Icom IC-7300 vs IC-7300MK2: Is the New Model Worth It?

My Icom ICom IC-718 finally bit the dust. I blew the finals…even 25w on FT-8 over time did it. I decided it was time to go modern rather than trying to repair the 718. But before draining $1K+ from my wallet, I decided to put together a detailed comparison of both the 7300s…I didn’t want to spend extra for the MK2 if its added features wouldn’t really benefit me. I have tried to stay objective. Here’s what I came up with…

The IC-7300 vs IC-7300MK2 debate is happening in many ham shacks right now. The original Icom IC-7300 changed HF forever by putting RF direct-sampling SDR, a real-time spectrum scope, waterfall, and 4.3-inch touchscreen into an affordable 100-watt transceiver. It sold over 100,000 units and became the default recommendation for new HF operators.

The new Icom IC-7300MK2 (also listed as MKII) does not replace that formula. It refines it. Icom kept the familiar 100W output, built-in automatic antenna tuner, SD card slot, 101 memory channels, and one-touch FT8 preset, but rebuilt the motherboard, upgraded the display, and added modern station integration that the original was missing. Easier FT8! I like that a lot.

What Stayed the Same Between IC-7300 vs IC-7300MK2

If you love the original, you will feel at home. Both radios are HF/50MHz direct-sampling SDR transceivers with 100W on SSB/CW/RTTY/FM and 25W on AM, the same compact desktop chassis, real-time spectrum scope, waterfall display, audio scope, automatic antenna tuner with memory, and the intuitive multi-dial + touchscreen interface.

For casual SSB, FT8, and ragchew operation, the original IC-7300 is still an excellent radio. It has not become obsolete overnight.

What’s New in the IC-7300MK2: 5 Major Upgrades

1. Receiver and Transmitter Performance Boost

This is the most important upgrade for serious operators. Icom states the MK2 improves Reciprocal Mixing Dynamic Range (RMDR) by more than 12 dB compared to the original, and transmit phase-noise by more than 12 dB. Independent dealer specs list the MK2 at about 105-113 dB RMDR typical at 2kHz separation, up from ~97-100 dB on the original.

What does that mean in practice? Better RMDR means less blocking and interference when strong nearby signals are present. During contests, Field Day, or a DX pileup, you can pull weak signals out that would have been buried on the original. The cleaner TX phase noise at -139 dBc/Hz at 1kHz separation also means a cleaner transmitted signal with less splatter.

2. Modern Connectivity: HDMI, LAN, and USB Type-C

The original IC-7300 had a single USB-B port. The IC-7300MK2 brings the shack into 2025:

• HDMI Output: First for Icom HF. Display your frequency, spectrum scope, waterfall, and menus on a large external monitor. Audio can also go through HDMI to monitor speakers.
• Built-in LAN Port: The MK2 adds an Ethernet port for simplified remote operation with RS-BA1 Version 2 software. You can turn the radio ON/OFF remotely over the internet without a base-station PC left running.
• USB Type-C with Dual Virtual COM + Audio: One cable now provides two simultaneous COM ports plus audio I/O. You can run WSJT-X for FT8 and your logging/contest software at the same time without virtual cable headaches.

The HDMI output is a killer feature for me. Awesome.

3. Dedicated RX Antenna IN/OUT Ports

The MK2 adds dedicated RX Antenna IN/OUT on SMA connectors. This is huge for low-band operators. You can now insert a dedicated receive antenna like a Beverage or loop, an external bandpass filter, a QRM eliminator, or a low-noise preamp directly into the receive path without messing with your main SO-239 TX antenna.

4. CW Operator Upgrades: Decoder and APF

CW ops get two features the original lacked:

• Built-in CW Decoder: Decode Morse code on screen without a PC. The decoder follows the target signal and auto-adjusts speed.
• Audio Peak Filter (APF): Emphasizes a specific audio frequency to improve CW intelligibility. Adjustable from 0 to 6 dB in 1 dB steps, it helps you zero in on weak CW in noise.

I’ve tried CW multiple decoders in the past. Never found one that was ACCURATE. May this one?

5. Display, Efficiency, and Cooling

Three quality-of-life improvements add up for long sessions:

• Display: 4.3-inch touchscreen upgraded from TFT to color IPS for better viewing angles and clarity.
• Lower Power Draw: RX standby current drops from approx. 0.9A on the IC-7300 to approx. 0.7A on the MK2 — a 23% reduction, better for battery, POTA, and Field Day.
• Improved Heat Management: Icom redesigned component selection and cooling-fan control to produce less heat during extended contest operation. The radio is also slightly lighter at 9.0 lb / 4.1 kg vs 9.3 lb / 4.2 kg.
• New Motherboard: Teardown reports show the MK2 has a totally new main PCB — it’s a new radio in the old body, not just a firmware update.

IC-7300 vs IC-7300MK2 Side-by-Side Comparison Table

Real-World Operating: Who Benefits Most From IC-7300 vs IC-7300MK2?

Here are my good cop/bad cop scenarios:

For the IC-7300 vs IC-7300MK2 question, think about how you operate:

Choose IC-7300MK2 if you are a: Contester, DX chaser, CW enthusiast, remote operator, or digital-mode power user who runs FT8 + logging + contest software at once. The HDMI for a big waterfall, LAN remote, USB-C dual COM, RX antenna ports, and 12 dB better strong-signal handling will matter every day.

Keep the IC-7300 if you are a: Casual SSB operator, new ham, or primarily FT8/POTA with one computer. Your IC-7300 still has the same core SDR, tuner, scope, and 100W. The performance gap won’t be obvious on a quiet band.

Should You Upgrade From IC-7300 to IC-7300MK2?

The IC-7300MK2 is clearly the better radio. The question is whether HDMI, Ethernet, USB-C dual ports, RX antenna IN/OUT, improved RMDR, cleaner transmit, lower power consumption, and the new CW decoder/APF are worth the upgrade cost when your current IC-7300 works fine.

If you are buying your first IC-7300-series radio and your budget allows, get the MK2. You get the legendary operating experience plus modern connectivity that makes your station future-proof. If you already own an IC-7300, upgrade only if you hit the limits: you need a big external display, you want true remote operation, you fight strong adjacent signals in contests, or you need a separate RX antenna path.

Final Verdict: Evolution, Not Revolution

Icom did exactly what needed to be done in my opinion. The IC-7300 vs IC-7300MK2 comparison is not about more power or a new look. It is about better RF performance, better heat and power efficiency, and bringing a 2015-era USB design into the modern HDMI/LAN/USB-C shack. The MK2 keeps everything people loved about the 7300 and fixes the complaints experienced ops have had for years.

For most new buyers, the MK2 is the obvious choice. For current IC-7300 owners, it is a worthwhile but not mandatory upgrade unless you are a contester, DXer, CW operator, or remote station builder. Either way, both radios remain top-tier HF/50MHz SDR transceivers.

My final decision is to go with the MK2. It’s going to be the first NEW, MODERN transceiver I owned in a very long time.

P.S. New to ham radio? Here’s how to get started with licensing. It’s easy. It’s free. Go for it! For the BIG PICTURE of what amateur (ham radio) is, you can always rely on the Amateur Radio Relay League (ARRL).

P.P.S. If money is no object, kick up a few levels and check out the Flex Radio Aurora.