Ham radio transceiver: what an HF rig needs before it can talk
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Quick answer
An HF ham transceiver is a 100 watt base or mobile radio that works on the long-range HF bands, unlike a VHF/UHF handheld. You need an FCC license: Technicians get only small HF slices at up to 200 W PEP, and a General license opens most HF bands. Plan for power and an antenna: Icom lists its IC-7300 at 21 A on 13.8 V DC when transmitting at 100 W, and Yaesu lists 23 A for the compact FT-891.
Three HF transceivers compared
| Spec | Icom IC-7300 | Yaesu FT-891 | Yaesu FT-710 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Receiver type | RF direct sampling SDR | Triple-conversion superheterodyne (SSB/CW/AM) | SDR |
| Output | 2 to 100 W (AM 25 W) | 100 W (AM 25 W) | 5 to 100 W (AM 25 W) |
| Bands | 160 to 6 m | 1.8 to 54 MHz amateur bands | 1.8 to 50 MHz amateur bands |
| Built-in antenna tuner | Yes | No (optional FC-50) | Yes, 100-channel memory |
| Transmit current | 21 A at 100 W | 23 A | Not in Yaesu's summary |
| Size | 9.4 x 3.7 x 9.4 in | 6.1 x 2.0 x 8.6 in | 9.4 x 3.1 x 9.7 in |
| Weight | 9.3 lb | 4.18 lb | 9.92 lb |
Figures are from Icom America's and Yaesu's product pages, checked October 2026.
The license comes first
- License classes: FCC rules (47 CFR 97.9) list Novice, Technician, General, Advanced and Amateur Extra.
- Technician on HF: 47 CFR 97.301(e) gives Technicians only 3.525 to 3.600 MHz, 7.025 to 7.125 MHz, 21.025 to 21.200 MHz and 28.0 to 28.5 MHz, and 97.313 caps those segments at 200 W PEP.
- General on HF: 97.301(d) opens much more of 160, 80, 40, 20, 15 and 10 meters, which is why most HF owners upgrade to General.
- Power rule: FCC rules say to use the minimum power needed, with 1.5 kW PEP as the absolute ceiling.
See our ham radio guide for licensing steps and handhelds.
Power: what 100 watts really draws
- Supply voltage: all three list 13.8 V DC plus or minus 15%, which is 11.73 to 15.87 V by simple arithmetic.
- Current: Icom lists 21 A transmitting at 100 W and 0.9 A on standby; Yaesu lists 23 A transmit and 2.0 A receive for the FT-891.
- Size the supply: pick a 13.8 V supply or battery system that can deliver more than the radio's listed transmit current.
- Battery ceiling: a 100 Ah battery divided by 23 A is about 4.3 hours of nonstop transmitting at full power; real use is mostly listening, so it lasts far longer, but turn power down when you can.
- Battery choice: see our LiFePO4 guide for battery chemistry and charging.
Antennas and tuners
- The antenna does the work: an HF radio needs an outdoor wire or vertical antenna; see our ham radio antenna guide.
- Built-in tuners: Icom says the IC-7300's tuner remembers settings by frequency so it retunes quickly when you change bands; Yaesu lists a high-speed tuner with 100-channel memory on the FT-710.
- FT-891: Yaesu sells the FC-50 tuner separately, designed specifically for this radio.
- Coax: the IC-7300 uses an SO-239 antenna connector, Icom lists.
- RF exposure: FCC rule 97.13(c) requires licensees to make sure their station meets RF exposure limits for people nearby.
Which radio fits which station
- Home station with a screen: the IC-7300's spectrum scope and SDR receiver suit a desk; Icom lists 15 band-pass filters ahead of the receiver.
- Car, camper or go-kit: the FT-891 is the smallest and lightest here at 4.18 lb and 6.1 in wide.
- Newer SDR with a touch screen: the FT-710 adds a 4.3 inch touch display, two USB ports, an SD slot and an FT8 preset, Yaesu lists.
- Warranty: Yaesu lists 3 years on both of its radios.
- Temperature: Icom lists operation from 14 to 140°F; Yaesu lists 14 to 122°F for the FT-891.
An HF radio in an emergency plan
- Get licensed and practice before you need it; contacts depend on band conditions and skill.
- Keep power independent: a charged battery and a way to recharge it matter more than the radio model.
- Store a simple antenna you can put up quickly.
- Write down frequencies and local net times on paper.
- Pair with local radios: GMRS or VHF handhelds handle short-range family contact; see our GMRS vs FRS guide.
What to look for when you buy
Home station: Icom IC-7300
Best for: A first HF base station with a built-in tuner and scope
Icom lists an RF direct sampling SDR receiver, 2 to 100 W on 160 to 6 m, a built-in automatic antenna tuner, 15 band-pass filters, and 21 A transmit draw at 13.8 V.
Watch out: 9.3 lb; needs a 13.8 V supply and an outdoor antenna.
See options on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab)Mobile and go-kit: Yaesu FT-891
Best for: Cars, campers and portable stations
Yaesu lists 100 W on HF and 6 m in a 6.1 x 2.0 x 8.6 inch, 4.18 lb case, 13.8 V operation with 23 A transmit draw, and a 3-year warranty.
Watch out: No internal tuner; the FC-50 is sold separately.
See options on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab)Touch-screen SDR: Yaesu FT-710
Best for: Digital modes and a modern home station
Yaesu lists a compact 100 W SDR with a built-in 100-channel antenna tuner, 4.3 inch touch display, supplied SP-40 speaker, USB and SD card ports, and a 3-year warranty.
Watch out: 9.92 lb; Yaesu's spec summary does not list transmit current, so size power from the manual.
See options on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab)Questions people ask
- Do I need a license for an HF ham transceiver?
- Yes, to transmit. Technicians get limited HF segments; a General license opens most HF bands.
- How much power does a 100 watt ham radio need?
- About 21 to 23 A at 13.8 V when transmitting, per Icom and Yaesu specs.
- What is the difference between a handheld and an HF transceiver?
- Handhelds work locally on VHF and UHF; HF rigs at 100 W can reach much farther with a proper antenna.
- Do I need an antenna tuner?
- Often; the IC-7300 and FT-710 have built-in tuners, while the FT-891 uses an optional FC-50.
Sources
- IC-7300, Icom America
- FT-891, Yaesu
- FT-710, Yaesu
- 47 CFR Part 97, Amateur Radio Service, eCFR