From 
Icom also responded to the success of the FT-817 and offers it to radio amateurs QRP device. He doesn't have that though VHF, but the constructors and designers bet on the success of the 706 and did well. I guess everyone who has had a chance to try this one TCVR he found something he liked.
The IC-703 is a product for QRP enthusiasts. The philosophy is not to make an 'all in one' device, but to offer QRP TCVR lovers from 160m to 6 m. The output power depends on the power supply: at 9.6V it is 5W, at 13.8V up to 10W. The internal tuner is also a plus. Most devices draw a lot of current at QRP, but the IC-703 does not. Although it only looks like the IC-706MKIIG, it is not a version of it, but a special QRP TCVR.
This new TCVR has been designed as a portable sq device that combines the quality circuit construction with the design of the successful IC-706. What does it offer?
– internal tuner with relay for the 1.9-30MHz range
– low consumption, which extends the life of the batteries
– external battery and portable antenna
– intended not only for radio amateurs, but wherever there is an interest in long-distance communication – also in mountains, deserts, etc.
– quick performance adjustment – DSP functions: autonotch and noise reduction (equivalent to UT-106)
- maximum power of 10W, adjustable in steps of 10/5/1/0.5/0.1W
IC-703 parameters specified by the manufacturer
| Value | |
|---|---|
| Frequency range | It depends on the country for which it is intended |
| Fashions | usb / LSB / CW / RTTY / AM / FM |
| Intermediate frequencies | 64.455 MHz and 455 kHz (all modes) |
| Sensitivity SSB, CW, RTTY 1.8-30 MHz | 0.16 µV 10 dB S/N |
| AM sensitivity 0.5-1.8 MHz | 13 µV |
| AM sensitivity 1.8 – 30 MHz | 2 µV 10 dB S/N |
| FM sensitivity 28.0-29.7 MHz | 0.5 µV 12 dB SINAD |
| SSB/CW selectivity | 2.4 / 4.5 kHz (-6 / -60 dB) |
| AM/FM-N selectivity | 8 / 30 kHz (-6 / -60 dB) |
| FM selectivity | 12 / 30 kHz (-6 / -60 dB) |
| NF performance | More than 1 W into an 8 ohm load |
| Scope of RIT | +/- 9.99 kHz |
| RF power | 0.1 - 10 W (at U=13.8 V) or 0.1 - 5 W (at U=9.6 V) |
| Suppression of unwanted radiation | At least 50 dB (at sq), 60 dB (above 6 m) |
| Suppression of the carrier frequency in SSB | More than 40 dB |
| Suppression of unwanted band in SSB | More than 50 dB |
| Microphone connector | 8-pin, 600 ohm |
| Working temperature range | -10 to +60 °C |
| Antenna impedance | 50 ohm (SO-239) |
| Frequency stability | Better than +/-0.5 ppm at temperatures from 0 to +60 °C |
| Number of memories | 105 (99 split , 6 ending – determining the scanning range) |
| Supply voltage | 9-15.9 V |
| TX current consumption | 3.0 A (10 W), 2.0 A (5 W and 9.6 V) |
| RX current consumption | 0.25 A stby, 0.45 A at max. NF performance |
| Weight | 2.0 kg |
IC-703 accessories
Among the possible accessories, I will mention: FL-52A (455 kHz CW 500Hz filter), FL-53A (455 kHz CW 250Hz filter), FL-65 (455 kHz SSB 2.4 kHz filter), HM-103 (hand microphone), SM-20 (desk microphone), SP-7 (external speaker), SP-10 (external speaker), UT-102 (voice unit).