PDA

View Full Version : Texas Star conversion.


ka5piu
03-22-2008, 01:40 AM
Hello.

Several people have talked about the Texas Star conversion.
This is the basis for this conversion.
First, the original schematic.
http://texasstar.com/350HDVschematic.gif
Next, one of the conversions, based on Motorola technical notes.
http://www.cqham.ru/projects/100w_hf_qro/hf_qro1.jpg
Next, the completed circuits, with the low pass filtering.
http://www.cqham.ru/projects/100w_hf_qro/hf_qro1.jpg
Note that Texas Star amplifiers can be supplied as class C, or, as AB.
http://www.texasstar.com/export/specifications.html
Note also, that the 350HDV is supplied as a TRANSMITTER, and not an AMPLIFIER, this is to skirt around the laws.
http://www.copper.com/cart/index.php?cPath=61&osCsid=de291ee4cadc92847637dd04e0ab1717
I see nothing wrong whatsoever in using such a unit as the basis of a linear amp, but the original design does need rework.
So, why do it?
Take a close look at the prices, and that is New!
I can sometimes get a fully functional Texas Star 667HDV for under $100, that is less than I could ever buy the parts for, AND, it comes in a box with a board and heatsink.
And, remember, this is a CONVERSION, the units are not used as is.
I am the same kind of person who will take an old AM only car radio, convert it to do 160 meters, build a companion transmitter from discarded TV parts, put the whole thing, including power supply, microphone, and speaker, inside a wooden box, and make it look like an old AC/DC radio.
I find the radios from GM cars work best, as the tuning cap can take a few watts.
Nothing like chatting on 160 with the radio out of a vega!
But, this is one part of the hobby, building things out of stuff that was never intended to do this.