S5 1803+784 is in a constant flaring state.[8][9] In April 2020, S5 1803+784 had a major outburst followed by more flaring episodes. During this period, S5 1803+784 exhibited highest flux level of 1.1 x 10−6 ph cm−2 s−1 while in pre-flaring region, a low flux was shown below 0.2 x 10−6 ph cm−2 s−1.[10] In August 2020, S5 1803+784 entered a new flaring phase which lasted for 57 days. Its source brightness varied from 13.617 ± 0.009 to 15.888 ± 0.01 in R-bands, which the brightest-ever state for S5 1803+783 was observed on August 25.[11] It is also known to show near-infrared flares.[12]
In an optical light curve, S5 1803+784 showed the overall variation greater than 3 magnitudes with the largest changes observed within three flares through no periodicity was found. However, the radio band variability is found different, showing modest oscillations instead of flares with a maximum amplitude of 30%.[13]
S5 1803+784 shows a peculiar radio structure with a compact radio core.[14] There is a presence of an ejector nozzle, 0.1 parsecs in diameter surrounded by a ring structure with both a diameter of 1.4 parsecs and a width of 0.25 parsecs.[15] Furthermore, it has a weaker secondary component located 45 arcseconds south and slightly to the west side of the core with a faint emission bridge joining them together.[16][17][18]
The jet of S5 1803+784 has a complex morphology. In milliarcsecond-scales, it is described as a bend chain of seven individual jet components with both separation gaps of 0.2 and 3 mas from its core, where new components appear to be emerging from it every two years. Three of the jet components are found to approach a brightest and stationary component (1.4 mas at 8.4 GHz) exhibiting apparent superluminal motion.[19] Further studies showed in the jet's parsec-scale, most of the jet components within the inner core remain constant over a long period of time with the jet's width changing periodically around 8–9 years.[20] Interestingly, the jet is shaped into a cone which the 18-cm emission from the injector region is found to be weaken by a factor of 300.[21]