Most operators don’t understand the point of the Lab599 TX-500MP. It wasn’t designed with all the bells and whistles found in most portable ham radio offerings. It was designed to be minimal and to survive.
The Lab599 TX-500MP is purpose-built for the field, simple, efficient, and rugged. It delivers 10 watts from its internal batteries, includes an internal tuner, is incredibly efficient on both transmit and receive, and can charge directly from a solar panel. The radio uses 18650 batteries, alleviating the need for expensive and proprietary battery packs that can only be used in a specific device.
If you’re the type of operator who is constantly spinning that VFO, bouncing around the bands, you might not be comfortable with this radio. But if you’re the type of operator who takes his radio into extreme conditions where it might fall off a rock, smashing the touchscreen or breaking off a VFO dial, this radio might be the one for you.
Even if its Russian origin gives you pause, you can still use its feature set as a benchmark when comparing other portable radios. That 10 watts from internal batteries, its 100ma current consumption, the built-in tuner, and the wide voltage input make this a utilitarian’s radio. It has everything you need to get the job done and nothing extra.
Watch the video to see why the TX-500MP remains one of the most capable off-grid radios ever built.
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Julian, OH8STN
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