Choosing between ham radio transceivers is a choice between a feature-led radio and a more narrowly specified UHF/FM unit. The Icom IC-7100 and Kenwood TM-451A do not present the same buying question: Icom emphasizes controls and digital voice, while Kenwood puts its operating range and FM format directly in the title. Match that difference to your intended use before weighing the prices.
Quick verdict
Choose the Icom IC-7100 when its feature-led design is the priority; choose the Kenwood TM-451A when the title's focused UHF/FM wording is the match. The listed prices differ by $560.01. In plain terms, Icom asks you to pay more for a more elaborate set of named controls and voice functions, while Kenwood presents a narrower radio identity at the lower listed figure.
| Comparison point | Icom IC-7100 | Kenwood TM-451A |
|---|---|---|
| Listed price | $760.00 | $199.99 |
| Band type | Tri band | Dual band |
| Condition | Used | Used |
Where each ham radio transceiver wins
Icom IC-7100 wins on controls and digital voice
The Icom's clearest win is the combination of a sloped, detachable touch screen controller and D-Star digital voice capability. Those details make it the natural match for digital ham radio shoppers who specifically want those functions. The tradeoff is the higher listed price in this pairing and used condition, so the feature choice needs to be intentional.
Kenwood TM-451A wins on a defined dual-band format
The Kenwood's clearest win is fit for the dual-band designation shown with it. That is a format match, not a claim that the number itself makes the radio superior. Its limitation is the used condition, and the description's "sold as is" wording adds a second concrete constraint. Choose Kenwood when a dual-band unit and its lower listed price align with the intended setup; the Icom is the better fit when its named controller and digital voice functions are essential.
Product notes
Icom IC-7100
The Icom IC-7100 earns consideration when the listed output and display details fit the intended setup. It specifies up to 100W of output on HF and 6m bands and includes an LCD screen, giving a shopper two concrete reasons to focus on this radio without treating the wattage as a universal performance verdict. The clear limitation is its used condition, which matters to anyone seeking a new unit. Choose the IC-7100 when its output figure and screen are useful priorities; choose Kenwood when those Icom-specific details are not needed for the setup.
Kenwood TM-451A
Kenwood TM-451A has a clear case for a shopper making price the first filter: its listed figure is the lower one in this pairing. It is marked used, and the description says it is sold as is, giving the radio a concrete limitation to weigh before purchase. The lower price should not be treated as proof of performance; it simply makes Kenwood the fit when the listed cost matters and the radio's stated format suits the setup. Choose TM-451A for that price-led decision, while reserving Icom for the controller and digital-voice features described for it.
Final choice by use case
- Digital ham radio and controller features: Choose the Icom IC-7100 for its D-Star digital voice capability and sloped, detachable touch screen controller.
- A 430-440MHz, 70cm UHF FM setup: Choose the Kenwood TM-451A because those terms are named in its title.
- Up to 100W on HF and 6m with an LCD screen: Choose the Icom IC-7100 because those details are explicitly associated with it.
Both are marked used, so condition is a shared consideration. The final call is straightforward: select the radio whose named operating format and feature set fit your setup, not the one with the more appealing-sounding number alone.
