Quick take
Choosing among ham radio transceivers is less about finding one universal winner than matching the radio's stated format and condition to your setup. The four radios sit within a $65 absolute price spread, but they are not interchangeable: their titles and descriptions emphasize different operating labels, included items, displays, and condition. Start by deciding whether an HF title, HF/VHF wording, a stated mode set, or new-in-box condition matters most. Then use the price table to see how much that preference changes the spend.
Listed-price comparison
The table keeps the comparison anchored to the listed prices; the bars are a price view only, not a performance ranking.
| Product | Listed price (USD) | Price bar |
|---|---|---|
| Yaesu FT-890 HF Amateur Ham Radio Transceiver w Mic DC Cable Tested Working | $450.00 | |
| Icom IC-706 HF/VHF Amateur Ham Radio Transceiver w/ Mic | $490.00 | |
| Yaesu FT-840 HF Amateur Radio Transceiver | $425.00 | |
| Black Yaesu VX 7R Radio Transceiver Brand New In Box All Original | $450.00 |
Decision matrix
Use the choice that matches the priority you care about most:
- HF label plus included accessories: Yaesu FT-890, with a microphone and DC cable named in the title.
- HF/VHF wording and an LCD screen: Icom IC-706, which also includes a microphone.
- Lowest listed price and named CW/FM/AM modes: Yaesu FT-840.
- New-in-box condition and AM/FM modes: Black Yaesu VX 7R.
Product notes
Yaesu FT-890 HF Amateur Ham Radio Transceiver w Mic DC Cable Tested Working
The Yaesu FT-890 fits a shopper who wants an HF-labeled amateur transceiver with practical extras: a microphone and DC cable. The title's Tested Working wording gives this choice a concrete distinction without requiring a broader performance claim. The black unit is listed as used and identified as model FT-890. That used condition is the main limitation, especially beside the new-in-box Yaesu VX 7R elsewhere in this comparison. Choose the FT-890 when the included mic/DC cable and tested-working wording matter more than new condition; its tradeoff is that it is not the new-in-box choice.
Icom IC-706 HF/VHF Amateur Ham Radio Transceiver w/ Mic
The Icom IC-706 fits a shopper who wants the title's combination of HF/VHF amateur radio use and an included microphone. It also has an LCD screen, giving the unit a clearly stated display feature. The black transceiver is listed as used, and its $490 price is the highest among the four choices. That price and used condition are the tradeoffs for its HF/VHF wording. Pick the IC-706 when those stated features matter more than minimizing the absolute spend. Its strongest case is a setup where the HF/VHF label is more important than choosing the lowest-priced radio.
Yaesu FT-840 HF Amateur Radio Transceiver
At $425, the Yaesu FT-840 has the lowest listed price in this group, making it a straightforward starting point when price is the first filter. Its HF title, CW/FM/AM modes, LCD screen, and original packaging provide concrete reasons to choose it. The limitation is its used condition, alongside the explicit no manufacturer warranty designation. Choose the FT-840 when the lowest listed price and its stated modes are the priority; the warranty status is a drawback for a shopper who specifically wants that coverage.
Black Yaesu VX 7R Radio Transceiver Brand New In Box All Original
The Black Yaesu VX 7R is a fit for shoppers who prioritize condition and included contents: the title says Brand New In Box and All Original, while the package includes a battery and radio, both tested, plus all original packaging. Its listed supported modes are AM and FM. The tradeoff is its $450 listed price versus the FT-840's $425, plus a listed mode set of AM/FM rather than the CW/FM/AM set named for that Yaesu. Choose it when new condition and original contents lead; choose the FT-840 when the lower listed price or CW mode matters.
Final recommendation by use case
- For an HF-first setup: choose the Yaesu FT-890 because its title explicitly includes HF, a mic, and a DC cable. Accept the used condition.
- For HF/VHF wording: choose the Icom IC-706, whose title uses that exact phrase and includes a mic. Its used condition and highest listed price remain the tradeoffs.
- For the lowest listed price: choose the Yaesu FT-840, with its HF title and named CW/FM/AM modes. Keep its no manufacturer warranty designation in mind.
- For new condition: choose the Black Yaesu VX 7R, titled Brand New In Box All Original and listed with AM/FM modes.
The absolute price spread is $65, so these use cases are a more useful tie-breaker than treating the radios as a simple price ranking.
