(OT) - Power Supply for SGC-237

[stan levandowski]

If there is any lister using the SGC-237 autocoupler, could you please
tell me what power supply you are using for it?

My coupler (backordered for two months - they are apparently very
popular) is arriving on Friday and I just found out from an SGC tech's
email that I am only supposed to use an UN-regulated power supply (but
NOT a wall wart).


So after buying a nice Astron  RS-20M power supply for my new K2, I find
out I can't use it to power the coupler because the coupler "might
destroy the Astron electronics" according to SGC (no details as to "how"
or "why" in the email).

Unfortunately, SGC's policy is that all technical assistance is via
email only so I can't have a phone conversation with anyone there (I
already tried!).

Thanks!


Stan Levandowski WB2LQF
QRP CW: Skill, not power!
QCWA #35038   OOTC #4558   NAQCC #4740   SKCC #6488   FISTS #14992
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[Bob Cunnings NW8L]

On SCC's Installation FAQ page I see this explanation:

"Analog or switching power supplies themselves are highly susceptible
to RF. A few millivolts of RF in the power supply can create an
instability which could lead to a catastrophic failure. We never
recommend regulated or switching power supplies because no one can
predict when RF is upsetting the power supply and all installations
differ in characteristics."

http://www.sgcworld.com/smartinstallFAQ.html

Perhaps they are talking about RF pickup on a long run of power cable
between a coupler located at the antenna and the power supply in the
shack??

Bob NW8L

On Tue, Nov 2, 2010 at 5:13 PM, stan levandowski <[hidden email]> wrote:

> If there is any lister using the SGC-237 autocoupler, could you please
> tell me what power supply you are using for it?
>
> My coupler (backordered for two months - they are apparently very
> popular) is arriving on Friday and I just found out from an SGC tech's
> email that I am only supposed to use an UN-regulated power supply (but
> NOT a wall wart).
>
>
> So after buying a nice Astron  RS-20M power supply for my new K2, I find
> out I can't use it to power the coupler because the coupler "might
> destroy the Astron electronics" according to SGC (no details as to "how"
> or "why" in the email).
>
> Unfortunately, SGC's policy is that all technical assistance is via
> email only so I can't have a phone conversation with anyone there (I
> already tried!).
>
> Thanks!
>
>
> Stan Levandowski WB2LQF
> QRP CW: Skill, not power!
> QCWA #35038   OOTC #4558   NAQCC #4740   SKCC #6488   FISTS #14992
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
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> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
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> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>

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[stan levandowski]

  Bob, I guess I missed this in the FAQ:

"Analog or switching power supplies themselves are highly susceptible
> to RF. A few millivolts of RF in the power supply can create an
> instability which could lead to a catastrophic failure. We never
> recommend regulated or switching power supplies because no one can
> predict when RF is upsetting the power supply and all installations
> differ in characteristics."

I can definitely imagine my 20 foot combination coax/power supply line
acting like an antenna.

So now all I need is a recommendation for a small UNregulated 12VDC
power supply that isn't a "wall wart".

Stan Levandowski WB2LQF
HF QRP CW -- Doing more with less for over 50 years!
QCWA #35038   OOTC #4558   NAQCC #4740   SKCC #6488   FISTS #14992


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[stan levandowski]

OK, folks -- I located a 12 volt DC, 4 amp, UNregulated power supply for
$7.95.  It's just the "guts" - I get to build it into a nice cabinet,
put an on/off switch on it, a pilot light, supply my own jacks,
etc......PERFECT FOR A HAM!

Here's the link for anyone with a similar need:

http://www.mpja.com/prodinfo.asp?number=17636+PS


Stan Levandowski WB2LQF
HF QRP CW -- Doing more with less for over 50 years!
QCWA #35038   OOTC #4558   NAQCC #4740   SKCC #6488   FISTS #14992


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[Don Wilhelm-4]

  Stan,

For an unregulated supply, try this MPJA unit -
http://www.mpja.com/prodinfo.asp?number=17636+PS -
You will probably want an enclosure, so look in the left side of the
webpage for Boxes and Cabinets.

Or purchase a transformer, a bridge rectifier and a capacitor and build
your own power supply.

Another alternative is to use a 12 volt battery charger - just add a
capacitor (or a battery) to the output.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 11/2/2010 8:19 PM, stan levandowski wrote:

>    Bob, I guess I missed this in the FAQ:
>
> "Analog or switching power supplies themselves are highly susceptible
>> to RF. A few millivolts of RF in the power supply can create an
>> instability which could lead to a catastrophic failure. We never
>> recommend regulated or switching power supplies because no one can
>> predict when RF is upsetting the power supply and all installations
>> differ in characteristics."
> I can definitely imagine my 20 foot combination coax/power supply line
> acting like an antenna.
>
> So now all I need is a recommendation for a small UNregulated 12VDC
> power supply that isn't a "wall wart".
>
> Stan Levandowski WB2LQF
> HF QRP CW -- Doing more with less for over 50 years!
> QCWA #35038   OOTC #4558   NAQCC #4740   SKCC #6488   FISTS #14992
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
>

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[Jim Brown-10]

On 11/2/2010 4:54 PM, Bob Cunnings wrote:

> "Analog or switching power supplies themselves are highly susceptible
> to RF. A few millivolts of RF in the power supply can create an
> instability which could lead to a catastrophic failure. We never
> recommend regulated or switching power supplies because no one can
> predict when RF is upsetting the power supply and all installations
> differ in characteristics."

This doesn't make any sense to me. Astrons and many others have been
widely used in ham stations for decades, and these are all regulated
supplies. Some are switchers, some are not. Indeed, that vast majority
of 12V power supplies used by hams, and by commercial radio systems are
regulated supplies. Rather, I strongly suspect that someone at SGC has a
huge blank spot in the areas of RFI, the bonding of DC power lines, and
how that DC power is obtained to provide power for accessories.  This is
an issue that W4TV has had to address with his various interface products.

73, Jim K9YC
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[Phil Salas]

In the past I've used a SG-237, a SG-230, a CG-3000 and a MFJ-927 all
remotely mounted and powered from switching power supplies in the ham
station (Astrron SS-25, MFJ-4125 and most recently a SEC 1235) - using both
external DC feeds and biasT feeds through the coax.  Never any problems.

Phil - AD5X

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[AC7AC]

CONTENTS DELETED

The author has deleted this message.

[Terry Schieler]

I, too, used my Astron SS-30 and Samlec SEC1225 power supplies for years to
direct feed (via the coax) my SG-230 without a single problem.  I'm not sure
that the warning you read was even in the manual for the SG-230 when I
bought mine back in 1987.

Terry, W0FM



-----Original Message-----
From: Phil & Debbie Salas [mailto:[hidden email]]
Sent: Wednesday, November 03, 2010 7:47 AM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] (OT) - Power Supply for SGC-237

In the past I've used a SG-237, a SG-230, a CG-3000 and a MFJ-927 all
remotely mounted and powered from switching power supplies in the ham
station (Astrron SS-25, MFJ-4125 and most recently a SEC 1235) - using both
external DC feeds and biasT feeds through the coax.  Never any problems.

Phil - AD5X



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[Eugene Balinski]

SG-237 and SG-230 both on Astron RS-30 supply.  No issues
including operation of the power supply with in 8 feet of
the antenna.

73
Gene K1NR


On Wed, 3 Nov 2010 12:36:08 -0500
 "Terry Schieler" <[hidden email]> wrote:

> I, too, used my Astron SS-30 and Samlec SEC1225 power
> supplies for years to
> direct feed (via the coax) my SG-230 without a single
> problem.  I'm not sure
> that the warning you read was even in the manual for the
> SG-230 when I
> bought mine back in 1987.
>
> Terry, W0FM
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Phil & Debbie Salas [mailto:[hidden email]]
> Sent: Wednesday, November 03, 2010 7:47 AM
> To: [hidden email]
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] (OT) - Power Supply for SGC-237
>
> In the past I've used a SG-237, a SG-230, a CG-3000 and a
> MFJ-927 all
> remotely mounted and powered from switching power
> supplies in the ham
> station (Astrron SS-25, MFJ-4125 and most recently a SEC
> 1235) - using both
> external DC feeds and biasT feeds through the coax.
>  Never any problems.
>
> Phil - AD5X
>
>
>
>

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