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write your own review of the Icom IC 703.
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KC7YRA
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Rating: 4/5
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Jan 28, 2010 19:13
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PRetty neat rig, just not for me.
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I liked this rig, but not enough to keep it.
I purchased it used so that I could have a radio that I could take hiking and 4 wheeling with me.
When I got the rig, I was very impressed by how well it worked. The receiver was great, the auto tuner was PERFECT, and it had a great display that was easy to read.
The Achilles heel of this rig (IMO) was the menu system. For the life of me, I could not figure out the menus. I have had every ill conceived radio for the past 10 years. I have struggled with learning the menu system of the ft-100d. But I could NOT get the 703's menu system learned. No matter how hard I tried.
I eventually sold the rig to another ham. Not only was it difficult to use due to menus, it was not really what I wanted in terms of backpacking friendliness (Not Icom's fault so I did not ding them for that).
Great little QRP rig, but not my taste. The only reason I gave it a 4 was because of the menus. And it may not be a problem for others.
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W9EWW
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 28, 2010 10:39
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Fantastic rig!
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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Had this beauty for almost 6 months and continue to be impressed every time I turn it on. The receiver is magnificant on all bands 'without' any optional filters. I operate primarily on 75 SSB & 80 meter CW. The 10 watts on SSB enable me to consistently check into Wisconsin SSB nets each time without relays. That's impressive, especially with the band condx this winter. Have built & use a K1 and KX1, both excellent rigs, but the RX of the 703+ is supurb.
I highly recommend this radio to anyone. Good job, ICOM.
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KA2IBN
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Rating: 5/5
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Sep 17, 2009 18:54
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Price
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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The 703 is a fantastic rig (I own one without 6 meters) however the price today is too high for a unit that only has 10 watts of output. Go to the HRO page a 703 plus cost $765 while a Yaesu 857D sells for $730. I paid $400 (closeout) for my 703 without 6 meters which I felt was a reasonable price. I own both a 703 and 857D and I'm very happy. I recommend both just make sure before you submit that purchase. The 857D is my main rig while the 703 is my deck and portable rig.
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WB0FDJ
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Rating: 5/5
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Sep 17, 2009 18:34
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A good, solid radio
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Researched this purchase for a long time. I've been an FT-817 owner now for several years and have no complaints but really want something that will actually serve as my "main" radio. Two things helped me, the ARRL review of the newer 703plus, which was complimentary, and looking at the performance numbers. Check out the two tone third order IMD results: 74 without preamp. Not a K3 or Orion but very respectable compared to many other QRP radios. (817 is 62). So thats what the labs says...
The radio itself has enough features to make it attractive to diehard QRPers who consider such things as RIT a luxury. The DSP is useful and most effective if kept on the lighter settings. A CW filter, at the least, is a requirement. I got mine through W4RT and went ahead with the one board, 2 filter deal. While I hate menus the Icom menu on this rig has at least been thought out. It has all the "usual" stuff, RIT, bandpass, built in keyer, etc. It has excellent full break in and this comes from a Ten Tec man!
Overall it's all about how it drives when you put the phones on your ears and turn it on. Nice sound, even without DSP. Easier to listen to for long periods that my 817. Large display. All the buttons easily accessible with one hand. With the 500 hz filter and a little DSP it sounds as nice for copy as rigs costing twice as much. The additional SSB filter, which replaces the Murata ceramic filter, give clean crisp reception (not enough SSB QSO's yet to comment on Xmit). Overall the actual experience of the rig matches the labs numbers. It's a great buy. And ask any QRPer, 10 watts is plenty of power. Oh; first QSO.....W1AW. A good omen.
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KF6NTE
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Rating: 5/5
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Sep 17, 2009 14:05
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Outstanding
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I plugged my 703+ to a Diamond HV7A HF mobile antenna mounted on my car with a 20m coil, tuned in to 14,288Mhz and heard a japanese station calling QRZ all the way from California. With the output HF power set at 10W, I Hit the tune button, clickety-clackety, I gave my callsign a couple of times and jimminy crickets he came right back with a 59 !.
What can I say, I was amazed !.
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NC2F
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 15, 2009 06:15
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Ol' Reliable
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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My favorite take along radio... I am Ten-Tec guy through and through, and while my Argonaut V is awesome in every respect, the advantages of the 703+ with the internal battery and tuner make it an easy take along rig. My 703+ has become an old friend that goes along with me anywhere I desire. Add the well designed iCom backpack and a good portable HF antenna like a cut dipole (or other long wire desire), buddipole, etc.. and you'll be in portable bliss.
If you own or a looking at one a 703+, take a look at the dedicated Yahoo group for the 703+ at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/icom703plus/
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KD6ANF
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 14, 2009 18:37
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Wonderful RADIO!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Acquired an Icom IC-703+ in a trade, probably the best deal ever. The radio as received was complete including original box and accessories. I had read that there were some initial issues with these radios, however this did not change my mind in accepting this fine radio. It was put to the test and the performance was most acceptable. Actually made my very first HF contact using this radio, and everyone knows what a thrill that can be. The antenna was a homemade dipole cut for the SSB portion of the 20 meter band. Only 2 watts of power, as indicated on the very informative display, was all that was required to make contact with a station about 1,600 miles from my favorite operating location, a park bench next to the Point Vicente Lighthouse in Southern California. I must admit, having a built-in antenna tuner is a welcome feature. I'm not really a fan of DSP, however it's also included as well as the TCXO. Last year a very good friend sent me a PAR-Electronics EF-10/20/40 as an unexpected birthday gift. Thanks Ray! The IC-703 and an EF-10/20/40 is a wonderful combination, and provides for a very capable and compact portable station. I've never experienced any problems whatsoever with this radio, in fact, the covers have never been removed. Personally QRP is one area of amateur radio I'm really enjoying. This radio has an excellent receiver and is loaded with plenty of features.
Best regards
george potter KD6ANF
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ZR4LP
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Rating: 0/5
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Aug 14, 2009 16:07
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a good receiver
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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i got radio brand new , adjustted bais to 0,5 volts, made 5 QSO's on my SWR 1:1.2 dipoles and next morning when i switched radio on the Finals was dead. It blew overnight.
Had it replaced at R750 and it lasted 5 minutes before it blew again after 1 QSQ.
It is in for repairs at Multisource.
Icom why did i have to pay to fix ur mistakes ?
i will not pay again. My first new rig from icom is a VERY expensive receiver. VERY VERY disappointed with that radio.
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AD5VM
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 21, 2009 20:11
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Just right.
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I've had em all, settled on this one. 10 watts with a good compressor is really whats needed for QRP SSB. The antenna tuner, DSP, low RX current and great receiver are just IC-ing on the cake.
Get the CW filter, a 7Ah gell cell and a Par Electronics End Fedz 10/20/40 meter dipole and one of those 33' telescoping fiberglass poles from ebay.
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SQ5OBP
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 5, 2009 02:03
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Great TRX
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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Having both the FT-817 and IC-703+ I must say the receivers are very comparable, but Yaesu doesn't have DSP built-in and ready to use. Icom is bigger and I like it. FT-817 with its small knob, keys and display started to annoy me. Icom's built-in ATU is another advantage and has greater tuning range than advertised.
If you hesitate between these two rigs, try them both and see what suits you better. My FT-817 has been sold. Icom is a keeper!
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