FS: Texas Star DX500V

[NightThumper]

Definitely got to replace that piece of crap…it worked good but can’t believe it gave out so quickly. The guy who has the FT-101E just happens to have two 15 year old IMAX 2000 antennas new in the box…there’s my replacement.

 

[Ranch55]

Hotdog…second LP-700 monitor just showed up. Here’s what it looks like seeing both input and output simultaneously. Yes I’m thrilled although I think I may have smoked my Gainmaster 5/8 wave with only a momentary 500 watt burst. Not sure as SWR looks fine with under 400 watts.

Now I’m trying to decide between that AL-80b or a Yaesu 101-E with AM/11 meters, matching frequency counter and a Shure 450 desk mic ($600)…Hmmm maybe I should just save the coin.

My opinion, definitely the Ameritron AL80B (better yet the AL-80BG) .......
I have two of the Yaesu FT-101 EE radios. Same as the 101E ........
They are good radios, they are very old radios.
You will have to have, or do, repair work on them. Like I said, they are very old radios.
Quality tubes for the radios are getting very hard to find. Good, working order pull-out PC boards are also getting very difficult to find.
I'm to the point that I do not want to work on the FT-101"s .......
If you were to purchase the equipment you mentioned, maybe it will operate for quite some time without any issues, or maybe you may be looking at repairs within a month.
You just don't know with that old equipment.
Now all what I said above is my opinion.

 

[NightThumper]

Ranch based on all the reasons you’ve listed and a few more the FT-101E is off the table and no longer a consideration. In the meantime I missed getting a new AL-80B. It’s no problem to add the GOP board, that’s what I did with my AL-82…never ever have tripped it. Never tripped it on the AL-1500 although I did trip it once on the Acom 2000P…go figure LOL

Just finished installing a new Max-2000 to replace the GainMaster I over powered. No issues with the SWR. Have the curved setup so they go from approximately 1.5 on channel 1 to 1.3 at 28000.

You’re opinion sir is always spot on, timely and informative.

 

[lonestarbandit]

thats very interesting. I was considering the gainmaster and passed due to rated power handling. I also have a max 2000 (no longer called Imax) and was annoyed to find I cant get the SWR under 1.4 I could have sworn 15-20 years ago my original Imax got 1.2

 

[lonestarbandit]

How much did you feed the Siro?

 

[NightThumper]

AM 510 watts. I’ve read a couple of reviewers who stated their GainMaster also gave out at 500 watts. SWR suddenly went from 1.5 to 5-7 when modulating. I don’t think it’s a total brick as if I reduce the power to 300ish SWR readings are back to 1.5. I’m thinking the capacitor has been compromised. When I get a chance I’m going to play it a little more before sending it off to the landfill….not a high priority right now

 

[NightThumper]

Well I wasn’t happy with the Max-2000 SWR readings so I added a 10 inch riser to the top section. At approximately 36 feet.

Channel 1=1.23
Channel 20=1.13
Channel 40=1.01

Now we can call it done!

 

[lonestarbandit]

damn it so the rumours of the new ones being to short must be true. My old Imax I remember beong 1.2 across the band and this "Max2000" I can't get below near as makes no difference 1.5
Where can I get this "riser"?

 

[lonestarbandit]

*too short

 

[lonestarbandit]

I give up. I can spell. I just cant type on thos phone. I promise lol.

 

[NightThumper]

This is the riser I used…not as in scope riser for shooting…LOL. You will need the coupling nut as well. Both were purchased off Amazon. I’m very pleased with the way my SWR turned out…better than the GainMaster.

Pro Trucker Replacement 10" Stainless Steel Shaft for Wilson T2000/T5000 Series

The Hillman Group 4375 3/8-24 Coupling Nut Fine Thread (5-Pack)

 

[lonestarbandit]

Ordered. Hopefully to same result as yourself.
Thank you Sir.

 

[NightThumper]

My tuning rings are in the center of the adjustment range. Hopefully you get the same results as myself. You are very welcome sir

 

[NightThumper]

Here’s a couple of Max-2000 SWR readings with higher power levels

 

[lonestarbandit]

And it didnt fall over on itself.