Kenwood TH-F7E vs ICOM IC-E90

Kenwood TH-F7E Icom IC-E90 compared
I’m currently evaluating these two handheld transceivers and before to buy one I’ve tried to understand pros and cons of both rtx.
I will summarize here the work of my last two days, since I’ve not found any usefull review that could compare these two portable transceivers. Following comparison is the result of third party opinions i’ve collected on the net, so use this article with caution.

Dimensione and weight
They are pratically the same, Icom first introduced in the marked this model that many other have followed. Kenwood looks lighter.

Audio sound quality
Concerning the onboard audio speaker, Kenwood quality is amazing for clearness, really excellent.

Keyboard
Here ICOM works better, since Kenwood keys are very small and people with large fingers may find problems. Back lighting is good in both transceivers.

Ease of use
The Kenwood is extremely user friendly and easy-to-use. The icom is difficult to setup expecially for newbies

Battery
Both will output 5 Watts. Icom offer also 0.500W but the Kenwood offers also the 1.5 W ! Batteries have same amperage, but kenwood outperform for battery duration and recharging time, only 6 hours vs 12 hours of the ICOM

Antennas
Both comes with their antenna, tuned for the bands they need to operate.

Transmission coverage
ICOM is much better here, since cover 50/144/430, while TH-F7E is limited to 144/430

Reception coverage
Kenwood, outperforms Icom since allow 0,500/ 1300 Mhz while Icom cover only 0,500/999.
Kenwood TH-F7T allow you to listen in both frequencies simultaneously ( dual watch ) Both works in FM/AM/FM-W but Kenwood allow also LSB/USB/CW !

Price
Here in europe price is almost comparable for both transceivers, at the moment of writing this article, flows from 250-350 euros, depending on special prices and offers.

6 thoughts on “Kenwood TH-F7E vs ICOM IC-E90”

I have to agree with you on this, the Kenwood is a nicer radio to use. I have big fingers and find pretty much all the new handheld’s buttons to hard to use, so the difference isn’t that big of a deal. Nice article.

73 Dave WA3YAY

I just needed this compare, while I want to get a multiband handhold with reciever. I want to listen also HF stations, but find it interesting also to use 50 mhz. I do not know what is best, if it is difficult to listen HF ssb on the kenwood, and I do not use it. Then it will be better to use 50mhz. I tkink it over and it depend on what prices I can find on net.

73 Erik oz6ep

I have used this TH-F7E for local QSOs since 2004. The ‘high’ output power is only 3 watts when using battery, and the deviation is not the best among handhelds.
The SSB works fine when tuning and listening to local hams or ‘stronger’ BC stations on HF – even with the tiny antenna.
73 de Matti, OH1GPU