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K3 with switching power supply??

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NOEL POULIN

K3 with switching power supply??

Hi,
I am using a standard linear power supply with my new K3S.
Anyboy using the ELECRAFT SWITCHING POWER SUPPLY WITH THE K3S????
I am on the way to change my old Astron RS35M power supply....
Which one is better?? Linear or Elecraft Switching power supply????
Thanks
Noel
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Jim Brown-10

Re: K3 with switching power supply??

On Mon,2/13/2017 10:51 AM, NOEL POULIN wrote:
> Which one is better?? Linear or Elecraft Switching power supply?

ANY switching power supply is a potential noise source, and even the
best can be heard in antennas that are close enough to it. The one
Elecraft sells is pretty quiet, but I heard it in a 160M vertical that's
25 ft from it.

73, Jim K9YC

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charlie carroll

Re: K3 with switching power supply??

In reply to this post by NOEL POULIN

Well, here I am packing my bags for a trip to VP2M. I think I will
leave my RM35 home and take along the power werk switcher. I'll tolerate
the few birdies I hear from the switcher for the difference in
size/weight. The answer to the question really depends on your situation.

73 charlie, k1xx/vp2mmf

On 2/13/2017 1:51 PM, NOEL POULIN wrote:

> Hi,
> I am using a standard linear power supply with my new K3S.
> Anyboy using the ELECRAFT SWITCHING POWER SUPPLY WITH THE K3S????
> I am on the way to change my old Astron RS35M power supply....
> Which one is better?? Linear or Elecraft Switching power supply????
> Thanks
> Noel
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
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Joe Subich, W4TV-4

Re: K3 with switching power supply??

In reply to this post by NOEL POULIN

> I am on the way to change my old Astron RS35M power supply....

Why would you change out an Astron RS35M? Unless you need to
make the K3 station portable where the weight and size of the
Astron is an issue, the RS35M will be both much more quiet and
much more reliable than any switcher.

Even if the Astron is getting a little unreliable, an overhaul
(replacing the diodes, pass transistors and possibly filter cap)
is likely to be more cost effective than purchasing a switcher.

For repair/overhaul information see:
<http://www.repeater-builder.com/astron/astron-repair/astron-repair.html>

or for a more in-depth modification/overhaul that replaces the 723
regulator see: <http://www.bwcelectronics.com/articles/WP20A190.pdf>

73,

... Joe, W4TV

On 2/13/2017 1:51 PM, NOEL POULIN wrote:

Mike Furrey

Re: K3 with switching power supply??

In reply to this post by NOEL POULIN

I have been using that Powerwerx power supply since before Elecraft started listing them on their web page and it is a good, quiet power supply. I use a big linear power supply at home and the Powerwerx unit for portable operations since it is a good compact supply. I got one for my newly licensed YL and it is on all the time with her rig with no issues and no noise.
73, Mike WA5POK

On Monday, February 13, 2017 12:52 PM, NOEL POULIN <[hidden email]> wrote:

Hi,
I am using a standard linear power supply with my new K3S.
Anyboy using the ELECRAFT SWITCHING POWER SUPPLY WITH THE K3S????
I am on the way to change my old Astron RS35M power supply....
Which one is better?? Linear or Elecraft Switching power supply????
Thanks
Noel
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Bob Steding

Re: K3 with switching power supply??

Is there a problem using the Powerwerx to power both the K3S *and *the
KAT500, or would I need a second Powerwerx?

On Mon, Feb 13, 2017 at 3:05 PM, Mike Furrey <[hidden email]> wrote:

> I have been using that Powerwerx power supply since before Elecraft
> started listing them on their web page and it is a good, quiet power
> supply. I use a big linear power supply at home and the Powerwerx unit for
> portable operations since it is a good compact supply. I got one for my
> newly licensed YL and it is on all the time with her rig with no issues and
> no noise.
> 73, Mike WA5POK
>
>
>
>
> On Monday, February 13, 2017 12:52 PM, NOEL POULIN <
> [hidden email]> wrote:
>
>
> Hi,
> I am using a standard linear power supply with my new K3S.
> Anyboy using the ELECRAFT SWITCHING POWER SUPPLY WITH THE K3S????
> I am on the way to change my old Astron RS35M power supply....
> Which one is better?? Linear or Elecraft Switching power supply????
> Thanks
> Noel
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
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>
>
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Mike Furrey

Re: K3 with switching power supply??

Looking at the specs, the K3s could draw up to 25 amps max, the KAT500 could draw up to 1 amp max and the Powerwerx supply is rated at 25 amps continuous duty. Sooooo .... It "may" be ok. That would depend on how long you hold the key down or transmit rtty.

You can get the Powerwerx unit that contains the built in volt/amp meter or purchase the external meter unit and see what the actual current draw is on transmit.
I don't have a KAT500 so maybe someone else here has tried that combination with that power supply. I have had no issues with my K3 or FT857D or IC7200 and the LDG 200pro antenna tuner.

73, Mike WA5POK

On Monday, February 13, 2017 2:33 PM, Bob Steding <[hidden email]> wrote:

Is there a problem using the Powerwerx to power both the K3S and the KAT500, or would I need a second Powerwerx?
On Mon, Feb 13, 2017 at 3:05 PM, Mike Furrey <[hidden email]> wrote:

I have been using that Powerwerx power supply since before Elecraft started listing them on their web page and it is a good, quiet power supply. I use a big linear power supply at home and the Powerwerx unit for portable operations since it is a good compact supply. I got one for my newly licensed YL and it is on all the time with her rig with no issues and no noise.
73, Mike WA5POK

On Monday, February 13, 2017 12:52 PM, NOEL POULIN <[hidden email]> wrote:

Hi,
I am using a standard linear power supply with my new K3S.
Anyboy using the ELECRAFT SWITCHING POWER SUPPLY WITH THE K3S????
I am on the way to change my old Astron RS35M power supply....
Which one is better?? Linear or Elecraft Switching power supply????
Thanks
Noel
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Jim Brown-10

Re: K3 with switching power supply??

The K3/K3S draws peak current on transmit, and is generally greatest on
the higher bands (especially 6M) where efficiency of the output stage is
lower. The KAT500 draws max current when tuning. The rest of the time it
draws very little current. In general, any PSU that will run the radio
will also run low power accessories like the P3 and KAT500.

73, Jim K9YC

On Mon,2/13/2017 12:59 PM, Mike Furrey wrote:
> Looking at the specs, the K3s could draw up to 25 amps max, the KAT500 could draw up to 1 amp max and the Powerwerx supply is rated at 25 amps continuous duty. Sooooo .... It "may" be ok.

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kstover

Re: K3 with switching power supply??

In reply to this post by NOEL POULIN

If the Astron ain't broke keep it. There would have to be a real good
reason, like parts becoming unobtainable, for me to consider getting rid
of my Astron. If they break they are dead simple to diagnose and fix and
no chance of making noise like a switcher.

On 2/13/2017 12:51 PM, NOEL POULIN wrote:

--
R. Kevin Stover
AC0H
ARRL
FISTS #11993
SKCC #215
NAQCC #3441

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Jack Colson

Re: K3 with switching power supply??

Ii have been using the Astron SS-25M for 7 years with my K3 (s/n 11xx) and notice no issues with noise. The same is true with my VHF and UHF transceivers.
73,
Jack, W3TMZ

> On Feb 16, 2017, at 7:40 PM, Kevin <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> If the Astron ain't broke keep it. There would have to be a real good reason, like parts becoming unobtainable, for me to consider getting rid of my Astron. If they break they are dead simple to diagnose and fix and no chance of making noise like a switcher.
>
>
> On 2/13/2017 12:51 PM, NOEL POULIN wrote:
>> Hi,
>> I am using a standard linear power supply with my new K3S.
>> Anyboy using the ELECRAFT SWITCHING POWER SUPPLY WITH THE K3S????
>> I am on the way to change my old Astron RS35M power supply....
>> Which one is better?? Linear or Elecraft Switching power supply????
>> Thanks
>> Noel
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>>
>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>> Message delivered to [hidden email]
>>
>
> --
> R. Kevin Stover
> AC0H
> ARRL
> FISTS #11993
> SKCC #215
> NAQCC #3441
>
>
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donovanf

Re: K3 with switching power supply??

Hi Jack,

Your RS-25M be trouble free for many years as long as you don't
allow the heat sink to get very hot.

73
Frank
W3LPL

----- Original Message -----

From: "Jack Colson" <[hidden email]>
To: "Kevin" <[hidden email]>
Cc: [hidden email]
Sent: Friday, February 17, 2017 1:04:21 AM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 with switching power supply??

Ii have been using the Astron SS-25M for 7 years with my K3 (s/n 11xx) and notice no issues with noise. The same is true with my VHF and UHF transceivers.
73,
Jack, W3TMZ

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Jim Brown-10

Re: K3 with switching power supply??

In reply to this post by Jack Colson

On Thu,2/16/2017 5:04 PM, Jack Colson wrote:
> Ii have been using the Astron SS-25M for 7 years with my K3 (s/n 11xx) and notice no issues with noise. The same is true with my VHF and UHF transceivers.

Whether or not you hear a noise source depends on the nature of THAT
source, in what frequency range it produces noise, its proximity to your
antennas, and how much other noise is present in your environment.

73, Jim

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