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Power Supply Thoughts

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Harlock

Member
Joined
Aug 2, 2007
Messages
89
Hello All...

I recently purchased a 20 Amp Pyramid power supply for my Yaesu FTM-3100r, and though it works, I have some grimaces with it. First off, it's very loud; the fan is super loud and on all the time. This is my biggest complaint about the unit. Secondly, it's not 20 Amp constant, but seems to do well with the 65w TX of my rig, where the amp draw only shows ~12 Amp when broadcasting at 65w.

I'm going to be getting a Yaesu 857d soon, and will need to get a beefier power supply for the radio, and want to hear what you guys think as far as make/model. I've looked at the MFJ 30w, but feel skeptical about something that small capable of 30w, but I really don't know. Any insight would be appreciated.

Thanks!
 

prcguy

Member
Joined
Jun 30, 2006
Messages
15,233
Location
So Cal - Richardson, TX - Tewksbury, MA
My first recommendation is the Astron SS (switching) series like the SS-25 or SS-30. They have no detectable RF noise, they work well beyond their specs and have the best factory support of any power supply company anywhere. You can get them with or without meters.

I buy them cheap used on Ebay and at ham swap meets and I have several that have been running 20yrs or more 24/7 with no hint of problems. I've blown up some of their older RS linear series (my fault) and the factory repaired and rebuilt them to current specs for a flat fee of $20.
prcguy



Hello All...

I recently purchased a 20 Amp Pyramid power supply for my Yaesu FTM-3100r, and though it works, I have some grimaces with it. First off, it's very loud; the fan is super loud and on all the time. This is my biggest complaint about the unit. Secondly, it's not 20 Amp constant, but seems to do well with the 65w TX of my rig, where the amp draw only shows ~12 Amp when broadcasting at 65w.

I'm going to be getting a Yaesu 857d soon, and will need to get a beefier power supply for the radio, and want to hear what you guys think as far as make/model. I've looked at the MFJ 30w, but feel skeptical about something that small capable of 30w, but I really don't know. Any insight would be appreciated.

Thanks!
 

lmrtek

Active Member
Joined
Feb 11, 2009
Messages
534
I've had a 54 amp pyramid supply in the past and it was nothing but trouble

I moved up to a astron rs-35a and had great service life

samlex, mfj, etc all make decent switching supplies

just be sure to buy one that has adequate current to meet the maximum
draw of your radio
 

mrweather

Member
Joined
Dec 19, 2002
Messages
1,251
My first supply was a Pyramid and I agree with noisy fan issue. Fortunately it died a horrible death from a lightning strike.

I've been using an Alinco DM-330MV for over ten years without a hiccup.

The Astron linear supplies are basically bulletproof but have some heft to them.
 

N4KVE

Member
Joined
Mar 1, 2003
Messages
4,103
Location
PALM BEACH, FLORIDA
Pyramid supplies are the worst, & I'm told that schematics for them are unobtanium. Can't go wrong with Astron, Samlex, or Dura Comm.
 

zrock

Member
Joined
Dec 29, 2016
Messages
54
Just out of curiosity why not run a server power supply like the rc guys do? It's clean power and can be found for $20 or so on ebay.

Sent from my SM-G903W using Tapatalk
 
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