Switching Power Supply Recommendations Wanted

[Solosko, Robert B (Bob)]

Hi Elecrafters,

        I just sold my big, heavy linear power supply to replace it with
a small, light weight switching supply that I can pack into a suitcase
with my K2/100. Looking at the eham.net reviews, comments on all of the
switching supplies seem to range from "great, absolutely no switching
noise" to "noise everywhere", and everything in between. Given the
sensitivity of the K2's receiver, is power supply switching noise likely
to be more of a problem with the K2 than with some other rigs? Are there
any switching power supplies that you'd recommend that work well with
the K2 (and have little or no switching noise that the K2 would pick up)
and are there any that I should definitely avoid?

        Thanks.

Bob W1SRB
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[Bob Nielsen]

On May 25, 2007, at 7:04 AM, Solosko, Robert B (Bob) wrote:

> Hi Elecrafters,
>
> I just sold my big, heavy linear power supply to replace it with
> a small, light weight switching supply that I can pack into a suitcase
> with my K2/100. Looking at the eham.net reviews, comments on all of  
> the
> switching supplies seem to range from "great, absolutely no switching
> noise" to "noise everywhere", and everything in between. Given the
> sensitivity of the K2's receiver, is power supply switching noise  
> likely
> to be more of a problem with the K2 than with some other rigs? Are  
> there
> any switching power supplies that you'd recommend that work well with
> the K2 (and have little or no switching noise that the K2 would  
> pick up)
> and are there any that I should definitely avoid?
>

There are several product reviews on various switching power supplies  
available to ARRL members on the ARRL web site.  The January 2000 and  
September 2000 issues, in particular, did a number of comparisons  
showing noise spectrum.  Based on those reviews, I bought an Alinco  
DM-330MV.  It has a knob to adjust the switching frequency in case  
there is a noise problem, but I haven't found any noise that either  
my K2 or my TS570D can detect. I also have a MFJ-4103 which I use for  
travelling with the basic K2 (very small, 120/240 volts input) and  
haven't had any noise issues with that one either.

73 - Bob, N7XY

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[N2TK]

I have been using an Astron SS-30M with no noise difference on or off on
10-160M for my K2 and other 12V stuff. It sits about 4' away from the
equipment on a shelf under my operating position.
N2TK, Tony

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Solosko, Robert B
(Bob)
Sent: Friday, May 25, 2007 10:04 AM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: [Elecraft] Switching Power Supply Recommendations Wanted

Hi Elecrafters,

        I just sold my big, heavy linear power supply to replace it with
a small, light weight switching supply that I can pack into a suitcase
with my K2/100. Looking at the eham.net reviews, comments on all of the
switching supplies seem to range from "great, absolutely no switching
noise" to "noise everywhere", and everything in between. Given the
sensitivity of the K2's receiver, is power supply switching noise likely
to be more of a problem with the K2 than with some other rigs? Are there
any switching power supplies that you'd recommend that work well with
the K2 (and have little or no switching noise that the K2 would pick up)
and are there any that I should definitely avoid?

        Thanks.

Bob W1SRB
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[Ron D'Eau Claire-2]

The K2 isn't more sensitive than other receivers, Bob, but it seems like
Hams accept a lot more background QRN generators as 'normal' than we did a
few years ago. Time was, the worst source of QRN were the blasted horizontal
sweep oscillators in TV sets. Now that they are fading with the evolution of
flat-panel screens their demise is hardly noticed. They've been swamped with
noisier sources making broadband noise such as computers and other digital
stuff in the shack and, yes, switching power supplies.

So it's all relative.

ALL switching power supplies generate huge amounts of RF noise. SOME
switching power supplies are better shielded and filtered to reduce the
noise escaping the box than others. SOME Ham installations have the antenna
feed line better shielded and the antenna farther from the operating
position than others. SOME Hamshacks are electrically "quieter" than others,
with no computer or other digital hardware running (or at least
exceptionally well shielded digital stuff). SOME Ham QTHs have more
background QRN than others (city vs. country - electric fence nearby or no
fence nearby, etc.).

All of those things add up to a whole range of environments, all of which
contribute to the noise level heard in the receiver, and they all affect the
subjective perception of whether a given switching power supply is "quiet"
or "noisy".

My linear power supply is staying right where it is under the operating
table.

Ron AC7AC


-----Original Message-----
Hi Elecrafters,

        I just sold my big, heavy linear power supply to replace it with a
small, light weight switching supply that I can pack into a suitcase with my
K2/100. Looking at the eham.net reviews, comments on all of the switching
supplies seem to range from "great, absolutely no switching noise" to "noise
everywhere", and everything in between. Given the sensitivity of the K2's
receiver, is power supply switching noise likely to be more of a problem
with the K2 than with some other rigs? Are there any switching power
supplies that you'd recommend that work well with the K2 (and have little or
no switching noise that the K2 would pick up) and are there any that I
should definitely avoid?

        Thanks.

Bob W1SRB
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Robert,

I have used the Astron SS-30 PS on my K2/100.  Worked fine.  Used during FD and everyday use.  No hash that I can detect.  I got the one without meters.  Cheaper and available at the time

Lee - K0WA



In our day and age it seems that Common Sense is in short supply.  If you don't have any Common Sense - get some Common Sense and use it.  If you can't find any Common Sense, ask for help from somebody who has some Common Sense.  Is Common Sense devine?
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[Joe-aa4nn]

No problems with Astron SS-25M used with K2/100 months and months.
de Joe, aa4nn

----- Original Message -----
From: "Solosko, Robert B (Bob)" <[hidden email]>
To: <[hidden email]>
Sent: Friday, May 25, 2007 10:04 AM
Subject: [Elecraft] Switching Power Supply Recommendations Wanted


Hi Elecrafters,

I just sold my big, heavy linear power supply to replace it with
a small, light weight switching supply that I can pack into a suitcase
with my K2/100. Looking at the eham.net reviews, comments on all of the
switching supplies seem to range from "great, absolutely no switching
noise" to "noise everywhere", and everything in between. Given the
sensitivity of the K2's receiver, is power supply switching noise likely
to be more of a problem with the K2 than with some other rigs? Are there
any switching power supplies that you'd recommend that work well with
the K2 (and have little or no switching noise that the K2 would pick up)
and are there any that I should definitely avoid?

Thanks.

Bob W1SRB

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[Craig Smith]

Bob, if you're looking for something to put in a suitcase, I would highly
recommend the Gamma HPS-1.  It is VERY small and light and works well with
the K2 up to 100W.  It is a switching supply with an internal supercap to
handle dynamic loads.  No RF noise that I can hear and also acoustically
quiet.  I really like mine.

Check it out at www.gammaresearch.com

73
         ... Craig  AC0DS

Craig D. Smith
PowerSmith Consulting
1009 Alder Way
Longmont, CO  80503
phone:  [phone]
email:  [hidden email]
web:  www.PowerSmithConsulting.com
 

<> -----Original Message-----
<> From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]]
<> On Behalf Of Solosko, Robert B (Bob)
<> Sent: Friday, May 25, 2007 8:04 AM
<> To: [hidden email]
<> Subject: [Elecraft] Switching Power Supply Recommendations Wanted
<>
<> Hi Elecrafters,
<>
<> I just sold my big, heavy linear power supply to replace it with
<> a small, light weight switching supply that I can pack into a suitcase
<> with my K2/100. Looking at the eham.net reviews, comments on all of the
<> switching supplies seem to range from "great, absolutely no switching
<> noise" to "noise everywhere", and everything in between. Given the
<> sensitivity of the K2's receiver, is power supply switching noise likely
<> to be more of a problem with the K2 than with some other rigs? Are there
<> any switching power supplies that you'd recommend that work well with
<> the K2 (and have little or no switching noise that the K2 would pick up)
<> and are there any that I should definitely avoid?
<>
<> Thanks.
<>
<> Bob W1SRB
<> _______________________________________________
<> Elecraft mailing list
<> Post to: [hidden email]
<> You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
<> Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
<>  http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
<>
<> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
<> Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com



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[Ken N9VV-2]

I think this might be the link you wanted
http://www.gammaresearch.net/hps-1a.html
de ken n9vv

Craig D. Smith wrote:

> Bob, if you're looking for something to put in a suitcase, I would highly
> recommend the Gamma HPS-1.  It is VERY small and light and works well with
> the K2 up to 100W.  It is a switching supply with an internal supercap to
> handle dynamic loads.  No RF noise that I can hear and also acoustically
> quiet.  I really like mine.
>
> Check it out at www.gammaresearch.com
>
> 73
>          ... Craig  AC0DS

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[Bruce Bowman]

Craig-

Are you sure about this link? Gamma Research seems to be a s/w house.

Bruce, NM5B
Santa Fe, NM

----- Original Message -----
From: "Craig D. Smith" <[hidden email]>
To: <[hidden email]>
Sent: Friday, May 25, 2007 2:16 PM
Subject: RE: [Elecraft] Switching Power Supply Recommendations Wanted

> Bob, if you're looking for something to put in a suitcase, I would
> highly
> recommend the Gamma HPS-1.  It is VERY small and light and works well
> with
> the K2 up to 100W.  It is a switching supply with an internal supercap
> to
> handle dynamic loads.  No RF noise that I can hear and also
> acoustically
> quiet.  I really like mine.
>
> Check it out at www.gammaresearch.com
>
> 73
>         ... Craig  AC0DS
>

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[Craig Smith]

Sorry, Bruce - it should be www.gammaresearch.net

73
         ... Craig




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[Bill Steffey NY9H]

At 03:28 PM 5/25/2007, Ken N9VV wrote:
>I think this might be the link you wanted
>http://www.gammaresearch.net/hps-1a.html
>de ken n9vv

this little gem does work well. I HAD to tear it apart and cost it out.....
between Mouser & digikey you can get the actual little 5 amp switcher
in there , also the super caps which hold that 5 amps up well enough
for a K2/100...!!!
keep in mind the spec is for 100 watt CW & SSB...  not rtty, PSK 100
or FM with the heavier duty cycle.  But then it will turn into a 5amp
supply for qrp usage !!!!! no so terrible taking into account the
form factor and weight.

bill ny9h

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[Solosko, Robert B (Bob)]

Thank you to everyone who responded both on and off the list - there
were about 2 dozen responses with many suggestions and much good
information (just what you'd expect from the Elecraft community).

The top vote getters were the Alinco DM-330MV, Astron SS-25, the Samlex
SEC1223 and the Gamma HPS-1. From my perspective the HPS-1 wasn't really
in the running - while it was recommended by quite a few people, I don't
need something quite that small and I wanted a power supply that could
provide at least 20A continuously. The choice between the other 3 power
supplies was more difficult since all three were highly rated in the QST
reviews (and an extra thank you to those of you who referred me to the
QST reviews).

I eventually decided to go with the DM-330MV. While it is more expensive
than the SS-25 or SEC1223, the variable voltage feature and front
terminals gives me the option of using it as a test bench supply.
Hooking it up to my K2, it's very clean on all band from 80m on up. On
160m, there are birdies on the lower half of the band - but the power
cable from the supply to my K2 currently runs right next to the coax and
ground cables and very near the balun connecting the ladder line to the
coax, so repositioning the supply and power wire it should reduce the
problem (and the DM-330MV's adjustment to move the birdies works very
well, but I'd rather not have to have that additional adjustment)... But
the bottom line is that I'm rarely on 160m anyway.

Thanks again for all of the advice and information.

Bob W1SRB



-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Solosko, Robert B
(Bob)
Sent: Friday, May 25, 2007 10:04 AM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: [Elecraft] Switching Power Supply Recommendations Wanted

Hi Elecrafters,

        I just sold my big, heavy linear power supply to replace it with
a small, light weight switching supply that I can pack into a suitcase
with my K2/100. Looking at the eham.net reviews, comments on all of the
switching supplies seem to range from "great, absolutely no switching
noise" to "noise everywhere", and everything in between. Given the
sensitivity of the K2's receiver, is power supply switching noise likely
to be more of a problem with the K2 than with some other rigs? Are there
any switching power supplies that you'd recommend that work well with
the K2 (and have little or no switching noise that the K2 would pick up)
and are there any that I should definitely avoid?

        Thanks.

Bob W1SRB
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