Power supply

[Tryton]

Can anyone recommend a Decent power supply, I will be getting an ICOM 706MKIIg and want to use it for a base. The one that icom recommends is 300, I think that's too high, I could be wrong.. Thanks for all your help!

[ratboy]

All Icom/Kenwood/Yaesu ham accessories are overpriced, even when compared to the nearly identical commercial item. One of the 25 amp ones from this page will do fine:

Astron Power Supplies

Just a reminder for a possible future purchase, NEVER buy HT batteries that the manufacturer makes, as they cost as much as THREE of the identical item does from one of the battery companies. Same goes for for buying laptop batteries from Dell, HP, etc. Check on line, save a lot of money. I bought two laptop batteries, the same exact item, online for less than the price of one from Dell.

[ILMRadioMan]

Second that Ratboy.

We buy Astron power supplies for many of our base stations uses. Great power supplies. And size friendly too.

[prcguy]

I'll third that. The Astron switching supplies are very quiet and can be had on Ebay for good prices. Depending on your needs the SS-20 or SS-30 are great and I have had excellent results running an IC-706MKIIG and FT-857 on an older SS-18 supply which is very small for travel.
prcguy

[Tryton]

Thanks for all your help.. 1 more question. whats the difference between a switched or linear power supply? Thanks again!

[zz0468]

Originally Posted by Tryton

Thanks for all your help.. 1 more question. whats the difference between a switched or linear power supply? Thanks again!

A linear power supply is the "old fashioned" type with a HEAVY transformer, and relatively simple regulator circuit. Reliable, bullet proof, easy to fix if it needs it... did I mention HEAVY?

A switched supply is small, light weight, with complex switching and regulator circuitry. Reputed to be "noisy" and not as reliable. Get a quality (i.e. not cheap) switcher and you can ignore the noisy and unreliable rumors.

[Tryton]

any recommendations to power this radio? ICOM 706MKIIg thanks

[zz0468]

I've seen 3 recommendations for Astron in this thread. How many more do you need?

[Tryton]

I thought you were talking about a specific one, but thanks for your help!

[zz0468]

Originally Posted by Tryton

I thought you were talking about a specific one, but thanks for your help!

That choice is up to you. Just get one that will source more current than your radios draw. A 50% margin would be nice. But consider this the 4th endorsement for Astron.

[prcguy]

The Astron SS-25 would be a good choice with 20A continuous and 25A intermittent ratings. For a little more money you can get the M version with volt and amp meters.

If you want something a little smaller I have had great success with the SS-18 running 100w SSB radios. The IC-706MKIIG and most 100w HF rigs use about 8 to 10A average on SSB voice and at full CW output they can consume about 20A. If you don't plan on running full power FM you can possibly down size a little.
prcguy

Originally Posted by Tryton

any recommendations to power this radio? ICOM 706MKIIg thanks

[Tryton]

Thanks again, I ordered the SS-30M as well as the LDG AT-100Pro (I hope thats a good tuner)

[zz0468]

Originally Posted by Tryton

Thanks again, I ordered the SS-30M as well as the LDG AT-100Pro (I hope thats a good tuner)

You won't be disappointed with the power supply.

The subject of autotuners is worthy of it's own thread.

[gcgrotz]

My 2 cents: I've seen Astrons around for 20 years now, many in commercial service, some for a very long time 24/7. They are a good investment.

[prcguy]

What kind of antenna are you going to use with the tuner?
prcguy

Originally Posted by Tryton

Thanks again, I ordered the SS-30M as well as the LDG AT-100Pro (I hope thats a good tuner)

[Tryton]

lol no clue, I'm brand new to the ham world. I will be taking my test on the 9th but I want to get my rig ready.. Any help would be Appreciated!

[zz0468]

Originally Posted by Tryton

lol no clue, I'm brand new to the ham world. I will be taking my test on the 9th but I want to get my rig ready.. Any help would be Appreciated!

Maybe you should start a new thread in the antenna forum to talk about auto tuners. There's lot of misconceptions about them.

There's some good information at the SGC website. Learn the difference between a tuner and a coupler, and what each's pro's and con's are. There's nothing qrong with the LDG tuners, btw, so long as you understand them.

[kb2vxa]

20A is cutting it a bit fine for the Mark, it does 100W of FM which means a 100% duty cycle and a baby supply can easily overheat and go poof. I recommend at least 30A continuous which should give you a minimum of headroom. Check the manual to be sure what it's actual power drain is, I don't recall offhand and double it if you want to be sure.

A word of caution, no old buzzard transmissions at full output regardless of the mode! Being so compact even with the fan running it tries to defy the laws of thermodynamics, gets pretty darn hot with that rather undersized heat sink. Be sure to use with adequate ventilation, if you touch the back and burn your fingers give it a rest.

Let's not get all technical with antennas and tuners, he's still wet behind the ears so give him a break. I'm pretty sure he'll start with one of those put it together and put it up 2M/70cM antennas and hopefully some RG-213 or LMR-400 coax, we'll find him on the repeaters soon enough. You don't feed a baby steak and potatoes, let him get some teeth first.

[prcguy]

I have personally run the Astron SS-18 for hours on end with a 20A test load. It barely gets warn and doesn't seem to care. This is the exact same power supply that TenTec sold with several of their 100W HF rigs. I usually over specify power supplies but in reality most people use HF radios on SSB or CW and the duty cycle is low.

There is a completely new trend in power supplies for amateur radio where you would have around a 5A switching supply and 15 to 30 Farads (yes, Farads) of capacitance at the output to handle voice and CW peaks. These power supplies are very small and lightweight for travel and seem to work just fine with 100W SSB radios even though they can only do about 5A continuous duty.
prcguy

QUOTE=kb2vxa;1015237]20A is cutting it a bit fine for the Mark, it does 100W of FM which means a 100% duty cycle and a baby supply can easily overheat and go poof. I recommend at least 30A continuous which should give you a minimum of headroom. Check the manual to be sure what it's actual power drain is, I don't recall offhand and double it if you want to be sure.

A word of caution, no old buzzard transmissions at full output regardless of the mode! Being so compact even with the fan running it tries to defy the laws of thermodynamics, gets pretty darn hot with that rather undersized heat sink. Be sure to use with adequate ventilation, if you touch the back and burn your fingers give it a rest.

Let's not get all technical with antennas and tuners, he's still wet behind the ears so give him a break. I'm pretty sure he'll start with one of those put it together and put it up 2M/70cM antennas and hopefully some RG-213 or LMR-400 coax, we'll find him on the repeaters soon enough. You don't feed a baby steak and potatoes, let him get some teeth first.[/QUOTE]

[Tryton]

Wow what great reply's from everyone here! The PS is a Astron 30A desktop switching power supply w/separate volt and amp meters, 30A ICS 25A continuous. The Radio requirements are • Power supply : 13.8 V DC ±15% (negative ground)
requirement
• Current drain : Transmit 20 A
(at 13.8 V DC) Receive squelched 1.8 A
max. audio 2.0 A

So 20A looks like where I need to cover.