Just a note about the noise reduction of the TX-500:
For SSB it’s basically useless, but honestly, to me all these NR-solutions that I heard until now, when they actually reduce the noise, make the signal sound terrible.
I just accept the noise (or filter it out in my brain), similar like people buy vinyl records again
To me, the most important requirements for an outdoor radio to be carried for longer hikes is it’s weight, robustness, usability and then the technical capabilies. OK, it should support 60m .
We’re trying to get away from talking about other radios than the TX500 but just on this point, Xiegu released the v 1.77b firmware upgrade for the G90 on the 17th July 2021. No major changes or additions, but ongoing maintenance is happening on this radio’s firmware when needed.
73 Ed.
I just uploaded a video (that took some time!) that shows some features of the TX-500 during two activations I did yesterday on FL/VO-087 and FL/VO-008:
Please keep in mind, that it was spontaneously filmed with my smartphone, which I use for logging, so no footage of the live QSOs, but probably enough to hear the sound of the rig, as well as seeing the nice nature of the Vosges region.
After I activated 17 summits using this transceiver in SSB-mode, the points in my previous post are still valid and I don’t regret that I bought this rig.
When travelling by plane, I prefer the FT-818 due to its contained 30Wh LiPo and therefore less chance for trouble during the security inspection. Another solution could be my Chinese power bank with the three swappable 18650 LiIon cells, since the rig should work down to 9V. I tested it with 9.5V, where it still delivers about 7W RF output power.
Some refined or additional points:
I used it twice without any protection in the rain. It’s really built for rough environments and you don’t have to be worried about ingress. But it’s not IP-certified, probably because of the involved costs. I still have to test it in the cold with deep snow, but I guess this evaluation was already done in Siberia by the manufacturer
When transmitting with the full 10W RF output-power for longer periods in the sun, the device gets very hot. But thanks to it’s aluminum alloy body and it’s black anodized surface that acts as big heat sink, I never could make it overheat. If so, according to the test videos, it would reduce the TX output power.
It’s useful to have voice memories. Especially the sentence “is this frequency in use…?” is handy to transmit prior to sending out a spot, by simply pressing a function button. Unfortunately, this sentence only helps if the other party is listening on the frequency before transmitting
The usability is very good and the button layout and menu structure makes sense to me.
The transceiver allows to TX according IARU region 2 band plan, with one exception: on the 60-meter band, the range is 5330.5-5405kHz USB.
The measured SWR values are too optimistic.
Since the last firmware update, there is also the possibility to produce an SWR-graph, similar like the IC-705 does. Of course this graph cannot compete with an analyzer, is not very well readable, and like the SWR measurement, it is not exact. But compared to the FT-817/818, it’s a big improvement.
Last Saturday, while doing an activation, I made a short video, where I compared this graph and its SWR values with my analyzer: Lab599 TX-500 Transceiver Tests after Firmware Update to Version 1.10.04 - YouTube
Thank you Stephan, I really appreciate your evaluation of this transceiver. I’m sure there are a lot of SOTA folk interested in how it performs for our particular use of the technology, and at some point we will all make the decision between an IC-705 or TX500, regardless of whether we can actually afford either
For those of us that have settled on the FT-817 we need a very good reason to switch
FT-817/FT-818 is time proved work horse. But from IMO Yeasu need to release RIG with portability like FT-817 but with adjustable filters, DNR, APF, etc. I would say QRP version of FT-891 with smaller form factor.
Hi All! Recently, I made a convenient and durable case for the TX500 on my CNC. Materials: water-resistant construction plywood, lightweight and durable thin (1.5 mm) aviation plywood. Strengthening and water-repellent impregnation: Larit epoxy resin, diluted with acetone for fluidity.
The weight of the case is only 150 grams. Of course, this is not metal, but the pencil case turned out to be very strong for carrying the TX500 in a hiking backpack. It can also be used as a stand-table for the TX500 and cover with a lid the display of solar glare, and the transceiver from hot sunlight. I’m going on a mountain hike soon. This is a good opportunity to check the convenience and reliability of the case.
TNX, Vlad! There is no need for decoration. It’s not for an exhibition. A decorated case will be a pity to wear on hikes. It will have to be put on the mantelpiece and admired.
I noticed that your paddle has very durable wire.
On the other side, GX adapter looks tiny thus, I would solder one end of yellow cable to GX =) (do not carry any adapters =)
I’ve had my TX-500 for a few days now and I really like it. So far I have made about 10 or so CW contacts and the radio performs well. I only have a few issues with it and they are probably me-centric. I do not like the speaker mike. I was in Army Aviation for quite a few years and my hearing is not what it used to be. With ear buds, or a headset, it is just fine. I have a Heil Proset, Media Pro on the way which will plug right into the TX-500 with the speaker/mic adapter. I have also used it with a small external speaker and there is plenty of volume available. In the field I will use earbuds or a headset.
QSK is not really QSK. I am not a great CW op but I enjoy the mode. When using Iambic paddles, anything less than 300ms delay causes errors (for me). I started at 100ms and I made more errors than I normally make. Once I figured out it was the delay and I bumped it up to 300ms, all was well.
I am not an audiophile so I did not hear any unusual noises or clicks. I found the receiver to be quite sensitive as I was able to hear and work signals down around the S1 level. I would say that the receiver hears beyond the transmitter range. The filters are also excellent, cranking them down when there was an adjacent CW signal knocked it out.
This is not a scientific review, just a normal guy doing normal things with the radio. I did buy some 3-d printed covers for the screen and knobs which I will attach with rubber bands and then toss the radio into the backpack. I really like this radio, it is a lot of fun to use. Here is a video of a flight deck I put together for the TX-500. TX-500 Flight Deck
Yes, Yuri, thank you. Immediately after buying the transceiver, I decided to redo the headphone and CW manipulator cables so that I could do without adapters. Connectors are needed for this purpose. I ordered the necessary connectors on AliExpress and they were received by me a long time ago. But in the summer there was no time to deal with this topic - there were many trips to activate RDA and other things. Now there is more time and, of course, I will do what I have planned. Thank you for advice.
I hope this is ok, I wanted to add to this discussion. Here is my first review of the one I got over the weekend. I know the activation towards the end of the video isn’t SOTA; my QTH is 4 hours from a SOTA peak, but 3 miles from a POTA park. Hope someone here may find it useful
Seems like a possible worthy alternative to a KX-2 with the added bonus of being ruggedised to some extent, but missing the internal battery and ATU options.
Yes Gerald, I agree with you about the internal battery.
Especially when travelling by plane, one can avoid trouble when the batteries are hidden in a case. This recent post shows a prototype of the proposed battery pack (warning: link goes to Facebook!).
Until now, I never used an ATU when portable and I never missed one, since I only use resonant antennas, like the portable 7-band EFHW antenna.
Apart of the lower weight, one thing less that may break.
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