+++
title = 'Lab599 Discovery TX-500'
summary = 'A nice radio for portable operation. None of my other radios can beat this one out in the field.'
date = "2022-11-04T15:13:43+01:00"
#lastmod = "2022-11-12T19:51:31+01:00"
categories = [ 'amateur-radio' ]
tags = [ 'lab599' ]

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+++

This is the third HF transceiver that I bought. I was looking for a while for
an alternative to the FT-891, because I wanted something leightweight for my
little hiking tours.

![TX-500 in action on a stone](tx-500.jpg)

## Low quality mic?

It's like many plastic mics on other radios, it definitly feels a bit “cheap” and
it was the first (and only; until now) thing that broke. I haven't noticed the broken
mic until I tried to call CQ in the mountains and I fixed it on the same day. I haven't
been out since then...

I bought a Laravel mic from Amazon and I already got a spare in-ear plugs from Sennheiser
which I combined with the [adapters from Robert W2ENY](https://w2eny.com/tx500/) (including
a hand-held push-to-talk button adapter (like the Heil HS-2 but smaller).

This is pleasing to use and you got the sound directly in-ear.

## Original CAT cable settings

| Setting   | Value   |
| :---      | :---    |
| RIG type  | KENWOOD |
| Baud rate | 9600    |
| Data bits | 8       |
| Parity    | NONE    |
| Stop bits | 1       |