If you weren't one of the 42,000 souls packed into Tokyo's Ariake GYM-EX last weekend, you missed the amateur radio equivalent of Christmas morning. The annual Tokyo Ham Fair (23-24 August) is where Japanese manufacturers traditionally unveil their biggest surprises, and this year delivered drama, delight, and one rather spectacular disappointment. Grab a cuppa and let's dive into what's coming to your shack in the next year.
Icom Steals the Show: The IC-7300MK2 Actually Listens to Users
Remember when we all sat around moaning about what the IC-7300should have had? Well, someone at Icom was apparently taking notes. The IC-7300MK2 isn't some lazy refresh with a new paint job – it's what happens when engineers actually listen to the blokes using their kit day in, day out.
The headline grabber? An HDMI port. Yes, you read that right. Finally, you can hook up that spare monitor gathering dust and watch your waterfall on a proper screen instead of squinting at the built-in display. But here's where it gets clever: they've also piped audio through the HDMI, so your monitor's speakers become part of your shack. Brilliant for those whose hearing isn't what it used to be (looking at you, 40-meter net controllers).
The USB-C port with dual virtual COM ports had the digital crowd practically weeping with joy. Run FT8 and your logging software simultaneously through one cable? That's not an upgrade; it's a revolution for the digimodes brigade. And before you ask – yes, they've kept everything that made the original special whilst fixing the bits that drove us barmy.
But the real genius move? The dedicated RX antenna connectors (finally!) and built-in LAN port for remote operation without needing a computer at the base station. Contest operators were seen doing little victory dances at the booth, and who can blame them? The improved RMDR (up to 105 dB) and significantly reduced phase noise mean you'll actually hear that weak DX station when the contest gets hot.
Here's the kicker: Icom's engineers have managed to reduce power consumption from 0.9A to 0.7A on receive standby. That's a 23% reduction in heat generation. Your shack stays cooler, your radio runs happier, and your electricity bill thanks you. They've even thrown in Japan's first HF rig with built-in CW decode on the front panel. No computer, no cables, just pure Morse magic.
The UK version gets 70 MHz thrown in for good measure, because Icom apparently decided to tick every single box on our wish list. First shipments are targeted for late 2025, and if the queue at the Tokyo booth was any indication, you'll want to get your order in sharpish.
Kenwood's TM-D750: The Swiss Army Knife We've Been Waiting For
Kenwood played it cool at the show, displaying their TM-D750 as a "reference exhibit" – marketing speak for "we're still tweaking it, but look what's coming." After keeping us in suspense since last year, they've finally given it a proper name and some meat on the bones.
This isn't just another dual-band mobile. It's the first radio to properly marry APRS and D-STAR in a single box, and if that doesn't get your attention, you haven't been paying attention to where amateur radio is heading. Imagine running APRS tracking whilst simultaneously working D-STAR repeaters. For emergency comms teams and event coordinators, this is the holy grail.
The party trick that had crowds gathering? Built-in Wi-Fi for direct D-STAR networking without any additional boxes or cables. Just connect to your home network and you're on the D-STAR reflectors. The Americans get 220 MHz thrown in (making it a proper tri-bander stateside), whilst we'll have to make do with the usual 2m/70cm combo.
That 3.45-inch colour TFT display looked gorgeous under the harsh exhibition lighting, and the detachable control head means you can mount the main unit in the boot and run just the control panel up front. The voice guidance system with over 900 phrases had the accessibility crowd nodding approvingly – finally, a mobile rig that talks you through operations without needing to grab the manual.
The reality check? Don't expect to see this on shelves until December 2025 at the earliest, possibly sliding into January 2026. Kenwood's taking their sweet time, but given what they're promising, most operators seem willing to wait. The integration of Bluetooth, USB-C, and micro-SD slots on both the main unit and control head shows they're thinking about real-world use, not just spec sheets.
Yaesu's FTX-1: When Marketing Hype Meets Reality
Oh, Yaesu. What have you done?
The FTX-1 series dominated Yaesu's booth space, rebranded more times than a boy band member gone solo (Field? Optima? Pick a name and stick with it, lads). On paper, it's impressive: all-mode coverage from 1.8 MHz to 430 MHz in an SDR-based package. The problem? They forgot one tiny detail that everyone else remembered – network connectivity.
In 2025, launching a flagship radio without a network interface is like selling a sports car without wheels. When pressed about remote operation plans, booth staff looked blank. Not "we can't discuss that yet" blank, but "we genuinely don't know if anyone's thought about it" blank. That's not encouraging.
The hands-on demos showed the receiver performance is solid, and the user interface has Yaesu's typical attention to detail. But when Icom just raised the bar with the IC-7300MK2's built-in LAN and remote capabilities, Yaesu's offering feels like it's arrived at the party wearing last year's fashion. Even support for their own (expensive) SCU-LAN interface would have been something, but no – nothing.
The most telling moment? The lack of excitement at their booth compared to the crowds fighting for a glimpse of Icom's offerings. When your big reveal generates more confused shrugs than eager pre-orders, you know you've missed the mark. One frustrated operator was overheard saying, "I can't think of a single reason to buy this over the competition," and nobody rushed to disagree.
The Supporting Cast: Surprises and Comebacks
While the big three grabbed headlines, the supporting players brought their own surprises.
- Icom's ID-5200 Concept:
- AOR's AR-DV3:
- Uniden's Surprise Return:
- Azden's Compact Kilowatt:
Shown as a mock-up, this upcoming dual-band D-STAR/FM mobile promises touchscreen operation and the ability to do simultaneous dual receive in any combination (FM-FM, FM-DV, DV-DV). The inclusion of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth had the forward-thinking crowd interested, though with no release date or pricing, it's still firmly in the "watch this space" category.
The successor to the decade-old DV1 finally arrived, covering 100 kHz to 3 GHz with both analogue and digital decode capabilities. Scanner enthusiasts were genuinely excited – faster processing means room for future firmware features, and after ten years, any update is welcome.
After a 40-year absence from Ham Fair, Uniden rocked up with a new wideband scanner (BC160-WED) for the Japanese market and, brilliantly, a pristine 1975 TEMPO-branded HF transceiver from their archives. The nostalgia hit perfectly – sometimes you need to remember where you came from.
The AZR-HF10 reference model had the QRO crowd gathering. A 1kW LDMOS amplifier with built-in switching PSU in a package just 250mm wide? If they hit their summer 2026 target and keep the price sensible, this could be the amp that finally makes legal limit accessible to the masses.
The Moonraker Takeaway: What This Means for Your Shack
Let's cut through the marketing fluff and talk practical implications:
- If you're running an IC-7300:
- For mobile operators:
- Digital mode enthusiasts:
- Scanner fans:
- For those eyeing Yaesu:
Start saving now. The MK2 isn't just an incremental upgrade – it's a proper evolution that addresses every major complaint. That HDMI output alone will transform contest operation, and the reduced heat generation means longer operating sessions without thermal throttling.
The Kenwood TM-D750 versus future Icom ID-5200 battle will be epic. APRS+D-STAR versus touchscreen D-STAR with dual watch – your choice will likely come down to whether you value APRS or user interface more.
The IC-7300MK2's dual COM port USB-C is a game-changer. No more USB hub bodges or switching between programs. This is how digital modes should have been integrated from the start.
The AR-DV3 finally brings AOR into the modern era. If you've been nursing an ageing DV1, it's time to start planning the upgrade.
Unless remote operation means nothing to you, wait. Either Yaesu will wake up and add network capability, or the used market will be flooded with FTX-1s from operators who realized their mistake. The FTDX101 and FTDX10 remain solid choices if you must have Yaesu.
What Happens Next?
The IC-7300MK2 will likely start shipping in Japan by year's end, with global rollout following in early 2026. Expect the usual supply constraints – this will be the hot ticket item for at least the first six months.
Kenwood's TM-D750 timeline remains frustratingly vague. "December 2025/January 2026" in Kenwood-speak could mean anything, but when it arrives, it'll be worth the wait.
Yaesu needs to have a serious think about the FTX-1. Without network connectivity in 2025, they're selling a smartphone without internet. The technology is solid, but the implementation feels half-finished.
The Bottom Line
Tokyo Ham Fair 2025 will be remembered as the year Icom showed everyone how to do a product refresh properly, Kenwood proved good things come to those who wait, and Yaesu somehow forgot what year it is. The next twelve months will see serious competition in the mid-range HF and mobile markets, and that's brilliant news for operators.
The real winner? You, the operator. Competition drives innovation, and boy, do we have competition now. Whether you're after HF excellence, mobile versatility, or just love watching the big manufacturers duke it out, the next year promises to be spectacular.
Just maybe wait a bit before pulling the trigger on that Yaesu.
Want to be first in line for the IC-7300MK2 or register interest in the TM-D750? Drop us a line at Moonraker and we'll add you to our priority notification list. We'll keep tracking UK availability and pricing as these radios move from promise to product.
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