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Author Topic: Sucessor to 7300/7610  (Read 1224 times)

N6IJB

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Sucessor to 7300/7610
« on: February 08, 2023, 06:13:25 PM »

I've noticed price reductions on both rigs recently. Are they about to be replaced by new models from Icom? If so, does anyone have details. Both Icom rigs have been in production for about 6 years.
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K4WH

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Re: Sucessor to 7300/7610
« Reply #1 on: February 08, 2023, 06:40:01 PM »


Been thinking the same, maybe the 7300 first.  Also the Kenwood 590/590SG has been out a long time and maybe they will replace it with a display type rig.  Love my 890S Time will tell.
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KF4HR

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Re: Sucessor to 7300/7610
« Reply #2 on: February 08, 2023, 07:17:46 PM »

ICOM has had a long history of updating their existing models before they eventually come out with a brand new model.  A few examples of their update history: the IC-706 to IC-706II to IC-706IIG, the IC-756 to IC-756Pro to IC-756 ProII to IC-756 ProIII, the IC-7600 to IC-7610, and the IC-7800 that was eventually updated to the IC-7850 and IC-7851.  And their IC-705 and the soon to be released IC-905 share physical attributes too.  Compared to engineering a completely new model, making improvements to their existing models no doubt saves ICOM a lot of money.     

Given how popular the IC-7300 has been and ICOM's past history of updating their models, it wouldn't surprise me if we eventually see an update to the IC-7300 model, perhaps an IC-7300 Pro?

Butch, KF4HR   
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KB6DYA

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Re: Sucessor to 7300/7610
« Reply #3 on: February 08, 2023, 07:57:40 PM »

There has been some speculation when the PW2 hits the market it will require diffrent kind of 7610 ?
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K7JQ

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Re: Sucessor to 7300/7610
« Reply #4 on: February 09, 2023, 05:45:41 AM »

The 7610 is still $3250. I think the 7300 reduction to $1000 after rebate is in response to the Yaesu FT-710AESS at $1050, to have a competitive edge. Just merchandising strategy.

Both Icoms are still selling very well, and can be software updatable by Icom if need be. I don’t see Icom spending R&D to retool either one in the near future.

Another factor is the changing technology and operators’ mode preferences…mainly the popularity of digital modes like FT8. Just listen to the bands to see the imbalance/disparity between FT8 and legacy CW and SSB operation. If anything, I can imagine the manufacturers releasing “digital-only” radios…fixed frequencies with no provision for a mic, key, speaker, or headphones…for under $500. Just a transceiver with a sound card and USB connection to a computer.

Far fetched? I hope so ;).
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WO7R

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Re: Sucessor to 7300/7610
« Reply #5 on: February 09, 2023, 08:03:45 AM »

Quote
Far fetched? I hope so

Why? We've had mode-specific radios since. . .forever.

We've had crystal controlled radios since. . .forever.

It may be a specialty market in the end, but we've long had rigs that did less than everything.  If someone does this, it would be . . . normal.

The real deal is that the IC 7300 is so cheap (it would have cost about 450 in 1990), that most people can buy it as their starter rig.

I probably still would find somebody's used rig if I were starting out again today, but I would expect to pay 500, maybe 750 dollars and get something other than an entry radio.  And, in so doing, would have paid something similar to what I actually did.

Indeed, the 7300 itself did a number on rig prices, which affects the used market, too.

The real reason we haven't seen digital only radios is that there isn't much money to be saved anymore.  The SDR concept is kind of inherently all-mode.

You can get a real good SDR receiver for about 100 dollars.  All mode practically by definition.

Way back when the SDR 1000 came out, you could get a rock-bound, single band rig (again, a receiver) for idiotically small dollars.  40 bucks, as I recall.  But, again, all mode.

It's the transmitter that costs.

You can find SDR transmitters or transceivers available via kickstarter.  Regularly.  They are invariably QRP rigs, but they exist, and are about as complicated as a 2m FM brick.  Because SDR takes out all the knobs and adjustment stuff.

Once you get to the end of a SDR QRP transmit chain, then the issue becomes one of "can I buy the amps that get me from one watt to one hundred to fifteen hundred".  You can certainly get from 100 to full legal any number of ways.

And, there are a couple of nice specialty amps that get you from QRP to 100.  The KXPA100 will take anything with 5 watts out to that 100.  Not as many alternatives here, and the KXPA100 is pricey these days, but all this is pretty much off the shelf.

Moreover, radios like the KX3 or the Yaesu 850D cut the legs out from under most scenarios (SOTA, for instance) that require seriously low weight or portability.  Why, exactly, am I bothering with a single mode rig again?  Except for the sheer fun of it?

Low cost all mode rigs (and rigs that can be controlled via USB at that) are cutting the legs out from under specialty rigs of all kinds.
« Last Edit: February 09, 2023, 08:06:50 AM by WO7R »
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K7JQ

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Re: Sucessor to 7300/7610
« Reply #6 on: February 09, 2023, 08:23:12 AM »

Quote
Far fetched? I hope so

Why? We've had mode-specific radios since. . .forever.

We've had crystal controlled radios since. . .forever.

It may be a specialty market in the end, but we've long had rigs that did less than everything.  If someone does this, it would be . . . normal.


When was the last time an amateur radio transceiver, mode specific, didn't at least have provisions for a mic, key, speaker, or headphones? Not normal, but certainly different.
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KC6RWI

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Re: Sucessor to 7300/7610
« Reply #7 on: February 09, 2023, 08:25:22 AM »

So say you are very satisfied with the 7300. What kind of new feature would make the new model desirable? I think a monitor output or a bigger screen, maybe a change to receive audio.
Or how about a huge touch screen and only a few knobs and a speaker mount that directs sound forward from a vent under the front of the radio.
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K7JQ

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Re: Sucessor to 7300/7610
« Reply #8 on: February 09, 2023, 09:52:21 AM »

So say you are very satisfied with the 7300. What kind of new feature would make the new model desirable? I think a monitor output or a bigger screen, maybe a change to receive audio.
Or how about a huge touch screen and only a few knobs and a speaker mount that directs sound forward from a vent under the front of the radio.

I use an external speaker, but yeah all those things. Plus a second receiver, APF, more antenna outputs and I/O connections, etc. Oops...that's a 7610 ;D. 64 years in ham radio and my two 7300's do the trick for me, even as an avid contester.
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N2DTS

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Re: Sucessor to 7300/7610
« Reply #9 on: February 10, 2023, 04:16:17 PM »

I just bought another 7300, and yes, all the below.
It works quite well for the price, its easy to use.
But the screen is small, the audio could be better and the antenna tuna could actually do something worth while.
The 7610 has a bigger screen, more buttons and I/O but its still close to a 7300 for a LOT more money.
They have sold a LOT of 7300's and just need to lower the price a bit to continue to sell boat loads of them...


So say you are very satisfied with the 7300. What kind of new feature would make the new model desirable? I think a monitor output or a bigger screen, maybe a change to receive audio.
Or how about a huge touch screen and only a few knobs and a speaker mount that directs sound forward from a vent under the front of the radio.
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K6BRN

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Re: Sucessor to 7300/7610
« Reply #10 on: February 10, 2023, 09:59:41 PM »

So say you are very satisfied with the 7300. What kind of new feature would make the new model desirable? I think a monitor output or a bigger screen, maybe a change to receive audio.  Or how about a huge touch screen and only a few knobs and a speaker mount that directs sound forward from a vent under the front of the radio.

Three things would REALLY help the IC-7300:

1.  2 more ENOB on the RX ADC to combat saturation, in place of the really poor dither function.
2.  More individual, sharper bandpass filters to further band limit QRM and noise into the ADC
3.  RX only output to host a 2nd receiver or SDR/enhanced band scope

A video output would be a nice "bells and whistles" extra, but wouldn't have much impact on radio utility.  Call it "Item 4" on the list.  Might sell some more radios to some operators.

Wouldn't need to change the form factor much.  It could use the same case and be called the "IC-7300SP"  (Super Performance).  No doubt it would have to be released for at least $1,600 to cover added/better hardware and redesign costs.

It'll be interesting to see what happens.

Brian - K6BRN
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G8FXC

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Re: Sucessor to 7300/7610
« Reply #11 on: February 11, 2023, 01:30:53 AM »

A couple of quick wins would be the inclusion of a socket to drive an external monitor and an RF output to drive an external SDR - effectively build in a PTRX-7300. Neither should require major redesign and it would go a long way towards modernising a rig which has been excellent value but is beginning to look a little boring...

Martin (G8FXC)
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K6JH

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Re: Sucessor to 7300/7610
« Reply #12 on: February 11, 2023, 03:55:10 AM »

How about a LAN interface in addition to USB, so the 7300 can be operated remotely without a local PC? While they’re at it, how about a web based interface so it doesn’t require specialized software?
« Last Edit: February 11, 2023, 03:57:46 AM by K6JH »
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Jim K6JH

K7JQ

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Re: Sucessor to 7300/7610
« Reply #13 on: February 11, 2023, 05:37:43 AM »

Or instead of “sprucing up” the current 7300, just introduce a one-receiver version of the 7610 for $2,000. Still having the Dual Watch feature that the 7600 had. A price point right between the two. That would blow away the Kenwood TS-890.
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N2DTS

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Re: Sucessor to 7300/7610
« Reply #14 on: February 12, 2023, 06:55:32 PM »

The 7610 and FTdx10 I had both had a monitor output for a big screen and I never used it after cheking it out.
They were not like a computer sdr screen, just bigger versions of the lower res screens on the radios.
I am unsure of the expense added to include a video output...rather have an RX antenna port which costs a relay and jack...
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