[bars] FW: Icon 7100

Thu Jun 5 23:08:35 CDT 2025

Hi Richard,

I don’t disagree with most of your points, but will point out buying a HF only Rig + VHF/UHF FM mobile or handheld rig like you did with the Anytone, it still leaves you with a gap with the inability to do CW, SSB, Digital and limited Satellite, for the VHF/UHF bands and the inability to optimize your base station setup for VHF/UHF bands. Yes, having a separate quality all mode VHF/UHF radio  (like a 9700 or a 736) will be great but it will more than double the cost.

The mobile VHF/UHF FM mobiles/handhelds are quite inferior to what you would find in the 991, even the 857 because they are made for compromised mag type installations or hand held rubber ducks. You can look all this up on any of the published specs or better try them for yourself.

Don’t have any idea or opinion on the new FTX-1 m/optima, but those are in the 2K range by the time you walk out of HRO

73 de ws1m

Bammi

From: bars <bars-bounces at w1hh.org> On Behalf Of Richard Heckbert via bars
Sent: Thursday, June 5, 2025 11:16 PM
To: bars at w1hh.org
Subject: [bars] FW: Icon 7100

Sorry,

I apparently replied directly to Jason versus the list.

Rick – W1OLU

From: Richard Heckbert < <mailto:richard.heckbert at gmail.com> richard.heckbert at gmail.com>
Date: Thursday, June 5, 2025 at 5:31 PM
To: Jason Sanroma < <mailto:jason at sanroma.net> 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 < <mailto:bars-bounces at w1hh.org> bars-bounces at w1hh.org> on behalf of Jason Sanroma via bars < <mailto:bars at w1hh.org> bars at w1hh.org>
Reply-To: Jason Sanroma < <mailto:jason at sanroma.net> jason at sanroma.net>
Date: Wednesday, June 4, 2025 at 9:50 PM
To: " <mailto:bars at w1hh.org> bars at w1hh.org" < <mailto: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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