Choosing among ham radio transceivers means balancing the feature you care about against the condition and price you can accept. Is the priority the lowest listed price, a 100W all-mode base-station format, a unit described as tested working, or an HF radio with an LCD screen? These four used radios give you each of those decision paths. Start with that priority, then use the $500 listed-price spread to see where each path leads.
Quick take
The lowest-priced choice is also the one described as as-is and not fully tested. The highest-priced choice pairs a 100W all-mode base-station label with a mic. Yaesu FT-890 is described as tested working, while Yaesu FT-840 brings an LCD screen and original packaging plus an explicit no-warranty limitation. Those are the decision points that matter most here; color is secondary.
Listed-price comparison
The four listed prices run from $249.99 to $749.99, a $500 spread. The bars show relative placement within this group, not a performance rating.
| Radio | Listed price | Relative price bar |
|---|---|---|
| Kenwood TS-520SE HF Amateur HAM Radio Transceiver SSB & CW 10M - 160M Range | $249.99 | |
| Kenwood TS-590S HF/50MHz Ham Radio Transceiver 100W All Mode Base Station w/ Mic | $749.99 | |
| Yaesu FT-890 HF Amateur Ham Radio Transceiver w Mic DC Cable Tested Working | $450.00 | |
| Yaesu FT-840 HF Amateur Radio Transceiver | $425.00 |
Decision matrix
- Price is the first filter: Kenwood TS-520SE is the lowest-priced path in the table.
- Format is the first filter: Kenwood TS-590S matches the title's 100W all-mode base-station phrase.
- Condition wording is the first filter: Yaesu FT-890 matches the tested-working description.
- Interface and package are the first filter: Yaesu FT-840 matches the LCD screen and original-packaging details.
Treat the first line as a price choice, not a quality judgment; the condition and feature wording still decide whether it fits your setup.
Product notes
Kenwood TS-520SE HF Amateur HAM Radio Transceiver SSB & CW 10M - 160M Range
The Kenwood TS-520SE fits a shopper who wants the lowest listed price while using the title's SSB & CW wording and 10M-160M range as the main selection criteria. Its gray finish, used condition, and auto-scan feature are clearly identified. The limitation is the condition language: it is described as not fully tested and sold as-is, with possible adjustments. That makes the TS-520SE a better match for someone prepared to accept that uncertainty than for a buyer seeking a clearly tested unit. The HF wording in the title keeps its intended use specific without requiring assumptions about other modes.
Kenwood TS-590S HF/50MHz Ham Radio Transceiver 100W All Mode Base Station w/ Mic
Kenwood TS-590S is the direct fit for the title's 100W all-mode base-station format and included microphone. The title also names HF/50MHz, while a manual is included alongside the mic, giving the stated package two specified accessories to account for. Its black color and used condition are straightforward identifiers. The trade-off is price: at $749.99, it is the highest-priced radio in this comparison. Choose it when the base-station wording and 100W specification matter more than choosing one of the lower listed prices; the used condition remains part of the decision.
Yaesu FT-890 HF Amateur Ham Radio Transceiver w Mic DC Cable Tested Working
Yaesu FT-890 stands out for a buyer who puts the clearest working-status statement first: both its title and description say it was tested and works. The title also names a microphone and DC cable, giving the setup two specified accessories. Its black finish and used condition are stated plainly. The limitation is the $450 price, which is $200.01 above the lowest-priced radio in the group, alongside the fact that the unit is used. Pick FT-890 when the tested-working description is more important than choosing the cheapest entry in the comparison.
Yaesu FT-840 HF Amateur Radio Transceiver
Yaesu FT-840 suits a shopper who wants an HF transceiver with an LCD screen and original packaging explicitly named in the description. CW, FM, and AM are also named as supported modes. The black, used unit has no manufacturer warranty, which is the clearest limitation. At $425, it sits between the Kenwood TS-520SE and Yaesu FT-890 in listed price, making the warranty question more important than a simple price comparison for some buyers. Choose FT-840 when the LCD screen and packaging are priorities and the warranty trade-off is acceptable.
Final recommendation by use case
For a price-first purchase, choose Kenwood TS-520SE if its as-is, not-fully-tested status is acceptable. For a base-station setup centered on the title's 100W all-mode wording and included mic, choose Kenwood TS-590S. If tested-working language is the deciding factor, Yaesu FT-890 is the clearest fit. If an LCD screen and original packaging matter most, choose Yaesu FT-840 while accepting the stated lack of a manufacturer warranty. The right pick is the one whose concrete trade-off matches your operating plan, not simply the radio at either end of the price range.
