Choosing among ham radio transceivers means resolving a real tradeoff: do you need HF/VHF/UHF wording, a base-station format, a tested-working used radio with a cable, or an LCD screen? Four used radios can look similar at a glance while serving very different shopping briefs. Start with the requirement that would make you reject a radio, then use the price spread as a tie-breaker. That keeps band coverage, operating format, included accessories, and condition in their proper roles.
Quick take
The quick answer is not one universal winner. The listed prices span USD 450.00 to USD 749.99, a USD 299.99 spread. Use the matrix to sort band wording and included items before deciding whether the higher or lower end fits your setup. FT-897D, Kenwood TS-590S, Yaesu FT-890, and Icom IC-706 each earn a place for a different reason. All four are marked used, so condition belongs in the decision from the start rather than being treated as a tie-breaker.
Listed-price comparison
| Radio | Listed price | Price bar |
|---|---|---|
| FT-897D HF/VHF/UHF All Mode Ham Radio Transceiver Amateur Radio 100W | USD 738.20 | |
| Kenwood TS-590S HF/50MHz Ham Radio Transceiver 100W All Mode Base Station w/ Mic | USD 749.99 | |
| Yaesu FT-890 HF Amateur Ham Radio Transceiver w Mic DC Cable Tested Working | USD 450.00 | |
| Icom IC-706 HF/VHF Amateur Ham Radio Transceiver w/ Mic | USD 490.00 |
Decision matrix
- Band wording: FT-897D names HF (160m-10m), 6m, 2m, and 70cm. Kenwood TS-590S: 160-6 meters. Yaesu FT-890: HF. Icom IC-706: HF/VHF. Treat these as scope labels to match against your intended operation; do not treat the numbers alone as a quality ranking.
- Included items: FT-897D identifies a power cable; Kenwood TS-590S includes a manual and mic; Yaesu FT-890 names a mic and DC cable; Icom IC-706 names a mic. If a particular cable or control accessory is essential, this is the quickest separator.
- Condition screen: Scratches and signs of use are noted for FT-897D, and manufacturer warranty is marked No. Keep those details separate from frequency labeling: they affect purchase fit, not the radio's operating scope.
FT-897D HF/VHF/UHF All Mode Ham Radio Transceiver Amateur Radio 100W
A power cable makes the FT-897D a practical candidate for a setup where that accessory matters. It is a concrete inclusion, while the black finish and Japan origin are simply identifying details rather than reasons to predict performance. The limitation is condition: scratches and signs of use are part of the stated condition, and manufacturer warranty is marked No. That leaves a clear choice: keep FT-897D in the running when the cable fits the setup, but weigh the physical wear and warranty status before choosing it. This is the accessory-led case for selecting the radio.
Kenwood TS-590S HF/50MHz Ham Radio Transceiver 100W All Mode Base Station w/ Mic
Manual and mic make the Kenwood TS-590S a sensible pick when those included items matter. The radio also carries an explicit mode list-SSB, CW, FM, AM, and QRP-which gives the operating brief more detail than a title alone. Its limitation is condition: Kenwood TS-590S is marked used, so it does not suit a shopper seeking a new unit. The black finish and eight-band wording identify the configuration without proving performance. Choose it when the included manual, mic, and mode list matter more than a simpler accessory brief.
Yaesu FT-890 HF Amateur Ham Radio Transceiver w Mic DC Cable Tested Working
The clearest reason to choose Yaesu FT-890 is the concrete tested-working wording paired with a mic and DC cable in its title. That combination gives a shopper a defined starting point for a used-radio purchase. The tradeoff is the title's HF emphasis rather than the multi-band wording attached to FT-897D; match that wording to the bands you plan to use instead of assuming the radios cover the same scope. The description frames the sale as a personal radio being released after a move. Choose FT-890 when its tested-working language and included cable fit the brief.
Icom IC-706 HF/VHF Amateur Ham Radio Transceiver w/ Mic
An LCD screen is the clearest reason to choose Icom IC-706, and its title includes a mic for a more defined accessory package. The model is also identified with a 'For Icom' compatibility label, which is a concrete limitation for shoppers comparing it with Kenwood's 'Universal' label. Condition is used. The black finish and Japan origin are identifying details rather than reasons to predict performance. Pick IC-706 when an LCD screen fits the setup; weigh the 'For Icom' label carefully if universal compatibility is your requirement.
Final recommendation by use case
- HF/VHF/UHF all-mode brief: Choose FT-897D for the explicit combination of those bands and all-mode wording.
- Base-station setup: Choose Kenwood TS-590S because its title directly identifies a base-station format.
- A radio explicitly described as tested and working: Choose Yaesu FT-890 for that clear condition-oriented description.
- LCD-screen preference: Choose Icom IC-706 for the named LCD screen and HF/VHF wording.
The cleanest way to decide is to choose one of these use cases first, then return to the single price table. A radio that matches the required band wording or accessory package is a better fit for a defined setup than one chosen only because its price sits at one end of the range.
