[Elecraft] Icom 7300 is available

Tue Mar 1 16:56:37 EST 2016

I submit that an 'entry level' rig is often a handed down or used rig.  
The 7300 is an 'economy' model direct conversion (which is not 
unattractive to some)... however...

The IC-7300 should have had VGA/HDMI output for a larger display option 
(ideally a Bluetooth link to extend the entire touch screen and a few 
knobs to an interactive tablet app, then store the rig elsewhere like 
under the back seat, trunk etc.).  When a rig has a video display (not 
just LED readouts) it is simply ignorant to ignore video output as a 
standard feature (or as an available option), even on an entry level 
rig.  Not everyone wants a tiny touch display that may quickly get 
covered in finger goo (mobile/portable environment is not nearly as 
clean as the average shack) and having a larger display makes it easier 
to actually see the scope etc. in a more comfortable operating position, 
no hunching down to see it on the table.

However, I will be watching it as a potential RV rig (where I don't 
expect stellar performance); my other choices (in order) are a basic 
K3/100 with tuner (less 'stuff' when compared to the home rig, secured 
during travel), the KW TS-480HX (already have one in the truck) and the 
KX3 with an amp and the '7300 (huge cost differences).  Even the 7300 
minimal scope is better than no P(X)3 so it's a matter of how much to 
spend to make a basic RV station. All can be managed by an external 
computer, mentioned only to dismiss it entirely in discussion.  In the 
RV world, size (storage space or station space) and weight (load limits, 
fuel use) are HUGE factors.  A case of oranges and grapefruit perhaps (a 
potential lemon tossed in)?

Further, the KW line and Elecraft menu/command structure is so simple, 
logical and similar, I don't have to 'switch gears' to use either; the 
Icom, is um, different.  Always has been, I've never 'liked' it, I just 
learned to adapt when I used one (Field day typically).

Rick wa6nhc

On 3/1/2016 1:18 PM, Joe Subich, W4TV wrote:
>
> If one is not a backpacker or wants 100W output - perhaps for mobile
> work - the "traditional knob" interface, built in tuner, support for
> the AH-3/AH-4 tuners at the antenna, 100W, etc. make the IC-7300 quite
> interesting.  IIRC, the 7300 will do PSK31/RTTY with an internal
> decoder and attached keyboard.  Icom's claimed RMDDR and phase noise
> specifications will, if accurate, put the 7300 in the top echelon of
> Sherwood's test results.  The 7300 has what appears to be relatively
> "tight" preselectors which should minimize the "composite signal level"
> ADC overload (much more than the Flex-6300 with no preselectors) and
> those with limited antennas (e.g. mobile, compromise wires, etc.) are
> even less likely to see the strong signal composite overload than
> someone with big antennas high in the air.
>
> My disappointment is that after claiming the 7300 would be an "entry
> level" rig, the price is well above that of Icom's other entry level
> rigs (the IC-718 or IC-7100).  At the announced price, the 7300 should
> have included a RX ANT Out/RX ANT In "loop," support for a second
> antenna, and a video output to feed a larger display.
>
> At its size and power level the 7300 is not the "backpacker's special"
> nor was it intended to be.  To make that comparison is patently unfair.
>
> 73,
>
>    ... Joe, W4TV
>
>
> On 3/1/2016 3:58 PM, Jim Brown wrote:
>> YES!  In addition to being a great mobile and fixed station rig, it's a
>> backpacker's dream! Last summer, I loaned my KX3/KXPA100 with a 20Ah
>> LiFePO4 battery to AF6RT and W6JTI, who dragged it up a 2 mile trail
>> with a 1,000 ft gain in elevation to light up a rare 6M grid. They were
>> also dragging an antenna, coax, a computer, water, and lunch. At the end
>> of the day, they still had power left in that battery.
>>
>> 73, Jim K9YC
>>
>> On Tue,3/1/2016 12:08 PM, Wayne Burdick wrote:
>>> Beyond that, the KX3:
>>>
>>>   - is about 1/5th the size
>>>   - is about 1/5th the weight
>>>   - consumes probably 1/10th as much RX-mode current
>>>   - has an internal battery
>>>   - has an attached keyer paddle
>>>   - has built-in stereo audio and CW/RTTY/PSK31 text decode with a PC
>>>   - works with integrated peripherals (PX3 and KXPA100) that can be
>>> left at
>>>     your fixed station when traveling
>>>
>>> So if you're operating portable, it's an apples/oranges comparison.
>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>>
>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>> Message delivered to lists at subich.com
>>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to wa6nhc at gmail.com