From now through September 4th, Ham Radio Outlet in the USA is discounting the SDRplay RSPduo SDR receiver by $30–down to $249.95. This is a great deal on SDRplay’s newest and best SDR receiver!
https://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=H0-016162
Guy Atkins is a Sr. Graphic Designer for T-Mobile and lives near Seattle, Washington. He’s a regular contributor to the SWLing Post.
Ham Radio Outlet has a holiday sale on the pro (metal case) version of the SDRplay RSP2. The price is $172.95 ($20 off regular price).
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dave Zantow (N9EWO), who notes that Ham Radio Outlet has a “Back Friday” special on both the Icom IC-7300 transceiver ($999.95 with shipping after rebate) and the IC-R8600 wideband receiver ($2,299.95 with shipping).
According to HRO, these prices will expire on November 27, 2018.
While the IC-R8600 wideband receiver will still be considered pricey by most standards, but in my opinion the IC-7300 is a steal at $999.95. The IC-7300 is a fantastic general coverage transceiver with built-in sound card for digital modes, touch screen spectrum display and brilliant performance overall. Check out our review of the ‘7300 by clicking here.
If you’ve been thinking about purchasing the IC-7300, I would bite the bullet now. This sale combined with Icom’s rebate will yield you the lowest price I’ve ever seen on the IC-7300.
Also, note that Dave Zantow is selling a couple of his benchmark receivers. I know Dave well and can fully endorse purchasing from him as he takes meticulous care of his equipment. Dave has listed his radios for sale on his website.
Click here to check out Dave’s items for sale.
SWLing Post readers: please contact me if you note other holiday radio deals. I would love to share them.
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dave Zantow, who shares the following photos from Ham Radio Outlet’s “Superfest” in Milwaukee this past weekend. Dave notes:
“Turnout was OK busy but not overcrowded. They had a “in store special” on the Icom IC-7300, few pennies under $ 1100. (after the $ 100. rebate). Saw at least 2 sold when I was around the main counter. I myself did not make any purchases.”
Thanks for the photos, Dave!
The HRO Milwaukee store appears to have an excellent selection of inventory. And an Icom IC-7300 for $1100 US? That’s a great deal, in my opinion.
I just received the following sale via an email from Ham Radio Outlet:
All of these are great prices, but I’m especially attracted to the SDRplay RSP2 for $139.95 and the CX-210N for $29.95. If you’ve been on the fence about purchasing an RSP2, this is the lowest price I’ve seen for one.
The new Icom IC-8600 at the 2017 Hamvention
At the 2017 Hamvention, I spent a little time checking out Icom’s latest wideband communications receiver: the IC-R8600. Check out the photos above and below.
The IC-8600 Back Panel
I spoke with Icom North America at Hamvention–the representative told me the MSRP of the IC-R8600 would be about $2,999 US, but that retail pricing would be lower.
Universal Radio now has the IC-R8600 in stock with a retail price of $2599 US. HRO has the IC-R8600 in stock as well and selling for the same price.
No doubt, at this price point, the ‘8600 is not ideally placed to compete with other receivers and SDRs. I do, however, believe this product will do well with government sales. No doubt, it should deliver benchmark performance (at least one would expect benchmark). Icom has offered to send me an IC-R8600 on loan for a review–it is tempting to see how it might stack up against some of my SDR arsenal.
I’m very curious Post readers: assuming benchmark performance, how many of you would purchase the IC-R8600 at $2,599 US? Please comment!
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Ken Hansen (N2VIP), who notes:
Ham Radio Outlet has the SDRplay RSP2pro in-stock for $192.95.
As a reminder, the SDRplay RSP2pro is the version enclosed in a full-metal case for maximum RF shielding. Like the SDRplay RSP2 it has three software selectable antenna connections (long wire and two SMA), whereas the original SDRplay RSP1 has just the one SMA connector.