Texas Star Amplifiers

[Recon]

My thoughts.

The power wires are too small, my now very old 500 has 8 gauge directly to each board.
The factory fuse holders have been by passed and removed because they will fail under hard use.
I ran the positive directly to the second battery with my fuse at the battery and the ground goes to the frame.
Original Toshiba 2979 transistors are now $200 each from ICA and RF parts sells used 2879's that have been tested for $129
See attached

73
JeffView attachment 71551View attachment 71552

I get it! Texas Star intentionally manufactured amps with inadequate power cables.

 

[Eldorado828]

I prefer to buy from a member of the forum, and I'd like to know what is the "wiring upgrade". Did TS skimp on the quality of wiring?

I'm sure you'll get a superior amp from @Ranch55 no doubt. The Toshiba pills alone are superior then the added wire upgrade makes it more sweet.

I was just commenting because you said you couldn't find any available.

 

[Greg T]

I prefer to buy from a member of the forum, and I'd like to know what is the "wiring upgrade". Did TS skimp on the quality of wiring?

You'll have no issues with purchasing from Ranch55. I've dealt with him directly and you'll be hard pressed to find a more honest guy. I have seen his work and it is not only solid, it's impeccably neat and tidy. My piece is still running strong, clean and cool.

 

[AudioShockwav]

I get it! Texas Star intentionally manufactured amps with inadequate power cables.

As built they work, and in the past they only recommended 20 watts peak drive, but most users often exceed that.
We have to remember that these amps were designed long ago when most radios were single final and really struggled to make 20 watts drive.
They were the best bang for your buck back then for a "out of the box" grey market amp when run as they built them.
They actually got the FCC to give them a pass as a 10 meter CW transmitter ( still think Ed knew someone to get that) I don't think anyone else achieved that.
Now it's the norm for people to think they should take 100 watts of drive and expect 1000 watts peak out of 4x 2879's...
It's a different world today.

73
Jeff

 

[Ranch55]

You'll have no issues with purchasing from Ranch55. I've dealt with him directly and you'll be hard pressed to find a more honest guy. I have seen his work and it is not only solid, it's impeccably neat and tidy. My piece is still running strong, clean and cool.

Greg,
Thank you for your kind compliment.....