TEXAS STAR DX 500 won't power up

[443]

TS used the fake ebay toshibas for about a year before they were caught and exposed. Now they're back to using the may-pop DEI's.

That's just sad. I wish someone would buy out Texas Star and build the damn things right, and maybe build something without those ridiculous push button switches. It's sad to see Texas Star, a staple of the CB Hobby for as long as I can remember (been doing it 30 years) lack innovation, and on top of that, use sub-par transistors, when all they have to do is call up HG or a supplier and use something that at least has proven itself to work nearly as good as the old shit did. All of what is going on lately just makes me want to rant, so here goes:

Why the hell doesn't Texas Star start using some of the LDMOS stuff? I mean, don't they still sell a DX1600 and DX3200. It's stupid to build an amp that size out of so many weenie 12V power transistors, what a waste of parts, time and space, just go with something better already, learn to build DC-DC Converters for Mobile 50V+ use when you key it up, it's not rocket science. BIG Car stereo amps have 500VDC Rails in the bigger ones, and they are relatively cheap, learn to build those type of power supplies.... Put tamper proof security screws on the cabinet tops of the amps, and HV warnings and if some doofus electrocutes himself, oh well, he was warned not to F with the inside of it.

I guess you really have to take in account the state of CB Radio in General, it's gone in the shitter, due to the way newer equipment is made (Cobra, teeny tiny cheap as possible SMD, they do make bigger better SMD parts, which are FINE, but that costs too much....so they use the tiny-est SMD parts, reminds me of when they went to 1/16th watt resistors, everyone threw a fit...) and the fact that we are at a Solar Minimum, and due to the fact that most truckers don't even have a CB in the truck anymore, and the ones that do, only turn it on/volume up when they want/need something. And although there's a lot more people these days to buy stuff, most people live in mass housing (apartments) and are content with 100mbps internet, and a smart phone, no need for a radio. You can't even buy Tubes anymore. Everything has gone LDMOS, everyone needs to get on that bandwagon. Keep your 2 pills and 4 pills with 12V transistors, but anything bigger than that (power output-wise) should be LDMOS, and if in the mobile it should have a built in DC-DC Converter to up the 12VDC to whatever it needs, 50VDC-250VDC whatever. I miss the old days! rant rant rant.

 

[144inBama]

Question for 144inBama, Is that really SMD Chip Capacitors across the output transformers in your 500V? Is that the way it came from Texas Star?

Yes sir, that's exactly how it came, NIB. There's a lot of cheapness in these new amps. I've had a good many problems with it, to the point I got it working good but would NEVER sell it because I'd feel like I was screwing someone.

 

[Slowmover]

That's just sad. I wish someone would buy out Texas Star and build the damn things right, and maybe build something without those ridiculous push button switches. It's sad to see Texas Star, a staple of the CB Hobby for as long as I can remember (been doing it 30 years) lack innovation, and on top of that, use sub-par transistors, when all they have to do is call up HG or a supplier and use something that at least has proven itself to work nearly as good as the old shit did. All of what is going on lately just makes me want to rant, so here goes:

Why the hell doesn't Texas Star start using some of the LDMOS stuff? I mean, don't they still sell a DX1600 and DX3200. It's stupid to build an amp that size out of so many weenie 12V power transistors, what a waste of parts, time and space, just go with something better already, learn to build DC-DC Converters for Mobile 50V+ use when you key it up, it's not rocket science. BIG Car stereo amps have 500VDC Rails in the bigger ones, and they are relatively cheap, learn to build those type of power supplies.... Put tamper proof security screws on the cabinet tops of the amps, and HV warnings and if some doofus electrocutes himself, oh well, he was warned not to F with the inside of it.

I guess you really have to take in account the state of CB Radio in General, it's gone in the shitter, due to the way newer equipment is made (Cobra, teeny tiny cheap as possible SMD, they do make bigger better SMD parts, which are FINE, but that costs too much....so they use the tiny-est SMD parts, reminds me of when they went to 1/16th watt resistors, everyone threw a fit...) and the fact that we are at a Solar Minimum, and due to the fact that most truckers don't even have a CB in the truck anymore, and the ones that do, only turn it on/volume up when they want/need something. And although there's a lot more people these days to buy stuff, most people live in mass housing (apartments) and are content with 100mbps internet, and a smart phone, no need for a radio. You can't even buy Tubes anymore. Everything has gone LDMOS, everyone needs to get on that bandwagon. Keep your 2 pills and 4 pills with 12V transistors, but anything bigger than that (power output-wise) should be LDMOS, and if in the mobile it should have a built in DC-DC Converter to up the 12VDC to whatever it needs, 50VDC-250VDC whatever. I miss the old days! rant rant rant.

Hard to disagree. Perspective, so far as I’m concerned is that the few pay attention where the many do not. So waste no energy on those wearing masks or who took the euthanasia shot. The ones who understand the need for a decent radio system already likely have it. (Or know what to get).

Extrapolate to any other question about tools. The broadest definition of tool use.

“The many” no longer matter.

 

[443]

Yes sir, that's exactly how it came, NIB. There's a lot of cheapness in these new amps. I've had a good many problems with it, to the point I got it working good but would NEVER sell it because I'd feel like I was screwing someone.

I feel you on that. I know that Chip Capacitors can be just fine, and low tolerances, but damn does it just look cheap compared to the 1000pf Semco's, which you probably can't even get anymore, maybe Made in China clones of them... I know the "experienced" or "pro" builders don't really use Dipped Silver Mica, they take them out when they work on the amps and put in the Semco style Metal Caps. The only real reason to do that is the heat, I get it. They shouldn't get hot unless you are asking too much of the output transformers (saturating the F out of them driving 500 watts into an 8 blah blah). But to CHOOSE to use SMD Chip Caps in place of Silver Dipped Mica, uhm, no. And with that said about the Semco's vs the Dipped Mica caps, YES, I have had them go bad on me. But I was also banging the hell out of the amp trying to get more power output and it was mounted in the trunk, in hot summer weather.. It doesn't happen often.

 

[443]

Hard to disagree. Perspective, so far as I’m concerned is that the few pay attention where the many do not.

Correct. After the 9/11/2001 attack on the USA, I always have said that the problem with this Country is the Freedom itself. It allows everyone to only worry about going out, or going fishing, or the latest fashion trend, or the latest gadget, whilst all along not learning a single thing about why they have freedom in the first place. Not voting. Not caring. Like you said, not paying attention, until it comes back around to bite them in the ass. Then on top of everything we don't really have Free Press in this country anymore, the Press, the MSM, is a dictatorship, prove me wrong.

 

[long night]

Not the C version, its the regular HG 2879 16D08 that tune wise are the closest to the toshiba 2879's. They aren't a perfect tune match but close enough for government work lol.
As was said DO NOT BUY THE CHINESE FAKES. Lots of fake toshibas out there and no real ones to be found unless you know some one who has a private stash and then good luck getting them to sell some.
You could replace with used toshibas with close matching gains. Used toshibas run about $100/pill. If it were mine and i didnt have any used toshibas to put in it id replace with HG 2879 16D08 pills for $40/pill and run it till it smokes again, wash, rinse, repeat lol.
Before doing any of that id need to know what caused the pills to smoke and fix that also if need be.

Thanks for the great information on the transistors. Do the fake toshiba transistors not last long or just do not work at all? Also are the resistors, capacitors etc all surface mount in the texas star dx 500? Thanks to all for the great help you provide.

 

[Ranch55]

Do NOT buy the knock-off fake Toshiba transistors. They really are junk.
I have examined the internals compared to the HG's and they are very poorly constructed. Very low gain also.

 

[long night]

Yes sir, that's exactly how it came, NIB. There's a lot of cheapness in these new amps. I've had a good many problems with it, to the point I got it working good but would NEVER sell it because I'd feel like I was screwing someone.

Hi again. Couple of questions again also. Are the fake toshibas so bad because they do not work at all or they just do not last very long? Are the caps, resistors and diodes all surface mount in the texas stars. No through hole connections at all? Thanks and have a good day sir!

 

[144inBama]

Hi again. Couple of questions again also. Are the fake toshibas so bad because they do not work at all or they just do not last very long? Are the caps, resistors and diodes all surface mount in the texas stars. No through hole connections at all? Thanks and have a good day sir!

The fake Toshibas "work" but not as well as the originals thus trying to pair them with originals will eventually destroy the real ones due to the different tuning needed between the 2. Most of the components are surface soldered. There are a couple that are through hole though.

 

[nomadradio]

Why the hell doesn't Texas Star start using some of the LDMOS stuff?

Like Deep Throat said, "follow the money".

Designing a new product line costs money. More than just pumping the old cookie cutter up and down.

Investing in new technology doesn't seem to be one of their priorities.

73

 

[long night]

The fake Toshibas "work" but not as well as the originals thus trying to pair them with originals will eventually destroy the real ones due to the different tuning needed between the 2. Most of the components are surface soldered. There are a couple that are through hole though.

As always Thanks very much! Do you know which components are through hole?

 

[144inBama]

As always Thanks very much! Do you know which components are through hole?

The relay, push buttons and switching (keying) transistor are the only ones that come to mind right off. I know there's a few more though.

 

[long night]

The relay, push buttons and switching (keying) transistor are the only ones that come to mind right off. I know there's a few more though.

Thank you Sir. You are a fountain of information!