Hi Eric, I've successfully had and used, and There are two blind hams/Ron 
Miller in FLA, on this list, and Jack Mcspadden in Little Rock, who's been 
on this list, that I'm familiar with who are successfully using the Icom 
IC703+, fitted with the ut102 speech chip to give freq, mode, and SMeter 
reading.  Both are also using a millenium QSYer from John Hansen, and at 
least one of them, and I think the second also, using the super antenna MP1 
manual screw driver type of antenna, and ham radio deluxe.
Check the eham.net reviews of the 703&703+, AD5X, Phil Sallis in TX, "He of 
squealer fame, has a good comparison review of the 703, 817, and sgc2020, 
and would be of much help, among other things being willing to make a 
shorter cord/as when OEM, the long fused cord connnects to the radio via a 
six inch or so long pigtail that comes out of the radio.

  Observations,
The tuner will tune very well, almost to anything.
2, you can bracket an antenna to the side of the radio with the same bracket 
from super antennas that we've talked about.
3, the battery can also be mounted on the side of the radio instead of the 
antenna, as per Sallis's and others' reviews, _______________do not______for 
money's sake, invest in the Icom nicad pack designed for the radio that 
sells for about $150, when the RC battery packs from Radioshack, 
batteryspace, batteriesamerica and others, will cost much less, about a 
tenth in some cases, charge well, and for the most part do as well or 
better.  On the other hand, The icom Backpack made for the radio, so I 
understand, is good.  The icom antenna designed to be used with it, is 
pretty pricey and so I understand isn't telescopic, although I've never 
played with it.  I'd say if that's the radio you go with, with its' tuner, a 
couple of hamstick type antennas, or the MP1 antenna should do you well. 
HTH, dd.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Eric Clegg" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, January 01, 2008 11:13 AM
Subject: Icom Ic703


> Hello listers and happy new year everyone,
> Does anyone on this list have any experience with the Icom 703 and can =
> it be programmed with Ham Radio Delux?
>
> I'm trying to determine which qrp rig to get and have more or less =
> eliminated the Ten-Tec Argonaut V.
>
> Even though that rig can be programmed with n4pye's software.
>
> That software is $65 plus the cost of yearly updates and hrd is free.
>
> Thanks for any help.
>
> Best 73's,
>
> Eric
> KU3I
>