6 best HF Radios for the new Ham!

In this video I look at my list of the best new HF radios in 2024!
One radio I should have added to the list is the FT891 a great radio that will also work as a mobile radio.
For more information on these radios, check links below.
As an Amazon Affiliate I may make a commission on purchased items at no cost to the consumer.

#hamradio , #antenna #best,

[MikeNMAK]

Good picks, Chuck. The 710 is a nice radio and now that they've dropped the price, it can better compete with a 7300. The G90 was my first radio and my rationale was that the money I saved could be invested in better coax, antennas and other gear I would need starting out.

[don_nskt]

Thanks Chuck. Good comparison. MTC has some of those radios including the 7300 and 7100 as "B" stock with a 1 year warranty. The B stock is refurb by ICOM. Nice deal and free shipping as I recall.

[loraz]

The G90 is a great value radio, and 20w is way less frustrating than a qrp rig. There will be some hate over this I am sure.

[MrTommy]

I just got into HF (and my General) about three months ago. After soaking up tons of videos on radios I opted for the Yaesu 710 with the addon speaker. Probably could have done without the speaker but now I love it. I love the radio. It sounds great and I can get to almost anyone I can hear. I get good audio reports too. So, I'll probably have this rig for a LONG time. Oh, and I use a Vibroplex endfed 135' long wire antenna.

[mrkopecky]

I got the FT-710 on black Friday for 799. 1st HF rig, great radio!

[kellydiver]

I have the FT991-A as my base station, and a G90 for POTA. I love them both and will probably work them til the wheels fall off. The only thing I don’t have that I think I’d like is a mobile unit for my Jeep. I have a mobile GMRS unit, because that’s what my local E-comms uses, but I think I’d also like a ham radio other than an HT for my Jeep.

[TheFiveyoungs]

Thanks for the video. It was done quite well!

[jameskioeb]

For some reason Chuck, I just watched the previous video like this from two or three years ago. Maybe it was the FT-710 video, I don’t know. Maybe you should have included the FT-891 in this video as well. Thanks for this video Chuck! Like always it is full of great information.

[agoraphobicadam]

Looks like some great choices to consider. Thanks Chuck. KO4HPC 73

[WillShattuck]

Add the Xiegu G90. It was my first radio and is my pota and portable radio. It’s amazing.

[t.m]

Thank you, Chuck, for sharing with us. Great info... KN6PWH...73

[joewoodchuck]

My thought is that it's a mistake to buy a DC - Light transceiver. Including V/U only complicates the radio for newbies. The other facet is that an internal failure can mean that you have none of the bands to work with. At least when there is a high band radio separate from the low band radio you'll still have something to use in the event of one radio failing.
Battery operation isn't as straightforward as it seems. It may be different with lithium ion (also spelled as "$$$"), but with an SLA voltage sag due to heavier current draw on transmit easily falls below the minimum operating voltage spec of the radio quickly putting you out of business during portable ops. There are boost circuits available however. QST published one years ago, and a commercial version was available around that time. I don't know current availability.
My final comment is that the bigger HF radio manufacturers need to produce less expensive entry level radios. I understand that they'll have less features. I get it. But newbies and lower budget people need more opportunities to get started in HF. There may be lower profit initially, but looking down the road there will be people moving up into more expensive radios later on. The stepping stone approach can at least get them started. Then they spend the bigger money later.
JMHO, FWIW, YMMV, etc.

[eemiii]

Great video. What is your opinion on the Yaesu FT-891? I thought it might be in your list.

[Siskiyous]

I have owned 3 of the radios you showed, this class of radio really serves hams well. There is not one on you list I would not be proud to own and satisfied to use.

[goldni]

Can you add a monitor to the 991A? I just bought one yesterday.

[WOBB]

DX Engineering has the 710 field for $799 right now

[Redbelly]

Sorry, you lost me at the Chi-Com rig.