IC-703_review_CQ_2003.pdf
ICOM, whichbegantheHF/VHF/UHF-in-one-radio revolution with the1C-706, hasnowioined the take-it-onywhereQRPcategory with itslow-power1C-703, which even hasitsownoptional backpackfor operating while hiking.QRPEditor K4TWJ has our review. CQ Reviews: TheICOMIC-703 Portable/QRPHFTransceiver BY DAVE INGRAM: K4TWJ I COMhas entered theworldofQRPin a big way withthe newIC703,andwe will surelyhearmoreandmore of these versatile little transceivers on the air during the weeks and months ahead. They are small. lightweight,ener- gyefficient, loaded with features, and reasonably priced to boot. That, dearfriends, is a winning combination fromany point of view! Anunderstandably natural reactionwhenfirstseeing an IC- 703isthatitlooks justlikeICOMs world-famous IC-70G.That makes sense, asitis built on the same2Zx6Zx7.6main- framewiththesame physical design/layoutasanle -70B,and even uses the same menu set. It differsfroman IC-70Swith more battery-efficient circuitry, and enhanced/lower noise receiver, a built-in automatic antenna tuner. and a maximum outputof 10 watts.The transceivers microprocessor has also been changed such that it monitors and controls battery-cur- rent consumption of various circuits to ensure maximum in- fieldoperating time.The features? Wow,this littlerigisamaz- ing! Our enthusiasm may be starting to out-pace our discussion, so lets step back and start with an overview of this little delights general specs and assets. 4941Scenic View Drive, Birmingham, AL 35210 e-mail: Photo1-ICOMs new IC-703issmall insize, big inperfor- manceandaQRPers dream.Itlooks like an IC-70B,butit isfighter in weightandspecially designedfor portableoper- ation with a built-in automaticantennatuner, DSP,and battery-efficientcircuitry. 30 co December 2003 Facts and Figures The IC-703 may be small in size, but it is loaded forbig-time radio action with all-mode operation on 1S0-10 meters(the IC-703Plusversion includes S meters) and full shortwave reception from 300 kHz to 30 MHz. It sports101memories, five scratch pad memories, dual VFOs, three scanmodes, anadjustablespeechcompressorand noise blanker,arr.and IF Shift with a pop-up display of the IF response curve when adjusted. The receiver sectionseems to have a slightedge in high sensitivityandlow noise floor compared to an IC-70S, and its overall gain can also be stepped up 10dB or down 20 dB with the panel-selectableRFpreamp or attenuator. The Photo2-The rearpaneloftheJC-703isflat withoutapro- trudingheatsink,sothe transceivercanbeoperatedwhile insideacarryingbagorbackpack. VisitOurWeb Site rigs out-of-the-box selectivity of 2.4 kHz on SSB and CW also seems fine to me, although some folks may prefer to add ICOMs optional FL-52N 500 Hz filter for CW work. Personally. I find using the wider SSB bandwidth and adjusting the IF Shift quite adequate for dodging any difficult-to-ignore QRMon both SSBand CW, and it lets me keep an ear on adja- cent frequency activities at the same time. Additional specs on the IC-703, incidentally. may be found at ional quahty ste- ucns let you keep an eye oncnncal weather ccoot- ucos.AddOUfoplionaldate logger andPC sonwarefofeven more analysis.Cabled ste- lionjust $495.Orgo wireless for $595! Ordernow ,oraskforyourFREEcatalog. PaWSInstJouments 3465DiabloAve.Hayward.CA94545 800-678-3669_ ThisNumberMayNot SaveYourLife., Specialsou,spadalty. VirtuallyanySMA, N. TNC. HN, LC. RP. BNC, 5MB.or5MC delivered in24weeks. , Cross reieeerce Iibr;uy to allmaJOf manuladur8fS. Expertsinsuppl,iilgtIardtogel-RF COIMiKtOIs. 0tMaclapters cansatlstyvirtuallyany combinatl()fl of reqlllfementsbetweensenes. Extensive invenlory01passIve RFiM;crowave components including anenuetcrs. terminatollS and dividers. , NomlM1Jmorder, 32 CO.December2003Visit OurWeb Site , ACCESSORIES IVOYAGER , EAGLE CHALLENGER SlinIiIdFeans NO1RAPSNOTINNG $339.00 ()ickAs$e1l1bly EJevaledF mANFEA11JRES .,.2Sft.w.i1h121. IIlDJHTSONA114ODPI NOIWlIAL!;J!Ql!L EXPA/rI)Yl:UlMllONflNGllPJl(JMS! OS II 1 121 I1 111 lfl 1 30 1 .DllM1 HZ , onRATETIll ET1RE BAD - TITANOX MULTIBANDVERTICAL work aqainst. In an automobile or on a bicycle, the metal frame serves asaground/counterpoise. When walking, how- ever, you need to pull a quarter-wave length of braid or shield behind you as a counterpoise for the antenna. Since wave lengths are much longeron HF than on 2 meters; everything within30feet ormore affects SWR. The IC703s automatic antenna tuner isnotjust helpful here, it is invaluable.Justtap its tune button and walk on! Conclusion Overall, ICOMs new IC703strikes me as one cool qo any- where, do anythingORPtransceiver at a quite affordable price.Wehear rumorssomeamateurs stilt use their big 100 wan rigs reduced to 5 watts outputfor serious ORP pursuits andcontesting, and thats fine (although folks habitually question if you are really runningQRP when catching good DX). Factually speaking, however, nothing brings home the real radio thrills and excitement of low-power communica- tions like hitting the bands with abrand-new and dedicated ORP transceiver suchasthe IC-703.Itis akin to hining the roads with a newautomobile, but it is much less expensive. Try one (IC-703, not automobile!) in your own shack and see for yourself! The IC703,HFonly, lists for$853.32 (average street price under $700);the IC-703,HFplus 6 meters, lists for $919.99 (average street price around $750).Itis complemented by a widerange of accessories, including thepreviously man- tionedLC-156multipack. FL-52A1500 Hz CW filter, FL- 222/1.8kHzssefilter, FL-257/3.3 kHzssefilter, UT-102 voice synthesizer, andmore. Thetransceiver and its acces- sories are available from dealers nationwide. Formore infor- mation, check. Photo4-Rhondashowsus the le -703s frontpaneVcon- troller, whichiscarried in its belt clippouch andconnected to the transceivers main bodybyanoptional OPC58 1 controller/rig separation cable. rear heatsink. The rig and an optional 9.6 volt 2800 maH BP 228 battery pack can thus be stuffed into a carrying bag or backpack for on-the-spot operation anytime and anywhere. Realizing that fact, ICOM also developed the LC-156 multi pack for the IC-703. In addition to holding the IC-703 and BP- 228 safe and sound, the backpack has mounting loops to hold a whipantenna,a removablebelt pouch lorthe front panel/con- troller, and extra pockets for the microphoneand maybe akey. An optional ICOM Ope58lcable is used/required when the front panel is separated from the main body. Two facts fewpeople realize until actually getting into pedestrian mobiling or walk-and-talk HFn is how important a counterpoise wire is to a vertical antenna and howmuch SWR changes as youmovearound. Anyvertical that is a quarter wave or shorter must have a metal ground plane to PhotoA close-up look at the optionalLC156multilback- packwithacover flap turned backsoyou can seehowthe IC-703 fits inside.Itisgrab n goHFn at its best! www.cq-amateur- December 2003 CO33
