Top 5 HF Ham Radios for Beginners 

How can you say the Icom-7100 is all bell`s and no whistles, When as you state you never owned 1 ?. Maybe you should get your Friends to make Streaming Videos for you .

If we are talking about used devices, then in my opinion the best radio is the one that is most convenient to buy. To simplify as much as possible, I would recommend choosing the first radio according to such characteristics: 1. 100W output power, 12V power supply. 2. Covers the entire amateur shortwave range (optional VHF, UHF) 3. It should not be a QRP device, not professional, not military, not controlled only from a computer. It should be a basic or mobile amateur device with a frequency adjustment knob. 4. It should contain the main types of radiation - SSB, CW, AM, FM (optional). These characteristics will give you everything you need to work on the air and allow you to immerse yourself in it without unnecessary difficulties.

I got my license in April and picked up a gently used FT-991A for less than half retail price at the local hamfest later that month, and it's been great. I don't think the menu-driven aspects of the interface and control can be said to be a real "barrier to entry" anymore for any of us new hams under the age of 40, we are all pretty comfortable for the most part with using phones and computers and such so menu-driven radios are not scary or intimidating. If my Dad suddenly had a wild hair to try out ham radio it might be a different story...

APE, you crack me up, I dig your humor and "inside jokes". Being a new ham, it is not initially obvious that the antenna really makes the "system" complete and this in my opinion is more important than the radio itself for just making contacts. Enjoying radio operating is an entirely different conversation. Great video thanks for being so thorough. 73

Well done Ape. I like these type videos. It's nice to have some information at hand to reference to. I think I'll always be a "beginner" so when some one does a vid like this it saves a lot of time tracking tracking down the info oneself!

Back in 2016 when I got my license, I bought a FT=991 (NOT A, It and the IC-7300 came later). I am still using the FT-991 and love it. It has been super reliable and easy to use. Thanks Yaesu. Great presentation.

Good video, Ape. Got into HF 18 months ago and after agonizing between the 7300 and the 991A, I went with the 7300. I found the radio VERY easy to navigate (especially with the help of RU-vid!) However, a few months ago I got a Yaesu FT891 which I also love for POTA. But I think having a year's worth of HF experience with the 7300 gave me the understanding and patience as to how to use 891.

The "Expert Opinion" is spot on! Thanks Ape.

Great review!! Thank you for taking the time.

Great presentation of practical and reasonably priced radios.

Excellent and honest evaluation of the radios! Something that you don’t always get with radio reviews. Well done! NM5SP 73

I really wanted to get the 991A for HF/VHF/UHF capability - but so glad I ended up going with the FTDX-10 instead at the same price. So easy to use for this beginner. I was able to start working on the default settings and start using the filters and adjustments as I learned them. It has helped me learn how to operate better.

Thanks. I have had most of these radios and still own more of them than I should. I agreed on most of your statements. Thanks again

Good, clear, concise info. THANKS

I had a 718 as a first HF radio and found it to be a solid performer even with limited filtering. With a Signalink it did digital very well. When deciding to upgrade I wanted a 7300 but at the time none were available. I finally decided on the FTdx-10 and have not been sorry. I also own a G90 and had some heat issues running FT8. I bought the XPA125B 100w amp for it and it runs about 70 to 80w out with 1w in. I'm not a fan of one radio for 70cm thru 160m but that's just me. Thanks for the reviews! Jack K5FIT

Well as a beginner ham I have the foundation License which is limited to 10W. Also I think as a beginner I have lower immediate expectations. A beginner is also going to be a beginner with making, deploying and tuning antennas. So I went with the G90 and I'm very happy with it. I have a lotw confirmed ft8 contact with the US and I'm in Western Australia so, yes that's awesome. One SSB contact 2770km to another state again very happy. I use a digirig and cables they supply for the g90 for digital modes and that works great too. Locally I've participated in a digital SSTV net on 40m using EasyPal. When I upgrade my license. The G90 will become the portable radio and and IC 7300 will be my main radio. Best Regards VK6MIK

Great info. Thanks for taking the time to make the video.

...as always, great information, Ape, and an interesting comparison for someone who doesn't know radios much (not you - me!) ...thanks, and 73! ...on the way to your antenna playlist next!😉

Good video, fair analysis. Well done.

Great video Ape! When my Kenwood TS-440 took a dump five years ago, I replaced it with a Yaesu FT-818. I was apprehensive at first about replacing a 100 watt radio with a QRP rig. It didn't take long to get over that. I found the 818 to be simple to use and fun to operate. One of my Elmers told me that even a cheap, basic radio connected to a really good antenna would perform well. The antenna was far more important than the features on the radio. A couple of years ago, I bought an FT-891. I love this radio too! Again, simple and fun to operate. Most of the radios on your list are RF emitting computers. Each one has their fanbase. Afterall, this hobby is based on personal preferences. The points you made in this video are valid and certainly useful to new hams getting into HF. Here is something else to consider. My FT-818 is fixed in my shack. I use the 891 as a portable rig (usually have it running at 50% power). Nothing is more satisfying than making a contact with a big buck 1000 watt station, rotating beam antenna, and filters out the Kazoo and have them tell me my signal is pegging their S-meter. Or with a 100 watt station that is as simple as mine. I maybe have $800 bucks invested in the radio, Z-817 tuner and MFJ OCF dipole antenna. I use a Chameleon MPAS 2.0 vertical antenna on the FT-891. With a digital signal processor, this rig can pick up a gnat fart in Siberia. Maybe your next video should be the 5 best HF antennas. Thanks again for sharing you knowledge and experience

I have the ICOM 7300 and love it. New to HF and it is very easy to find your way around the different options and screens

The G90 is a great little radio for what it is. I've worked a boatload of FT8 DX with it. I've operated Field Day with it as well. It's no competition radio, but an adequate beginner / portable radio for POTA/SOTA. I also have a FT-891, and it's a good radio. IF you're new, and on a budget, maybe look at the IC-718.. general coverage Rx for exploring SW and easier to use all around as a HAM.

FT-817/8 didn't make the cut! Peter VK3YE won't be happy! TO won't be happy about the X6100 lol. Great info Ape as always, well done.

Great video. I have both an FT-991 A and a Ft-801 and love them both. I pretty much agree with your assessments as a beginner radio. The only thing that I would add is that I would not recommend QRP (including 20w) for a beginner. 73s

A good list and review!

Very good video. Thank you Sir

Fantastic video! I was wondering if you could tell me which antennas you used on the G90? I am new to the hobby. I got my General ticket in January and my Extra about six weeks ago, was KD2UGX now AD2EH. I am leaning towards portable gear due to space restrictions in the house and wanting to get outside and get involved in POTA, Have read some good things about the MPAS Lite. Seems pretty versatile and not as fiddly as other antennas with loading coils that you have to tune. Any guidance would be most welcome. Pete

Good honest comparison bro , ty!

Great video, I acquired a IC-718 for $200USD along with a few other 2m radios and antennas from someone getting out of the hobby and just wanted to sell all his stuff, was an amazing once in a life time deal. I just earned my General and have been getting comfortable with HF more each day and the IC718 is amazing, but does not have the soundcard built in. I added a mod to it so I can attach a SDR USB dongle which works ok but has some quirks. This video has made my next decision a little more clear on what radio to get. Thanks for taking the time. 73s

Really enjoyed your video ! Thank you!

I recommend the IC-7100. I have one I use mobile and a second that is in the shack and goes portable. A color display is not required to make it a good radio.

Although discontinued The Yaesu FT-857D Was mt 1st rig as a Ham. Shack in a box upgradable filters.. I still use it for mobile applications with the Atas 120.. A firm favourite for me..

Great show, thanks for “going there” My first was/is the ICOMM 718, love it especially as a noob…🤙🏻

Good analysis.

Ape great show brother

I’m you crushed me on the xeigu radios. I was eyeballing both the 6100 and g90. Good review, I am still considering the g90, but we’ll see what’s available when I have the monies. You also confirmed my suspicions about “the cheap stuff”. I may get one when I have enough knowledge to have a compact ham bag.

I've had my ticket for less than a year and I looked at all of the radios on this list. I went with the IC-7100 because I felt it was the best radio for ME and I have no complaints. Your analysis is quite fair, but as LC mentioned, the price is higher now.

Another great video, Ape. I appreciate your disciplined, thoughtful approach. Fuggedabout the detractors, no need to apologize in advance. As the great American poet T. Swift once said, "Haters gonna hate hate hate hate hate......" 😆

My first was the FT-891 . I would fully recommend it for newbies .

Do you think that in the future there will be other all-band & all-modes radios, or will the 991a be the last of its kind in this price range? It feels like there is no interest in manufacturing HF+VHF+UHF radios. Is it a business model decision or are there technical challenges or compromises in making such radios? I am looking for my first HF radio but am frustrated by the lack of shack in the box options as I want 2m and 70cm as well ..

I did buy the IC-705 as my first HF rig, shortly after passing the General exam last year (I do need to get on the stick about the Extra exam). My reasons were twofold. First, I'm most interested in portable operations on voice and digital (including CW). The 705 wraps all of that up into one neat box. Second, my HOA sucks for radio. It's not about restrictions on antennae. It's due to both the structure and the location of the building. We're apartment condos in a 5-story building. My cell phone doesn't work in parts of my unit. SiriusXM drops out on the street along the north side of the building. I'm on the 2nd floor and even from my balcony, I can't make myself heard on my club's VHF repeater, which is less than three miles away. I'm 100% portable operations, though one of these nights, I'll string my EFHW from my balcony down to the clubhouse roof and see what happens: the pool and spa are out there, and I don't want someone to reach up and touch the antenna at an inopportune time. Rather than heed the conventional wisdom not to go QRP for the first HF rig, I simply set my expectations accordingly. 73 de KN6NPZ

A balanced opinion. Good video.

I agree, a simple to use radio is nice to have. complicated, hard to maneuver radios make ease of use more difficult.

Hi Ape . My name is KC3ODL and I'm a beginner and proud of it !!! Great video!

Another comment if you don’t mind. First, let me again say there was an outstanding fantastic video you did. I’m talking about the 6100 Xiegu now. When I first bought it last year, I had high hopes for it. And sure enough it had problems. For example, you could not finetune it. That portion just did not work. But finally with the last upgrade, I have spent quite some time with the radio. Thank goodness because before when I bought it, I left in a box and wanted to spit on it every time I walked past. But after I made the last software upgrade it now has wonderful fine tuning and I actually was able to send Winlink over it with just a USB cable. I also did WSPR with it. And was able to find tune and do CW with it. It seems like the little box with its upgrade is coming into its own. So I think now if someone talks about it, they should first upgrade the 6100 with the latest firmware and find out that it is coming into its own. I really really like the 6100 now however there’s one thing I do not like. And that is the cheap rinky-dink tinny sound coming out of its speaker. But other than that, with a set of earbuds, I can hear it pretty clearly, and if I was to go portable and want to grab a quick radio that has an internal battery and yes, it has an internal antenna tuner I am giving second thoughts about it and may start carrying it whole lot more. With its internal battery and microphone on the front of it you can almost use it like a walkie-talkie. So the 6100 to me is coming around. I think it is considering putting in the top six at least. Because it can do all the digital modes. Finally, the fine-tuning works. So don’t discount that Xieugu x6100 anymore until you’ve done the last upgrade, the software, and I think you will be quite impressed.

My first rig is a Yaesu Ft-710 in '23 as new ham. Good review, Thanks. 73

I ordered an FTDX-10 today! I was leaning towards the FT-991A, but the external monitor port and 3D waterfall of the DX10 really sold me. I hope the complicated menu functions don’t ruin it for me…

Spot on analysis of the radios that I have owned, the Yaesu FT-991A and FT-891. Got rid of the 991A due to the disappointing waterfall... and the menu system drove me nuts. I recently purchased the Xiegu X6100 and all the points you make on that radio I agree with as well, however it does have features not found on any radio in that price category. If the wait weren't so long for an Elecraft KX2, I wouldn't have even looked at the Xiegu. To your point, I couldn't recommend the x6100 to a new ham. The fact that they use their customers as beta testers is ridiculous. After all who do they think they are Microsoft?? - LOL - Great informative video for the newcomer... Thanks !!!

I started with a 7300 and just bought a FT-891 . I am glad I started with the 7300

G90 for the win! Flawless.

Thanks for the info. I’m looking to get my technicians license soon and have been watching a lot of your videos. I’m really interested in the 10 meter band and am looking for a basic radio just for that band. As a teenager I and my friends would talk (illegally) on a HW-101 we had built and I really got hooked on hunting for distant stations. My question is why do t any of the big 3 make a one band 10 meter radio? I will probably start with one of the export radios due to a limited budget but I would rather spend a little for a better radio

I was told not to get any QRP radio for first HF.

Nice review!! The best radio the one you can afford.

My fist rig was a KW TS-440 SAT back in the 80s ...lol ... I still have the rig . 73s yall

I dig all your recommended radios (But also dig the (tr)uSDX), unlike the G90 the menus stink but I dig it's capability). I'm a beginner and won the G90 (and all accessories) in a raffle from HVDN. I love this radio, and it's easy to use . For some odd reason I dig being able to operate at the lowest power possible. Anytime I operate on SSB I operate at 5W and have made a butt load of contacts to USA west coast and Eastern Europe. For my one year plus ham radio life, I've been a Yaesu fan boy, but I think my next radio will be a shack in the box QRP ICOM. I hear great menu navigation from ICOM. I don't intend to buy a new rig for a long time. I'll wait till supply chain gets normal. BTW I love your impressions … :)

G90 was my first hf radio and within a few months I UPGRADED to the 891. I POTA regularly and the 100 watts is always the star of the show even with a 705 on scene. QRP is a bad choice for beginners. 7300 can be the queen

Ape, I’ll be curious to see if the new Yaesu radio coming out soon might make the list in future iterations

My first HF radio was a uBitx. Did I like it? Hell yes! But I'm very technically trained, so I could understand its flaws and work around it. My 7300 is much more friendly!

Hi, my pick: FT-891 and FTM-300D. If you will stay in this hobby for a bit you will and up with multiple radios anyway. So why shack in the box? Why compromise? For the price of 991A you can get FT-891 and FTM-300D. Both best bang for your buck. For complete setup I recommend sg-230/CG-3000 antenna coupler (smartuner). Much better than build-in one. Thanks for the video. 73!

Many thanks

I know this is random but I’m very new to ham and hf radios and need some help on what items to use and start out with. Say, I wanted to reach someone 600+ Miles away using a ham radio. What is everything that I would need to use and buy in order to do so? Please send links to any recommendations.

Hey bud!....them's some fighting' words there putting those radios head to head and in the line up you did....LOL. Nah. Actually a very good video. a lot of thought regarding newbies and considering things someone getting started would not be aware of or be frustrated with. I'm no expert and am learning every day. Fortunately or unfortunately RU-vid is my Elmer and I do appreciate you and others putting the time in and providing your insight. I ended up with the 991a and question that every other day. Its a great radio but that 7300 is calling. Not one issue or negative with the 991a but how much better is that other radio!?! time will help me. I just ordered an 891 a. because I just want one and b. because "portable" mounted in my vehicle seems very cool for a 100w radio driving down the road. Oh, only to have an unlimited budget...LOL. Thanks Ape! 72 ( and 72 because I owe you one) ;-) 73 implied!

Owning nearly all of these. The 7300 is the best beginner radio for what all you get. I do think the 891 edges it in the rxer. The dx10 is the best but it’s not as solid as the 7300. Imo

I'm a new ham and I was wondering about differences in yaesu ftdx10 and ft-710? How do they compare to icom 7300?

Very Interesting I use an FT897 an FT817 and an Venus SW-3 Band last two mainly portable find them Great amazing really but I Mainly use CW .. helps a LOT 73

I had a TenTec Century 21 in the 1981 timeframe, 50W input with about 20-Watts out on 10 meters and I did WAS, WAC, and DXCC CW in about 18-months in the early 80's. Kids today need high tech gear, but I did fine with this and my old tube radios, LOL. 73, Dave, KU9L PS -If they get upset with what you say they need to get a new hobby and leave the Happy Hams alone, LOL.

Fantastic video. But I would like to add one little thing in case the people watching this video kind of missed it. The Icom 705 does not have an internal antenna tuner. Let me repeat that NO ANTENNA TUNER on the 705 icom. Thanks for letting me get that off my chest. Because I was interested in that 705, I mean, I really liked it until I saw that it did not have an internal antenna tuner for all that money they want for it. but to me Icom fell on there qrp faces when they left the antenna tuner out of the 705. I have several radios. I have the Icom 7300. If you can afford it get it you’ll never regret it. But I also have the. Xiegu G 90. And for portability and affordability I just love it, and it’s internal antenna tuner is so good I believe it could even tuneup a head of cabbage. Thanks for letting me get that off my chest it’s something that has just been sticking in my craugh every time I hear about that 705 that they want so much dad blasted money for an left out the antenna tuner. It really irritates me they did that.

Xiegu G90 has been a great beginner radio for me. 20W teaches you patience while working a pileup.

I would love to get that IC-705 just out of my price range. Lol however I an AnyTone AT-6666 for 10 meters and an AnyTone 578UV III Plus for 2 meters and 70 centimeters. What do you have agents Mississippi?

I agree with everything you said in this wonderful video. However, I would like to make a note about the Xiegu 6100. It has been out long enough now that it’s upgrades have brought it into a good working outstanding radio. If you have not reviewed it recently, I think you would be pleasantly surprised with it’s wonderful capabilities now. Yes I did buy it when it first came out was a little disappointed but now I am extremely happy with it with its new upgrades.

I love the 891 it was my first hf rig. But i added the yeasu 991 because it has everything. Hf dual band and built in tuner.

Hi, What would you recommend as a good hiking radio for 2023, within Xiegu X6100 price range and similar weight? I am considering Xeigu because builtin battery, antenna box and small size as well as not terrible weight. Weight is the most important factor for me, so most HF sets just don't make it. Should I look somewhere else for alternatives ? It appears lots of people are skeptical about Xiegu and some love it. So I am not quite sure now :)

Obviously the ICOM IC-7851 is the best beginner radio.

Woof. Those prices. I just picked up a couple Baofengs for emergency use. I was thinking, what else is out there? Yeah, as a beginner, $500 plus is a non-starter. Around $200-300 is what I could justify. I know these have a crazy amount of tech in them and are ruggedly built which is why they cost so much. I just remember walking through AES Ham in MKE 20 years ago and everything behind glass and on the back counter going wooow, neat. Just need to win the lottery to get a good radio. Back to my Baofengs and SDRs. ;) BTW, I'm not trying to be negative about your video, these are just my impressions of equipment costs and whatnot. 20 years ago I got in to cars. Entry was a $2,500 Ford Contour. If it had been a $40k Mercedes...yeah, I wouldn't have gotten in to cars either, I'd have stuck with a bicycle.

Could you offer advice on how to tell if a radio from Japan or China is for U.S. operation.(bandplan). I lost my Icom 718 and my G90 (great radio for me) due to flooding . Unfortunately cannot afford a Brand new radio so it will be an eBay purchase (gamble).

Haha, I liked the expert opinion piece

7300 is a lot of radio for the money for sure. But the g90 is half the cost and does almost everything well. The g90 and the 7300 are probably the 2 most popular new radios currently

Do you have a video with budget options? I’m interested in checking the hobby out, but don’t want to spend $1k to see if I like it.

thanks

I have used the 7300. Going from a 746pro to it was easy to transition.

7300 @ $1500 Australian. G90 @ $800 Australian. You get what you pay for. Twice the price 10 times the radio.

7100 is good rig but ditch the stock mic for a 7300 hand mic

Great video de W2CSI

Ape! I are an expert knob twiddler and I think this is a right fine vid on the subject Son! 73 - KF6IF

If I had that much cash available I would buy a double stack 1911 instead. How about budget for us poors.

My first radio was the 897D

I’m just thinking about getting a license but I don’t want any Chinese equipment what do I do?

Good review. A noob would do well with any of those radios, coupled with a good antenna. We'll have to rename you the smokin fanboy 😁🤣🤐 lol

If I were getting started today I'd have gotten a separate HF radio and mobile dual band radio. You can get a lot of VHF/UHF radio for a tiny amount of money and the 2m and 70cm bands seem to just be bolted on to most shack in the box stuff for less than $1k. Having a good HF radio that does HF well without the added cost of 2m and 70cm bits and pieces would have been nice. I'm currently frustrated by my HF and 2m radios being the same radio. I can't do something like running a 2m digipeater and js8 on HF at the same time. Spending $200 on a mobile dual band radio and $600ish dollars for a decent 160-10 HF rig would have been better than the ft857d I got when I started.

Good video Ape, you might have the ranking a bit off Lol

I was just about to complain about you not giving the 7300 enough love. Jokes aside, I know you love you some Linux. I’ve still yet to be able to make a single QSO with either FT8 or JS8. I use Linux Mint in the shack.

The budget will help you choose the "right" radio for you, for the time. there is no "only radio for life".

7300 Fantastic radio best selling radio for a reason.Easy to set up and operate.

Kick butt vid. Getting my general soon moving from tech wth HT. Will the 705 with its low power make a good shack hf rig? I want to do digital and portable in addition to shack

YAESU FT875D? What do people think?

I have a ham radio yaesu 450d do you have one

Xiegu G90, Not Xigue.. but thanks for the great video!

Does the Xiegu really not support a direct USB connection to a PC for audio or to present a KISS TNC? That's so stupid

The Electrocraft rig seems nice, but pricey.

Well done. You know I am a 7100 fan boy, but I think this list is accurate. Sadly I don't think you can get it as inexpensively as you mentioned anymore. I really wish I had two or three of them. It too does 2M SSB like you mentioned for "Chuck's" Yaesu. I think you hit it on the head with the need for 100 Watts for beginning radios, I really like my FT-818, but it is a more difficult tool to use.