The ICOM IC-703 and IC-706 series of radios have been around for a while and still are going strong. This series of radios include the IC-703, IC-703+, IC-706, IC-706MKII and IC-706MKIIG.
This article will provide advice in terms of mounting the radio in a car or truck. There are a few ways to mount this radio. Some mount the entire radio intact while others remove and mount just the control head. We will look at both methods.
Mount Analysis
Mounting the entire radio requires use of a bracket called the ICOM MB-62 Vehicle Mounting Bracket. These brackets fit several models from ICOM. This mount fits the transceiver main body, with or without the front panel. Not surprisingly, these are not included with the purchase of the radio so need to be purchased separately. There is a series of eight screws and nuts to attach the bracket to the unit. Two screws go on each side and the other four attach to the top of the bracket and would be used if attaching to a flat surface or perhaps a mount. The screws for attaching the bracket to your dash or a flat surface might not work for your application, so be prepared to make a run to the hardware store. It all depends upon the application.
A nice feature of these radios is the ability to remove the control head. Removing the control head isn’t very hard and makes for a cleaner installation which we will explain below. If you plan to do this, you will need to add an OPC-581 or OPC-587 cable (there are two different lengths) to connect the head to the main unit. Pulling the panel release button towards you and slide the front panel to the right. Attach the cable to the main body and tighten using the supplied screw. Attach the other end of the cable to the detached control head.
To mount the head, you will need the ICOM MB-63 Control Head Mounting Plate. The photo that accompanies this article is what you get with the mounting head. The control head snaps into the mounting plate but before you do that, figure out where and how it will be mounted. There are two screws and a washer that are supplied with the mounting head. Depending upon how it is mounted, you may not use those screws.
Mount Recommendations
The hole in the middle of the plate has a 1/4″ – 20 threaded mounting pattern. Ironically, that’s the same as a camera tripod so a lot of camera mounts might work well on your control head. A favorite of ours is the Arkon Windshield and Dash Camera Mount. Sure, it’s made for a camera, but that screw adapter is going to fit the middle hole of the mounting bracket too. Just take the camera screw and thread it into the middle hole on the mounting plate.
If you don’t mind drilling a few holes in the MB-63 plate, try the Car Seat Bolt Mount for these models. It’s 22″ long from tip to tip and can bend into any angle necessary or for when a passenger needs the leg space. These attach to any exposed car seat bolt mount. Be sure to use some pliers to tighten the seat bolt to prevent this from flopping because the bolt is too loose. The mounting kit comes with a removable adapter so it’s easy to take the head off when not in use.
If you would like to mount the plate to a flat surface, the mounting screws provided may work well. If not, a quick trip to the hardware store will get you what’s needed. After the attachment is completed, simply snap the control head into the bracket. Be sure to attach the plate with proper orientation to be sure the control head will snap in. Play with the mounting plate and control head a little while prior to mounting to avoid a redo.