I bought my TX-500 a few months after they were introduced, and I waited five months to get it. I was well worth the wait! I guess that I've had it for over three years now and I still love that little radio. It's built like a brick but operates as well as I could have ever hoped for. I run it using an EFHW and regularly check into a few daily nets. Although I get stomped on by the guys with high power (welcome to QRP world!), I still get through on most days. I always get signal reports that I'm readable, even if my signal is barely above the noise. The audio compression feature is amazing. At this point, I've sworn off QRO (20 watts or greater). I just don't feel that I need it. My tiny little battery lasts forever (110ma receive current). The display is super visible. I'm still running the original firmware, but I guess that there are lots of improvements if I want them. After **struggling** with an original FT-817, this rig is the exact opposite. It does what I want, when I want with NO drama. I must admit that I was nervous buying a radio that didn't have the Icom / Yaesu brand, but now I's really super happy that I did. What an **AMAZING** radio.
The biggest firmware update for me was the voice recorder. When you are doing a contest or POTA activation it is really handy. Yes, the TX audio seems to be better on this radio than any other radio.
I'm currently in the same situation you were when you made the video, TX-500 ordered and on it's way to me 😀👍. They've been out of stock for some time, for obvious reasons but I believe they have moved production to the UAEand are back in business? Due to the delays I looked at a few other radios instead but kept coming back to the TX and I'm glad I waited👍. Dang!! I can't wait!!!😂😂👍
I also have a KX2/3 and they are definitely "fine-weather" radios. I have a TX-500 on order and will go through the same excitement of unboxing, so thanks for sharing the moment that we can all relate to! (Remember as a kid, we used to take our new-toy to bed and keep it on the pillow? - don't, just don't okay! lol)
Thanks for the review! I am NE Ohio QTH but due to my job I travel all across USA. I usually bring my FT60R and the FT818 with me for SOTAs and POTAs that may be near where I am working. Recently I’ve been ditching the 818 in favor of either the Venus SW3B or MountainTopper 4bv2. If you are CW operating they are the ticket! I also operate QRP only. My 705 has accompanied me on nice weather POTAs and SOTAs but I am always stressing about the weather with the 599 not so much. My 705 has been relegated to a Home Base station working FT8 mostly, which no QRP rig can compare in performance. ***The Trail-Friendly 10/20/40 in sloper configuration with the far end 20-30’ off ground has worked fantastically for my needs! The Black Lab is tempting me!
Great radio! Ive had mine for about a month now and love it. I've used mine for SSB (mostly 40m), js8, ft8 ,cw and Pat Winlink. No complaints at all. Have fun 73 de KF7VUT
I've mostly done SSB, but I have done some digital for NBEMS for ARES communications. I really like it. It's just a fun radio to use. Thanks for watching.
Hi Tom, Nice acquisition. Currently can only dream of new gear. Looking forward to a field report. Congrats, I see you now have 1K subs. You and the family stay safe. 73 WJ3U
Christmas morning at Tom's 😀.. congrats, awesome Tx. I have the KX3, waiting on backorder on the KX2, and definitely want the Black Lab as we call it. Just one thing, no internal battery or tuner, but great design, interesting to compare sensitivity circuits between the Lab and Elecraft. Life is QRP. Enjoy..
@@TangoOscarMikeN3WS Hopefully there isn't too many new SDR's on the market... We may acquire too many birthdays.. in a short time..Happy Birthday.. enjoy 🤔😉😀🙃
great video my tx 500 has been shipped so i am getting as exited as you were i currently use a 705 for portable but worry about damaging it enjoy your radio 73. M1TAP
Alright what it looks like delivery being so long before lab 5 99 can get them cranked out, shoppers who love the features offered well think twice. I don't think Alex will allow the pressure for delivery to cause construction errors. Just your best I think we'll be OK!
The TX-500 is a very cool looking radio. If I did more QRP (I really need to use the Xiegu G90 more) I would seriously look into the Labs599 radio. Have fun with it! 73!
@@TangoOscarMikeN3WS That’s how I felt. But after a bad experience I pushed the G90 away. I just need to start using it or get rid of it. I have taken it on my last 2 POTA activations, I just need to use it.
I am using my KX3 for the field and the 705 may stay in the shack. I also operate only QRP and to have a full featured radio such as the 705 in the shack is spectacular. I am very interested in the TX500 and I'm sure ill end up with one. I admit it, I have G.A.S. lol.
Mine arrived today and I did the same thing - power pole connector and firmware upgrade. No audio though. Pretty sure this is a settings issue. Squelch maybe? I haven't got time to properly look at it.
Audio is only from the speaker mic. Mine also was defaulted to digi mode so I wasn't hearing anything until I switched modes. I'm really happy with the radio.
@@TangoOscarMikeN3WS Yes, that was my issue too. All working now. Only tried it on a dummy load so far, but its doing what its supposed to and the SWR band scan function works well. Lookingofrward to doing some operating with it. GM4SVM
The best part of the KX2 that Iove is the tuner so you can use a good resonant antenna and bring it for you to operate. Short or no coax means you loose nothing. I will agree resonant antenna are more efficient.
You're going to love that radio! I've had mine since April and it's been fantastic. It was so nice to wake up in the morning while camping, see my radio covered in water from overnight dew, and not care!
Yours KX2 sounds much better, then TX500. The KX2s sound is clean, soft and legible. The TX500 sound is more noisy and hoarse, as if AGC is off or AF-amp input is overloaded.
Till sand, water or snow reach speaker or holes =) But anyway, using speakers KX2 sounds much better. I'am curious about comparing audio output using headphones =)
There is a new audio setting on the TX-500. Normal 1 watt output, outdoors 3 watts outdoors. I had it set to 3 and had the volume all the way up. That was a bad comparison. I'll do some more, but the audio out of the TX-500 is good, just lower.
I have had my TX-500 since April, too. It has done a great job for POTA in the Pennsylvania woods (is that redundant?). You're gonna like this radio! 👍de Brian - K3ES
Fantastic score! That's the right radio for your winter use. Enjoy your new TX-500. Are you getting the amp as well? I don't get the IC-705 for the field either.
I think it was the best choice for what I like to do. I've avoided bad weather in the past, but now I shouldn't have to. I don't think I'll get the amp and I'm not interested in a tuner. I might consider the battery pack they are working on. It takes standard 18650 cells and has a wide input voltage range. Thanks for watching.
This unit does not pass muster because it does NOT have an INTERNAL ANTENNA TUNER so it may fall flat on it’s face. Check out Xiegu’s new 6100 with internal antenna tuner. It smokes this one and it has internal antenna tuner and Bluetooth and is much better quality and is cheaper. So this unit is a no go for me.
I think using a tuner for QRP is a mistake. Use a resonant antenna. using a compromised antenna that needs a tuner is just wasting those precious watts. The 6100 doesn't have the weather resistance that the TX-500 does. The 6100 will be popular. I never understood why they put batteries in the radios but limit them to 5 watts, but 10 watts with an external source. So not only are you carrying the weight of the internal battery, but you also have to carry another external battery if you want to use 10 watts.
If you're incapable of building resonant antennas then I guess not having a built in ATU could be a deal breaker. Using an inefficient antenna at any power level isn't good practise but, as N3WS has pointed out, at QRP it's pointless. You might as well not bother.
I bought my TX-500 a few months after they were introduced, and I waited five months to get it. I was well worth the wait! I guess that I've had it for over three years now and I still love that little radio. It's built like a brick but operates as well as I could have ever hoped for. I run it using an EFHW and regularly check into a few daily nets. Although I get stomped on by the guys with high power (welcome to QRP world!), I still get through on most days. I always get signal reports that I'm readable, even if my signal is barely above the noise. The audio compression feature is amazing. At this point, I've sworn off QRO (20 watts or greater). I just don't feel that I need it. My tiny little battery lasts forever (110ma receive current). The display is super visible. I'm still running the original firmware, but I guess that there are lots of improvements if I want them. After **struggling** with an original FT-817, this rig is the exact opposite. It does what I want, when I want with NO drama. I must admit that I was nervous buying a radio that didn't have the Icom / Yaesu brand, but now I's really super happy that I did. What an **AMAZING** radio.
The biggest firmware update for me was the voice recorder. When you are doing a contest or POTA activation it is really handy. Yes, the TX audio seems to be better on this radio than any other radio.
Это очень хороший трансивер. И, о да, он разработан и сделан в России! Привет вам из России, товарищи радиолюбители из Америки. 73!
Thanks for the video, we can feel your excitement!! You mentioned a perfect case, which one were you referring to. 73
I'm currently in the same situation you were when you made the video, TX-500 ordered and on it's way to me 😀👍.
They've been out of stock for some time, for obvious reasons but I believe they have moved production to the UAEand are back in business? Due to the delays I looked at a few other radios instead but kept coming back to the TX and I'm glad I waited👍. Dang!! I can't wait!!!😂😂👍
I also have a KX2/3 and they are definitely "fine-weather" radios. I have a TX-500 on order and will go through the same excitement of unboxing, so thanks for sharing the moment that we can all relate to!
(Remember as a kid, we used to take our new-toy to bed and keep it on the pillow? - don't, just don't okay! lol)
I've had the TX-500 for a while and I really enjoy using it. It has become my favorite.
Thanks for the review!
I am NE Ohio QTH but due to my job I travel all across USA. I usually bring my FT60R and the FT818 with me for SOTAs and POTAs that may be near where I am working. Recently I’ve been ditching the 818 in favor of either the Venus SW3B or MountainTopper 4bv2. If you are CW operating they are the ticket!
I also operate QRP only. My 705 has accompanied me on nice weather POTAs and SOTAs but I am always stressing about the weather with the 599 not so much. My 705 has been relegated to a Home Base station working FT8 mostly, which no QRP rig can compare in performance.
***The Trail-Friendly 10/20/40 in sloper configuration with the far end 20-30’ off ground has worked fantastically for my needs!
The Black Lab is tempting me!
Nice. I've been slacking on my CW practice. I need to get on it again.
Great radio! Ive had mine for about a month now and love it. I've used mine for SSB (mostly 40m), js8, ft8 ,cw and Pat Winlink. No complaints at all. Have fun 73 de KF7VUT
I've mostly done SSB, but I have done some digital for NBEMS for ARES communications. I really like it. It's just a fun radio to use. Thanks for watching.
Hi Tom,
Nice acquisition. Currently can only dream of new gear. Looking forward to a field report. Congrats, I see you now have 1K subs. You and the family stay safe. 73 WJ3U
Thanks Don.
Christmas morning at Tom's 😀.. congrats, awesome Tx. I have the KX3, waiting on backorder on the KX2, and definitely want the Black Lab as we call it. Just one thing, no internal battery or tuner, but great design, interesting to compare sensitivity circuits between the Lab and Elecraft. Life is QRP. Enjoy..
When I ordered it my wife said happy birthday, so I'm in the clear for Christmas. 😂
@@TangoOscarMikeN3WS Hopefully there isn't too many new SDR's on the market... We may acquire too many birthdays.. in a short time..Happy Birthday.. enjoy 🤔😉😀🙃
great video my tx 500 has been shipped so i am getting as exited as you were i currently use a 705 for portable but worry about damaging it enjoy your radio 73. M1TAP
It will be interesting to see your thoughts after you've had both a while.
@@TangoOscarMikeN3WS very true i will let you know 73's
Congratulations on the new radio!
Thank you!
Very cool Tom, I hope you like it!
Thanks Chuck so far I'm really happy.
Awesome radio, I can't wait to see you get it in the field and get your opinion of it!
So far basic operation is really simple. I'm jotting down some thoughts as I go to make a video later.
Alright what it looks like delivery being so long before lab 5 99 can get them cranked out, shoppers who love the features offered well think twice. I don't think Alex will allow the pressure for delivery to cause construction errors. Just your best I think we'll be OK!
The TX-500 is a very cool looking radio. If I did more QRP (I really need to use the Xiegu G90 more) I would seriously look into the Labs599 radio. Have fun with it! 73!
I actually don't own a 100 watt radio. I only do QRP. I really like the challenge.
@@TangoOscarMikeN3WS That’s how I felt. But after a bad experience I pushed the G90 away. I just need to start using it or get rid of it. I have taken it on my last 2 POTA activations, I just need to use it.
Awesome Tom 👍
Thanks 👍
I am using my KX3 for the field and the 705 may stay in the shack. I also operate only QRP and to have a full featured radio such as the 705 in the shack is spectacular. I am very interested in the TX500 and I'm sure ill end up with one. I admit it, I have G.A.S. lol.
If I could afford both, I'd like a 705 for the shack. You can't argue with it's features and capabilities.
Mine arrived today and I did the same thing - power pole connector and firmware upgrade. No audio though. Pretty sure this is a settings issue. Squelch maybe? I haven't got time to properly look at it.
Audio is only from the speaker mic. Mine also was defaulted to digi mode so I wasn't hearing anything until I switched modes. I'm really happy with the radio.
@@TangoOscarMikeN3WS Yes, that was my issue too. All working now. Only tried it on a dummy load so far, but its doing what its supposed to and the SWR band scan function works well. Lookingofrward to doing some operating with it. GM4SVM
1k!♡♡♡ well played sir
🤜🏻👍🤛🏻
Thanks ✌
I'll be interested to see how well you like that radio
So far I'm digging it. Really easy to use. The audio volume is lower, more like a handheld.
The best part of the KX2 that Iove is the tuner so you can use a good resonant antenna and bring it for you to operate. Short or no coax means you loose nothing. I will agree resonant antenna are more efficient.
I have the tuner in my KX2 turned off most of the time. I just built a couple of no coax antennas.
@@TangoOscarMikeN3WS The elecraft tuner is quite efficient adding little loos thats why I like it. I learn about their tuners with T1 Auto tuner.
Congrats man. Hope to see you working in the rain now 😂
Watch, it probably won't rain for a month now.
I got one the other month its a ok radio
You're going to love that radio! I've had mine since April and it's been fantastic. It was so nice to wake up in the morning while camping, see my radio covered in water from overnight dew, and not care!
That is the main reason I got this one. No worries with a little water or snow. I can't wait.
Yours KX2 sounds much better, then TX500. The KX2s sound is clean, soft and legible. The TX500 sound is more noisy and hoarse, as if AGC is off or AF-amp input is overloaded.
Till sand, water or snow reach speaker or holes =)
But anyway, using speakers KX2 sounds much better. I'am curious about comparing audio output using headphones =)
There is a new audio setting on the TX-500. Normal 1 watt output, outdoors 3 watts outdoors. I had it set to 3 and had the volume all the way up. That was a bad comparison. I'll do some more, but the audio out of the TX-500 is good, just lower.
@@TangoOscarMikeN3WS
This is not about high gain. I’m talking about distortions that are heard as wheezing:
ua-cam.com/video/D7YQq8uOAVc/v-deo.html
I have had my TX-500 since April, too. It has done a great job for POTA in the Pennsylvania woods (is that redundant?). You're gonna like this radio! 👍de Brian - K3ES
Thanks. This radio is going to get some use.
Fantastic score! That's the right radio for your winter use. Enjoy your new TX-500. Are you getting the amp as well? I don't get the IC-705 for the field either.
I think it was the best choice for what I like to do. I've avoided bad weather in the past, but now I shouldn't have to. I don't think I'll get the amp and I'm not interested in a tuner. I might consider the battery pack they are working on. It takes standard 18650 cells and has a wide input voltage range. Thanks for watching.
Im still waiting for mine. Hopefully in a week or two 😎
You are going to love it.
How much bandwidth does the swr graph cover and is it adjustable?
The swr graph shows the whole band with a thin line where you are tuned. It can't be adjusted, that I know of.
@@TangoOscarMikeN3WS thank you.
Subscriber 1000 right here haha
Booyaaa!!!
Congrats! Remind me again, how many watts does it output?
10 watts.
Whelp, I'm gonna buy a TX-500 now :-)
I'm editing a video from today's activation. 52 contacts in 33 minutes with the TX-500 and a dipole. Time to invest in a headset for portable ops.
Hope you bring it to QRP party next Saturday. ×!!! Congrats
It will be there.
How long from order to delivery?
about 35 days, but I think the demand has gone up.
Like in the movie Jurassic park
Is it heavy
Then it's expensive
:CPA BOOKEEPER IN JEEP
This unit does not pass muster because it does NOT have an INTERNAL ANTENNA TUNER so it may fall flat on it’s face. Check out Xiegu’s new 6100 with internal antenna tuner. It smokes this one and it has internal antenna tuner and Bluetooth and is much better quality and is cheaper. So this unit is a no go for me.
I think using a tuner for QRP is a mistake. Use a resonant antenna. using a compromised antenna that needs a tuner is just wasting those precious watts. The 6100 doesn't have the weather resistance that the TX-500 does. The 6100 will be popular. I never understood why they put batteries in the radios but limit them to 5 watts, but 10 watts with an external source. So not only are you carrying the weight of the internal battery, but you also have to carry another external battery if you want to use 10 watts.
6100... Cheaper yes... much better quality.... you're clueless.
If you're incapable of building resonant antennas then I guess not having a built in ATU could be a deal breaker. Using an inefficient antenna at any power level isn't good practise but, as N3WS has pointed out, at QRP it's pointless. You might as well not bother.