Kenwood: Need a wall outlet power solution for Kenwood TM-261A

[AB4BF]

Heck, at Shelby 2 years ago I got 2 of these for $50 each. The versions I got were older models that each had 2 cooling fans. There are great PS deals out there, you just have to look.

DPS-75 - DuraComm

The DPS-75 power Converter/Battery Charger converts nominal 108-132 AC voltage to 13.4 DC voltage for both DC load operation and 12V battery charging. As a power supply, the units tightly controlled regulation allows the user to operate a nominal 12VDC load up to 75 amps. As a battery charger...

duracomm.com

I've got an IOTA DLS-55 that looks very similar. I powered a Kenwood TS-430S and a Yaesu FT-2900 for several years before I got my Astron. Before the power company brought in a new line, seems like every time a lightning bolt hit near the house my IOTA would trip. It took, for me, about 20 minutes for the darn thing to reset after I unplugged it. When I first got it, I hooked it to an old BK o'scope to see how bad it was. To my surprise it traced like a 12 VDC battery with very little noise. I still have it as a back up and I am going to use it this weekend during our amateur radio support with Biking Across South Carolina (BASC). Back then, 2015, I paid $100 for it. It has served me and my club well.

 

[Firekite]

You know, I have a Progressive Dynamics Intelli-Power 45A converter from the RV that I replaced, mistakenly thinking it had gone out. I have no equipment to evaluate how “quiet” it is. It works extremely well for charging automotive batteries, but now I wonder if I could use it to power radios.

 

[bharvey2]

A lot of higher draw devices use regulated in line adapters similar to those used by laptops (albeit at 12VDC nominal not 19V) and are usually rated at 3A or above. I have one that I use sometimes to power mobile radios for programming. Something similar could work for receive only. However, key up once and you blow a fuse at the very least. Were I you, I'd bite my tongue and get a proper well regulated, supply capable of delivering current needed to full power transmit. As N4GIX stated above, buy once cry once. It'll give you greater latitude for additional radios. I know mine tend to multiply when I'm not looking.

 

[w2xq]

Having owned a TM-261A in the past, in my humble opinion I suggest you just do as suggested and buy a regulated power supply. I like Astron, but I understand you don't want to spend that amount of money. Regardless, a totally cheap unregulated power supply or "powerful" wall wart is asking for trouble sooner than later.

Just a thought to justify a decent regulated supply.

My Astron 20a powered a half-dozen devices including multiple tabletop receivers and numerous radio-related accessories. The one supply replaced numerous small receiver supplies, wall warts and power straps. Everything ran cool, including the JRC receivers that ran warm using their internal a.c. supplies. Twenty-five years later the Astron is still powering away despite a lightning strike at the house and several power surges caused by a few of the local power company's blowing up.

Hope that helps a bit.

 

[belvdr]

I've had a Jetstream JTPS28 for 15 years without issue. My only gripe with many power supplies is they put the power posts on the front.

R&L Electronics

Amateur Radio Store, Ham Radio Store

store2.rlham.com

 

[N4GIX]

I bought a Yaesu FP-1030A 30 amp linear power supply 38 years ago. It has been running 24/7 for 37.9 years without any problems. Currently it is powering the following radios:

1. Icom IC-7300 + LDG IT-100 autotuner
2. Anytone AT-5888 UV Triband Mobile
3. Kenwood TM-V7A Dual Band Mobile
4. Kenwood TM-V71A Dual Band Mobile
5. CS-800 Dual Band DMR Mobile
6. Uniden Scanner
7. Miscellaneous Radios under test and/or repair

Yes, at ~$250 it was an "expensive" purchase, but it's long ago paid for itself! Roughly $6.60/year,,,
Yaesu FP-1030A GigaParts.com

 

[Firekite]

I bought a Yaesu FP-1030A 30 amp linear power supply 38 years ago. It has been running 24/7 for 37.9 years without any problems. Currently it is powering the following radios:

1. Icom IC-7300 + LDG IT-100 autotuner
2. Anytone AT-5888 UV Triband Mobile
3. Kenwood TM-V7A Dual Band Mobile
4. Kenwood TM-V71A Dual Band Mobile
5. CS-800 Dual Band DMR Mobile
6. Uniden Scanner
7. Miscellaneous Radios under test and/or repair

Yes, at ~$250 it was an "expensive" purchase, but it's long ago paid for itself! Roughly $6.60/year,,,
Yaesu FP-1030A GigaParts.com

How are you splitting power to all those units? Something like a RigRunner, or a more traditional distribution block, or something else?

 

[N4GIX]

How are you splitting power to all those units? Something like a RigRunner, or a more traditional distribution block, or something else?

I use a 12 port Anderson Power Pole distribution block, since all of the connected equipment has their own fuses inline.

 

[paulears]

Ebay is full here in the UK of power supplies for radios - ham, marine and CB. I really have to wonder why you are making this so difficult for the price of a Big Mac Meal you can be up and running. You could find almost any old wall-wart 12V supply and give it a go. I assume you're comfy hacking the connector off and connecting the radio to the cable? Remember that one will be positive and one negative and no guarantee they will be red and black, normally the colours for + and - you could find blue and white. Could you work it out? We'd take a test meter, but I guess you don't have one of those either? Just buy a real power supply with big terminals and do the job safely and properly. If you're struggling at this level, then you must stay simple till you get a bit more knowledge in your head.

 

[krtz07]

I did acquire an 13.8 regulated PS. And the device is up and running.

Thanks for the responses.

 

[Firekite]

I did acquire an 13.8 regulated PS. And the device is up and running.

Ok, but what do you get?

 

[mass-man]

I did acquire an 13.8 regulated PS. And the device is up and running.

Thanks for the responses.

GREAT....you've probably got a power supply that will last a LONG time. I know my Astrons have....

 

[Patch42]

A lot of higher draw devices use regulated in line adapters similar to those used by laptops (albeit at 12VDC nominal not 19V) and are usually rated at 3A or above.

The power brick for my Lenovo laptop is ludicrously noisy. If it was plugged in it would swamp the radio with noise, and that was with the antenna 10m away in the backyard. I had to run the laptop off the battery to be able to hear anything on the radio.

 

[krtz07]

AUDIOTEK - Output 5A Amp Mobile 13.8 Volt DC Power Supply

Ok, but what do you get?

 

[mmckenna]

AUDIOTEK - Output 5A Amp Mobile 13.8 Volt DC Power Supply

And before people jump on you for not choosing their high priced favorite brand: Does it work for you?

If it does, that's all that matters. Budgets are a real limitation, and nothing at all wrong with that. If you have a power supply that does what you need and you are happy with it, ignore anyone that tries to convince you otherwise.

 

[krtz07]

And before people jump on you for not choosing their high priced favorite brand: Does it work for you?

If it does, that's all that matters. Budgets are a real limitation, and nothing at all wrong with that. If you have a power supply that does what you need and you are happy with it, ignore anyone that tries to convince you otherwise.

It works well.

 

[mmckenna]

It works well.

Then you got the right one. Enjoy.