We have been having a discussion on X about only really having 1 option for a rugged field radio. That radio is the Lab599 TX-500MP
This radio has some great features:
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.);
PC software for channel programming;
Operating temperature range: -10°C to +60°C;
Dimensions (L × W × H): 226 × 90 × 31 mm;
Dimensions with battery pack (L × W × H): 226 × 90 × 62 mm;
Weight (without battery pack): 0.55 kg;
Weight with battery pack and cells: 1.18 kg.
Receiver:
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;
Automatic tone noise filter;
Noise suppression and impulse noise reduction;
Audio output for external speaker, 3 W nominal.
Transmitter:
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);
Maximum emission bandwidth: 12 kHz;
Reliable final amplifier stage with SWR and overheating protection;
Carrier suppression: >50 dB nominal;
Harmonic/spurious emissions: >50 dB below carrier;
Speaker-microphone with PTT;
2 fixed digital filters;
Digital speech compressor.
Even that is not everything I would like in a rugged field radio.
Icom and Yaesu take note
IP67 or higher rated
Low power consumption
20 to 25 watts
HF, VHF, UHF
Internal antenna tuner
Internal sound card
Internal GPS
Wireless control
Encryption for voice and data
ALE
No touch screen
Compact size.
Now, some of you may say I can’t have all that in a small package, but look at the pics below of the Q900. That radio fills almost all of my requirements in a very small package. I think it does some weird proprietary encryption, which I’m not paying. The only thing the Q900 is missing is the IP67 rating.
Below are some AI images of rugged Icom and Yaesu radios. I feel We deserve some better options. We need radios that stand up to real-world use out in the field. Not these delicate touch screen desk top queens that we are scared to death to break them.
Do it think Icom or Yaesu will make us a radio like that? Hell no! It will probably be a Chinese company that steps up and builds it if it even ever happens. If and when it does, that Chinese company will get my money, and my Icom and Yaesu will go on the shelf.
Wyoming Survival 