The Jack of All Trades... Master of FT8? A Real-World Review of the Icom IC-7000 for Digital Modes
You are building a dedicated digital station. For the same used price ($500-$700), you can often find a modern SDR like the Icom IC-7300 (for a bit more money) or a cheaper dedicated transceiver with a built-in sound card. icom ic-7000 ft8
Stick a small 12V USB fan on the heatsink blowing into the radio. It drops the operating temperature by 15°C and saves your finals. The Jack of All Trades
You already own an IC-7000 for SSB/CW and want to dabble in FT8 without buying a second radio. It is a robust, great-sounding receiver. For the same used price ($500-$700), you can
Deducted points for external sound card requirement, loud fan, and thermal stress. Added points back for receiver quality and reliable CAT control.