Icom: ICOM 7300 question

[LostInNewMexico]

If I am going to use this as a receiver only and never transmit, how big of a power supply should I get?

I am also trying to decide between linear and switching. I've seen some ads for a toroidal ferrite core to wrap the input power line around. Do they work?

Thanks for all replies.

PS My area of interest is studying methods of detecting weak signals.

 

[N4DJC]

A 3 to 4 amp power supply (it draws 1.2 max on RX) should be plenty. Linear is better, but I very seldom use one.

 

[twotoejoe]

I'm running a $19 ebay switching ps on my 7300. I do a lot of transmitting though!

 

[cmdrwill]

$19 ebay switching ps

Meanwell SS- series ???

 

[Myrton]

Great question really.
I use both power supplies, mainly for testing radios.
Do your self a favor though, only a suggestion.
Get a 25 amp supply. You won't regret having one at a later time.

 

[merlin]

A 3 amp 13V supply is more than adequate "RX ONLY".
Switching supplies, although very efficient, generate RF noise, so I only use the linear sort of supplies.
Supplies I have are a variable 5 amp, fixed 13.1 V 3 amp-part of 30 amp supply. An HP 25 amp variable that can be chained with a 50 amp variable(75 amp) both 0-40VDC.

 

[Hit_Factor]

Here is an appropriate linear power supply for an IC-7300. Switching is noisy, can't change the spots on a leopard.

https://www.astrondistributors.com/astron-rs-35aastron-rs-35a-ap-1668.html

There are fancier models with meters, that's a personal preference thing.

Yes, I read the part about never transmit. Never is a long time, things change. You could have your general ticket in 2 weeks if you search well for testing sessions.

The IC-8600 is a better receive only option.

 

[fineshot1]

Switching supplies, although very efficient, generate RF noise, so I only use the linear sort of supplies.

You are so out of date with your knowledge that you are posting false information! That used to be true when switching supplies
were in their infancy decades ago. Most switching supplies these days are so well filtered unless your talking about some very
cheaply designed MFJ or some south east asain switching supplies. You should update your knowledge on this subject before
posting old wives tales like that!

 

[KD2FIQ]

I have the Astron RS-35M linear, Astron SS-30M switching and also a Powerwerx SS-30DV switching. I would get the Powerwerx. It comes with the Anderson Power Pole connectors which I like. Of course you could get away with a smaller switching power supply. I also got this for only $25 which will certainly get the job done for your purposes!!!!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009EIANT2/

 

[cmdrwill]

Just another Meanwell switching power supply. Prc guy has a mod to add filters to quiet them down.

 

[AK9R]

Astron now has linear power supply models with Anderson PowerPole connectors on the front panel. RS-20M-AP, RS-35A-AP, RS-35M-AP

 

[jazzboypro]

Go with an Astron RS35M and be done with it, if you ever plan on transmitting you'll have the juice for it. Chances are you'll never have to buy a power supply again unless you need a second one of something more powerful.

 

[prcguy]

I'm also a fan of the Powerwerx, especially for traveling. I have less experience with the Powerwerx vs Astron, which I've used forever and they rarely fail and have the best out of warranty support of any power supply made.

I have the Astron RS-35M linear, Astron SS-30M switching and also a Powerwerx SS-30DV switching. I would get the Powerwerx. It comes with the Anderson Power Pole connectors which I like. Of course you could get away with a smaller switching power supply. I also got this for only $25 which will certainly get the job done for your purposes!!!!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009EIANT2/

 

[vagrant]

For RX only, a 3 Amp power supply would suffice as previously noted, but some older and new models may provide noise. This could be problematic with your interest.

As this thread has adjusted beyond RX power only:
- I have an Astron RS-35A and it provides plenty of power, but I transmit as well as have other items getting their power from it while I transmit. I run a pigtail wire from it into an Anderson Powerpole multi-strip fused outlet.
- I have the Powerwerx SS-30DV and I quite like it with the power pole connectors on front. Still, I forget where or if on all of the 6 meter band, but it does provide noise there. Not enough to keep me from using it though except on 6m. I believe I discussed this before here on RR and someone else does not have that noise problem on 6 meters using the SS-30DV. This leads me to...

As to your area of interest, noise caused by things in your home or relatively near the antenna may cause more hash than a noisy power supply and interfere with your endeavor. A proper RF choke near the antenna feed point and maybe at the radio might be the biggest help. I use one at my antenna feed point with an Off Center Fed antenna and it reduced the noise around 2 dB. An additional RF choke at the radio did not help, but everyone's situation is different. I also have MW broadcast stations nearby, so I use a high pass filter which attenuates RF below 1.8 MHz.

I also agree with Hit_Factor, if I was only going to receive I would option for the Icom 8600. You pay more but get more.