Choosing among ham radio transceivers means deciding which tradeoff matters most: a stated working condition, HF/VHF coverage, named operating modes, or a lower entry price. These four radios span $240.01 in listed prices, so the best match depends on your intended use and how much uncertainty you accept-not on one universal winner.
Quick take
- Yaesu FT-890: for the buyer who puts *tested working* language and the included mic and DC cable first.
- Icom IC-706: for HF/VHF coverage plus LCD operation, with the group's highest listed price.
- Yaesu FT-840: for named CW, FM, and AM modes, LCD operation, and original packaging.
- Kenwood TS-520SE: for the lowest listed price and SSB/CW title, provided its as-is and testing caveats fit your plans.
Listed-price comparison
| Product | Listed price | Price bar | Decision cue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yaesu FT-890 HF Amateur Ham Radio Transceiver w Mic DC Cable Tested Working | $450.00 | Tested working; mic and DC cable | |
| Icom IC-706 HF/VHF Amateur Ham Radio Transceiver w/ Mic | $490.00 | HF/VHF; LCD screen; mic | |
| Yaesu FT-840 HF Amateur Radio Transceiver | $425.00 | CW, FM, AM; LCD; packaging | |
| Kenwood TS-520SE HF Amateur HAM Radio Transceiver SSB & CW 10M - 160M Range | $249.99 | Lowest price; SSB and CW; as-is |
Decision matrix
- Condition emphasis: The Yaesu FT-890 has explicit tested-working language, while the Kenwood TS-520SE is sold as-is and may need adjustments.
- Band emphasis: The Icom IC-706 is the direct match for the HF/VHF designation.
- Mode emphasis: The Yaesu FT-840 names CW, FM, and AM, while the Kenwood title specifies SSB and CW.
- Accessory and package emphasis: The FT-890 names a mic and DC cable; the FT-840 is described with original packaging.
- Price emphasis: The Kenwood is the lowest-priced choice, while the Icom is the highest-priced choice.
Yaesu FT-890 HF Amateur Ham Radio Transceiver w Mic DC Cable Tested Working
The Yaesu FT-890 suits a buyer who wants a radio described as tested and working, with a mic and DC cable named in the title. It is a black HF transceiver, model FT-890, and the stated working status gives that condition language a clear place in the decision. At $450, it is $25 above the Yaesu FT-840 and therefore not the price-led pick. Its limitation is the used condition and HF-focused wording, particularly if you are comparing it with a radio explicitly labeled HF/VHF. Choose it when the stated working status and included cable matter more than paying the lowest listed price.
Icom IC-706 HF/VHF Amateur Ham Radio Transceiver w/ Mic
The Icom IC-706 is the direct choice for the HF/VHF designation, and its title includes a mic. It also has an LCD screen and a black finish, giving the buyer a concrete operation-related detail beyond the band label. At $490, it carries the highest listed price and is $40 above the Yaesu FT-890. That is the key limitation, especially for a shopper whose priority is simply an HF transceiver. The Icom makes the most sense when HF/VHF coverage and an LCD are central requirements.
Yaesu FT-840 HF Amateur Radio Transceiver
The Yaesu FT-840 is a middle-priced HF choice with several named modes: CW, FM, and AM. It also has an LCD screen and original packaging, details that make its feature-and-inclusions profile easy to distinguish. At $425, it is $25 below the FT-890 and $65 below the Icom IC-706, while remaining $175.01 above the Kenwood TS-520SE. Its limitation is explicit: the product is specified with no manufacturer warranty. Choose the FT-840 when those modes, the screen, and packaging outweigh the lowest listed price.
Kenwood TS-520SE HF Amateur HAM Radio Transceiver SSB & CW 10M - 160M Range
The Kenwood TS-520SE is the price-led choice: its $249.99 price is the lowest of the four, and the title names SSB and CW with a 10M-160M range. That makes the mode and range wording central for a shopper who already knows what they want to use. Its limitation needs equal weight: it was not fully tested, is sold as-is, and may need adjustments. The product is described as a gray HF mono-band transceiver. Pick it when the lower price and SSB/CW focus fit your plans and you can accept the stated testing uncertainty.
Final recommendation by use case
For the clearest working-status language and an included mic and DC cable, choose the Yaesu FT-890. For HF/VHF and LCD operation, choose the Icom IC-706 if its highest listed price fits the budget. For CW, FM, AM, LCD, and original packaging, the Yaesu FT-840 is the focused match, with no manufacturer warranty. For the lowest listed price and SSB/CW wording, the Kenwood TS-520SE is the price-first choice only if its as-is, not-fully-tested status and possible adjustments are acceptable. The $240.01 spread reflects different tradeoffs rather than a single winner.
