Needing a Power Supply

[AK9R]

Before you use an antron you should read this first.

It's Astron. Antron was an antenna manufacturer.

Most of the information in that web page refers to Astron's linear power supplies. Most of the recommendations in this thread have been for their switching power supplies. Switchers have completely different circuitry than linears. Do the switchers have issues? Dunno. The user reports at eHam.net might give some insight.

 

[k3cfc]

I've read that article, & others. While it may be true, I just buy 1 size bigger than I feel I would need. In other words instead of buying a 20 amp unit for my HF radio which draws 20 amps on peaks, I bought a 35 amp supply. Plenty of reserve, & it's been on continually since the mid 80's. So while if they spent a few bucks more per unit to allow it to reliably supply what they claim, I just get 1 size bigger to act as a cushion, & all is well. I see plenty of good used 35 amp Astrons under $75 all the time. Can't go wrong with that.

You may have read the article but he probably has not. so before he buys a used astron and puts it in service he needs to read the article. it just might save his equipment. in this case what you don't know will hurt your radios.

Just saying

K3CFC

 

[dkf435]

Before you use an antron you should read this first.

Introductory Information on Astron power supplies

Some of that info is so old and no longer relevant on the newer models. A well sized Astron with a station of good design and bonding of the grounds one will never see over half the problems.

David Kb7uns

 

[prcguy]

The article discusses the older Astron linear supplies and we have been discussing the SS switching series which is a completely different supply, The SS series is very reliable and has no detectable RF hash noise on HF plus they can be had at very reasonable prices on Ebay.

Even the Astron linear series is very reliable, there are just millions of them out there and once in a while you hear of a bad one but the failure rate is very small. I hear stories of people with the linear series that have failed out of warranty and Astron just fixes them for free and usually while the customer waits in the company lobby.
prcguy

Before you use an antron you should read this first.

Introductory Information on Astron power supplies

 

[k3cfc]

Some of that info is so old and no longer relevant on the newer models. A well sized Astron with a station of good design and bonding of the grounds one will never see over half the problems.

David Kb7uns

What if he buys an oooooooooolder model? then it is very revelent!!

K3CFC

 

[LtDoc]

If it's a really 'ooooold' Astron then I'd think reading that link would be a good idea. Or just read it anyway, knowledge only 'hurts' in acquiring it, having it available is nice even if it's not used. There's no guarantee that you can't have problems of some kind with almost anything. Then it's just a matter of 'fixing it'. That can be fun with anything.
- 'Doc

(There are two kinds of fun. The fun kind and then the "fun" kind...)

 

[k3cfc]

If it's a really 'ooooold' Astron then I'd think reading that link would be a good idea. Or just read it anyway, knowledge only 'hurts' in acquiring it, having it available is nice even if it's not used. There's no guarantee that you can't have problems of some kind with almost anything. Then it's just a matter of 'fixing it'. That can be fun with anything.
- 'Doc

(There are two kinds of fun. The fun kind and then the "fun" kind...)

I couldn't have said it better myself. knowledge is power.

K3CFC

 

[dkf435]

What if he buys an oooooooooolder model? then it is very revelent!!

K3CFC

I cannot remember how long it has been seeing an Astron supply made from their Tustin address. Most of the ones from Irvine I have very little problems with.

Have had to get into 2 supplies over the years, one had everything including the transitors ripped out of it and nobody though to check the SCR that was shorted out. Had another one that a friend was using with a worthless ground for the radio and a mismatched antenna and rf kept getting in to the 723 and it would loose regulation and crowbar until the SCR popped on that one also. Also make sure all the transitors are seated good in there sockets and the plastic caps are on the rectifier nuts so they do not short out on metal objects.

So get one well sized and ground your station. Have a RS-50 by my chair and it never gets turned off and it just hums along.

David Kb7uns

 

[k6cpo]

Another power supply I didn't see mentioned is the Alinco DM-330MV. This 30 amp supply is extremely reliable and isn't noisy if you want to use it to power an HF rig. It has four different outputs, the high capacity connections on the rear, two sets of 5A contacts on the front and a cigarette lighter socket. (I use that for charging my cell phone.) The voltage is variable from 0-16 V and the meter reads both voltage and amperage. I have a 2m/440 mobile, a 6m FM mobile, an Icom IC-751A HF rig and a Timewave ANC-4 connected to it. Of course, I never transmit on any of the rigs at the same time.

If I ever have the need for another supply, I'll buy one of these.