Power supply...

[N8YX]

There's currently a -20A floating around the 'Net for $60 and shipping. Assuming this thing load tests OK (no ripple, etc) make me an offer I won't refuse.

[K7SGJ]

Price is going to be key... I'm pretty much on a non-existent budget.

I hope it works out for you. One other thing to consider; some switching power supplies can generate a fair amount of noise do to the nature of the design. I think most of the ones designed to power radio equipment is pretty well filtered and suppressed. Also, at VHF/UHF, and especially FM, it may not be as much of a consideration as it would be at HF frequencies, and other modes. I have no knowledge about the one you were looking at, but maybe someone else has some direct knowledge they can pass along. You might even see if there are any equipment reviews, you might try to Google it or try Eham. The Astron is not a switching type supply, and that problem is non-existent. Just something to be aware of, and it might even be a non-issue. Just a heads up for you.

[K9CCH]

I know I have a few power supplies from some old laptops, and perhaps a speaker system. Is it as easy as cutting the connector off the end and connecting + and - and plugging it into the wall? Considering its the proper output etc...

[K7SGJ]

I know I have a few power supplies from some old laptops, and perhaps a speaker system. Is it as easy as cutting the connector off the end and connecting + and - and plugging it into the wall? Considering its the proper output etc...

Again, as someone else noted, you'll need at least 10+ amps@13.6 to properly run that rig. Most laptop supplies are 4 amps or less, and any more are around 19 volts. Some of the older ones were 15 or 16 volts at 2-3 amps, but again, they will be lacking for your application. I'd beat Fred up for a good deal on the Astron. It is heavier to ship than that other one you were looking at, but well worth it. And, if he checks it out and says it's good to go, you can bet the rent it is.

[KG4NEL]

I bought my RS20 used - it may have been the 2nd ham-related purchase I ever made.

12 years later, it's still chugging along...although on bench duty now. I'd snap up the RS35 in a heartbeat if I were in your situation.

[W7XF]

Chris....seriously, don't consider anything less than 12V 20A output. If your radio taxes your power supply to its limit, you will have a lot of AC hum on your signal. Whether you get a switching supply, or a transformer supply is totally up to you; however, a transformer-based supply may be rather costly to ship. I'd go over to Fry's Electronics..they have a reasonable selection, and they're well priced.

[KC2UGV]

I know I have a few power supplies from some old laptops, and perhaps a speaker system. Is it as easy as cutting the connector off the end and connecting + and - and plugging it into the wall? Considering its the proper output etc...

I should have been a bit clearer when I said a computer power supply. I mean the internal power supplies for desktop machines. The laptop bricks are noisy as fuck (I've tried them to run a small HF rig) and have some funky power protection circuits (To prevent overcharging and the like I presume) which cut out if you're not exactly matched to what they are expecting.

You can get the case power supplies for nearly nothing pretty often. Look on Craigslist and garbage piles for people tossing computers, and gut it. You can find the instructions for doing the required mods here: http://web2.murraystate.edu/andy.bat...owersupply.htm

It's a nice project for a new ham, to get down and dirty with a soldering iron and components that wont burn up easy.

As for the Astron Fred is offering up for sale: Jump on it. Sell blood and sperm if needed (EW! Not mixed together). I have a 30 year old Astron still kicking, and it's what I'm running my station on at the moment.

[W3WN]

I'd take Fred up on the Astron offer. I have several, and they are pretty much bomb proof. But if one should ever go TU on you, they are a cinch to fix.

Fred is a good guy, he'll make you a fair offer.

FWIW, a couple of years ago, I bought a working RS-35A at a hamfest for $35; it powered my TS-480SAT for a couple of years before that got traded for the Omni VI+. At present, the Astron is the backup to the Omni & Corsair power supplies...

I should be getting my 10 meter rig back fairly soon, and I should have a spare RS-7 once that happens. I suspect that won't be enough power for you, though.

[KB3LAZ]

I bought my RS20 used - it may have been the 2nd ham-related purchase I ever made.

12 years later, it's still chugging along...although on bench duty now. I'd snap up the RS35 in a heartbeat if I were in your situation.

Yep, they are worth the investment. A power supply was one of the first things I bought too. I have had my RS-70A for 9 years now and it was used when I got it. Hell, my grandfather has been using his RS-35A for likely my entire lifespan. Lol.

[W3WN]

Oh, I should add that I do not have a high opinion of those RS "Micronata" power supplies.

A club member donated one to run the NP2SH beacon. It malfucntioned and sent a spike into the beacon transmitter. Both were repaired, and then it happend a second time.

The beacon is now running on an Astron RS-7B that I got my hands on. (That's not a typo; the factory label said RS-7B, not RS-7A. No idea what the difference is, but outside of the label, it looks and works exactly like my spare RS-7A)