Been looking at upgrading from my trusty IC-718 to something with a waterfall display and better DSP. Narrowed it down to the IC-7300 or the FT-710 Field (which is now under $1000). Both are 100W HF rigs with built-in tuners, but I'm curious about real-world experience from folks running these as base stations.

Specifically interested in receiver performance on crowded bands and any reliability issues. The 7300 has been around longer but I've heard mixed things about battery problems and overshoot with amps. The 710 Field is newer but less proven in the field.

What's the consensus from actual users? Are either of these worth the step up from basic rigs like the 718?

I've had my IC-7300 for about 18 months now and it's been solid. The overshoot issue only matters if you're running an amp - for 100W barefoot operation it's a non-issue. The waterfall display alone makes ragchewing so much more enjoyable.

Currently running the FT-710 Field and love it. No regrets coming from a TS-590SG. The menu system takes some getting used to but the build quality feels very solid. Haven't had any reliability issues in 8 months of daily use.

The 7300 is constantly sold used because it's probably the best selling HF radio in history - there are thousands out there. I picked up a clean used one for $900 and it's been fantastic for both contesting and casual operation.

M35 Auto Tier Standard