One thing I wouldn't like about the 7300 is that it has no USB port for a keyboard or mouse for RTTY/PSK and using point and click on the spectrum scope like my 7600 has.
I just think it odd that the 7300 is so well equipped for RTTY and PSK with decoding and all but has no provisions for using a keyboard. Using the built in macros is fine for DX pile up working and 599 TU contacts but they don't accommodate normal ragchewing very well. It is the only thing I think I would miss so they don't need a whole LOT of other features for me, just that one. But then I use RTTY a lot. If you don't it is not an issue.Your 7600 is twice the price of a 7300. Add too many features and the 7300 is no longer an entry level radio. Personally I would much rather have two 7300s over a single 7600.
prcguy
I just think it odd that the 7300 is so well equipped for RTTY and PSK with decoding and all but has no provisions for using a keyboard. Using the built in macros is fine for DX pile up working and 599 TU contacts but they don't accommodate normal ragchewing very well. It is the only thing I think I would miss so they don't need a whole LOT of other features for me, just that one. But then I use RTTY a lot. If you don't it is not an issue.
Would I buy a new 7600 now, since the 7300 is out there? No, but when I bought the 7600 it wasn't out there and there was not even a hint of it. No doubt the 7300 is killing the remaining sales of the 7600. Maybe there will be some steep discounts soon if not already. I haven't looked.
As popular and successful as the 7300 is, it may keep a lot of people from buying the 7610 and steam roll right over it in sales and popularity.
Well the 7600 is around $2500 , but was is really puzzling is I see a lot of 7800 for sale foe around $5000 they all mention a recent trip to Icom for new roofing filters (that's an expensive proposition for a rig of its size and weight in shipping alone, yet can't find anything about a recall or defect or anything) that makes me suspicious , the thing I don't like about the 7600 is the lack of external display which I think the 7300 suffers from as well, I was hoping that the 7600 would have a significant advantage over like the 7300 but it appears they are almost a dead heat and the 7610 little is known least of all premier date or specs , so I guess it would be the 7700 if i want keyboard external display and program ability from USB or chip , that gets into a lot more money than I wanted to spend,and begins the question of going flex or something, which I also did not want to really do. Why can't they make a simple rig with display and keyboard port as standard instead of playing model bingo looking for the stuff we need, but I guess it all comes down to capitalism and being in a big transition period on radio styling and redefining necessary features .
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With a computer yes I believe it does have it's own built in soundcard for AFSK. But it is also nice to just use a rig and keyboard. I go either way depending on what I am trying to do. I use soundcard RTTY for contesting on RTTY with MixW but use just the 7600 and maybe the keyboard for DX pile ups or rag chewing on RTTY. PSK doesn't interest me.The 7300 has set a precedence with Icom and if they keep all the good stuff the 7300 has and expand on its performance and features in the 7610, I think it will have its own following and record sales.
I have not explored the optional software for the 7300, but doesn't it allow for complete operation of RTTY and PSK via the computer keyboard?
prcguy
The Icom RS-BA1 software is the solution for that. It's a program that runs on your computer and interfaces with the radio, either IC-7300 or 7600. I've heard good things about it....the thing I don't like about the 7600 is the lack of external display which I think the 7300 suffers from as well,