Part of our Where to Spend Your Money guide.
The FT-710 is Yaesu’s answer to the desktop SDR category that Icom’s IC-7300 essentially defined, and it is worth a serious look if you are shopping that segment rather than assuming the IC-7300 Mark II is your only option.
SDR Receiver and Front End
The FT-710 uses Yaesu’s SDR architecture with genuinely strong receiver specs, and the AESS designation on the higher-tier model refers to Yaesu’s Adaptive Excellent Sound System, which improves audio quality for both receive and transmit through digital processing rather than just analog filtering. In practice this means noticeably cleaner audio, which matters more than people expect over long operating sessions.
Desktop-First Design
Unlike the FT-891 or FTX-1, the FT-710 is built primarily as a desktop base station radio rather than a mobile or portable unit. The touchscreen and spectrum scope are sized for a shack desk, and while it is not unreasonably large, it is not designed with backpack portability in mind the way the IC-705 or a QRP radio is.
How It Stacks Up Against the IC-7300 Mark II
Both radios compete directly in the same desktop SDR price bracket, and the choice often comes down to brand ecosystem and menu philosophy as much as raw specs. Icom’s touchscreen and menu logic feel different from Yaesu’s, and hams who already own other radios from one brand often gravitate toward staying in that ecosystem for CAT control and accessory compatibility. On pure receiver specs, the two are closely matched enough that either is a legitimate choice.
Who Should Buy This
See the Icom IC-7300 Mark II Complete Guide for the full rundown on its closest competitor.
If you already run Yaesu gear and want a desktop SDR that fits the same menu logic and CAT control conventions you already know, the FT-710 is a strong, sensible choice. If brand loyalty is not a factor for you, compare it directly against the IC-7300 Mark II on current pricing and pick based on whichever’s specific feature set matches how you actually operate.