IC-703

It is a SUPERB rig for the QRP enthusiast and does just about everything that one could want.
The IC703 features a built-in DSP filter and auto ATU as well as speech processing an a CW keyer with 3 message memories.
It is an ideal compact and portable "all-in-one" ham station for QRPers.

Icom's DSP technology allows you to pick-out the weak signals!

DSP capabilities give you tools to reduce interfering signals, or just to dig weak signals out of the dirt. The noise reduction separates desired signals from noise and reduces the noise components for a clearer received signal, while the auto notch tracks and eliminates interference from a solid tone signal.

160-6m full coverage internal automatic antenna tuner, and low current PA

Auto power scale meter

There's no need to calculate the output power, as the IC-703 automatically scales the power meter according to the output power of the rig. The full scale reading of the meter will indicate the power output setting of the rig. For example, if you are running at 5W mode, the full scale reading will be 5W. (Available power settings are 10/5/2.5/1/0.5W)

Low current mode

Stay on frequency, indoors or out

Whether safe indoors or exposed to the cold temperatures outdoors, the IC-703 will be right on frequency with the standard ±0.5ppm TCXO.

High sensitivity

The IC-703's receiver performance is in the same class as that of high end base stations: 0.16µV at 10dB S/N for 1.8 to 30MHz bands and 0.13µV for 50MHz at 10dB S/N (in SSB and CW modes).

Remote control head allows for easy operation while outdoors

Operate while hiking without fumbling for the controls. Use with the optional OPC-581 (3.5m; 11ft) or OPC-587 (5m; 16ft) separation cables to remote the control head where its easy to see and use, allowing the compact body, measuring only 167(W) × 58(H) × 200(D) mm and weighing 2.0kg, to be carried out of the way.

Built-in memory CW keyer

The IC-703 has a built-in CW Memory Keyer with three memory locations and up to 50 characters per memory location. Other keyer features include a variable CW pitch control (300.900Hz); operation with a bug; iambic paddles; or straight key. All these functions are available even when in low current mode.

Clean FSK, RTTY

455kHz IF filter selections

The 455kHz IF allows you to upgrade the standard 455kHz filter, FL-65, to improve your selectivity by installing an optional filter into the filter slot.

Built-in SWR analyzer

Check out your antenna's SWR with the internal SWR analyzer. The resolution of the IC-703's SWR graph bandwidth is adjustable from 10/50/100/500kHz.

Spectrum scope

Catch band activity at a glance with the spectrum scope. With the operating frequency in the center of the display, each step either to the left or right of center is selectable from 0.5/1/2/5/10/20/100 kHz steps.

Other outstanding features

30kHz-60MHz general coverage receive (depending on version)
Built-in pre-amplifier
IF shift function with graphical indication
AGC time constant setting
20dB (approx.) RF attenuator
AF Speech compressor
CTCSS tone encoder/decoder for repeater access
VOX function
All mode power control
Split operation with receive frequency lock
CI-V system capability
9600bps data terminal on rear panel
Amber LCD backlight
Bandstacking register
Combined SQL and RF gain control knob
Total 105 memory channels
Optional voice synthesizer, UT-102
Variable SSB carrier-point
Fanless noise free operation
Vertically stands upright on its base
Band edge beep and more...

SPECIFICATIONS

GENERAL

Receive	: 0.03-60.000MHz
Transmit	: 1.800-1.999MHz 7.000-7.3000MHz 14.000-14.350MHz 21.000-21.450MHz 28.000-29.700MHz	3.500-3.999MHz 10.100-10.150MHz 18.068-18.168MHz 24.890-24.990MHz 50.000-54.000*MHz

* 50MHz band is not available depending on version.

Mode

: USB/LSB/CW/RTTY/AM/FM

Temperature range

: -10°C to +60°C; +14°F to +140°F

Antenna Impedance

: 50 ohms(SO-239)

Frequency stability

: Less than ±0.5 ppm (+ 0 to 50°C; +32 to +122°F)
Less than ±2.5 ppm (-10 to 60°C; +14 to +140°F)

No. of Memory Ch.

: 105(99 split, 6 scan edges)

Power supply voltage

: 9.0 to 15.8 V DC (negative ground)

Output power and current drain:		at 13.8V	at 9.6V
Output Power	SSB/CW/RTTY/FM	0.1 - 10W	0.1 - 5W
Output Power	AM	0.1 - 4W	0.1 - 2W
Transmit	High (typical)	3.0A (at 10W)	0.2A (at 5W)
Receive	Max. audio	1.2A	450mA
Receive	Stand-by	-	300mA

Dimensions
(projections not included)

: 167(W) × 58(H) × 200(D) mm;
6 ⁹/₁₆(W) × 2 ⁹/₃₂(H) × 4 ⁷/₈(D) in

Weight (approx.)

: 2.0 kg; 4.4 lb

TRANSMITTER

Modulation system

: SSB   Balanced Modulation
  AM      Low Level Modulation
  FM      Variable Reactance Frequency Modulation

Spurious emissions

: Less than -50dB (Below 30MHz)
Less than -60dB (Above 50MHz)

Carrier suppression

: More than 40 dB

Unwanted sideband
suppression

: More than 50 dB

Microphone Connector

: 8-pin modular jack (600 ohms)

CW KEY connector

: 3-conductor 6.35 (d) mm (¹⁄₄in)

RECEIVER

Receive system

: Double conversion Superheterodyne system

Intermediate frequencies

: 1st 64.455 MHz (for all modes)
2nd 455 kHz (for all modes)

Sensitivity (typical)

Frequency Range (MHz)	SSB, CW, RTTY (at 10dB S/N)	AM (at 10dB S/N)	FM (12dB SINAD)
0.5 - 1.8	^__	13µV*	^__
1.8 - 28	0.16µV *	2µV *	^__
28 - 29.7	0.16µV *	2µV *	0.5µV *
50MHz band	0.13µV *	1µV *	0.25µV *

* Pre-amp is ON

Squelch sensitivity
(Pre-amp: ON)

: SSB
FM

Less than 5.6 µV
Less than 0.32 µV

Selectivity

: SSB/ CW (2.4kHz)

  AM/FN-N (6kHz)

  FM (15kHz)

  More than 2.4 kHz/-6dB
  Less than 4.5 kHz/-60 dB
  More than 9.0 kHz/-6dB
  Less than 20.0 kHz/-50 dB
  More than 15.0 kHz/-6 dB
  Less than 30.0 kHz/-50 dB

Spurious and image rejection ratio

: HF bands More than 70dB
50MHz More than 65dB (except IF point)

Audio output power
(with an 8 ohms load, 10% distortion)

: More than 1.0 W (at 13.8V DC)
More than 0.5 W (at 9.6V DC)

RIT variable range

: ±9.99 kHz

PHONES connector

: 3-conductor 3.5 (d) mm (¹/₈in)

EXT SP connector

: 2-conductor 3.5 (d) mm (¹/₈in)/8 ohm

All stated specifications are subject to change without notice or obligation.

<Supplied accessories>

Hand microphone
DC power cable
Spare fuses
Key plugs
ACC cable

OPTIONS

BP-228 BATTERY PACK
Ni-Cd 2800mAh/9.6V. Provides 7 hours of operating time. (approx.)

LC-156 MULTI-BAG
Carrying case for field operation. Controller case and rain cover are attached.

MB-63 MOBILE MOUNTING BRACKET
For mounting the detached front panel.

MB-72 CARRYING HANDLE
Convenient for carrying in the field, etc.

OPC-581/OPC-587 SEPARATION CABLES
OPC-581: 3.5m (11ft) OPC-587: 5m (16ft)

UT-106 DSP UNIT
Provides DSP functions such as noise reduction and auto notch. Already built-in to some versions.

UT-102 VOICE SYNTHESIZER UNIT
Provides audible confirmation of frequency and mode in English.

PS-125 DC POWER SUPPLY
Compact power supply. Use with OPC-1248. Output: 13.8V DC (25A max.)

AH-703 HF/50MHz 5-BAND ANTENNA
Covers 7, 14, 21, 28, 50MHz bands. Max. length ; 1.4m; 4.5ft.

AH-2bANTENNA ELEMENT
2.5m (8ft) antenna element for mobile operation with the AH-4. All bands between 7-54MHz can be matched.

AH-4 HF+50MHz AUTOMATIC ANTENNA TUNER
For use with the long wire antenna matches 3.5-54MHz.

AT-180 HF+50MHz AUTOMATIC ANTENNA TUNER

CT-17 CI-V LEVEL CONVERTER

FL-52A 455kHz CW/RTTY narrow Filter 500 Hz/-6dB

FL-53A 455kHz CW narrow Filter 250 Hz/-6dB

FL-222 455kHz SSB narrow Filter 1.8kHz/-6dB

FL-257 455kHz SSB wide Filter 3.3kHz/-6dB

HM-103 HAND MICROPHONE
Same as supplied.

MB-62 MOBILE MOUNTING BRACKET
For mounting the IC-703 main unit or the AT-180.

MB-65 MOUNTING BASE
For mounting the detached front panel in a vehicle. Optional MB-63 is required.

OPC-589 MODULAR 8-PIN CABLE ADAPTER

OPC-598 ACC 13- PIN LONG CABLE FOR AT-180 (7m; 22ft)

OPC-599 ACC 13- PIN CABLE ADAPTER

OPC-1248 POWER SUPPLY ADAPTER CABLE

SM-20 DESKTOP MICROPHONE
(Optional OPC-589 is required.)

SP-7/SP-10 EXTERNAL SPEAKERS

NOTA : I use the IC-703 since June 2007 mainly for portable operation in mountainous areas (SOTA : Summits on the Air).

BACK

Return to home page (new page)

Damien F5RRS Webmaster
Last update of this page: November 2007