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Power supply for KS

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RICHH

Power supply for KS

I need to get a new power supply for my upcoming K4 and accessories before
my present 40 year old supply goes belly up.
I want reliability and no fussing , fixing or modifying things. Any
recommendations.
I heard that some of the old brands are not what they used to be.
Thanks,
Richard wa6kyr
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Ken Winterling

Re: Power supply for KS

Richard,

I use an IOTA DLS-55 SMPS power supply (
https://www.iotaengineering.com/dls55.htm). It provides 55 amps, doesn’t
produce RFI, is audibly quiet, and rugged. The dimensions are 9.7" x 6.7"
x 3.4" and the weight is 5.0 lbs. Mine is on 24/7/365. IOTA also makes
them in other output voltages and currents.

Ken
WA2LBI

On Mon, Apr 20, 2020 at 15:21 Richard Donner <[hidden email]> wrote:

> I need to get a new power supply for my upcoming K4 and accessories before
> my present 40 year old supply goes belly up.
> I want reliability and no fussing , fixing or modifying things. Any
> recommendations.
> I heard that some of the old brands are not what they used to be.
> Thanks,
> Richard wa6kyr
>
--

Ken
WA2LBI

Sent from one of my mobile devices
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RICHH

Re: Power supply for KS

Hi Ken
Thanks for the info.
I am not in a rush yet. I noticed that the voltage is 13.4.. Maybe a
little higher might be better. Not sure on the last point.
I will check what else they make
TU 73
Richard

On Mon, Apr 20, 2020 at 12:51 PM Ken Winterling <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Richard,
>
> I use an IOTA DLS-55 SMPS power supply (
> https://www.iotaengineering.com/dls55.htm). It provides 55 amps, doesn’t
> produce RFI, is audibly quiet, and rugged. The dimensions are 9.7" x 6.7"
> x 3.4" and the weight is 5.0 lbs. Mine is on 24/7/365. IOTA also makes
> them in other output voltages and currents.
>
> Ken
> WA2LBI
>
>
> On Mon, Apr 20, 2020 at 15:21 Richard Donner <[hidden email]>
> wrote:
>
>> I need to get a new power supply for my upcoming K4 and accessories
>> before
>> my present 40 year old supply goes belly up.
>> I want reliability and no fussing , fixing or modifying things. Any
>> recommendations.
>> I heard that some of the old brands are not what they used to be.
>> Thanks,
>> Richard wa6kyr
>>
> --
>
> Ken
> WA2LBI
>
> Sent from one of my mobile devices
>

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Rick Bates, NK7I

Re: Power supply for KS

Wayne has said that 14.2V is desirable (as read on the display, so
~14.4V at the source AND the input connector at the radio). This
provides a more clean signal.

It's also important to not allow voltage sag under load (for the same
reasons).

Just make sure that if the power supply causes noise, that you can
return it without cost. Then your decision is switcher vs analog, each
work well; each have issues or 'features'.

73,
Rick NK7I

On 4/20/2020 12:59 PM, Richard Donner wrote:

> Hi Ken
> Thanks for the info.
> I am not in a rush yet. I noticed that the voltage is 13.4.. Maybe a
> little higher might be better. Not sure on the last point.
> I will check what else they make
> TU 73
> Richard
>
>
> On Mon, Apr 20, 2020 at 12:51 PM Ken Winterling <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
>> Richard,
>>
>> I use an IOTA DLS-55 SMPS power supply (
>> https://www.iotaengineering.com/dls55.htm). It provides 55 amps, doesn’t
>> produce RFI, is audibly quiet, and rugged. The dimensions are 9.7" x 6.7"
>> x 3.4" and the weight is 5.0 lbs. Mine is on 24/7/365. IOTA also makes
>> them in other output voltages and currents.
>>
>> Ken
>> WA2LBI
>>
>>
>> On Mon, Apr 20, 2020 at 15:21 Richard Donner <[hidden email]>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> I need to get a new power supply for my upcoming K4 and accessories
>>> before
>>> my present 40 year old supply goes belly up.
>>> I want reliability and no fussing , fixing or modifying things. Any
>>> recommendations.
>>> I heard that some of the old brands are not what they used to be.
>>> Thanks,
>>> Richard wa6kyr
>>>
>> --
>>
>> Ken
>> WA2LBI
>>
>> Sent from one of my mobile devices
>>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
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John Simmons

Re: Power supply for KS

In reply to this post by RICHH

The same supply is sold under the DURACOMM name. I believe there is a
pot accessible through a hole in the case to adjust the voltage.

My $0.02: I prefer supplies that are in a desktop case with meters for
current and voltage. The meters give me peace of mind and add
information and ambience to the ham shack. The Astron SS series seems to
be good.

-de John NI0K

Richard Donner wrote on 4/20/2020 2:59 PM:

Ken Winterling

Re: Power supply for KS

In reply to this post by RICHH

If you insert a jumper in the jack on the side it raises the voltage to
14.2.

Ken
WA2LBI

On Mon, Apr 20, 2020 at 3:59 PM Richard Donner <[hidden email]>
wrote:

> Hi Ken
> Thanks for the info.
> I am not in a rush yet. I noticed that the voltage is 13.4.. Maybe a
> little higher might be better. Not sure on the last point.
> I will check what else they make
> TU 73
> Richard
>
>
> On Mon, Apr 20, 2020 at 12:51 PM Ken Winterling <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
>> Richard,
>>
>> I use an IOTA DLS-55 SMPS power supply (
>> https://www.iotaengineering.com/dls55.htm). It provides 55 amps,
>> doesn’t produce RFI, is audibly quiet, and rugged. The dimensions are 9.7"
>> x 6.7" x 3.4" and the weight is 5.0 lbs. Mine is on 24/7/365. IOTA also
>> makes them in other output voltages and currents.
>>
>> Ken
>> WA2LBI
>>
>>
>> On Mon, Apr 20, 2020 at 15:21 Richard Donner <[hidden email]>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> I need to get a new power supply for my upcoming K4 and accessories
>>> before
>>> my present 40 year old supply goes belly up.
>>> I want reliability and no fussing , fixing or modifying things. Any
>>> recommendations.
>>> I heard that some of the old brands are not what they used to be.
>>> Thanks,
>>> Richard wa6kyr
>>>
>> --
>>
>> Ken
>> WA2LBI
>>
>> Sent from one of my mobile devices
>>
>

Rick Bates, NK7I

Re: Power supply for KS

In reply to this post by John Simmons

Simply verify that the panel voltage is the same was what a known meter
reads at the output, adjust the front panel meter as required. (Most
panel displays are off or simply not as accurate.) Then one can use a
permanent marker to place a line on the meter display, off the tip of
the needle to quickly see any variance (in time, you'll squint less).

Rick NK7I

On 4/20/2020 1:10 PM, John Simmons wrote:

> The same supply is sold under the DURACOMM name. I believe there is a
> pot accessible through a hole in the case to adjust the voltage.
>
> My $0.02: I prefer supplies that are in a desktop case with meters for
> current and voltage. The meters give me peace of mind and add
> information and ambience to the ham shack. The Astron SS series seems
> to be good.
>
> -de John NI0K
>
> Richard Donner wrote on 4/20/2020 2:59 PM:
>> Hi Ken
>> Thanks for the info.
>> I am not in a rush yet.   I noticed that the voltage is 13.4.. Maybe a
>> little higher might be better. Not sure on the last point.
>> I will check what else they make
>> TU   73
>> Richard
>>
>>
>> On Mon, Apr 20, 2020 at 12:51 PM Ken Winterling <[hidden email]>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> Richard,
>>>
>>> I use an IOTA DLS-55 SMPS power supply (
>>> https://www.iotaengineering.com/dls55.htm). It provides 55 amps,
>>> doesn’t
>>> produce RFI, is audibly quiet, and rugged. The dimensions are 9.7"
>>> x 6.7"
>>> x 3.4" and the weight is 5.0 lbs. Mine is on 24/7/365. IOTA also
>>> makes
>>> them in other output voltages and currents.
>>>
>>> Ken
>>> WA2LBI
>>>
>>>
>>> On Mon, Apr 20, 2020 at 15:21 Richard Donner <[hidden email]>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>> I need to get a new power supply for my upcoming K4 and accessories
>>>> before
>>>> my present 40 year old supply goes belly up.
>>>> I want reliability and no fussing , fixing or modifying things. Any
>>>> recommendations.
>>>> I heard that some of the old brands are not what they used to be.
>>>> Thanks,
>>>> Richard   wa6kyr
>>>>
>>> --
>>>
>>> Ken
>>> WA2LBI
>>>
>>> Sent from one of my mobile devices
>>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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]
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
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>
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Wes Stewart-2

Re: Power supply for KS

In reply to this post by Ken Winterling

I second IOTA.

I've used them in my RV, replacing another brand to get rid of the RFI. Mission
accomplished.

Disclaimer: IOTA is located in Tucson, and a long time ago in another life I
moonlighted for the founders in another startup company.

Wes N7WS

On 4/20/2020 12:51 PM, Ken Winterling wrote:

Richard Thorne-4

Re: Power supply for KS

In reply to this post by RICHH

I have a couple DuraComm LP-25's. I've never had a single issue with
them. I adjusted a pot and took the voltage up to 14.5 volts.

The LP-25's are switching power supplies. I have not detected any
receiver noise, so they're clean in my setup. They have a cooling fan
which only comes on when there is a heavy load. It gets a bit loud at
times. In my case, I'm normally driving an amp, so the power supply
doesn't see much of a load with 25 watts output on the K3S.

Rich - N5ZC

On 4/20/2020 2:20 PM, Richard Donner wrote:

> I need to get a new power supply for my upcoming K4 and accessories before
> my present 40 year old supply goes belly up.
> I want reliability and no fussing , fixing or modifying things. Any
> recommendations.
> I heard that some of the old brands are not what they used to be.
> Thanks,
> Richard wa6kyr
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]

Jim Brown-10

Re: Power supply for KS

In reply to this post by Rick Bates, NK7I

On 4/20/2020 1:05 PM, Rick Bates, NK7I wrote:
> Wayne has said that 14.2V is desirable (as read on the display, so
> ~14.4V at the source AND the input connector at the radio). This
> provides a more clean signal.

That flies in the face of Ohm's law, which describes the IR voltage drop
in the cable between the power supply terminals and the radio terminals.
To get 14.2V at the radio, you'll need more than 14.2V at the power
supply, and you'll need short, fat copper between them. Also, it's well
known that most commercially available power distribution systems add
both resistance and contact resistance to the path, so it's best to run
a dedicated feed to the radio.

Yes, Elecraft radios have less IMD with increased power supply voltage,
up to their maximum rated voltage.

The two K3s in my shack run from a 100Ah Bioenne Power LiFePO4 battery.
It's much closer to one radio than the other; the power to the closer
one is about 3 ft of #8; to the longer one, it's two runs in parallel,
about 6 ft. I typically get about 13.4V at the radios, as indicated on
their internal voltmeter during transmit.

Note also that IMD in Elecraft output stages is greatest at maximum
power out, and falls by a lot at 1/4 to 1/2 power. I mostly run my K3s
with a power amp; one feeds a KPA1500, which requires 30-40W drive for
full output, the other an 87A, which needs 40-55W. When I want to run
100W for contesting, I throttle the power back to a few watts and use
the amps. The same issue is present with the 15W stage -- IMD is
greatest just before the 100W power amp kicks in, around 15W.

73, Jim K9YC

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Edward R Cole

Re: Power supply for KS

In reply to this post by RICHH

Maybe find an old one that still working??

My Astron 50A analog PS has been run 24/7 for 16 years (or so) and
was in commercial use before (years?). Previous to it I bought an
Astron V35M (new in 1980) which lasted many years until blowing
(open) one of the rectifier diodes. It sits on my workbench.

But there are some good switching supplies (properly RF filtered). I
only have three which is are HP 50v-50A supply* for my kilowatt
amps. A toroid works well for RFI filter. *Likely surplus 48v
telephone equipment.

73, Ed - KL7UW
http://www.kl7uw.com
Dubus-NA Business mail:
[hidden email]

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Bob McGraw - K4TAX

Re: Power supply for KS

In reply to this post by RICHH

I'm using the Astron SS-30M for my station. Actually I have 2 of them
on the desk, one for the K3S and accessories and the other one for
another brand of radio and accessories. I have found they are reliable,
quiet and no RFI issue between 160M and 1296 MHz, including 144 MHz, 432
MHz.

73

Bob, K4TAX

On 4/20/2020 2:20 PM, Richard Donner wrote:

Bob McGraw - K4TAX

Re: Power supply for KS

In reply to this post by RICHH

Just adjust the voltage to 14.5 to 14.8 no load, usually via an internal
adjustment, and be done with it.

73

Bob, K4TAX

On 4/20/2020 2:59 PM, Richard Donner wrote:

Wes Stewart-2

Re: Power supply for KS

In reply to this post by Jim Brown-10

Sadly, that is not always true. There is a remarkable dependence upon frequency
as well. The sweet spot on my K3S is at 7 MHz. The IMD is actually lower at
100W than at lower power. That said it goes to pot at 1.8 and 25 MHz but is
lower again at 28 MHz.

Wes N7WS

On 4/20/2020 1:55 PM, Jim Brown wrote:
> [snip]
>
> Note also that IMD in Elecraft output stages is greatest at maximum power out,
> and falls by a lot at 1/4 to 1/2 power.

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