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Reviews For: Icom AH-703

Category: Antennas: HF Portable (not mobile)

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Review Summary For : Icom AH-703
	Reviews: 11	MSRP: 249
	Description: The Icom AH-703 covers 7, 14, 21, 28 and 50 MHz with a 1/4 wave design. Power capacity is up to 20 watts. The bands are covered by changing the supplied coils. The AH-703 is 4.6 feet (1.4m) high and weighs only 12 ounces. This antenna requires a PO type base (the AH-703 terminates to a PL259). Base and coax are not supplied. 50 ohms nominal.
	Product is in production
More Info: http://ham.srsab.se/icom_ham/ah-703.htm
# last 180 days	Avg. Rating last 180 days	Total reviews	Avg. overall rating
0	0	11	5

LNXAUTHOR	Rating:	2020-03-08
oldie but goodie - it works!			Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
recently acquired a gently used AH-703 w/all its parts (counterpoise, stop screws, hex driver, one-page manual, etc.) as the owner of a vintage MP-1 Super Antenna, an MFJ 1899 clone - the GRA-1899T, and a Buddipole Deluxe package, i fully understood the limitations of a shortened vertical: location, deployment, and propagation are critcial factors for success using these shortened verticals! that said, i recently trekked out to a local park that has a 65-ft wood observation tower, and set up my IC-703 in its LC-156 backpack with the AH-703 installed... climbed the tower to the top deck (which fortunately has a wood, not a metal roof), and set the pack on a bench... then spread the two radials fully stretched out, and screwed the antenna together onto the body of the QRP rig... lo and behold, after about 30 minutes the 20M band opened up and i was making voice contacts from the down here in the Gulf of Mexico to the Eastern Europe, and even managed a contact to the West Coast - on 9W! the antenna is a easy to switch between 20 and 40, as all you have to do is remove the long tap between two coils (for 40) or attach the taps between points 'D' and 'E' for 20M... the short instruction manual shows which connection points to use, or you can go by the labeling on each of the four coils is it as easy to initially tune 'by ear' such as when using a portable screwdriver such as the MP-1? nope... the upper half is a whip that is screwed in... but the taps work and the antenna appears to sit on the right bands with the taps in the proper place purists will want to ensure a perfect match for the desired operating frequency... i'm not so fussy so i used the 703's tuner for a touch-up when navigating the bands this is a well-built antenna that should last for a long time... it would also be useful using a UHF mount as required for the Yazoo ATAS-120A... there's a lot of satisfaction in making contacts when /P and i recommend this antenna... if you can find one!

W6KKO	Rating:	2017-12-20
A compromise performer			Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This antenna swept well on a meter, but it could use help on 40m. No surprise there due to its size. An important bit is the counterpoise wire. Ensure both five meter long lines are fully extended and connected at the grounding screw of your radio. These equally long wires will allow the energy to radiate at the vertical antenna where it is needed. For it size it performs well. One may use a wire of course, but there are plenty of operating locations where a wire cannot be strung up. This antenna also fulfills the need for quick deployment and take down. Still, the antenna is the critical bit in a radio system. Operate a Yaesu 817 using a three element Yagi and you will understand. Still, this is a compromise antenna and it does the job. * I store mine into a length of 70cm x 3.81cm wide (27" x 1.5") PVC pipe to protect it. I also fit a SO-239 F/F coupler through one of the PVC caps which allows the antenna to sit a little higher off of the ground or table if needed. A bit of coax through the PVC tube connects it all together.

KK4NWW	Rating:	2017-03-31
Great performer amazing Quality			Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Impressive quality (usual in Icom) super easy to carry i use a 1.5 inches PVC pipe to carry it and protect it. Leaving the counterpoises wires attached to the TXceiver 703 ground screw. About performance really good in 20m and 10m. 40m for receive is 👍 just fair or poor for TX.

M0GNA	Rating:	2014-07-21
First Class.			Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This is the same antenna as the Diamond RHV5.I got hold of one at a special price from Waters and Stanton here in the UK.I mounted it on my car mount and connected it up to my FT817nd,using an LDG Z100 tuner I tuned it to a perfect swr on 20 meters in seconds.I was delighted to get a 59 report from a station in the Netherlands.Its an extremely well made piece of kit and so simple to get up and running.Truley a fantastic QRP antenna.

K7LZR	Rating:	2014-02-12
Awesome little antenna!			Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I use he AH-703 with a Yaesu FT-817nd and its a great combo and works very well. I've tried many other types of portable antennas over the years but none of the small verticals have worked as well as this one nor have they been as easy to deploy. In contrast, the AH-703 is very well constructed, easy to deploy, quite rugged, and light weight. If you want a great antenna for pedestrian mobile, hiking, camping or your bugout bag then here it is.

NI0W	Rating:	2013-04-28
AMAZING!!			Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Got this for a special price from RandL Electronics. Hooked it up to a mag mount on a file cabinet, on the second floor of my house. Checked with my MFJ 269 analyzer, flat match on 2o meters. Started making contacts immediately with 5 watts from my Yaesu FT-817, 59 reports in the several state QSO parties I took part in. Phenominal for its size. Rated a 5 because it deserves it. I plan on making more counterpoises to resonate it on the other bands. Comes with the 2o meter counterpoise from the factory. I can hardly wait to get outside and use it on a tripod. WOW!

G7VZS	Rating:	2013-01-15
5/5			Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Got this as a freeby with the icom 703 And thought it was just a peice of junk. But when I broke my arm and was unable to get in my attic shack. I worked all over europe using the icom 703 and 10 watts.Off a coffe table in my lounge. I still have it and use it to hilltop. Its the best small antenna I have ever had. But use a counterpoise wire. G7VZS

N2RRA	Rating:	2012-09-03
ICOM AH-703...Amazing!			Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I of course expect nothing less from ICOM! This antenna is built to mil-spec so without having to say it I'm gonna anyway. The construction quality is top notch. Performance is amazing and the SWR curves on it alone are impressive. You really don't need a tuner, but it would come in handy under certain situations. A perfect match for the ICOM 703+ which would've liked to have before I made my YouTube video review on it showing performance. Damn postal service is really pissing me off. I use it instead with my YEASU FT-817ND and it shows that a tuner is not need ,but wish the radio came with one. Is it worth the money.... HELL YEAH! 73!

W1WOW	Rating:	2012-08-15
Simply a Dream...			Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I can't say enough about this antenna. Surprised it hasn't had a review since October 2006?? I've worked all over the US with this antenna and my ICOM IC-703+ with 5-10 watts. Its easy to setup and is ingeniously designed. I am always amazed how well this antenna works - SWR 1.1 with built in turner of the IC-703...actually quite good without it! This is a must for portable IC-703 operation! ---------------------- Earlier 5-star review posted by W1WOW on 2012-08-15 After I got over the idea of paying $200 for this antenna, I have to say I couldn't be happier. I have used it about two years now and what a pleasure to use. I set my ICOM IC-703+ up with the LC-156 backpack and what a setup. Mounted the main part of the IC-703 upside down so the AH-703 mounts right on the radios SO-239 connector. Slick! I then use the separation cable to place the faceplate outside the backpack. This is the very best setup I've seen in my opinion. Love it!

OE3SGU	Rating:	2006-10-01
NIce design			Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I received mine together with my IC-703 and the batterypack on a special offer. The antenna works fine and is very good designed. The only thing that bothers me is that it is to long for transport. It would have been better to have some more pieces of about 30 cm.

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Category:

Antennas: HF Portable (not mobile)

Product:

Icom AH-703

Summary:

Rating:	Time Owned:
Great! Good OK Needs Help Poor Awful!	0 - 3 Months 3 - 6 Months 6 - 12 Months More than 12 Months

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