FTdx10 vs IC-7300 Comparison

This week Jonathan compares the new Yaesu FTdx10 and the Icom IC-7300. What are your comments on either? We appreciate the designs of both!

00:00 - Intro

00:19 - Physical differences

01:32 - Front panel overview

03:43 - Rear inputs/outputs

06:21 - Audio comparison (CW)

08:26 - SSB comparison

11:37 - Scope options

14:37 - Additional thoughts

15:09 - Accessories

16:14 - Outtro

[ToddRichmond]

Owned the 7300, now have the 101MP. The 7300 is a great radio but the receiver on the 101 significantly outperforms the 7300 in real-world use. Since the 10 is essentially the same architecture as the 101 (hybrid minus the VC tune), there should be a big difference in the ability of the 10 to work a crowded band and deal with adjacent signals. I almost never use DNR, but do use the contour all the time on the Yaesu. Having a constant visual for the notch and bandpass is a plus. You also have more control over rx and tx eq on the 10. I also don't use the 3D display as I prefer a standard waterfall. The extra money over the 7300 is getting you better rx performance. If you want/need that, then it is money well spent. I found that when I switched to the 101MP, I was hearing and working stations that I couldn't with the 7300 - same antennas, etc. Bang-for-the-buck on the 7300 is very high, but there are better performing radios out there. The 10 appears to be one of them.

[Bourbon-Canted-Ky-Windage]

Bought the 7300 new two years ago. Just sold it and bought a FTDX-10. Both are great for what they are. I wouldn't call the FTDX-10 a beginners radio. When you connect the coax, all the hype goes away and things get real. The 7300 is a nice, general purpose radio with a good receiver. If you into digital comm, you'll love it! The FTDX-10 is much more suited to 'heavy duty" radio, like ARRL Sweepstakes and DX Worldwide. Some will not like the Yaesu way of doing things. They will more appreciate the 7300. In the late 70s I ran Drake "C" line, Since then multiple Kenwoods and Yaesu. I've used a bunch of radios, mostly mine but others also, including Icom. The 7300 is amazing technology. If a strong station moves in close, turn on the wide notch and manually dial in the interfering station. The notch will reduce that signal way down, almost gone. Yes, on SSB! Both have amazing tech bells and whistles. The Yaesu has a few more and with greater functionality. Both are great! It just depends on which meets your needs and wants.

[Wavelengthmhz]

Just ordered my ftdx 10 I'm so excited can't wait for it now !!! Already own a very sweet ftdx 3000

[themetersd.x.channel.]

Thank you for the upload and comparisons. Personally, Even though the FTDX10 seems to have a better sounding and fractionally more sensitive receive. I think the transmit audio is slightly better on the IC 7300. The 300 quid plus different in price would go a long way towards a nice antenna setup..In my humble opinion. 73s HS0ZOU.

[jay-rus]

Went ahead and ordered the ftdx10. Got it in thursday. Really impressive. I will say that the DNR, unlike the 991, seems to result in a much less natural RX voice. I didnt have this issue with the 991. I can only speculate that the DSP system design is contributing to that. With that said, its ability to completely REMOVE incoming frequency and band noise is spectacular. Yes, you compromise some natural voice tone, but that is better than not hearing the RX signal.

Okay...the 3-D nonsense is a bit gimmicky, but Im certainly not the first to bring that up. However, I just dont use it. The rig offers the standard waterfall, expanded view, complete control of the band width you wish to monitor, as well as a multi mode that includes an oscilloscope. Also a lot of adjustment to the speed of the waterfall, the intensity of the received signal display, many color options etc etc.

I have found that they did a good job of making the most used functions quickly and easily accessible. Im sure there will be some that will not like the menu setting sub-menu, but that is very much a personal preference.

So is it worth $1700? Guess that is up to the buyer and user. The 7300 is an amazing rig for 991a is the most versatile rig, which may be very good for those that have limited space or possibilities even a newer HAM that doesnt yet know what segments of the hobby will most interest them....and the dx10 seems to offer many options that are predominantly seen on much more expensive rigs. The size of the screen, the fact that it connects directly to a monitor and mouse instead of through a computer, the extended adjustments within the carious menus ans perimeters.

So where am I today? Im keeping the 991 for now, and it is in use in my shack. The dx10 is an extremely good fit for how I use an HF radio, and the additional cost was worth it for me as nothing else on the market had similar offerings under anywhere near that price range. Most were $3000 plus.

[kellyw]

About the scope options. The Icom also has 3 options as well. You have to hold the center mode button down and you get a scrolling option. I know that the Yaesu has a much better noise floor, but I love a lot of the features that Icom gives you. I have always liked both brands, But my next one will be the FT-710 due to it's quieter reception, and external mouse and monitor options. Now, I am truly waiting on Icom to make a rebuttal to these radios. Can't wait. Free enterprise at work.

[keithnolan-fns]

Great to speak with you, Jonathan. Thanks for your help!

[Billiemarie]

Not a fair comparison given the FTDX-10 runs about 70% more, clearly not in the same price bracket. The beauty of the IC-7300 is that it compares well to radios costing considerably more, as seen here.

[TheBob]

The height of the waterfall can be changed on the ftdx10 by pressing the waterfall with 3 different heights.
The waterfall is much better as well when the level is set for the band conditions rather than having it on full blast.

[jay-rus]

Really interested in this ftdx10. Have the 991 now, and the step up to the 10 is a huge upgrade. Its good to be a ham operator with all ofour options

[kellyphillips]

Thanks for your videos, …. Watching from Kentucky “ The Bluegrass State “ USA 🇺🇸.
Love 💕 your Ya”ll Videos

[timlincoln]

Both are great radios. Can’t go wrong with either. 7300 is going for a bit less as of this writing, if cost is a factor. There are subtle differences with the options - preference is on the user. These are not completion rigs, so comparison to a rig that is designed and priced differently is not a fair comparison, but for a daily or starter rig - can’t go wrong with either.

[dmb]

nice to see these radios side by side, thought about trading in the 7300 but it looks like it competes well against the ftdx 10, though I think the yaesu has slightly better noise reduction...and the mouse control looks interesting, the display is slight bigger ... the 7300 has been solid for 2+ years that ive had it and hundreds of contacts

[robgibbsofficial]

Hi Jonathan - your presentation skills are first class! Great video as always. cheers Rob M7URG

[EricFullwood]

I would like to see FTDX10 vs IC-7300 at digging out weak signals. I don't compare radios based on their visual displays.

[JosephMassimino]

The audio on hf is better on the icom 7300. They are both decent radios but I will always go with icom.

[JR-lxnn]

Thanks for the demo. Perhaps you should have used the same CW frequency /signal demonstrating each radio's internal speaker, as you did for SSB. I like how the narrator characterizes ten band scope ranges as "any number" (of ranges.) I wish you had adjusted the waterfall reference/contrast on each radio to demonstrate optimum appearance, especially as it appears you did not use the default settings on either model. Comparing two muddy, noisy waterfall displays fails to indicate either best or worst case, leaving one to wonder how they look when set to optimum display performance. Good starter comparison - thanks. TT

[christophermaness]

I am selling my IC-7300 back to HRO and getting the FTdx10 today. I was not overly impressed by the RX performance -- especially with CW. It does not deal with noise and weak signals very well. The audio is not especially pleasant. I love the menuing system, and am not looking forward to learning a whole new rig. 73 de Chris KQ6UP

[mack]

Well today the price difference is at 500$ here. 1, 100 for the 7300 and 1, 600 for the FTDX10. I went with the FTDX10 - better receiver, like the option to display to a bigger screen, like the mouse. And the review is wrong about the waterfall display - you can choose 3 sizes on the Yaesu. I was thinking about settling (for me and the options I like) for the 7300 as I couldn't justify the price of the IC 7610 or the Yaesu FTDX101MP. While the 7300 is a good value, with the Yaesu FTDX10 I found a transceiver that did exactly what I wanted for just a little more than the 7300.

[hamandshortwaveradioirelan]

Great demonstration of the two radios especially valuable now that physical visits to a showroom are more difficult