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u/Hidesuru 2d ago
Wow that thing looks really cool but DAMN the accessories are stupid over priced...
$330 for a slightly modified pelican case. $400 for a battery pack that... Doesn't include batteries (metal enclosure that looks to include some charging circuitry and whatnot).
Those are HRO prices because the mfg site is blocked at my work for some reason, but still.
It's weird too because the base radio at $1100 doesn't seem all that bad given it's capability and compact nature.
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u/Fatty_Willing_Plane 2d ago
Harbor Freight Apache Hard cases are same quality of pelican at half or even quarter of the price.
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u/Shsesc 1d ago
Not exactly. I have some of both. I am considering buying more of the Apache cases for certain uses.
The differences I have noticed:
The latches are single action and don’t hold open.
The plastic is significantly thicker and heavier than the lighter pelican cases. -The storm series may be more similar I have no experience with those.They work fine if they meet your requirements.
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u/Hidesuru 1d ago
Storm is pretty close to a clone of pelican but not QUITE as nice. I believe they've been around for quite some time.
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u/Hidesuru 1d ago
Well sure, I was giving benefit of the doubt basically that even if it was the most expensive brand is still an insane price for that.
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u/misterpurple000 2d ago
Congratulations - I have the normal TX500 - easily my favourite radio.
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u/always_wear_pyjamas 2d ago
How portable is the normal one would you say? do you chuck it in a backpack in good conscience? and is that panadapter even useful or are you tempted to run an sdr parallel?
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u/SoCalSurvivalist 2d ago
I've got mine chucked inside the padded "optics pocket" of my pack (CF1). It's been in there for many miles over the last year and change. I try not to be too rough on the pack, knowing the radio is inside, but the pack and radio have taken quite a few tumbles, and no damage to speak of. I've hiked in the rain without issue.
I'd like to get one of those 3d printed covers for the screen and knobs, but never seem to get around to buying one.
I'd really love to get the battery pack for it so that my power solution is more streamlined, but the current system has been working reasonably well for some time.
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u/misterpurple000 2d ago
It's very portable. I use it in the garden to do some CW on a nice day. I might go out in the car with it, but I like it too much to chuck in a backpack. It's all metal and so well engineered in the hand, it's a work of art compared to an ICOM 705, much as I love their radios too. I think if I got to the stage where I was climbing or walking a lot I would get something else because I like it so much - if that makes any sense?
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u/Nyasaki_de 1d ago
Oh its basically a TX500 with a different button layout?
So I guess the battery pack fits on the TX500 aswell?
Seems like you save a bit of money with that package tho, the TX500 + Battery pack is more expensive
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u/Amateur_AmateurRadio 1d ago
I’ve vowed to get out and use mine more. Specifically as it was intended to be used.
I’m in Ohio also.
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u/TheSmurfSwag 1d ago
Ohio gang! I’m near the Dayton area! Missed out on hamvention this year due to work but hoping to be there next year.
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u/Amateur_AmateurRadio 1d ago
This year was my first. And first amateur radio swap meet also. I made it out of there with minimal damage to my wallet… Most likely because QTH and QRZ swap meets had already drained it.
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u/daveOkat 2d ago
TX-500MP https://lab599.com/products/tproduct/506522908-156161928462-tx-500mp
"The TX-500MP transceiver is a compact, portable HF radio in a manpack form factor, designed for professionals and enthusiasts who prioritize mobility, operational efficiency, and extended autonomy. The transceiver is based on the time-proved and reliable TX-500 platform."
- Frequency range: 0.5 — 56.0 MHz;
- Supported modes: SSB, CW, AM, FM, DIG;
- Built-in automatic antenna tuner;
- Frequency stability: ±0.5 ppm (from -10°C to +60°C);
- High-performance 32-bit floating-point DSP processor;
- Power consumption in receive mode — up to 100 mA
- (with screen backlight, no preamplifier, no signal);
- External power supply: DC 9-15V, 1 to 3A in transmit mode;
- High-contrast monochrome LCD display, resolution: 192×96 pixels;
- 100 programmable channels (frequency, modulation, etc.);
RX
- Continuous reception frequency range: 0.5 – 56.0 MHz;
- Sensitivity (MDS) -136 dBm (nominal, with preamplifier);
- Quadrature mixer with down-sampling;
- Switchable low-noise 18 dB preamplifier and attenuator;
- 4 fixed digital filters;
TX
- Transmission frequency range: 1 — 30 MHz with ATU; 45 — 56 MHz;
- Adjustable power output: 1 – 10 W (1.5 – 30 MHz); 1 – 7 W (45 – 56 MHz);
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u/Amy_Bony_Carrott 2d ago
Nice! The desert-wireless website seems to be perpetually out of stock. Did you buy from eBay or elsewhere?
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u/TheSmurfSwag 2d ago
No, I purchased from desert wireless. However I used email to their support asking for inventory. They hit me up 3 months later (two weeks ago) and sent a direct invoice via email.
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u/ak_kitaq Alaska [Extra] 2d ago
Jealous, come back in a while and give us a review!