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Three radios come up in almost every “what should my first real HF rig be” conversation: the Icom IC-7300, the Yaesu FT-710, and the Yaesu FT-991A. They overlap enough to be genuinely confusing and differ enough that the wrong choice costs you either money or capability. Here’s the short version, then the details.
The Short Answer
- Buy the IC-7300 if you want the best HF/6m value, the friendliest touchscreen, and the biggest support community.
- Buy the FT-710 if you want the best receiver of the three and a smaller footprint.
- Buy the FT-991A if you need 2m and 70cm all-mode in the same box.
Side-by-Side
| IC-7300 | FT-710 | FT-991A | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bands | HF + 6m | HF + 6m | HF + 6m + 2m + 70cm |
| Power | 100W | 100W | 100W HF/6m · 50W V/U |
| Receiver | Direct-sampling SDR | Down-conversion SDR | Direct-sampling SDR |
| Scope | Yes, touchscreen | Yes, AESS audio | Yes |
| Best at | HF value + ecosystem | Strong-signal RX | One-box all-band |
| ~Price | ~$1,200 | ~$1,000–1,100 | ~$1,500 |
Which to buy, by operator
For a first HF station
The IC-7300 wins. The touchscreen and waterfall shorten the learning curve more than any spec, and the tutorial ecosystem is unmatched. See our best HF radio for beginners guide for the wider field.
For the best receiver / contesting
The FT-710. Its down-conversion front end handles strong adjacent signals better — the kind of thing you notice on a crowded 40m evening or during a contest. It’s also the smallest of the three.
For satellites, 2m/70cm SSB, or one radio for everything
The FT-991A is the only one here that reaches VHF/UHF all-mode. If you want to work the FM and linear satellites or chase 2m weak-signal DX without a second radio, it’s the pick.
The picks
Best HF value
Icom IC-7300
The reference HF/6m SDR. Best receiver-and-scope per dollar and the deepest ecosystem.
Check price on AmazonBest receiver
Yaesu FT-710
Newer down-conversion receiver and a smaller body. The strong-signal champion of the three.
Check price on Amazon
One-box all-band
Yaesu FT-991A
Adds 2m and 70cm all-mode. The choice when you want HF, satellites, and VHF/UHF in one radio.
Check price on AmazonAmazon: 4.6/5 from 99 reviews.
Final verdict
For most operators building an HF/6m station, the IC-7300 is still the smart default — it does the fundamentals brilliantly for the least money. Step to the FT-710 if receiver performance and size are your priorities, and to the FT-991A only if you genuinely want VHF/UHF all-mode in the same box. None of the three is a mistake; they just answer different questions. When your pick arrives, check what’s open right now and start listening.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Icom IC-7300 or Yaesu FT-710 better?
They’re closely matched 100W HF/6m SDR radios. The IC-7300 has the larger tutorial community and a slightly more intuitive touchscreen; the FT-710 is newer, physically smaller, and its receiver is a step ahead in strong-signal handling thanks to a down-conversion superheterodyne front end. Buy the IC-7300 for the ecosystem and touchscreen; buy the FT-710 for the receiver and smaller footprint.
Should I buy the FT-991A or the IC-7300?
Choose the FT-991A only if you want VHF and UHF all-mode in the same box — it adds 2m and 70cm for satellites and weak-signal work. If you only operate HF and 6m, the IC-7300 gives you a better HF receiver and spectrum scope for less money. HF-only operators should pick the IC-7300; all-band operators the FT-991A.
Which of these radios has the best receiver?
For strong-signal and crowded-band performance, the FT-710’s down-conversion SDR receiver measures best of the three, followed by the IC-7300 and then the FT-991A. In everyday operating on a home antenna the difference is subtle; it matters most during contests, on 40m at night, or living near other transmitters.
Do all three cover 6 meters?
Yes. The IC-7300 and FT-710 cover HF plus 6m at 100W. The FT-991A covers HF, 6m, 2m, and 70cm — 100W on HF and 6m, 50W on 2m/70cm — making it the only one of the three that reaches the VHF/UHF bands.
Which is the best value in 2026?
The IC-7300 remains the value leader: the most receiver and scope per dollar for an HF/6m station, plus the deepest base of accessories and guides. The FT-710 costs a bit more for its better receiver; the FT-991A costs the most because you’re also paying for VHF/UHF. Check current prices — they move often.