[Elecraft] Is the Lab599 TX500 a "rip-off" of the KX3?

[Todd KH2TJ]

Quite a bit of discussion of this rig on the SOTA reflector starting some time last year.   Here's some reviews:
https://swling.com/blog/tag/tx-500/
[https://s0.wp.com/i/blank.jpg]<https://swling.com/blog/tag/tx-500/>
TX-500 | The SWLing Post<https://swling.com/blog/tag/tx-500/>
Following TX-500 updates closely… I am following TX-500 updates very closely. Since I’m primarily a “field” ham radio operator, the idea of a weather-proof, rugged, QRP transceiver is very appealing. Seriously…just take my money! Of course, being first and foremost a shortwave radio listener, I’m also very interested how the TX-500 might play on the broadcast bands in AM mode.
swling.com

Also search out OH8STN's videos on youtube.  He's been playing around with this rig for a while now too.

If I recall correctly, the Nevada distributor is located in Reno.  He didn't have a radio at the time I visited his business.  There's another new prototype QRP rig getting some attention coming out of China - search out FX-4C.  I don't do much on facebook, but I did join his group to read up on the new rig.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLIXoGVNfng&fbclid=IwAR25Uwm2k5rMtUVzgOTGxh-XnKIixI6m4WVLWsCRp4X05A3DtgLrRQLXRcM
[https://i.ytimg.com/vi/NLIXoGVNfng/hqdefault.jpg]<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLIXoGVNfng&fbclid=IwAR25Uwm2k5rMtUVzgOTGxh-XnKIixI6m4WVLWsCRp4X05A3DtgLrRQLXRcM>
HF SSB Reception test FX-4C - YouTube<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLIXoGVNfng&fbclid=IwAR25Uwm2k5rMtUVzgOTGxh-XnKIixI6m4WVLWsCRp4X05A3DtgLrRQLXRcM>
A new type of ultra-small shortwave transceiver，Can be placed in shirt pockets and trouser pockets Receiving frequency range：1.6-30MHZ/(contain 50MHZ/Aviatio...
www.youtube.com







 So far looks interesting.  More so than than the TX-500.   Just my opinion.   Me,  think I'll hang on to my KX2 ...

73, Todd KH2TJ

________________________________

As someone who has one of these radios on order, I'd like to know if this
is fake news or true fact:

"This rig is copied from the KX-3. I was told this from a reliable source
inside Elecraft."

Source:
https://forums.qrz.com/index.php?threads/lab599-discovery-tx-500.683461/page-2

The radio in question is described here:
https://lab599.com/