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Rob Sherwood just published the TX-500 receiver test data.? It is about halfway down the list between the Elecraft K2 and Collins R-390A.? Here is the link: http://www.sherweng.com/table.html
73,
Henry - K4TMC
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Henry
Thats not very good for a rig designed and built in 2020! ?And just 2uV sensitivity, that is like a rig made in 1950!
So for those of you who have and use it, is it deaf or are you hearing stations well enough?
I am still waiting for mine to ship from HRO.
--
Glen - WB4KTF, Austin, TX USA
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Hi Glen
I use my TX-500 for a few weeks now. It is not deaf :-) Compared to my KX2 I don't see a big difference in real live situations.
The TX-500 is mainly used for digi modes, some ssb and some (very rare :-( cw )
73, Stephan
--
DF6PA
Licensed since 1978
TX-500, KX2, IC-703, FT-817ND
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Glen,
Mine is not deaf.? Right now my home QTH is suffering S5+ line noise.? I find that I can hear the same signals that I hear on my KX3.? Hoping to go to a nearby park this weekend to do a better comparison.? I'll report back.
73, Henry - K4TMC Cary, NC
On Tue, Oct 20, 2020 at 12:20 PM Glen Jenkins WB4KTF < wb4ktf@...> wrote: [Edited Message Follows]
Henry
Thats not very good for a rig designed and built in 2020!? And just 2uV sensitivity, that is like a rig made in 1950!
So for those of you who have and use it, is it deaf or are you hearing stations well enough?
I am still waiting for mine to ship from HRO.
--
Glen - WB4KTF, Austin, TX USA
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Hi Henry,
I'm just curious about which numbers are not good.?
The 2uV is without pre-amplifier and is 0.23uV when it is enabled.
This single value is comparable to FlexRadio 6400 (pretty at the top) that shows 4uV without pre-amplifier.
But to be honest, I didn't compare and study all possible values, which anyway have only a limited significance.
Just my 2cts...
73 Stephan, HB9EAJ??
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Stephan,
The most disappointing test numbers to me are the Dynamic Range both wide (79 db) and narrow (79 db) spaced.? However, I am not sure how this will play out during a contest with the TX-500.? I have successfully used other radios with similar Dynamic Range numbers, i.e., Elecraft K2, Kenwood TS830 and TS850, in contests.
I suspect that those who just do single radio SOTA and other portable activities will be very happy with the TX-500 receiver performance.
73, Henry - K4TMC
On Tue, Oct 20, 2020 at 2:01 PM Stephan < hb9eaj@...> wrote: Hi Henry,
I'm just curious about which numbers are not good.?
The 2uV is without pre-amplifier and is 0.23uV when it is enabled.
This single value is comparable to FlexRadio 6400 (pretty at the top) that shows 4uV without pre-amplifier.
But to be honest, I didn't compare and study all possible values, which anyway have only a limited significance.
Just my 2cts...
73 Stephan, HB9EAJ??
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Sherwood has repeatedly said that for competition-grade receivers, close-space DR of 80 dB is adequate for all but the most hostile environments (e.g., Field Day and other co-locate situations). See slide 52 as an example: ? ? Based on what I see, the TX-500 receiver is comparable in performance to the IC-7700 and IC-7800.? I think most of us would be more than fine with that level of performance out in the field.? This is an example of how we can become so focused on the numbers but lose sight of their practical meaning.? ? The comparison takes me back to when I was kid.? My buddies and I were obsessed with the number of transistors in our SWL receivers.? ¡°Oh, yours only has 13 transistors, but mine has 14!¡±? 14 is greater than 13 so it just must be better.? ? Paul, W9AC
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Paul,
Great information!? Should be required reading by anyone considering a new radio.
Oh no...I must be older...I use to think the higher number of 'tubes' made the better radio!
73, Henry - K4TMC
On Tue, Oct 20, 2020 at 3:00 PM Paul Christensen < w9ac@...> wrote: Sherwood has repeatedly said that for competition-grade receivers, close-space DR of 80 dB is adequate for all but the most hostile environments (e.g., Field Day and other co-locate situations). See slide 52 as an example: ?
? Based on what I see, the TX-500 receiver is comparable in performance to the IC-7700 and IC-7800.? I think most of us would be more than fine with that level of performance out in the field.? This is an example of how we can become so focused on the numbers but lose sight of their practical meaning.? ? The comparison takes me back to when I was kid.? My buddies and I were obsessed with the number of transistors in our SWL receivers.? ¡°Oh, yours only has 13 transistors, but mine has 14!¡±? 14 is greater than 13 so it just must be better.? ? Paul, W9AC
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I made a test this evening on 40 m. Collected FT8 signals over 15 minutes with my TS570 (not the best RX, I know) and the TX500. I know, this is not a measurement! The antenna was the same end feed wire in both cases. The results are comparable. A couple of observations: There was VK6AL for example. On the TX500 it came up to -2 db SNR whereas the TS570 achieved -6 db the best. K1NOX was there on the TX500 with -23 db but all the time before and after not readable on the TS570. I checked other reporters in EU having seens this station, so I can be sure it was there all the time. No decode on the TS570 though.
So for me the RX might not be the best in the world. And it isn't if we see the figures. But as Paul, W9AC, mentioned before: "Must of us would be more than fine with that level of performance out in the field." - Thank you for your post, Paul.
Axel, DL7VEA
Am Di., 20. Okt. 2020 um 21:00?Uhr schrieb Paul Christensen < w9ac@...>:
Sherwood has repeatedly said that for competition-grade receivers, close-space DR of 80 dB is adequate for all but the most hostile environments (e.g., Field Day and other co-locate situations). See slide 52 as an example: ?
? Based on what I see, the TX-500 receiver is comparable in performance to the IC-7700 and IC-7800.? I think most of us would be more than fine with that level of performance out in the field.? This is an example of how we can become so focused on the numbers but lose sight of their practical meaning.? ? The comparison takes me back to when I was kid.? My buddies and I were obsessed with the number of transistors in our SWL receivers.? ¡°Oh, yours only has 13 transistors, but mine has 14!¡±? 14 is greater than 13 so it just must be better.? ? Paul, W9AC
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Hey all;
Yeppers...I agree.
The numbers "game" can lead to problems comparing rigs. It can help to remember, if asked, Mr. Sherwood will ALSO explain that there are rigs with great "numbers" that sound lousy, and are fatiquing to use.
And band noise is often the limiting factor that makes some numbers "not relevant"....!
Anyways, the rig seems to work very well for me. VERY WELL.
es vy 73 de "baab", w9ya
On Tuesday, October 20, 2020, Stephan < hb9eaj@...> wrote: Hi Henry,
I'm just curious about which numbers are not good.?
The 2uV is without pre-amplifier and is 0.23uV when it is enabled.
This single value is comparable to FlexRadio 6400 (pretty at the top) that shows 4uV without pre-amplifier.
But to be honest, I didn't compare and study all possible values, which anyway have only a limited significance.
Just my 2cts...
73 Stephan, HB9EAJ??
|
Who ever have this radio will never tell you it¡¯s a bad radio we all like to believe it is the best ever made? However still no company answer no support no company owner name no nothing well?
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On 20 Oct 2020, at 22:01, Bob Finch < w9ya@...> wrote: Hey all;
Yeppers...I agree.
The numbers "game" can lead to problems comparing rigs. It can help to remember, if asked, Mr. Sherwood will ALSO explain that there are rigs with great "numbers" that sound lousy, and are fatiquing to use.
And band noise is often the limiting factor that makes some numbers "not relevant"....!
Anyways, the rig seems to work very well for me. VERY WELL.
es vy 73 de "baab", w9ya
On Tuesday, October 20, 2020, Stephan < hb9eaj@...> wrote: Hi Henry,
I'm just curious about which numbers are not good.?
The 2uV is without pre-amplifier and is 0.23uV when it is enabled.
This single value is comparable to FlexRadio 6400 (pretty at the top) that shows 4uV without pre-amplifier.
But to be honest, I didn't compare and study all possible values, which anyway have only a limited significance.
Just my 2cts...
73 Stephan, HB9EAJ??
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Elan,
I am aware of two successful communications with that address.
73, Henry - K4TMC
Who ever have this radio will never tell you it¡¯s a bad radio we all like to believe it is the best ever made? However still no company answer no support no company owner name no nothing well? Interesting? On 20 Oct 2020, at 22:01, Bob Finch < w9ya@...> wrote: Hey all;
Yeppers...I agree.
The numbers "game" can lead to problems comparing rigs. It can help to remember, if asked, Mr. Sherwood will ALSO explain that there are rigs with great "numbers" that sound lousy, and are fatiquing to use.
And band noise is often the limiting factor that makes some numbers "not relevant"....!
Anyways, the rig seems to work very well for me. VERY WELL.
es vy 73 de "baab", w9ya
On Tuesday, October 20, 2020, Stephan < hb9eaj@...> wrote: Hi Henry,
I'm just curious about which numbers are not good.?
The 2uV is without pre-amplifier and is 0.23uV when it is enabled.
This single value is comparable to FlexRadio 6400 (pretty at the top) that shows 4uV without pre-amplifier.
But to be honest, I didn't compare and study all possible values, which anyway have only a limited significance.
Just my 2cts...
73 Stephan, HB9EAJ??
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Elan,?
I had a question concerning CAT support and got an useful answer within a day. Now it works.?
73 de Axel, DL7VEA.
Who ever have this radio will never tell you it¡¯s a bad radio we all like to believe it is the best ever made? However still no company answer no support no company owner name no nothing well? Interesting? On 20 Oct 2020, at 22:01, Bob Finch < w9ya@...> wrote: Hey all;
Yeppers...I agree.
The numbers "game" can lead to problems comparing rigs. It can help to remember, if asked, Mr. Sherwood will ALSO explain that there are rigs with great "numbers" that sound lousy, and are fatiquing to use.
And band noise is often the limiting factor that makes some numbers "not relevant"....!
Anyways, the rig seems to work very well for me. VERY WELL.
es vy 73 de "baab", w9ya
On Tuesday, October 20, 2020, Stephan < hb9eaj@...> wrote: Hi Henry,
I'm just curious about which numbers are not good.?
The 2uV is without pre-amplifier and is 0.23uV when it is enabled.
This single value is comparable to FlexRadio 6400 (pretty at the top) that shows 4uV without pre-amplifier.
But to be honest, I didn't compare and study all possible values, which anyway have only a limited significance.
Just my 2cts...
73 Stephan, HB9EAJ??
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Hi Elan
I had email contact with the support twice. In both cases they answered within a couple of hours.
73, Stephan
--
DF6PA
Licensed since 1978
TX-500, KX2, IC-703, FT-817ND
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toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On 20 Oct 2020, at 23:25, Stephan <pingaffe@...> wrote:
?Hi Elan
I had email contact with the support twice. In both cases they answered within a couple of hours.
73, Stephan
--
DF6PA
Licensed since 1978
TX-500, KX2, IC-703, FT-817ND
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Thank you to the folks who responded to my questions/concerns about the receiver in the TX-500.? I also realize that these are not going to be high performance rigs, being so small, and mostly for portable operations.?
A few questions to TX-500 Owners:
1 - For those that do have the rig, how did you connect it for DIGITAL such as FT8?? Did you use the Audio In (pin 6) /Audio Out (pin 3) & Ground (pin 7) on the REM/DATA connection port to a sound card?
2 - What connector & pins can be used to KEY a small 40-50 watt external linear amplifier?? Was it on the REM/DATA connector pins 7-Ground and 2-PTT Out??
3 - Does anyone know the ratings of the PTT switch to key an external amplifier, it is not stated in the manual?? I do not want to fry the digital keying circuit.
I do appreciate your help with my questions since you have it already and I am still waiting delivery......
--
--
Glen - WB4KTF, Austin, TX USA
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Hi Glen
I can only answer #1
Yes I did. Wiring is exactly like you descibed it. Went without any problems. I set the output of the soundcard to about 50% and then increased the mic gain so that the RF output was about 10 watts, then increased the mic gain a little, Made a lot of FT8 and JS8Call contacts this summer. Because the enclosure is completely made from aluminium the rig stood cool more or less even when doing some WSPR tests. You can "feel" that it is getting warm but far from beeing hot.
For questions #2 and #3 it might be a good idea to send an email to support (at) lab599.com
At least I got always an answer from them.
73, Stephan
--
DF6PA
Licensed since 1978
TX-500, KX2, IC-703, FT-817ND
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Doesn't sound like this radio is one you should consider Elan..... es vy 73 om de "baab" w9ya On Tue, Oct 20, 2020 at 2:58 PM Elan Paim via groups.io <elanpaim@...> wrote:
Who ever have this radio will never tell you it¡¯s a bad radio we all like to believe it is the best ever made
However still no company answer no support no company owner name no nothing well
Interesting
On 20 Oct 2020, at 22:01, Bob Finch <w9ya@...> wrote:
Hey all;
Yeppers...I agree.
The numbers "game" can lead to problems comparing rigs. It can help to remember, if asked, Mr. Sherwood will ALSO explain that there are rigs with great "numbers" that sound lousy, and are fatiquing to use.
And band noise is often the limiting factor that makes some numbers "not relevant"....!
Anyways, the rig seems to work very well for me. VERY WELL.
es vy 73 de "baab", w9ya
On Tuesday, October 20, 2020, Stephan <hb9eaj@...> wrote:
Hi Henry,
I'm just curious about which numbers are not good.
The 2uV is without pre-amplifier and is 0.23uV when it is enabled.
This single value is comparable to FlexRadio 6400 (pretty at the top) that shows 4uV without pre-amplifier.
But to be honest, I didn't compare and study all possible values, which anyway have only a limited significance.
Just my 2cts...
73 Stephan, HB9EAJ
|
Hello Glen,
I believe the answers to your questions #2 and #3 are given on page 18 of the English manual.
"To control the PTT function of the power amplifier, you must connect pin 2 (PTT OUT), open collector, of the REM / DATA connector to the PTT control relay of the external power amplifier (usually this is the "PTT" connector). Also, pin 7 (GND) of the REM / DATA connector must be connected to the GND of the external power amplifier."
"ATTENTION! The maximum switching voltage must not exceed 25 V and the maxi-mum switched current must not exceed 0.5 A"
Hope this helps
73 de Axel, DL7VEA
Am Di., 20. Okt. 2020 um 23:58?Uhr schrieb Glen Jenkins WB4KTF < wb4ktf@...>:
Thank you to the folks who responded to my questions/concerns about the receiver in the TX-500.? I also realize that these are not going to be high performance rigs, being so small, and mostly for portable operations.?
A few questions to TX-500 Owners:
1 - For those that do have the rig, how did you connect it for DIGITAL such as FT8?? Did you use the Audio In (pin 6) /Audio Out (pin 3) & Ground (pin 7) on the REM/DATA connection port to a sound card?
2 - What connector & pins can be used to KEY a small 40-50 watt external linear amplifier?? Was it on the REM/DATA connector pins 7-Ground and 2-PTT Out??
3 - Does anyone know the ratings of the PTT switch to key an external amplifier, it is not stated in the manual?? I do not want to fry the digital keying circuit.
I do appreciate your help with my questions since you have it already and I am still waiting delivery......
--
--
Glen - WB4KTF, Austin, TX USA
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I have been reading here pretty extensively. From the US but live in Ecuador, retired and limited budget. Have not been on the air since 2012.? I have been looking at Sherwood's page. While its a starting point,? it wont? be my ultimate decider. I am looking for a radio I can use portable, POTA/SOTA...and I am a cyclist? and spend a lot of time in the mountains so to be able to throw a rig in a bag on the back rack with a battery, small tuner and antenna would work really well..... limited budget? says what ever I buy is going to have to be used for a while at home too. Where I live is in a fairly noisy environment plus? third world electrical system plus looking at the ITU world atlas for ground conductivity, its not much in the volcanic soil where I am in Northern Ecuador.....
So a couple of questions- I am curious if anyone has used the Lab599 in a noisy urban environment.? Thats a difficult question because? noisy? can be somewhat subjective here- before I sold my station in the US and moved, my main transceiver was an Icom 756 Pro III so thats a bit of what I have as a reference. In the US where I lived last time on the air was also a noisy urban environment but in an area? with really good ground? conductivity. Even so the noise would be at times so bad that I ended up putting up? a 160M horizontal loop which helped a lot over what? a doublet or end fed antenna would do.? Next question- has anyone? used the I/Q outputs? of the radio? with? any programs like GNU Radio or others which lets you do a lot of signal processing on a desktop or laptop??? With programs like (for Linux users) GNU Radio, you can build your own filters and lots of other stuff thats done internally on radios like the IC 7300/7610 with the FPGA? (although the 7610 does have I/Q out).? Curious if any one here can share? anything on what I have asked.?
I like very much what I see on the Lab599 web site. The radios I am considering are the Lab599, the Icom IC 705 and the Elad FDM Duo. The IC 705 does not have I/Q output. The Elad does and...the Elad really shines when hooked to an external computer with enough capacity to use the? I/Q outputs? for a number of things-and their software suite? looks to be really excellent as well. The FDM Duo seems from what I have read somewhat delicate. The IC 705 is pretty, builtin GPS yadayadayada lots of features but where I am I dont really need V/UHF either.? My main concern is a top notch receiver, more tx power can be resolved? in a number of different ways but an Elmer told me many years ago something to the effect that if you cant hear 'em you cant work 'em.
Thanks for the expertise? and sharing experiences with this new radio.
Regards from Ecuador &? 73
Carr
KF4VAR
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Glen Jenkins WB4KTF
DF6PA
Stephan HB9EAJ
Paul Christensen