Tweet with a location. You can add location information to your Tweets, such as your city or precise location, from the web and via third-party applications. The Kenwood® TS-890S transceiver made its world debut at the 2018 Hamvention® in Xenia, Ohio. A prototype was available to view under glass. It features full down conversion receiver with h-mode mixer and High C/N 1st LO. It has four built in roofing filers: 500 Hz, 2.7 kHz, 6 kHz and 15 kHz (optional 270 Hz).
It’s time I did the Icom 7300 vs. Icom 7610 comparison. I’m not going to list my personal likes and dislikes. I think many of the early reviews of the Icom 7610 were premature in their criticism. I’ve had my IC-7610 for over a month (December 2017) and have used it daily, including in the last ARRL RTTY Roundup. I’m very pleased with the ergonomics. The Icom 7300 is an entry level radio, while the Icom 7610 is designed for DX’ing and contesting. Let’s look at the basic physical differences and a no-nonsense comparison. So, if you are considering the Icom 7610, hopefully this will help.
Icom 7300 vs. Icom 7610 Physical Comparison
Dimensions:
Icom 7300 – 9.45×3.7×9.37in
Icom 7610 – 13.4 × 4.6 × 10.9 in
Icom 7300 – 9.45×3.7×9.37in
Icom 7610 – 13.4 × 4.6 × 10.9 in
Weight:
Icom 7300 – 9.26 lbs.
Icom 7610 – 18.7 lbs
Icom 7300 – 9.26 lbs.
Icom 7610 – 18.7 lbs
The Icom 7300 is a much smaller and lighter rig. While the Icom 7610 is heavier, it does have an added feature, a carrying handle. The Icom 7610 also has rubber feet on the right side to rest it on when transporting. Both have stands underneath in front to elevate the radios for easy operation.
Icom 7300 vs. Icom 7610 LCD Touchscreen Comparison
Besides the obvious larger size and higher resolution, both radios have an excellent LCD touch screen.
The Icom 7610 has taken the Icom touch screens to a new level. The quality is impressive and the increased size makes it extremely useful. Side by side, there is a big difference in the touch screens. See the top photo.
The meters on the Icom 7610 can be customized and the display can be viewed in many different ways. To see a sample visit my post: IC-7610 Spectrum Scope Variations
Icom 7300 vs. Icom 7610 Ergonomics (Knobs & Things)
The Icom 7300 utilizes the LCD touch screen for many items. Changing bands is done through the touch screen. Band changing on the Icom 7610 is the same, but can also be accomplished with physical buttons, one for each band.
The Icom 7300 has a physical button for the NOTCH filter. The Icom 7610 doesn’t.
Neither radios output power can be adjusted with the simple turn of a knob. We must first push the MULTI knob to bring up the menu and then adjust power output using the MULTI knob.
The 7610 is a much larger transceiver, so there’s more real estate for physical buttons and knobs. Of course Icom isn’t going to please everyone with their choice of what to put on the front or where it is located.
ELEC-KEY Jack – 6.35mm (1/4″) This is on the font of the Icom 7610 (not so on the 7300) and there is another key jack (3.5mm) on the rear of the 7610.
PHONES Jack- 3.5mm on the front of the icom 7300 and 6.35mm (1/4″) on the 7610.
The Icom 7610 has a KEYER SPEED & PITCH knob.
Icom 7300 vs. Icom 7610 Transmit & Receive Comparison
Receiver
In the USA the receiver frequency range on both radios are the same (general receive 0.030 to 54 MHz). See the pages: IC-7300 Specs and IC-7610 Specs.
You won’t notice a big difference in receiver audio quality, however the Icom 7610 has a quieter receiver.
The IC-7610 is a better pulling out weak signals, but there isn’t a big difference while general listening.
The Icom 7610 has an excellent ATT feature. If you hold down the ATT soft button the attenuation can be adjusted in 3 db steps, from 0 to 45 db using the MULTI knob.
With the Icom 7610 we also get two independent receivers. Yes, true dual independent receivers. No ambiguity there and the 7610 has diversity reception.
Transmitter
Transmitter output power is equal on both radios, whether SSB, CW, RTTY, AM or FM.
Both radios have good transmit audio and are capable of customizing Transmit Band Width (TBW), Tone Control ( TX Bass & TX Treble), compression and an added parameter on the 7610, Drive Gain.
I have EQed both the vastly different D-104 and a Heil GM5 microphone with the internal high and low boosts. As far as I know the 7300 and 7610 have the same EQ tone control settings. Likely very similar to the Pro III. -Rob, NC0B
In the Icom 7610 menu there is an option to turn off the MIC Input DC Bias. There’s no need for a blocking capacitor in the mic cable like on the Icom 7300 when using dynamic mics.
Icom 7610 Features Not Found on the Icom 7300
- External monitor output – Using the DVI connector on the rear of the Icom 7610, the screen can be output to an external monitor. Output resolution is variable between 800 x 600 and 800 x 480.
- Timer feature – Would you like your radio to come on automatically in the morning? I’ve found this is a really nice feature and I use it often. The timer will also shut off the radio automatically.
- Dual clocks – I have one set to CDT and the other displaying UTC.
- Left and right speaker outputs on the rear. Also, audio from the Main and Sub receivers can be split through headphones.
- Two USB Ports – In addition to the USB 2.0 port, the Icom 7610 includes a high speed USB 3.0 port – It has not been implemented in the firmware yet, but it will be a nice addition.
- Virtual Serial Com Ports – The USB 2.0 port on the rear is split into two COM ports. This is very useful for RTTY (FSK) using one cable.
- Two antenna connectors on the rear.
- BNC RX antenna IN/Out on rear.
- X-VERTER and REF In on the rear.
- LAN port on the rear and RS-BA1 server onboard.
- Solid state T/R switching.
- True dual independent receivers.
Conclusion
This is just the tip of the iceberg and there is a lot more to both radios.
Price – The IC 7300 sells for $1,349.00 and the IC 7610 sells for $3,899.00 (1-19-18). Look for rebates.
The Icom 7610 is more advanced and thus more complicated to configure. The IC-7610 is quieter operating and on digital modes I can’t hear TX (relay) kick in. The fan is also quieter on the IC-7610.
The IC-7610 is superior in CW mode, QSK, includes APF in CW mode and is flat-out better pulling out weak signals.
NB and NR are very effective in both radios. Both radios are excellent for digital modes (PSK, RTTY, etc.).
Both the Icom 7300 and Icom 7610 are excellent SDR transceivers. The 7610 is a larger, higher quality, better built rig. Whether you are a new Ham or experienced Ham, if your main activity is digital modes, rag chewing or checking into nets then the Icom 7300 is a great choice. If you are an experienced Ham and looking to do more contesting and DX chasing, the 7610 is the better choice.
I hope you find this useful and if you’re thinking of buying the IC-7610, hopefully this helps. $3,899 is a lot to put into a radio. I’ve bought decent cars for less, hi.
Best 73,
Rich, K0PIR
P.S. No, the Icom 7610 is not two IC-7300’s! ?
Sources:
Kenwood TS-890S
Was first exhibited at the Hamvention 2018, the JVC Kenwood “TS-890S”
The world’s largest amateur radio event “Hamvention 2018” is being held Ohio Xenia City in the local time May 18, 2018 from (Friday) to May 20 (Sunday). In the event of the JVC Kenwood booth, HF / 50 / new product of 70MHz band “TS-890S” is on display.
According to the venue exhibition, TS-890S is HF / 50 / 70MHz band of all mode machine (100W output). However 70MHz band corresponding only “E type” for Europe at 50W output. The display employs a color TFT of TS-990 series as well as 7 inches, can display the band scope and various kinds of information.
The receiving unit is covered by a down-conversion method the entire frequency band, standard equipped with a roofing filter of 500Hz / 2.7kHz / 6kHz / 15kHz (option set the filter of 270Hz to others). RMDR also be a topic recently large 112dB, 3-order IMD have been published 110dB (2kHz, 14.1MHz CW mode BW500Hz, when the preamplifier OFF).