Texas Star DX 250 linear amp

This is a brief video of the Texas Star DX 250 in action. It is putting out 350 watts into SSB on a stock Uniden Washington Base Station CB radio.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Texas star dx 250
• linear
• amp
• power
• cb radio
• ham radio
• communications
• amplifier
• power booster

[BananaJSSI]

@Tobinindustrial I am on 27.385 LSB every night when the DX rolls in. You are 4.5 hours ahead of our Pacific Time zone.  My number is 791 and I call CQ from the Southern Gulf Islands. I have worked many stations in NFLD over the years. However none recently. Closest was NS just a week or two ago. I am also on 27.475 as well.

[Tobinindustrial]

@BananaJSSI I go by 1105 Newfoundland, Canada.. My handle is ANDROX... Hopefully we will hook up on a DX one day! I hang around channel one but visit LSB 38 and 27. 415 and 27.425...

[BananaJSSI]

@Tobinindustrial That's awesome! I have heard great reports on the Texas Star so I appreciate the info. from you. I run a TRC-458 for a radio with all of the extras, D-104 mic. and an Antron 99. I have ran so many different antennas and radios since I started back in 1977. Who know's, maybe you and I have QSOed on the DX.

[Tobinindustrial]

@BananaJSSI You are very welcome anytime. That amp will certainly give you good reports. It certainly no coward when it comes to pumping out some serious watts. It is built like a tank. I am confident you will be very impressed. You'll need a pretty big power supply to run that full speed ahead. I got a 25 amp and she was making it go into protection. However, you'll not be driving that hard on low or mid so you'll not need 25 amps.... The 52 amp power supply should be more than ample for it

[BananaJSSI]

@Tobinindustrial Thanks man! You are a big help. It is actually an X-mas present from my wife to me so technically I can't use it until X-mas morning, lol. I used to have a Kris Big Boomer 500 watt Linear back in 79/80, but it got fried. It was a big heavy old tube job home base style linear. It sure used to put some fire in the wire! I like to work DX so this little helper will come in handy. Cheers

[Tobinindustrial]

@BananaJSSI Yeah, yellow should be positive and black is negative. Should have no surprises there. Let me know how it works out and I will certainly forgive you if you get more wattage than its rating. I am thinking that perhaps a person should lower his dead key in order to keep the amp within its work limits. I am not all that interested in modifying my stock power or dead key. At any rate, the preamp is great. Running it on low and medium only should keep it within bounds. It's worth a try!

[BananaJSSI]

@Tobinindustrial It arrived yesterday brand new in the box but with no instructions what so ever. It has two yellow and a black wires coming out of the back with a fuse. Should be easy to hook up if Black is negative and yellow is positive I assume. Cheers

[BananaJSSI]

@Tobinindustrial Thank you! Great info

[Tobinindustrial]

@BananaJSSI Yes, more amperage and more wattage will increase output but it will be working beyond its recommended use. As with all electronics, heat and access power may shorten the lifespan of the unit. I suggest you stay within the limits as listed by the manufacturer. I had some people lament about my amp puting out 350 watts. I merely did a demonstration at full power of 12 watts SSB at 13.5 volts DC. My meters are accurate. As for my radio is stock so my readings? it is what it is!

[Tobinindustrial]

@BananaJSSI Use a heavier wire and the amp will perform better. I swapped out the regular power wire for battery booster cable wire and the amp certainly receives better amperage and appears more efficient. My humble opinion. Them stock wires are a bit too slight. A 10 gauge would be better