I just can't decide on a HF radio...

[AK9R]

For clarification:

1. When it comes to amateur radio digital voice modes, the term "hotspot" is used to describe a device that connects radio transmissions to the Internet. For example, if you wanted to use DMR to talk to someone on a DMR talkgroup, but there are no DMR repeaters near you, you'd use a hotspot. Hotspots are useful when you have a digital voice handheld radio and want to talk to people using that DV mode without going through a repeater.

2. The OP stated from the beginning that he's looking for a HF radio. Digital voice modes are typically not used on HF (yes, I know, there are weekly D-STAR nets on HF). I think that bringing up VHF/UHF radios and digital voice modes may obfuscate things for the OP.

 

[uditdev]

On the IC-7300, the computer connection type, does not have a USB port it has a CIV Interface. The FT710 does have a usb port. I use a Mac Pro Laptop computer which uses type "C"ports which I have a adapter for to USB. Will the computer I use have any bearing on which radio I purchase?

I’m new here too does using a Mac with only USB-C really make a difference when choosing between the IC-7300 (CIV interface) and the FT710 (USB)? Would an adapter be enough, or are there extra steps needed for smooth connection?

 

[K9KLC]

The OP stated from the beginning that he's looking for a HF radio. Digital voice modes are typically not used on HF (yes, I know, there are weekly D-STAR nets on HF). I think that bringing up VHF/UHF radios and digital voice modes may obfuscate things for the OP

I agree. And while I have participated in some DV on HF, I don't think it would ever be my deciding factor on a HF radio purchase. I applaud his decision to use HF as opposed to the internet.

 

[AK9R]

CI-V is Icom's radio control protocol, aka command language. Those commands can be passed over various hardware connections. Icom HF radios generally have a REMOTE jack which uses the CI-V protocol over a 1-wire serial interface. Newer Icom HF radios generally have a USB-B port in addition to the REMOTE jack. With Icom's driver, this USB-B port provides a virtual COM port in Windows for radio control using the CI-V protocol plus a connection to an internal sound card. Icom only provides Windows drivers for this USB-B port.

You can buy USB-B to USB-C cables. The chip that Icom uses is a Silicon Labs CP210 and I see that there are Mac drivers for this chip on the Silicon Labs website. I do not know what would happen if you connected an Icom radio to a Mac using a USB-B to USB-C cable.

I don't think that the FT-710 is any different. Yaesu has a radio control protocol for their radios which is called CAT. The FT-710 has a USB-B connector on the back of the radio. Yaesu's manual says:

In other words, the USB-B connector on the FT-710 is for radio control and sound card audio...just like the USB-B connector on Icom radios. A quick look at Yaesu's website shows that they only provide a Windows driver for this USB-B port. It also appears that Yaesu is using the Silicon Labs CP210 chip...just like Icom.

Where people get a little confused, I think, is that the FT-710 also has a USB-A connector on the back. According to the manual:

In other words, this USB-A jack is not for radio control. It's only there so you can connect a keyboard or mouse for manipulating the front panel display.

 

[N1FKO]

You can buy USB-B to USB-C cables. The chip that Icom uses is a Silicon Labs CP210 and I see that there are Mac drivers for this chip on the Silicon Labs website. I do not know what would happen if you connected an Icom radio to a Mac using a USB-B to USB-C cable.

Apple includes the Silicon Labs driver in current versions of macOS. When you plug in the radio, you get a USB Audio device with inputs and outputs, and multiple serial devices for control and data output. Apple's "USB-C to USB" adapters work in this instance.

 

[SatHunter]

Also the new IC-7300 MKII looks good.

Are they available yet? I was ready to buy the 7300 until I heard the announcement about the new MKII.

 

[kg4ehv]

Are they available yet? I was ready to buy the 7300 until I heard the announcement about the new MKII.

I believe I read the end of the year.