Amplifier recommendations.

[AudioShockwav]

At this point it looks like HG is holding up better than DEI transistors are.
And with many guys just attempting to throw them in a amp set up for Toshiba's the HG transistor seems to be a little more forgiving.
As for Texas Star, unless they are going to tune each amp they need to set down and look at the amp with HG transistors and
Change parts values for that transistor.

73
Jeff

 

[nomadradio]

DEI transistors wiil not tolerate high SWR.

They may have other shortcomings that cause them to fail, but this is their top drawback for me.

73

 

[2NC995]

DEI transistors wiil not tolerate high SWR.

They may have other shortcomings that cause them to fail, but this is their top drawback for me.

73

My Wilson developed an open between the coil and whip...losing about 5’ of antenna. My DX500 with DEIs managed to survive, but I credit that to the radio’s SWR protection and the very modest drive levels. Most people would laugh at what I run into the amp, but I like treating it nice and kind.

 

[WINKDOGG]

MRFX1K80H
https://www.nxp.com/products/rf/rf-...-wideband-rf-power-ldmos-transistor:MRFX1K80H

I Ordered my 1 LDMOS board-kit and a 50v HP power supply !! Im digging myself in deeper and deeper chaos keeps me kicking lol

To the thread poster , If its a no limit buy I say go for the Sweetie16(DONT SKIMP ON FANS OR POWER) if the budget is limited you cant go wrong with a Texas Star 350 or 500! I was lucky enough to score a Texas Star 12 Gauge 1200 watt 12 pill NOS dirt cheap , I have only heard it on my techs bench so far (I think he is dragging his feet because he loves playing with it lol) but I have been nothing but impressed with that now that its tuned on the input side !

To the thread poster , 530

Just follow your gut there are so many smart , awesome dudes on these forums this thread could last for years . I know you want a new amp faster than that lol

73's Ill be hollering at you in DX land !! 4-2-Zero NJ - Winkdogg - Brian Winks

 

[WINKDOGG]

My Wilson developed an open between the coil and whip...losing about 5’ of antenna. My DX500 with DEIs managed to survive, but I credit that to the radio’s SWR protection and the very modest drive levels. Most people would laugh at what I run into the amp, but I like treating it nice and kind.

Cool boxes are happy boxes Rule #1 (unless you have money to burn and can keep "popping pills" like those key down guys I get excited when the DX is rolling but luckily as I get older I'm learning the extra 50-100 watts isn't worth cranking up your driver! I hit the same long distance contacts with 400 real Bird watts that I hit when I push it to 600! Also when talking local not much difference between 350 and 500 watts if you have strong audio! My Connex 3300HP on high talks almost as well as it does on low power driving my 2 pill. That radio is the Audio MONSTER it is a major factor in any setup in my opinion Like a car stereo system you don't want to run $3000 worth of subs speakers and amps with a $79 head unit . A $300 Alpine will make those speakers sound the way they were made to sound

73's to all 4-2-ZERO Just Got UP
That's my 2 cents and that might be all its worth

 

[530]

I Ordered my 1 LDMOS board-kit and a 50v HP power supply !! Im digging myself in deeper and deeper chaos keeps me kicking lol

To the thread poster , If its a no limit buy I say go for the Sweetie16(DONT SKIMP ON FANS OR POWER) if the budget is limited you cant go wrong with a Texas Star 350 or 500! I was lucky enough to score a Texas Star 12 Gauge 1200 watt 12 pill NOS dirt cheap , I have only heard it on my techs bench so far (I think he is dragging his feet because he loves playing with it lol) but I have been nothing but impressed with that now that its tuned on the input side !

To the thread poster , 530

Just follow your gut there are so many smart , awesome dudes on these forums this thread could last for years . I know you want a new amp faster than that lol

73's Ill be hollering at you in DX land !! 4-2-Zero NJ - Winkdogg - Brian Winks

Yeah still deciding. Got another month before I have the cash to use. I was looking at the BBI basic 6 and 8 "pills", but not sure if he's taking orders right now. Also still like the Sweet 16, like yours as well. Would love a new 1200. I'd rather Hgs than dei's myself so checking that as well.
Any Techs here who is selling new, looking for 6 or 8 "pill" amp for 11 meters, mobile. I have 3 radios I use, the 6666, 955, and a 979. Not looking for fancy lighted plastic neon stuff. Just basic and correctly done. I like the sweet 16 but i also like at minimum a low/high power switch.

 

[2NC995]

I like the sweet 16 but i also like at minimum a low/high power switch

But, if you run it with your 955, you have high, low and everywhere in between right on the front of your radio.

 

[530]

Cool boxes are happy boxes Rule #1 (unless you have money to burn and can keep "popping pills" like those key down guys I get excited when the DX is rolling but luckily as I get older I'm learning the extra 50-100 watts isn't worth cranking up your driver! I hit the same long distance contacts with 400 real Bird watts that I hit when I push it to 600! Also when talking local not much difference between 350 and 500 watts if you have strong audio! My Connex 3300HP on high talks almost as well as it does on low power driving my 2 pill. That radio is the Audio MONSTER it is a major factor in any setup in my opinion Like a car stereo system you don't want to run $3000 worth of subs speakers and amps with a $79 head unit . A $300 Alpine will make those speakers sound the way they were made to sound

73's to all 4-2-ZERO Just Got UP
That's my 2 cents and that might be all its worth

I like shooting skip stock radio without the amp. Get out all over the country with my 979 stock when skip comes in. The amp is really for local use. LOL. Have a 1000W stereo with a pioneer head unit, don't like Alpine LOL. I had a TS500DX and looking for something a little bigger. Ill most likely be running it with my 955 at the proper wattage. Would like a 6 or 8 "pill" for the mobile. Not really concerened about the gain compared to what I had. Just looking for something bigger, and I run them with the correct wattage as per the transistors specs.

 

[530]

But, if you run it with your 955, you have high, low and everywhere in between right on the front of your radio.

Yes, I know that as well. Not a game changer, just something I'd like with the 979 I have as I read not enough power isn't that good either, although I am not a tech and don't really know if it has any effect. I did read to much swing on the amp is not good either so I am worried if I use the 979 and being 4 watts will cause to much of a low power swing on the Sweet16. Anyone feel free on any info known on this. I am still searching stuff.

 

[2NC995]

Yes, I know that as well. Not a game changer, just something I'd like with the 979 I have as I read not enough power isn't that good either, although I am not a tech and don't really know if it has any effect. I did read to much swing on the amp is not good either so I am worried if I use the 979 and being 4 watts will cause to much of a low power swing on the Sweet16. Anyone feel free on any info known on this. I am still searching stuff.

Putting an amp on a reduced power setting generally just reduces the input to amplifier by adding in resistors. In other words, if you’re concerned about not having enough power, that would make the problem worse.

 

[530]

Putting an amp on a reduced power setting generally just reduces the input to amplifier by adding in resistors. In other words, if you’re concerned about not having enough power, that would make the problem worse.

I understand. I usually use power a little below the transistors specs X time how many. I was worried as I have read too low a power and to much swing from the amp is not good. I was thinking as I have seen on some 8 "pills" There 2 power switch cuts 4 of the "pills" and I think that would be better for a 979 because of what I read about the amp swing where to much is no good either. Not a tech, so still researching.

 

[2NC995]

I was thinking as I have seen on some 8 "pills" There 2 power switch cuts 4 of the "pills" and I think that would be bette

I’m not personally aware of anything like that. Could exist, but it seems it’d probably be difficult to implement.

On the other hand, there are amps with internal drivers where the driver or the finals can be operated independently, or both together.

Specifically with the DX1600, i didn’t have much luck finding drive level recommendations for that amplifier. Not because they’re not out there, but because the recommendations are all over the map.

My personal opinion (having never touched one) is that a lot of the drive levels you might find in various places for that amp are probably much too high...particularly with the new crop of Chinese transistors.

Some folks here recommended that I could probably do well running one with my Lincoln II - which does somewhere are 35 watts (SSB). I point that out, because if you’ve done much reading, lots of folks claim to put 100+ watts into them.

 

[2NC995]

Sorry, 530...I edited that on you to add the part about the DX1600.

FWIW - I have the same mentality as you, nice and easy.

 

[530]

I’m not personally aware of anything like that. Could exist, but it seems it’d probably be difficult to implement.

On the other hand, there are amps with internal drivers where the driver or the finals can be operated independently, or both together.

Still swaying more towards the Sweet 16. Probably my last and most powerful I would own for the mobile. I used the TS500DX for many years and was happy with it. The Sweet16 is probably the biggest that my vehicle set up could handle without upgrading it. Thank you for your input.

 

[WINKDOGG]

Yeah still deciding. Got another month before I have the cash to use. I was looking at the BBI basic 6 and 8 "pills", but not sure if he's taking orders right now. Also still like the Sweet 16, like yours as well. Would love a new 1200. I'd rather Hgs than dei's myself so checking that as well.
Any Techs here who is selling new, looking for 6 or 8 "pill" amp for 11 meters, mobile. I have 3 radios I use, the 6666, 955, and a 979. Not looking for fancy lighted plastic neon stuff. Just basic and correctly done. I like the sweet 16 but i also like at minimum a low/high power switch.

Sounds good 530 ! I am also a big fan of BBi I am still on his waiting list to send him my Varmint tube amp ! Many people here don't thing highly of him , I have seen him do tons of quality work and I personally respect him . I have spoken with him twice on the phone and I get at least 1 email per month letting me know he has not forgotten about my box . I have found the relay it needs but it has some other work done to it and my local tech doesn't want to touch it lol I have been on the list almost 6 months but I have a feeling it will be worth the wait !

Let us know how your search pans out buddy !

73's Brian