Tag: IC-7300 MK2

Oh Boy Oh Boy Oh Boy!

Yesterday, I got a phone call from HRO in Atlanta. I cashed in my reservation and placed an order for an Icom IC-7300 MK2. The MK2 has recently beed FCC certified so it will not be too much longer until they start shipping.

Many of you know, I have been a long proponent for the IC-7300. I had one since 2016 and only recently sold it to get the new MK2. I still believe it is one of the best bang for the buck radios out there. It is still the one radio I recommend to folks looking for their first HF radio. In fact in my region Army MARS, it is by far the most popular radio. The MK2 is an improved version of the original. Some of the features are USB-C connectivity with dual usb (+audio) ports, HDMI, lower power consumption, reduced heat generation, CW decode, and better receive performance. All for $1499 USD. That’s a very reasonable price.

I have been busy. I have shifted my radio focus to Army MARS and SHARES so that is where I am spending a lot of my time. Besides radio, I enjoy shooting sports and I delve into emergency preparedness. I would not call myself a doomsday prepper, more of a concerned citizen for my family, friends, and neighbors. I am in the process of setting up a GMRS repeater on my property for my neighbors to use. I still like to get out and take my radios to the field. Even though the things I do now, are mostly base related activities, I am an NCS on several nets, I still maintain skills and equipment for field operations. I have been there and done that; I have seen what a lack of preparation and experience does during an actual field operation. It is not pretty.

If any of you are interested in emergency prep, let me know. I can do some articles on it and maybe even some YouTube videos. I am retired and not young so that will reflect how I do things. One of the hardest adaptations I have had to make is convincing my mind which still thinks like its 30, that it is living in a late 60’s body. Let me know what you think, leave a comment and until then 73 de Scott

The king is dead, long live the king.

Today was a bit of an emotional day. I sold my beloved IC-7300. I bought the radio in 2016 and I have taken it on many a trip. It has always been a solid, reliable radio. It was and still is the radio I recommend to anyone looking for a first or even second radio. Even though it is an older design, it holds its own when compared to more modern radios. It has a lower noise floor and in A/B comparisons, whatever I hear on one radio, I can hear on this radio. I have compared it with an IC-7610, FTDX10, and a FT-710. I usually test in a CW contest environment, probably the toughest out there. The secret is the ergonomics. All the controls I use are easy to get to and easy to use. The radio went to a follow club member so it is staying in the family. It will be missed – for a while.

I have reserved a spot with HRO for an IC-7300 MK2. They will be shipping by the end of the year. What drew me to the MK2 was a lower noise floor, cooler running, and reduced power consumption. The IC-7300 has a pretty low number (around 850 mA) and the new one is even lower.

Screenshot

Another interest is Dual Comm port. According to Icom, it can run two separate apps on two separate com ports for the radio. I think that’s pretty cool. They took the IC-7300, listened to its user base and then made a better radio. I like that about Icom.

I can’t wait to get my hands on the MK2. I hope it will be here by Winter Field Day. In the meantime, I still have my TS-590sg and IC-7200 for field duty. I must be patient, I must be patient. 73 de Scott