Icom IC-7300

I’m still looking at new ham radios rather than actually studying for the ham radio license exam. I was looking at base stations (which I can’t afford) and I came across the Icom IC-7300 (5 stars on Amazon). It looks really complicated so I pulled up the manual to see how much I understood. It did not go well.

Let’s look at the features:

• RF Direct Sampling System
  The IC-7300 employs an RF direct sampling system.
  RF signals are directly converted to digital data and
  processed in the FPGA. This system is a leading
  technology marking an epoch in amateur radio.
  (I don’t know what this means)
• Real-Time Spectrum Scope
  The spectrum scope is class-leading in resolution,
  sweep speed and dynamic range. When you touch the
  scope screen on the intended signal, the touched area is
  magnified. The large 4.3 inch color TFT touch LCD offers
  intuitive operation
  (I don’t what this means)
• New “IP+” Function
  The new IP Plus function improves 3rd order intercept
  point (IP3) performance. When a weak signal is received
  adjacent to strong interference, the AD converter is
  optimized against signal distortion.
  (3rd order intercept point (IP3) performance???!!! WTF is that?)
• Class Leading RMDR and Phase Noise
  Characteristics
  The RMDR is improved to about 97dB (typical value) and
  Phase Noise characteristics are also improved about15dB (at 1 kHz frequency separation) compared to the IC-7200.
  (I don’t know what “RMDR” is)
• A 4.3 inch touch panel color display
  (I actually kind of know what this is)
• A built-in automatic antenna tuner
  (I could make a guess about this one)
• Multi-function control for easy settings
  (I am skeptical of the word “easy” in this context)

The other thing notice happening is I keep reading about radios and everytime I think, “That sounds cool, maybe I should buy that one” and add it to my saved cart items. I just did that with the Yaesu FT-2980R Mobile Transceiver.

I mean, look at these features:

• WIRES Internet Linking Access Feature
• Now with 80 Watts of Power Output
• CTCSS and DCS Encode/Decode Built In
• Extensive Memory System a total of 221 memory channels
• Alpha-Numeric Channel Display

“WIRES Internet Linking Access Feature” and “CTCSS and DCS Encode/Decode Built In” sound cool, but I have no idea what any of that means.

I always start my day with the 3rd step prayer and the serenity prayer. I’ll also start praying that I stop spending so much time fantasizing about what radio I might buy and instead spend that time studying for the exam.