Xiegu g90 or Icom 7300

[Robbie1984]

G'day everyone well the cheap BS188 SDR radio I purchased several month's ago as a beginner set has pretty much refused to cooperate in terms of allowing me to transmit even has turned itself for no reason when being tuned up to a frequency for swr tuning I've already done a myriad of diagnostics including adjusting settings and attached an ATU in hopes it was merely a simple case of tuning it up beforehand however the long wire I have running is perfectly matched with VSWR being 1:1.4-1:1.49 and even .1 off of 1:1.5

Anyways before going off track I've earmarked 2 potential replacements of which could take its place but wont be purchasing until after my weekend away in week 1 of December pending on how much I come back with and finances at that point of time the 2 brands I'm seriously considering are

1.Xiegu g90

2. Icom IC-7300

Both are available through Australian dealers that I've purchased equipment through previously just need opinions on which to go with as at present i'm stuck with cost vs functionality vs rig size

 

[weyforthr]

Just used, for the first time yesterday, my G90.

Can not speak for the Icom IC-7300 because I have not used the radiio, but it is most likely a great radio.

As for the G90, it was fun using the radio to make quite a number of QSOs in a short amount of time. I did not read the manual much, but most things were rather straight forward. I am using a 10 and 20 meter Shark Hamstick on a Tram 5-inch tri-magnet mag mount on the roof of my Nissan Titan truck. Good enough results for me. Was kind of easy getting QSOs because it was Saturday and there were many POTA calling QRZ, not to mention it was JOTA weekend.

What ever radio you get, engoy it.

 

[rf_patriot200]

I'm partial to the G90 since I've had one, and the Tuner is Excellent !! It'll tune a wet dogs tail pretty much !

 

[W4AXW]

Neither. FT-710
Same or less money as 7300 (here in the States at least), great receiver with much better selectivity and filters. Hear weak signals you didn't know were out there. Excellent TX audio also. You won't be sorry with a 710.

7 3

 

[AK9R]

I'd have a hard time considering these two radios in the same breath. 20 watt portable vs 100 watt base. Unless you have a need for a radio that's easier to take with you on portable operations, I think the IC-7300, or FT-710, win out.

 

[rf_patriot200]

Aside from being only 20 watts, it's got a Great SDR receiver and is a joy to use for POTA, but yeah if you're wanting more juice, then that would exclude the G90.

 

[K4EET]

I would have to agree with the Yaesu FT-710 (first) and the ICOM IC-7300 (second). If you need a low power, portable radio, go with the ICOM IC-705. You’ll be glad you chose ICOM or Yaesu.

 

[Robbie1984]

Thanks for your inputs so far guys really appreciate it to note out whilst the FT-710 is indeed available through the agent I got my 2730A from and quite impressive looking rig it has 2 disadvantages which go against me

1. Price
( It's nearly $2000 AUD which is a tad out of my price range even with Payright or Afterpay at my disposal)

2. Size
( There isn't a lot of room available where the rig is going on top of the radio desk of which also holds my tecsun s2000 receiver)

For now I am still weighing pros and cons

 

[littona]

There's not much comparison between the G90 and the 7300. I have both and they are each good radios for their specific use cases. As a base station radio, the 7300 wins easily. The 7300 has a large touchscreen, 100 watt output, good filters, easy USB interfaces. But the 7300 isn't something you'd want to backpack with. In that case, the G90 is a good portable radio. It's limited due to it's size - only 20 watt output, tiny screen, and analog interfaces. I bought the G90 first, as it was cheaper. After I bought my 7300, I don't touch it. I currently don't operate portable, so I don't have the need.

 

[KF0NYL]

There's not much comparison between the G90 and the 7300. I have both and they are each good radios for their specific use cases. As a base station radio, the 7300 wins easily. The 7300 has a large touchscreen, 100 watt output, good filters, easy USB interfaces. But the 7300 isn't something you'd want to backpack with. In that case, the G90 is a good portable radio. It's limited due to it's size - only 20 watt output, tiny screen, and analog interfaces. I bought the G90 first, as it was cheaper. After I bought my 7300, I don't touch it. I currently don't operate portable, so I don't have the need.

I have to agree!

I own both and both have their place. The IC-7300 is a great base station and the G90 is perfect for portable use. While 20 watts won't help break through a pile up, you will still make plenty of contacts.

I actually have 2 G90 radios. I won the second G90 when Radioddity has their 12 year anniversary raffle. I am going to set one up in a box along side a VHF/UHF radio for portable Winlink. The other one is what I have been using for POTA and I am thinking about making a maniac radio setup with it.

 

[WSAC829]

I can't do a comparison, but i love my G90. You wont find a better (new, not used) HF rig for under $450.00 USD. The MARS mod is also dead simple to do. I use mine as a base station. 20 watts is plenty in most cases.

 

[Robbie1984]

Thanks for the replies so far everyone apologies if I haven't been replying as a major mechanic issue wrote off my vehicle on Thursday arvo halfway to work which triggered the airbags so I'm just waiting on some papers to come from Adelaide and assessor to declare total loss or repairable thankfully my radios are in one piece being all remote head models

Anyways from what I've seen thus far from watching different Youtube videos both the 7300 and G90 are on par in terms of features including inbuilt antenna tuner the only 2 things that have me sold on the G90

1. Remote head can be detached and main unit placed elsewhere

2. Price is cheaper compared to the 7300 so i can get a G90 for $925 from Tecsun Australia that's $880 for the unit and accessories plus $25 for postage which is roughly just over $700 cheaper than the ICOM-7300

 

[AK9R]

Price is cheaper compared to the 7300 so i can get a G90 for $925 from Tecsun Australia that's $880 for the unit and accessories plus $25 for postage which is roughly just over $700 cheaper than the ICOM-7300

Don't ignore the fact that the IC-7300 is a 100 watt radio while the G90 is a 20 watt radio. To make the G90 equivalent in output power to the IC-7300, you'd have to add an external power amplifier.

 

[stevez97]

I'm a new General and purchased the G90 and so far no regrets. My initial plan was to "get my feet wet" with the G90 then later (whenever THAT ends up being) geting a IC-7300 for the base and using the G90 for POTA and/or when we go camping with our RV.

Currently, I'm using the 20 watts and about 50 feet of house gutter to make contacts (so far) over the eastern and central US. I LOVE it when my contact asks what radio and antenna I'm running. It usually results in a chuckle on the other end. <grin>

If you have ZERO interest now or in the future in any portable operation (and you can afford and/or justify the added cost) then the 7300 would probably be a better choice due to it's larger screen and additional power. However, I have to say I am MOST impressed with the G90. It can tune up a charcoal grill and allow you to have a QSO even with it's 20 watts. LOL

Good luck with your decision!

 

[vagrant]

When it comes to TX power output, what are some experiences others have? I have done a fair share of testing using phone, FT8 and other digital like PSK31 over the years using different antennas at different locations with varying watts. Is the 100W 7300 necessary, or just nice to have? I have 100W radios, but run them at 40W or less. I used to run at 100W when I first got my ticket, but then started to experiment and learned the relation of dB to watts and S units. ( A Solar minimum laughs at my low power results )

5W = It definitely works but...some fish aren't biting even though I can see them in the water
10W = Make a few more QSO's and efficient antennas obviously help
20W = Success increased to "fun" level
40W = Well, not much of a challenge at this point

With the money saved I would purchase a Hexbeam type of antenna and or two Off Center Fed dipoles and run them perpendicular, with a MyAntennas choke balun at the feedpoints.