Here are a couple of photos while I was using the TX-500 today at a park west of town. The first one was in the shade and the second in the direct sunlight. The user display settings have not been changed and are untouched from the factory.?

73,
Fred/N7PN?

The display is just fine. I have yet to use the radio in direct sunlight. However, I'm headed out to a county park to play a little in winter field day I will post a picture here of the display.

73,
Fred/N7PN

New firmware is now available!

Thanks, I was hoping the display is good and their production ramps up ...
Doug
W3UB/VE1IOU

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I have no problems with the display

--

I saw an eHam review, where someone indicated the display was not quite as good as an IC5100A. I am wondering what the rest of you (who have the 599) think. I have two 5100As, and quite frankly their displays are poor, with little contrast, and a very limited viewing angle, and marginal in sunlight.?

There is no reason to choose such a poor display on a new product. For those of you that have been lucky enough to get a 599, what do you think of the display in terms of visibility, viewing angle, and contrast both indoors and out?

Thanks,
Doug

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Thank you all very much for the help in deciding to go on, i appreciate it. I think the 705 is a great tranceiver but due to the expected operating conditions i have in mind, i will wait (if i had the money i would buy both).
73, Uli (DD5UK)

Hi Uli

I ordered my TX500 back in August 2020 and experienced manufacturing delay after delay. Of course the wait was frustrating but I eventually got that email from Ham Radio Outlet saying my TX500 had shipped and a few short days later it arrived at my door, mid-January 2021.... to quote Homer Simpson... "WoooHooo!?
During the wait, I had many opportunities to cancel my order and buy an IC-705 but I am very happy that I didn't do that and that I waited for the TX500.... here's why...

I do have a home ham shack with a "base station" radio (FT-991A) but I enjoy being outdoors whether it's for hiking, backpacking, canoeing or off-roading with my ATV. I do these activities in all weather conditions which can be quite cold and wet here in Canada.. but that's what rain gear and heavy coats are for. Also I prefer the challenge of portable QRP radio operations and don't want to worry about the radio equipment when the weather gets bad. For that reason I decided on the TX500 for HF and a FT3DR HT for VHF/UHF and APRS. Although there's no question that the IC-705 is a fantastic radio, is just not rugged enough for what I want to do. If I had one, I would always be worried about damaging it or keeping it dry when the rain or snow hits - not so with the TX500 / FT3DR combination.

I've only had my TX500 for a short week and a half now but have already done some testing on SSB, CW, FT8 and JS8. I use a windows tablet for digital modes with a cheap USB sound card plugged in and I turn on the VOX in the TX500. I do not use CAT control on the TX500 but have set the various FT8 and JS8 frequencies and settings in the TX500 memories for quick recall. This works really well for me and there's no complicated setup in WSJT-X or JS8Call, just set the Rig to "None" and select the USB sound card for audio - no dreaded hamlib errors to worry about. I also ran a short power consumption test using JS8Call (HB Ack on) and the TX500's power consumption really is as low as they say in the literature - another plus for portable operations. BTW the TX500, FT3DR and my tablet can all be powered or charged off of the same 12V battery system - I use the LightSaver Max solar/battery system from PowerFilm to power or charge all equipment - it even keeps my iPhone charged. I also have a smaller LiFePO4 battery pack for day trips.

In my opinion, whether you should wait for the TX500 or not really depends on how you want to operate. If you're like me and want a rugged, low power consumption, outdoor, all weather HF radio then the TX500 is definitely worth the wait. If you want a fully featured, all band all-in-one portable radio and don't care as much about ruggedness, weather resistance or power consumption then the IC-705 might be a better choice. If you're considering cost, I purchased the TX500, the LiFePO4 battery and the FT3DR together for about the same cost that the IC-705 is here in Canada. I imagine that the costs would be similar in the EU.?

If you wait for the TX500 you won't regret it. I didn't regret the wait and I would do it again.

73s
Steve (VE3VSK)

When the TX 500 becomes widely available I will of course buy one, it looks like a very sturdy radio, then I can decide on the 705 vs TX 500 debate. I did try to purchase the TX 500 first then bought the 705, the 705 is a really great radio with so many options, I think they appeal to different operators, regards Geoff W6UXB

Buy a 705 and never look back !

Hello Eric,
thank you for your opinion - you pointed out some helpful information. 73, Uli

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Thanks Henry.

Just made my first contact to Toronto using the MX-P50 amp that I use with my Yaesu 817ND. I purchased the necessary cables for the mod from W2ENY in addition to Anderson powepoles.

Hello to the group,

since in Europe the TX-500 is still not deliverable due to the CE certification (don't laugh), i would like to have a few opinions:

Why should i wait and not buy a IC-705 instead (i know, they are not really comparable). Please do not be offended. Thank you for your response.

73, Uli, DD5UK