[bars] FW: Icon 7100

[Richard Heckbert]

Sorry,

I apparently replied directly to Jason versus the list.

Rick – W1OLU

From: Richard Heckbert <richard.heckbert at gmail.com>
Date: Thursday, June 5, 2025 at 5:31 PM
To: Jason Sanroma <jason at sanroma.net>
Subject: Re: [bars] Icon 7100

Hi Jason,

I just went through trying to find my first rig.  After a lot of searching I settled on either an ICOM-7300 or a Yaesu FT-991.  I had only heard great things about the both of them but I was leaning towards the Yaesu due to it being a shack-in-the-box but then I read a few other things that made me change my mind.  I was having issues being heard on the Wednesday night BARS net using my Explorer QRZ-1 so I wanted to make sure I had 2m covered.  However, a LOT of people said I was better off with two rigs versus the single rig.  One reason was single point of failure vs. multiple points.  Another reason was I could only monitor/use one band at a time.  I also heard the Yaesu menus took some getting used to but discounted that figuring I didn’t know any menu system so none would be “weird” to me.

I ended up getting an ICOM-7300.  I found it on eBay.  It was being sold by a silent-key’s daughter-in-law.  The radio came with all attachments, was in fantastic shape and also came with a practically new ALINCO power supply and an LDG-100 autotuner.  I verified it was a US Spec (has an FCC ID label) as there are a ton of Japanese spec rigs on eBay.  They have limited power as well as smaller bands (i.e. the BARS PART repeater would be out of band on them).  I got it for a good price and the money saved between a new one I purchased an AnyTone AT-778UV which is a 25-watt very small 2m and 70cm mobile radio.  I was able to purchase the ICOM with PS and Autotuner, the Anytone and a magmount antenna for less than the cost of a new ICOM (currently $999 after rebate).  I’m pretty happy with my choices although explaining to my wife why I needed another radio after the ICOM was interesting.

I also heard great things about the ICOM’s waterfall display being among the best.

What are you trying to do with the radio?  The Yaesu is more of a base rig and the ICOM-7100 is more of a mobile rig.  Figure out if you’re more into base operations or mobile and that might help your decision.

Also, a lot of people are raving about the new Yaesu FTX-1 (Field or Optima configuration).  Both the FT-991 and the ICOM-7300 are a few years old and getting a bit long in the tooth so much ado about a new rig.

Let me know how you make out/which rig you choose.  If you look at the BARS email archives I asked a couple of times (last month) for advice and received quite a lot of good info here.

Rick - W1OLU

From: bars <bars-bounces at w1hh.org> on behalf of Jason Sanroma via bars <bars at w1hh.org>
Reply-To: Jason Sanroma <jason at sanroma.net>
Date: Wednesday, June 4, 2025 at 9:50 PM
To: "bars at w1hh.org" <bars at w1hh.org>
Subject: [bars] Icon 7100

Hello,

If anyone is, or knows of someone who is selling an Icom 7100 or Yaesu 991A, please reach out. I am in the market for a new radio and would like to find something cheaper than brand new.

Alternatively if anyone recommends a different radio, or has positive comments about either please let me know!

73
Jason K1NAD
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