@BananaJSSI 13.8VDC is the design voltage but the manufacturer reports normal operation up to but not to exceed 18VDC. So if you set your power supply at 15V there will be no damage, just a cleaner (less flat top) and higher output. Do not try to reach 18V while still class AB or you will damage the amp. It will have to be converted to class C before you can drive it up to 18V. (Not recommended.)
@bellscb Thank you very much for the great info. The amp works like a charm and I have no challenge working any of the farthest South Pacific DX stations on my Antron 99. I have just set it at around 14 volts. I also have a small fan that blows on it to keep it cool when I use it. Cheers
512 watts to 1024 is 3 db - on paper at least. Biggest bang for the buck is at 250 watts output from under 20 or so. 3 db IS a noticeable change......not always worth the $$ to get there.
crazybobdj True. But the reason I made the comment is this : It depends greatly upon what you are using when you see that increase. A kenwood or an icom or any radio for that matter, CB or ham grade. Has a non linear circuit that drives the S meter. Yes, they try - some better than others - to make a metering circuit that is fairly linear. But lab grade performance it is not. I have a kenwood 450 that is very generous from S 5 to S 9 - it is not 12 db from S 5 to S 9 maybe six or so. Simply put, if you try to go by the numbers. Your radio will lie to you in most cases. But yet most folks watch the meter, it's relative signal only. Something to compare things against is all. I understand the DB values, most receivers meters can not do that. It is relative signal reading only.
i have a texas star sweet 16.and a galaxy 99 in my truck.i had a 220 stater ring put in my alternator.this thing is amazing .ive talked all over the u s and canada.when skip is rolling.and of course my neighbors hate me.lol
@ffkevt That depends on a lot of things all concerning HEAT. I would imagine about 300W carrier with ICS (Intermittent Communications Service) and 200W if you talk a lot. You can add fans to increase carrier or Talk time or both. Trial and error will be the final call, monitor your heat sink temperature and you will do fine.
@M28443 The MODV, 250, 350 take about 1.6 - 2W carrier input. The 400 and the 500 take about a 2.7 - 3W carrier input. The 667V requires only .75 W carrier input. You can drive the 400 and 500 at 4W, they will have a little higher carrier than I like, but they will be fine.
I got a dx 250 from you 25 years ago. looks and works brand new. I would like to up grade to the 500 or 750 but I know I will need a bigger amp that I have now which is a 35 amp.. I will call you tomorrow. I live in boca thank you Jeff
When you turn the power all the way down on the radio, it has a 2w carrier and peaks about 35w on AM and has a bout 18W PEP on SSB . That's great to drive a DX-500V - Provided 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙠𝙚𝙚𝙥 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙨 𝙤𝙛𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙗 on the radio. The folks that have to turn up the radio to full power every time the amp gets turned off (barefoot), 𝗔𝗟𝗪𝗔𝗬𝗦 forget and overdrive their amps when the radio power gets left all the way up. Don't be that guy !!!
I was wanting to put a small TX STAR paired up with a 520 UNIDEN or 510 UNIDEN for some more punch. I love those little UNIDENS, good quality radio in a small package. I just didn't know if you could pair it up w/ the TX STAR if it was keying 3.8 to 4 watts.
I noticed Texas Star calls them CW transmitters,but yet no code key in the video,lol. What happened to that part in the back you put a crystal in for cw on ham bands lmao.. Just busting your chops. Was a ssb cb'r before a ham,and a ham who admits still likes the informal fun and dx on cb. nice video. 73
+lazydogg calif -- they both have 4 of the same transistors in them 1 x 2sc2879 = 100 watts 4 x 2sc2879 = 400 watts yes, they will put out more power than their rating, but what does it gain you in actual signal? nothing measurable on the receiving end (not even 1 S Unit) peace )
I suppose if you are on the superbowl and that is the type of operation you frequently encounter, I prefer polite, cordial QSO's to key-down, king of the hill operation, since the station is above 3100 meters (10,000+ feet) I am pretty sure that is not a consideration with sufficient power and antenna gain characteristics, there are many bands and frequencies, I'll just move somewhere else, that all sounds like far too much trouble to squeeze 3 watts more, it never made any sense to me
I am by no means an expert on amplifiers, but I get the impression that all (most?) CB amps aren't very good. Which wouldn't surprise me, since running an amp on a CB is illegal. So companies that make high quality amps for ham radio aren't going to make 11 meter amps. Sadly the FCC doesn't do much enforcement on CB.
Believe it or not , we used to sit them amps on top of an ice cooler b4 fans were thought o
@BananaJSSI 13.8VDC is the design voltage but the manufacturer reports normal operation up to but not to exceed 18VDC. So if you set your power supply at 15V there will be no damage, just a cleaner (less flat top) and higher output. Do not try to reach 18V while still class AB or you will damage the amp. It will have to be converted to class C before you can drive it up to 18V. (Not recommended.)
@bellscb Thank you very much for the great info. The amp works like a charm and I have no challenge working any of the farthest South Pacific DX stations on my Antron 99. I have just set it at around 14 volts. I also have a small fan that blows on it to keep it cool when I use it. Cheers
What kind of price do you get for one shipped to Tennessee?
I’ve one Texas Star DX 350... It’s very nice. Congrats from Brazil 🇧🇷, 73
What kind of price have you got on it Tennessee? Cumberland Plateau
I like it! Not much difference between 4-500 watt's than a KW on the receiving end.
512 watts to 1024 is 3 db - on paper at least. Biggest bang for the buck is at 250 watts output from under 20 or so.
3 db IS a noticeable change......not always worth the $$ to get there.
John Robinson Yes 3 db gain = half an "S" unit.
crazybobdj True. But the reason I made the comment is this : It depends greatly upon what you are using when you see that increase. A kenwood or an icom or any radio for that matter, CB or ham grade. Has a non linear circuit that drives the S meter. Yes, they try - some better than others - to make a metering circuit that is fairly linear. But lab grade performance it is not. I have a kenwood 450 that is very generous from S 5 to S 9 - it is not 12 db from S 5 to S 9 maybe six or so.
Simply put, if you try to go by the numbers. Your radio will lie to you in most cases.
But yet most folks watch the meter, it's relative
signal only. Something to compare things against is all.
I understand the DB values, most receivers meters can not do that. It is relative signal reading only.
+John Robinson agreed. run a 250 Variable HD with my 148 Philly.. DK set at 2w, and I have no problems getting out.
I like the Ameritron SPS-75MV available on my web site. I will put a link in the description under the video.
i have a texas star sweet 16.and a galaxy 99 in my truck.i had a 220 stater ring put in my alternator.this thing is amazing .ive talked all over the u s and canada.when skip is rolling.and of course my neighbors hate me.lol
Antenna ?
@ffkevt That depends on a lot of things all concerning HEAT. I would imagine about 300W carrier with ICS (Intermittent Communications Service) and 200W if you talk a lot. You can add fans to increase carrier or Talk time or both. Trial and error will be the final call, monitor your heat sink temperature and you will do fine.
@TheHemiphil81 Nice setup, puts out about 900W of clean SSB and peak AM. At that drive level that amp will last you forever.
By the way thank you that was very informative.
Glad it was helpful!
vERY NICE. Will any of the Texas Star units handle a 4 Watt dead key or is that too hot?
@M28443 The MODV, 250, 350 take about 1.6 - 2W carrier input. The 400 and the 500 take about a 2.7 - 3W carrier input. The 667V requires only .75 W carrier input. You can drive the 400 and 500 at 4W, they will have a little higher carrier than I like, but they will be fine.
How much for sale Tennessee 101
No, you remove the crystal board all together. (there are a a few more steps, see CBTricks for help)
I got a dx 250 from you 25 years ago. looks and works brand new.
I would like to up grade to the 500 or 750 but I know I will need a bigger amp that I have now which is a 35 amp..
I will call you tomorrow. I live in boca
thank you
Jeff
They don't make them like this No more with the TOSHIBA Transistors. All the new ones have DEI transistors in them.
If the variable power switch is not engaged does the variable power knob affect the power output of the unit ?
About 1.5 - 1.8W carrier input.
This would work really well with a stryker 955
When you turn the power all the way down on the radio, it has a 2w carrier and peaks about 35w on AM and has a bout 18W PEP on SSB . That's great to drive a DX-500V - Provided 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙠𝙚𝙚𝙥 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙨 𝙤𝙛𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙗 on the radio. The folks that have to turn up the radio to full power every time the amp gets turned off (barefoot), 𝗔𝗟𝗪𝗔𝗬𝗦 forget and overdrive their amps when the radio power gets left all the way up. Don't be that guy !!!
Question: Can you dial a watt in the "delay" SSB mode?
I just ordered the 350v and I'm already thinking to upgrade.
Where do I get a Texas star antenna?
I was wanting to put a small TX STAR paired up with a 520 UNIDEN or 510 UNIDEN for some more punch. I love those little UNIDENS, good quality radio in a small package. I just didn't know if you could pair it up w/ the TX STAR if it was keying 3.8 to 4 watts.
May I ask what is the difference between Texas star 500 and Texas star 667?
The 667 is the same amp but with a 2sc2290 as a driver transistor to the 4x 2sc2879's.. I like the 500 a lot more.
@@BellsCB thanks
Wow that thing does work with so little drive
13.8v
That's just wonderful since my freightshaker displays 13.7 on the dashboard.
Why do they not come with a cooling fan?
did you see one?
I noticed Texas Star calls them CW transmitters,but yet no code key in the video,lol. What happened to that part in the back you put a crystal in for cw on ham bands lmao.. Just busting your chops. Was a ssb cb'r before a ham,and a ham who admits still likes the informal fun and dx on cb. nice video. 73
I have a TX800. Not excited to install it because the lack of people out there. Not like the 90’s
Can I run this with my Cobra 2000 GTL.
Yes, turn the AM carrier down to about 2w before you do. Full power SSB will do fine.
@@BellsCB Thanks for the info.
Where can I buy the Texas star are Palomar - mobile 200 to 400 watts ?
Is Marbella still around
i have a killer bee texas star. What should my deadkey be to swing ratio? I want it loud and proud but also to travel
How do I get one
Call me for details 954-771-8161
I have a Texas Star DX 350 HDV. I run it with a 52 amp variable power supply. I heard it is better to run my amp at 13.8 volts. Is this true?
Where to buy a 200 watt base pre amp and a 100 watt mobile pre amp ?
What size power wire comes out of the back of this amp?
I have the tx star 500 and the texas star 667v. I only get 400 watts out of the tx star 500 and just a little over 500 on the 667v
lazydogg calif You are probably not driving it hard enough. Put a swing mod in your radio.
+lazydogg calif -- they both have 4 of the same transistors in them
1 x 2sc2879 = 100 watts
4 x 2sc2879 = 400 watts
yes, they will put out more power than their rating, but what does it gain you in actual signal?
nothing measurable on the receiving end (not even 1 S Unit)
peace )
Dietrich Zumwald
You will get a little more audio and it can make enough of a difference between getting walked on and talking over someone.
I suppose if you are on the superbowl and that is the type of operation you frequently encounter, I prefer polite, cordial QSO's to key-down, king of the hill operation, since the station is above 3100 meters (10,000+ feet) I am pretty sure that is not a consideration with sufficient power and antenna gain characteristics, there are many bands and frequencies, I'll just move somewhere else, that all sounds like far too much trouble to squeeze 3 watts more, it never made any sense to me
@cbballbreaker1900 where did you hear all that from?...
I'm surprised with all the cool test equipment that you don't use tones for tune ups. Weird. 73 de N0RJP
Is there a good Band Pass Filter for this unit for the Ham Bands? Something that does not cost tons of $?? Thanks
Jimmy, WX9DX
Band Pass or did you mean Low Pass? www.bellscb.com/products/testequipment/rf_limited/DF3000_TVI_filter.htm
Band Pass, one for each band of interest!
Hey that kid Mike handle midnight maniac is he still around
can u do a test on a Texas star 667.. Watt test & see how far u can talk
hi hog..I have a Texas Star DX 500 (older model) and I can run that as well as my radio (RCI-2950) on my Pyramid 52 amp..Just FYI
LONG HORN KXP1133 HOW MUCH
Sorry didn't end up carrying them. 𝑺𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒘𝒅𝒓𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝘽𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙨 🔔 𝘾𝘽
why is this a piece of junk? I thought these amplifiers are one of the better ones on the market
price?
At class C you lose your ability to be able to sounds clean on SSB..
All texas star amps sound like crap on side band class ab is not good enough you need class AB1 look in to a messanger if you want to sound clead.
I am by no means an expert on amplifiers, but I get the impression that all (most?) CB amps aren't very good. Which wouldn't surprise me, since running an amp on a CB is illegal. So companies that make high quality amps for ham radio aren't going to make 11 meter amps. Sadly the FCC doesn't do much enforcement on CB.
Shoo.....
whats the max carrier fo fm on that amp? thx
audio audio audio
How big of a power supply would one need to run that on a base station?
it probably works well on a twenty amp power supply. don't take this for the gospel this is just my opinion hope others have an answer for you
Max amperage is around 60. Average is around 40 to 45. Not posting this for the OP.... This is for someone searching for this info in the future.