen so its MMI (Man Machine Interface) must by definition be harder to use. Current price on the 7300 is just under $1000, after rebate and current price on the 891 is about $650 73 James KØUA
Great 'unfair' comparison. :)
We can use wider auto tuner range up to 10:1 for IC-7300 if we set it on 'Emergency mode', and its limit thee TX power to 50W only
Thank you for sharing your thought.
Bahathir 9W2GNU, 73. .
yes but at 50 watts only anyway the tuner in my 7300 is very good if the antenna is more than 3/1 tuning it will not make it work any better if you show the radio 50 ohms
"Cinder block", "huge radio". Even the BIG radios of today are pip-squeaks compared to back in the day of the boat anchors! You haven't lived until you have carried a Viking II up the stairs to the ham shack bedroom. And that was one of the LIGHT ones of the day. Thanks for the video!
I totally get what you are saying, Kelly. I've seen those behemoths at Hamvention. The FT 897 was a big heavy radio to me.
you can hook up a morse key on the ft-891 and use that to tune. (It is a menu setting) Page 3 of the ft-891 Advanced menu it is menu item 7-6 and 7-1
My first HF radio was a Yaesu FT 707 with matching PSU, ATU and external VFO. HF only, no 160m. I just bought a Yaesu FT-897 All band All mode because the local club holds 2m SSB nets so I needed something that could do that. I was looking at buying the 7300 but again its only HF. The menus on the 897 are taking a little getting use to especially since my 707 doesn’t have anything other than buttons and knobs. Oh and compared to my 707, the 897 is nice and small on my desk, even with the ATU stuck to the side :-)
I have an IC-7300 and a Yaesu FT-897D and love them both for different reasons. But no experience with the Yaesu FT-891 although I plan to purchase one for portable use. I really think you should have familiarized yourself a little more with the FT-891. Although I agree that the IC-7300 is the far superior radio. I absolutely love mine. I learn something new and very useful about the IC-7300 constantly! It has endless yet easy to figure out features. Good job Tom!
Thanks, yeah I need to dig into the 891 some more. I find filters disappointing in most cases. They help a little, but still not perfect.
Great comparison. I agree with your thinking. One thing you talked me into without knowing is SSB in the field. I am building the SSB module for my K2 as we speak. Also, signed up for POTA... Thanks for all of your videos... Ron
I love to hear that. Being 'kind of' an inspiration to get out there and do some cool things, makes me feel good about all this stuff. Enjoy your POTA and I'll cu on the air. 73
As stated, it is not a fair comparison regarding rig control and operation. The 7300 has a MUCH better UI than the FT-891. But I'd like to have seen more about the performance. What I would like to have seen was a more detailed comparison of the DSP qualities of both. I just bought an FT-891 and I have to say that its DSP works better than any other radio I have, ICOM included--and was an ICOM guy for a long time. I'd make it my base rig except for the cumbersome menus that I have to navigate to do stuff. As mentioned, adjusting power levels is one of them. I need to buy a new base rig (the 7300 is on the list), but I'd like to see more on the DSP coverage of both so I can see how these two compare before I commit.
Marcus Florido I prefer my ICOM 7600 over Both of these radios any day.I would not own any touch screen radio for FREE no matter who makes it.If the 891 is anywhere as PATHETIC as the 897D was that I had I would not own it either.
Its an apples to orange comparison but the goal in this case is to compare apples to orange. A more fare comparison would be the 991a.
I got 'em both and I agree with you. The 891 is a monster receiving tho'...😮
The 891 works better for me. I need no Bling Bling self Destroy-Branding-Displays. The 891 will hear also better on large Antennas and is good for Fielddays. Test it. Sorry for my English. 73,s DO9YY
I hear you Michael. Thanks for the nice comment 73.
Love the intro and panning of the radios with the music. I almost expect the radios to jump up and duel each other.
Ha! Thanks for the nice comment.
Finally i subscribed to your channel, another great video, another thing to consider is you could go on e-bay and buy a secondhand transceiver full of bells and whistles and get ripped off for the same price point for a NEW 891, they are a great radio, i have been licensed 40 years and i am really tempted to get one, having used a 7300 at my friends house, they are a good radio, they are twice the price and find me a good secondhand ICOM756 Pro without problems with the screen !
Personally i would buy the FT891 at the price.......
Keep the videos coming, i like your 'thinking out of the box' style.
Best 73 from South West France.
Harbor Freight sells a case: Apache 3800. The IC -7300 fits perfectly inside and is well protected. It’s similar to a Pelican case. On sale 03.08.2019 for about $30! Picked one up today early sale and plucked the foam to fit my radio. I was also worried about bring mine into the field. And like you I also have the FT-891. Both great rigs.
Thanks for the great idea!
You’re welcome. There is actually enough room to pluck if you want to have a place for some cables but I left the box just for the radio. And the manual fits under the top foam piece.
Enjoyed your opinions...and looking at the two radios...
Thanks, a lot of people get all angry on this video. It's just for fun.
I have a Yaesu FT450D I always use portable, tomorrow I am getting the Yaesu 891 for portable and leaving the 450D at home connected to my EFHW antenna, before I take the Yaesu out though I am going to change all of the settings I require for portable operation and have it all ready to start operating from about Saturday, then I just need to change band or mode whilst out. good honest video Thanks, Oh by the way the 891 can Zero in (Zin) and spot on CW, it's on page 9 in the advanced manual
A great, "Unfair Comparison." *lol* I almost bought a 7300, and kinda wish I had, but I opted for the 7100, primarily because it has HF/VHF/UHF. I still see a 7300, maybe even a 7610 in my future. I may need to take a second mortgage on the house for the 7610, however. :-( All things considered, including price, the 7300 seems like the perfect radio, if there is such a beast.
I also went with the 7100 but would love to have a 7300 eventually.
It would have been a bit better test concentrating on the reception sound quality, rather than 'ease' of operation. It would be interesting to hear a clear comparison of the two, considering the price difference.
Next time
I have both radios. My 7300 is hands down easier to navigate and I use it as a back up radio for my home shack. When I go out and activate WWFF parks and Beaches I actually take both with me. I am 100% CW and the DNR feature on the 891 has the 7300 beat hands down. I am surprised that ICOM hasn't caught up with this little feature. There is no question that the 7300 is easier and quicker to change bands, modes and power levels. I love both radios and have no plans to get rid of either. I recently used my 891 on one of contests and had a lot of fun and was able to pull a lot of stations out of the mud. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. :-) :-) de W6LEN / Jess
So funny. This is me totally. I got the 891 as my first HF radio. I saw the 7300 in action, and had to have it. 7300 base. 891 portable. I am tempted to swap out the 891 with something more fancy for portable, but I'm concerned about durability. Looking the 891 it is. (Changing some stuff on the 891 is DEFINITELY a PitA!!)--mad props for the 897 though. Wow, what a tank?!?!
Ha!
I have been considering exactly these 2, for the reason I'm brand new!
Checkout my latest videos, I sold my 7300 for a Yaesu FT DX10.
The illumination of surface buttons for evening operations is a huge purchase factor to me.
agreed
I came close to pulling the trigger on the 891 but after seeing the display on the 7300 I went for it instead, I also have the kx2 which works excellent but after getting used to the waterfall on the 7300 the kx2 sitting idle. It really is useful, I have the display set to see the whole band so I can get an idea of how much activity is out there....I miss that a lot on radios that don't have it...and yes imo the radio is easy to operate, everything you use often is easy to find without a ton of menu drop downs
Yep, it's that 7300 display that's amazing. Easy choice if you don't mind the big boxy build.
Great comparison, thx! I have the 891 and I am studying to upgrade my license. I enjoy all of your videos.
Regarding your first stated concern. Either of these, needs to go into a Pelican or similar case for transport. Moreso the 7300 due to the screen and extra weight if it ever got moving during a sudden stop.
I have enough problems using the touch screen on my cell phone, plus I have a shack cat that loves to lay in between my computer keyboard and monitor stand under which my radio would go as I don't have much room and I'm sure he'd be bumping that touch screen and changing things on me. The smaller size and lack of a touch screen makes the 891 a clear winner for me, nt to mention the excellent receiver as I don't have a license yet and would be using the radio just for listening until I'm legal to transmit. It costs way less than either the 7300 or a new general coverage receiver that's far superior than any Tecsun or other portable SW receiver made.
Thanks for the comment I really appreciate it.
I'm a pretty new ham and have both of these radios. I got the 7300 for a base and did some POTA with it. I discovered it's a pain to pull my shack radio and haul that heavy radio to the park. So got the 891. The 7300 is MUCH easier to use in every way, but I've found that when I'm doing POTA, I set up pretty much the same all the time. So not a lot of changes required, just mode and freq. Most everything else stays the same from park to park.
Great comment. I'm thinking about getting that Icom 705 for that reason...
@@hamradiocq I'm not willing to go QRP at this early stage in my ham life. I'm also not willing to part with the $1300 for the 705
I had $1000 mad money to spend. Deliberated for days. Do I get an IC-7300 or do I buy an FT-891 plus an Acer Aspire E 15?
Long story short, I'm typing this on my new laptop. Menu system becomes pretty automatic if the 891 is the only radio you use.
Do you travel a LOT!? or need a base station??? The 7300 is far superior at home if you don't have to lug it around. You can still lug around a 7300. But it's just less convenient.
@@hamradiocq Ever since I first heard of PSK31 in 1999, I've only been interested in digital modes. The 891 works great with my old Win7 laptop and doesn't take up much space.
Quite right, you can only compare what you have. Something interesting comes out of it.
Thank you. You know how much hate I got on this video..? You are the first to recognize. Thank you
I have both radios just as you do. In fact it was because of your reviews of the FT891 that I bought it as my first HF rig. I then got the 7300 and again as a result of your videos and several other hams on UA-cam. I am very happy with both radios. I used the 891 as my base until I got the 7300. They are sitting side by side and I only turn it on when I want to talk on 3.963 and I use may MFJ auto tuner to be able to talk there. My 7300 will not tune there with either my MFJ-939 or my LDG AT100Pro auto tuners. If I want to talk on the net on 3.963 on the 7300 I have to use my MFJ-962D manual tuner. Kind of strange and a pain in the butt if I want to use the 7300 on that frequency. Other than that you are right, it is an unfair comparison but as you those are the two radios I have to compare to each other. The 891 comes to the field with me when I set up for portable use. Thanks for sharing.
Yeah, nothing wrong with comparing apples to oranges. : ) Interesting that your 7300 will not tune there...?
@@hamradiocq My 7300 will tune there but not with the two auto tuners but will tune to 3.963 with the MFJ 962D manual roller inductor tuner.
I really like these types of comparisons :-)
Next step compare FT-891 and KX2 on portable operations. :-) 73s, Stephan, DF6PA
Thanks! I also like your idea, 891 vs KX2! Great idea
The 891 is not a bad portable rig, but it won't hold a candle to the KX2. One glaring difference besides the superior receiver in the KX2 is the fact that the 891 is a 100 watt class PA section. Which means even when turned down to 5 watts it still draws 4 amps of bias current before it makes a single watt of power. This is true for all 100 watt class radios, not just the 891. Of course this is going to eat into your battery bigtime, not to mention it draws just over 1 amp in receive too. So the KX2 is much more battery friendly for portable operation. It also costs more, and if you need 25 or 50 watts or even 100 to make the connection you will need an external amplifier for the KX2. On the 891 just turn it up. As long as your battery can support it. Of course the 891 has no tuner either, but you can add the external LDG tuners for not too much money.
Totally unfair,I don't think so brother, point taken,I have a icom 718, and a 7300, when I use the 718, which has a 7300 hand Mike on it, everyone thinks I'm on the 7300,I tell everyone the only thing better than having 1 718 , is having 2of them, great video do a review of the 718 if you get the chance,it really is the work horse of modern day amateur radio,even though it is discontinued , you can still get a new one,73s brother, kb0uzz
: ) It's just a fun video. Controversial apparently
Good video man. I don't plan on getting a 7300 at all, just because it's not inline with my intent (yet). But I do like seeing features an operator might get used to having on a variety of radios. The 891 is in my potential purchase list (for a first HF rig), as is the 991a.
I totally understand. Videos like this give you and others a feel. Not meant to be Gospel, just a look and feel and an opinion. Tnx fer comment!
love my 7300 but travelling overseas need a small unit for my backpack 891 looks like a great rig for travelling
I hear ya Alan. Loud and clear.
I recently took my 7300 to the Caribbean in a Pelican case, and I tell you it got quite heavy during the long walks in airports from one gate to another. I have been toying with buying an 891 for travel as you suggest.
Thanks for the honesty here.
IF you used the Yaesu everyday for a couple of weeks, you'd be more fluid with it.
The Icom IS better, but as a newbie I want to start and work up.
Yah, I'm busy
Thanks!
Wondering what the stand is that you are using on the 891?
891 filters are very good indeed, ZIN will zero in on CW, have both radios and they are great rigs. Fast access to bands can be done several ways on 891, easiest is via stored memories (M->VFO button) then rotate selector to choose. thanks for review :-)
I need to re-read the manual on those filters. thanks fer comment.
Hey there,
Thanks for sharing :)
On the band-selection/frequency stuff, did you know you can enter the frequency directly?
When in band selection mode - tick the F INP button and you can enter the frequency right away, without having to turn the dial, might be even faster from time to time
73 de PC4AD
Yes, I figured you can enter in manually, but I just did what I find easier. I'll have to try it again asap.
@@hamradiocq For sure :) It depends on what I want to do what I use it for
I own both of these radios as well. For ease of use, the 7300 is very hard to beat and the ergos are second to none. Yeasu FT 891 can be a little frustrating at first until you get the menus in muscle memory and of course is more portable. The DSP on the FT 891 is best and rivals or beats the IC 7300.
I think you need to get comfortable with the Ft-891 then redo this video, I'm looking to buy the 7300 as I do Own the Ft-891.
Yeah, you're probably right, but if you knew what I had going on, you'd understand.
My thoughts exactly!
I have the ft891. Here it costs half the price of the ic7300. I do not regret the choice as it has a great receiver for cw my operating mode for hf. It also can lower power to 1w level, nice for a qrper. 73, Luís
ND Ham, I have been called a Yaesu poster child, that being said I HATE the microphone jack for the Yaesu radio's the rest of the radios I have dearly loved but the hokey microphone jacks are a joke. I bought a set of Heil Pro 7's for my FT-991A and have been trying to find a way to keep from tearing the jack from the radio. As far as portable use the FT-891 can't be beat, my guess is you feel about iCom's like I do about the Yaesu products. Lets face it they both have good and bad points, my 991A does everything your iCom 7300 does and in some places more but heck, I've only had the 991A for a few months so I don't know all it will do yet.
Great comment. Very interesting. Like you said all of them havr their goods and bads.
See Pp 9 of the advanced manual for the 891 - it describes the "auto zero" feature that is built in to the radio (CW settings screen, "ZIN")...
Ok hammer
Still like the Yasue more, all I got is yasue and 1 kenwood tm-v71a. Yaesu has the atas 120a that makes tuning alot easier...
I totally agree.
I was faced with that decision as a new ham, I thought of it this way. there is no one on 2-meter sofar, am I sure I want to stick with the hobby? also if I stick with the hobby, I am going to want a mobile later. my desk is small I had no room for a 7300. I went with the FT-891. It will work very well in my car later. I used it on field day easily. and it fits on my desk easily with my VHF/UHF rig. I love this radio, it works great. I can see the younger generation liking the 7300 menus that's what you're used to. a little menu doesn't bother me. I grew up with typing the program in your computer before you could play your game. I would recomend the FT-891 to anyone. and you can by your VHF FM rig, SignaLink, coax and antenna's and still not spend as much as you did on the one radio. Maybe something fancy later? but for now I'm transmitting on everything I want for under $1000. Can't beat that.
Great comment!
All I know is that from the west coast I can talk to Portugal barefoot with DX Commander Vertical with my FT 891...
That's because you have an Amateur radio, not a pretty iCOM CB.
Great video. Thanks for posting. At end of your video, is someone taking a leak in the background? Lol.
Yup thanks fer comment. Thats upstairs water flowing thru pipes in basement. So loud
Is there a reason you have your RF gain turned almost all the way down so there's nothing to see on the waterfal display? Also, try press+hold on the "Filter" button, it will even bring up another menu.
I tweak gain all the time to see different views. I will try that.
Surely you buy both. Use the 7300 as a base station and 891 for portable ops?
Yes I have both and I use both
@@hamradiocq I have neither at the moment, but will add both to my 9700 this year.
You do realize you have 3 programmable function keys on the front of the 891. You could probably program the power on one of those buttons. That's something you can't do on the 7300.
It seems that this is a comparison of ease of use vs. Actual features and sound. The FT891 is superior in filtering, which is arguably the key element along with transmit signal/cleanliness. Not a bad video, just a misleading title. Perhaps if the videos title matched the subject matter, I'd feel more drawn to it. Regardless, thank you for your efforts. 🙂
I hear ya, Guy. Thanks for the comment.
No battle for me . . . I own and love both !
Great attitude I agree!
I've only been a ham operator for about 2.5 years and I'll make a fair comparison of metal detectors. Just follow along.
People dive into hobbies and listen to people who have been in hobbies for 5+ years for advice. They purchase an expensive metal detector and decide they don't like the metal detector and sell it to someone else at a loss. So, right after getting a Technician license a new ham may purchase an FT-991 or IC-7300 because their goal is to get their general license and this will save money. Life gets in the way and their priorities change or they decide the hobby isn't for them. Now they have an expensive radio that is perfect for someone else.
My first radio was an FT-60 and I enjoy the hobby. The second radio was an FT-991. Mobile digital sounds interesting so I purchased an FT-70DR. I have the capability now, but I don't enjoy it (this reinforces the statement above). I enjoy POTA. It doesn't make economic sense for me to take the FT-991A with a touch screen to a park and risk damage. So, now I have added the FT-891 to my go bag for ARES, POTA, or just being portable. Ham isn't for everyone and HF isn't for everyone. Some people enjoy repeaters VHF/UHF or GMRS. To be fair, why purchase an FT-891 if the operator hasn't ever been to a Field Day or done POTA? Join a club and operate their rig or maybe an Elmer has a rig you can try before you buy (reinforces the Field Day comment).
Thanks for the comparison!
Right now the 7300 runs $1000 incl rebate from DxEngineering and the 7610 is $3100 incl rebate. I am looking to buy my first 100W radio. I built a qcx, am learning morse code, and have been running WSPR.
Is the $2100 extra really worth it for a starter radio?
I like the idea of spending $1000 for the 7300 now. Then something portable for another $700 (FT-891) maybe in the next couple of months - similar to the setup you compared.
Yeah, unless you have some serious wealth, the 7300 is just fine. It does everything I need. Do wish I had a 7610 though! Go with the 7300 and you can't lose.
I think you are on the right track here. I have 2 of the 7300's and one 891 in the mobile/portable. You will not be dissapointed in the 7300 for sure. and the 891 is a good little mobile rig. 73 James K0UA
The 7300 is deaf. Get the 7610 it's sensitivity is amazing as well as all the other features. 7300 and 891 are poor men radios.
Brooke Hedrick buy a used 7600 for around $1000 because it is better than any you mentioned hands down.
Nice case. Who makes it?
Portable Zero makes the guard rails for the radio ua-cam.com/video/HSweUVHNwFY/v-deo.html
"Battle to the DEATH" - expected e.g. destroyed receivers caused by a strong signal immunity test. Got a bit disappointed.. :)
Right? Not a single drop of blood spilt ... :) 73!
I wanted to see the Icom catch on fire and melt
Makes me wonder if I should just use my 7300 for portable use instead of buying a 891
It's much bigger and bulkier and that big touchscreen might get poked. I donno good question.
@@hamradiocq I ended up ordering a 891 from gigaparts. Cant wait to try it out
The 7600 isnt meant to be any better than the 7300 ive been told off a number of people that owned both. I currently have the 7300 but thinking of swapping to a yaesu ft991a
Ok.
The 991a is a true shack in the box.
You can do anything with it, even C4FM.
I love it.
The scope is a bummer, and the menue is typical Yaesu but everything else is better than the 7300.
Why do I need luck to make antenna resonant? I am a mm7 call and don't need any ATU with my set up.
I imagine you need a lot of luck for everything.
I've had the 7300 for almost a year and I just ordered the 891 about 2 hours ago.
I hope you like it. I find it more rugged.
dough.....that's wh you pay almost twice the price of the ft-891,it is called " ease of use ".you talked about one is more easy to operate than the other , but you don't know the yaesu very well. I guess you will find that is not so easy to ride a motorcycle, if don't even know how to ride a bicycle.
Ok
how can you compare these radios?
Awesome work.
Thanks...fun video.
Its not a guy on 3581 its W1AW code practice sent by a computer. The video is informative so the haters can hate me too. LOL.
Ohhhh, good catch!
i have both now. and you didnt know that the 7300 has its own tuner?
Good overview of the two radios but as far as a fair comparison you kind of missed the mark. What you are basically arguing is that you, personally, understand how to use the IC-7300 better. I will agree that the 7300s features are more intuitive but that's because you have a touch screen vs an LCD and buttons. Compare the IC-7300 to the FTDX10 which is more apples to apples and then the comparison becomes a little more relevant and less lopsided. The radios themselves each have great "functionality" but what you are battling out here is "user interface", which just by looking at the radios you can already tell which one is going to come out ahead. Would love to see that 7300 vs FTDX10 comparison though.
My 2 cents is basically this... each radio has its place and specific purpose in ham radio. While I could afford the ICOM 7300 I chose the FT 891 at around $ 575.00 ? The 891 sits mostly on 10 meters on its own dedicated antenna. I have an old Yaesu FT757GX that I use for the other HF bands with a different antenna. I love that the FT757 has no menus to fiddle with. 73 !
Agreed.
the 897 has hf 6 2 70 +you can fit an internal battery +you can fit an internal power supply it depends how many radios you want but it is older technology but it works well
Ok, thanks Ron
What is the frame that you have protecting your 891?
Portable Zero, check my videos I have an installation of it.
Why you don't have "what buttons to select" for the most common functions you use puzzles me. Trying to remember all the menu functions of early SDR's and current SDR's is mind boggling. The ICOM 7300 touch screen has eliminated much of the guess work without a shortcut list. Still, having a short cut list for each rig that uses multiple menus will give you less frustration.
A comparison I might make would be between the HW-9 and the FT-817ND even though the HW-9 is CW only. Comparison could be made for weight, ease of use, packability, and power requirements.
Enjoyed your video Tom. 73 KB8AMZ
Thanks for the comment. I need to have a laminated short cut card for each radio. I just forget after the weeks go by.
I love my 891, easy to work with and rather cheap
If I had an extra $1000 laying around I would buy a 2nd ICOM 7600 without hesitation.
there is a tension knob below the tuner knob on the ft-891 for to make it smoother tuning
Yah, tnx I eventually discovered it.
Excellent presentation!
Thank you kindly!
14:31 'pretty sure that that radio hasn't zero beat'. You're mistaken, it has, push ZIN.
FT-891 has the tune in function its called Zin under CW Settings not the deep menu.
Thanks, Curt. I'll look it up.
Yeah, I'll be getting the 7300....keeping the Ft-857 for portable ops.
Did this video push you over the top.??? It was the Bokeh wasn't it!!! Ha ha ha. 7300 was a no brainer for me, I actually did start do go down the full blown SDR path, but then I realized I needed a dedicated computer so I got this. Can't go wrong.
lol! Why yes! Your blurry background pushed me over the edge of the 7300! It's an awesome rig, for sure!
Nothing more important than blurryness and b-roll. Screw content. 7300 People's Choice Award.
I’d be more worried about having a proper efficient antenna than using a tuner to fool the radio into thinking the antenna is efficient.
Easy to say hard to do.
@@hamradiocq Yes , it's hard to do in practice unless you use a multi-band antenna that is resonant on several bands or at least has very low SWR for the bands you want but not practical in every situation.
@@hamradiocq Easy to say, easy to do. DX Commander. Job done.
hi where did you get the sides from on the Yaesu 981 thanks
I made a video! ua-cam.com/video/HSweUVHNwFY/v-deo.html
Thanks for the video lesson seven minutes in and I already don’t like the Yaesu. Glad the 857 is still available much easier to operate.
Exactly the point. It's to let people know how I feel about these radios.
The 891 superior to 897, 32 bit built in digital recorder nb and dsp that works the rx for a budget radio superb i like it so much i purchased one have the 7300 and the 7410 also which i rate
Junk Man 857D is a POS and by far the WORST Amateur Radio I have ever owned or used and I am so happy I no longer own one and would never own another one even for FREE.
What is the song you used for your opening credits?
A person could get *_TWO_* 891s and have one for the house and one for the car - for close to the price of one 7300
actually tis true.
Just wanted to say that I really enjoyed your video about overnight camping and operating qrp with various antennas. I operate portable but there are no places to do overnight camping around here with the same open space freedom you enjoy. 73 de KE2YK
Thank you so much for the nice comment. Whereabouts are you? There really aren't that many places here either to camp... maybe some state parks and those are usually booked up.
AnythingWithWheels i live on Long Island about 60 miles east of manhattan. We have state parks here but most close at sunset an those that offer camping give you a 50/50 foot plot, rather depressing. However, we do have beaches and the ocean. I activate state parks on the air or POTA and try to get out year round. In winter its in side the suv. Appreciate the great videos 73 yk
how can you compare these in so many ways different purposed radios? the only thing to compare is receive / transmit. I expected to hear some noise but you say you don‘t even know the ft-981. strange...
i can compare however I want.
@@hamradiocq sure.
An awful lot of your 891 complaints seem to be of the form "I forget" or "I haven't learned how to do that" or "I haven't bothered to figure out it it has that feature".
I agree that the 7300 should usually stay home. Certainly questionable for mobile. While not stock for the 891 there is an available control head separation kit, allowing a more convenient vehicle installation.
So long as you have a computer handy, e.g.; for logging, connecting the radio and using HRD or flrig makes the rig feature sets equivalently available.
The big display on the 7300 is pretty, but, I agree, a vulnerability. The 891 screen is a smaller target, and not being a touch screen, may actually be more durable, or maybe not. Either would be a big pain to replace. Get a cover for the front of the radio, or, probably better, a suitably fitted, and probably padded, carrying case (maybe with slots for required accessories. That's true for either radio.
For those who want a wide range autotuner, consider the LDB Z-11Pro II. Since it uses latching relays, once the match is found, it stops consuming power, so it won't eat into the battery that you're using for portable. And not consuming a lot of power doesn't turn into a problem for home use. (Maybe there's a newer one. I've enjoyed mine for years, and it's still going strong.)
That means they are hidden well.
By the way, it didn't look to me like they battled to the death. It seemed they sat there side by side very nicely without any hostility at all. 73 James KØUA
you sir, have no humor.
ICOM IC-7300 Hands down for the win.
Hi Tommy,
The new Icom SDR radios have many features I like, but the deal breaker was Icom using 3dB steps for the S meter from S0 to S9 while everyone else uses 6dB steps per S unit. Don't know why they made the change. 73 WB3BJU
I hear ya... makes sense. 73
We buy rig for better reception and operability. S-meter is just one of the feature. It is not fun if we got S9 on very accurate S meter, but we only hear lots of noise.
I prefer not so accurate S meter if I able to operate it very easy. BTW, I am using hamlib's rigctl, to read signal strength's level. I found that, S0 == -54 dB, S9 == 0 dB.. and each S unit is 6 dB. I am not sure, how the 3 dB for S unit came from.
To make sure about it, get another rig, and compare the signal sterength using the same antenna. Anyway, S meter is just a relative measurement and not to be same with other rig.. unless we need a very accurate measurement for lab's experiments.
Thank you.
Sounds like you need to learn the ft891
wrong again, keep trying.
Like the intro...new camera at work? Bokeh!
Hahahaha yeah you got it!