Buying a Power Supply - Beginner Ham Radio 

One thing I want to mention - shack (operations) and bench supplies are different animals. You did say this was targeted for new hams, but it is woth menttioning. A radio power supply used for operating will provide a reliable, steady voltage for your radios. When you want to repair or modify the radio (which is one of the cool things about being a licensed ham - we can open up the radios and play around wifh them), you need a bench supply that has variable voltage, and most likely a dual voltage supply. Primarily why I mention this is two reasons. One, to encourage ham licensees to learn the art of radio. Two, so when looking for a supply, they don't confuse a bench supply for an operations one. A bench supply will cost more, but will not perfirm well as an operations supply. It's purpose is to provide an arbitrary voltage, not a constant 13.9 VDC.

Transformers are used to either “step up” or “step down” AC voltage, it the case of our power supplies the transformer steps down (decrease) the voltage. The rectifier converts the AC to DC.

Buddy! Was planning to do this segment today and thought I would check RU-vid first to see if anyone I knew had put together a nice demonstration. You did! I’d like to use the video on today’s show to talk about power supplies. All of course credit your channel in the description section as well as talk about what a great guy you are during the show. This is really well done. I have a few power supplies lying around I was going to use as samples to talk about but I think you covered it pretty well. If you’re not told this enough, thank you for all you produce here. It takes work. It takes a lot of planning and effort. Keep them going buddy! All my best to you my friend, Larry de K7HN

Very grateful for your video. I'm a new Tech and found the slow-moving explanations with actual examples very underatandable. You are an excellent instructor. Thank you.

Very good information. I have a switching power supply that makes no RF noise at all. Switching power supplies are getting better.

Thanks! I really appreciate you and this channel. I’m a new ham and your information has been really valuable

Thank you for this video - really helpful for me in understanding the requirements I’ll need down the line and especially the piece about equipment pulling vs pushing amperage. I needed it explained the way you explained it for it to click

No nonsense and to the point! Nice!

Thank you for this video. As a new ham who is currently running my Yaesu FT-891 on a Bioenno battery, I'm researching power supplies for my ham shack. Lots of good info to consider!

Very good video. You explain things very clearly and understandable. Thanks.

Nicely presented information. I have both switching and a linear power supplies and I think the new switching supplies have gotten a lot better with the RF noise. I will say however that my switching supply is audibly louder with the fan that cycles on and off as needed for cooling. My linear just has a big heat sink and no fan so it might be something to consider for some Hams. For me, my house is rarely quiet anyway so it's not a big deal. If you like to tinker and DIY repairs I do find a linear a bit easier to service. If my switcher fails I'll likely just recycle it and get another. Take care.

Good video Ape. Has a lot of good info. I have the Samlex. I imagine a great follow on to this video is a video on power distribution units. Everything from the Rig Runners to the Powerwerx PD-4. I also love meters and even my PDU's have meters

Hi,good video well explained, having a 40 and 60 amp switching power supply I found your video very informative, I agree don't buy the cheapest, thanks from Rotterdam 👍..

This helps - I always got linear because that is what I go hooked on 30yrs ago. Will have to consider the switching now - they are bound to be lighter :) Good presentation as you usual Ape, TY!

Good video explaining power supply differences and requirements I have an Astron 35 peak amp linear power supply. Even 30+ years ago it was expensive, but worth it. I like the voltage and amp adjustment with the clear analog meters. I've used Radio shack 5 and 10 amp supplies for years and they work well too. Haven't tried switching ones yet, seems like the better ones don't cause much RF noise now.

Thanks great video explaining power supply’s A+ for the beginning hammer

Thanks for your video it was a great help for me to choose a power supply

@TheSmokinApe Last year I went through the ham shack RFI reduction exercise. Established an RF ground buss, ferrite chokes on all the power cords, a Tripp-Lite Isobar 8 socket surge suppressor (each socket has its own filter), and replaced my "economic" switching power supply for an MFJ-4035MV adjustable regulated power supply. When the current surges, the voltage is maintained and the fans kick in for increased cooling. I got a significant reduction (no numbers) in background noise when receiving. The switching power supply went to the bench. So far so good.

Thank you for doing this video. I am new, although I got my General in Jan 2020 I am just now starting to get more involved. I have joined a local club, attended a meeting and a POTA event, and am now ready to start building my shack. I have 2 HTs that I use for local nets but want to get on the air and experience 10-40 meters. I was not sure as to what power supply I need but this was immensely helpful. Thanks again!

Great information. Many thanks

Very good info. I have had questions about Amp ratings, and yeah, it's what can be pulled from the source, it is not pushed. Great point that people should know. Thanks & 73 ya METER NERD.

Great Video. Very well thought out.

Great info!

Astron VS-70 May seem expensive now, but you will likely spend 3×+ (or more) buying smaller, inferior supplies until you end up at the same place....

Great video! Thank you

My first power supply was a jetstream manual adjust voltage, 30a peak, that thing was noisy in more ways than one. I turned an old cabinet into a faraday cage by lining it with copper meshing. Used emt to wire for receptacles inside the cage, bonded the emt at both ends and bonding jumpers around fittings. I put the power supply and HT charging stations in it, along with chokes on everything. Not sure if it made a difference but it sure felt like it did, the room didn't feel as "heavy".

20210215-Mo.2018, 😎 Nicely done. Good presentation.

Well done.

Thank you.

This was great info for new and veteran hams. I have an Alinco (Analog, bench type) power supply, that I use to power 2 mobile "Base Station" radios. (Similar to that last model, you showed) It has always worked great, and supplies clean, clear power. And If / when the need arises, I can take it to the work bench for use on other repairs / project testing. I love it. Yes, it was not cheap when purchased. But the price has not changed allot since then. It was worth the money! I'd buy another, or similar (cheaper) model, if I need another. I recently tried a (Amazon purchased) Pyramid 15 Amp, power supply. It made a terrible "HUM", when the mobile units were tried, individually. It went back, the same day! (P.O.S.!)

Bare knuckle power. Solar only. Good for my lighting. Not for my cw/qrp hf rigs. Though. I came across a answer. (Several heavy-duty) caps. And sense I use about 5 watts (p-p) power . The caps sop up the current. Then they add to the battery supply. Never had a drop out yet. I have powered my vhf/ UHF hand helds. And qrp rigs for 14 years . Good show tks.

Agree! Ive worked in recording studios, and some very budget and some top of the line. They use Shure mics at $99.00 and Neumann at $5,000.0 and up. Both do a great job, and the price to performance is very high, for very subtle rewards. But each one is incredible for its applications.

Started on switching PS as a tech. Moved to linear as a general and never looked back. IMHO, switchers are good for field day or starting out where portability and price is priority. Linear is best for shack and provides stable and clean DC power, e.g. with no noise or ripple, best for chasing that weak DX.

I didn't even know i needed one. Bought a flea bay special, no worries on fm, but major noise on hf. Neighbour to the rescue. He found an old linear power supply in a garage sale for $10, fixed it and gave it to me. As quiet as a battery.

Nice work, Ape. Surprised to not see the MFJ-4230 not mentioned, though obviously you're focusing on difference aspects of power supplies and not every one you own.

Thanks once again for providing honest input to multifaceted hobby. Also thanks for not having your intro to your videos with blaring rock music.

Man I'm just burning through your vids. Thinking ahead of a possible (highly likely) next step into the ham radio black hole, getting a FTM-400XDR and using it for home use (possibly followed by a second for mobile in the truck). Great input from your vid regarding the power supply standpoint as I'm learning all this. That said if you have any suggestions for a good power supply that pairs nicely with the FTM-400XDR it would be appreciated.

I have several of each. One smps supply will give me 45A @ 13.8V, it is well designed and intended for ham use, produces very little RF noise. I have a couple of others which I can't even switch on in the shack if I am playing radio. I also have a couple of linear supplies, one is ex CB and produces no noise at all @ 5A peak. The other I built myself based on ideas by W1FB, Doug deMaw, it also gives 5A@ 13.8V I use both for QRP.

You can put me firmly in the Linear power supply camp. I've been using an Astron RS-35M since the early 1990s and it still works just as well as the day I took it out of the box. Just this week I upgraded to an Astron RS-70M, and man, that thing is a BEAST. Now, if you are going portable, or going to operate from a vacation home somewhere, and will still have access to AC, then yea, take along a switching supply. They are much smaller and lighter. 73 de WB4DW

This is what I wanted to know. Thanks, KO4HEK

S.Ape..... one thing might be worth mentioning here. Some supplies WILL NOT start up under a heavy load. Mine here... and old linear, specifically states the maximum load it can handle when being powered on is 5 Amp. No more. A far cry from the 35 Amp it can deliver constantly and the 40A peak it can handle for a short while. Mind you, at 35A, the internal fans would do a 747 on take-off proud ! Most of us have limited (sometimes very limited) funds for our hobby, but a decent power supply, bought with an eye to the future ,is to be seen as an investment in your future Ham station. Your point on always ending up with more kit in your shack than you ever imagined is so very very very true !!! ( I started with a handheld... added a 2m/70cm, packet radio, Yeasu FT900, Yeasu FT1000D, big linear, 130ft twr, Hy-Gain TH7, a Create wormdrive rotator (that must have been used to turn the rudder on the Titanic and other stuff, it would shear your fingers off without any trouble !), and God knows whatever else found its way into the shack. No, not in a million years would I have seen that coming. Albert

I use this exact power supply runs both my 2m and 450D no problems

Great video! Informative and concise. I'm learning electronics, so the first thing I did was go out and buy every bit of vintage kit I could get my paws on for next to nothing cost wise. So now I have several radios and several beefy, and heavy, power supplies. As all of the radios are corded for AC mains (even the 1954 NC-300), I'm left wondering why I would want to use the 50lb 13.8v Gem... Any information regarding this would be greatly appreciated. Cheers!

I run an Astron SRM50 which can peak at 50A and is continuous at 40A and has worked well for my IC-7300 and an Icom V8000 2m mobile I run off of it. As long as I am not wanting to transmit on both radios at the same time, then this will also work when I upgrade the Icom V8000 to an Icom IC-9700. I have never had any issues with noise and use a rigrunner 4005 to manage my connections. 73s Ryan - W8PNP

I always buy a switching power supply that supplies a continuous 30 amp. This will be good for just about any transceiver out there.

Hi Ape! I must say the quality and usefulness of your presentations are superb! Just read through all the comments on this vid - many of those helpful also. Need a PSU for new fixed site IC-7300. Am pretty much sold on linear over switching, possibly an Astron. Did you ever switch to a linear? Do you have a video on power management hardware like powerwerx? Am unclear how they fit in and what they offer. 73, John - KK7JBZ Edit: Found your videos on power distribution units. Got it. Thx.

Perfect timing. Just bought an Icom 7300 and need a power supply. The switching part I did not understand. GREAT VIDEO! What power supplies do you like for the 7300?

Current is pushed by voltage; it does push it to the radio, but the radio only lets so much through at a given voltage. Of course this can change as the circuit in a radio changes, letting more or less through. If we take a very simple circuit, the current increases as the voltage increases, because the higher voltage is able to push more through... up to a point of course. The circuit can only take so much before it itself is altered by it.

Now I’m wondering about my power supply. I bought it when I was clueless about anything radio the day after my tech test. No problems but never really thought about it much.

Thanks for the video! Any thoughts on a jackery specifically if I need to go from mobile to into the field? Thanks

I recommend at least a 30 amp power supply if not a 40 amp unit as then you can add extra equipment and not over draw the current output of the power supply . Yes a 23 to 25 amp unit will power you radio with a couple of low amp draw pieces of external equipment but then your limited to what you can use to draw the current .

I had three switch mode psu and had nothing but trouble.. Big noise generators.. So I went back to linear without issue. I'm sure switch mode has maybe got better but I'm happy with what I'm using...

🤯 I just ordered my first power supply this morning. Now I wish I'd had got this one....

I have used PC power supplies for years. If you do the same get the right one, and make good connections, etc. There are several websites showing how to convert a quality PC power supply to a lab grade power supply.

I use a simple 7A power supply for my CB and a 30A dual meter for the ham side. Both are rugged and up to their respective jobs but I have come to realise that the meters and controls on the twice the price unit offers very little extra advantage over the simpler unit. Lesson - get the right power rating for your requirements first and foremost.

Great explanation very good, i need one for my MFJ 962E what do you suggest? Thanks

Darn it, more stuff to buy!👍

great video. I'm a new ham and waiting for my Xiegu g90 in the mail. What would you recommend for this radio? thanks

'Thanks. This is a subject to most hams on RU-vid just skip over. They do rig review videos and tell you everything about the rig, but it just magically turns on. I guess powering the radio is just something that most people only think about once when they get their first rig and just forget about.

So here is my take. My call is n0nwo and first got on the air in 1991. I have a power suply that has been around since long before I aws a ham. I have purchased it used. I have extremely poor vision, so I do not give two hoots or a tinker's dam about meters on the power supply. The power supply I have been using is linear and has not been shut off since I hooked it up on 2003 (except for power outages). I am considering replacing it as it is getting a little long in the tooth (like me). My power supply is hidden in the back of my home-made radio cabinet there all the wires are out of sight and out of mind. I have noticed that the supplies with meters on them all pretty much have the output connections on the front where the meters are which is just stupid. There is no way to hide the ugly power wires to the rigs. If you like a clean looking setup, forget about meters. If you want hassle free operation forever, consider getting a linear power supply. You never have to worry about getting any interference on any band ever. They are heavier, but if you are setting up a pertinent shack that probably will never leave the room it is set up in, WHO CARES??? Linear supplies have, for the most part, less issues with heat. Ya they can get warm, but not as warm as fast an switching supplies. Some have cooling fans, and many do not because they just do not need them. If your power suply gets hot quickly, maybe it is because you are working it too hard and need an upgrade. Give yourself some room to operate. I run an HF, rig and sometimes two VHF rigs on the same power suply. also some some light duty lamps antenna tuner and such. Give yourself plenty of room for amps above what you think you will need and be sure to look at continious duty amps and not the peak spike loads that most supplies are rated at. My plan is to get another linear supply. Forget about meters, forget about Rf supply noise. just hook it up turn it on and let it run for another 30 years (the approximate age of this unit) and never give it another thought.

So question… I’m a truck driver and still learning and growing. Currently running a 4 pill and Stryker 955 from my truck batteries, which is about 200amp/14.5v … when I key up I drop to about 13.8v which I get is normal, alternator keeps me about 13.9v on dash… at 12.6v major components on the truck start to turn off due to a low voltage disconnect. My question is, would a power supply ran into a 1500 watt pure sine inverter 12 DC/110-120 AC be a safer route as I consider moving up to a 12 pill?

When you say “noise”, is that something one hears when receiving, or that others hear when one is transmitting?

Do you have a video on using batteries instead & skipping the power supply if your into emcomm, pota , sota ect

What power supply do you suggest for the Alinco 735T? The DC voltage range for operating this radio is DC 11.7V to 15.8V.

If you pay more you get more - normally, yes. You get what you pay for - this is rarely the case.

I bought one in 2000, it has a big transformer, it is a big heavy bastard.

Really good, informative video. One thing I noticed after watching; I was looking at power supplies online and they were about $50 - $100 more than what you were describing... Then I noticed that this video was 2 years old. Damn... 25% - 50% increase in prices over the last 2 years, and no real new breakthrough in technology. Thanks for the help, and thanks for the great content! 73 de N5BLU

New guy question - Can you have 2 mobile radios hooked up to 1 power supply? For example, have a HAM mobile radio and a CD mobile radio? Do they make PSs specifically for dual radios? I have seen any but then again I don't know what I'm looking for. Some have the "cigarette light" jack and the red/black cable hook-up. Could you plug the CB in the Cigarette lighter jack and HAM in the red/black? Thanks in advance

You must be saying "radio" in something other than something plugged into a 110vac wall plug either directly or through an isolation transformer. Perhaps for experiments?

10:23 Who is looking for digital meters when looking for low noise?

Sir, nice video. Very informative. I learned something new about noise adjustable switching power supplies. Anyways, being an "old timer" I use both switching and linear power supplies. I like using the linear power supplies for the more permanent shack or work bench locations due mostly because of the weight. However, when I am moving my radio gear from one location to another location either for use in the field or portable operations for several days, switching power supplies are my choice. For my linear power supplies, I have an Astron Tripp lite, and several pyramid supplies. For, the switching power supplies, all 3 are Radio Shack hold overs, I think they're made by Samlex. No problems using them after 15 years.

Just getting into the hobby and working on move up to general so i can get more toys. I wanted to ask if you need one power supply per radio or is there one that i can run two radios off one power supply? Like a HF multi band plus a cb on the side.

Wut up Ape....went from Switching to Linear when I bought a 7610, noise went way down....73 WØDN

Vintage Midland CB Radio Power Supply Mod 18-143D? How do you use this?

Great video as always . One question, not really related ... kind of... When i do pota with my icom 7300, i only have my 12v dc battery directly connected to the radio, but another ham told me i NEED a item which will boost the 12v dc to 13.8 v dc... is this true... and if so , what is it called??

Spend as much as you can. Radios come and go but you will still be using that power supply twenty years from now. So buy at least twenty amps and the best quality you can find.

Switchers generally run at higher voltages and require a crowbar circuit to protect you rigs from higher voltage runaway ? KC3ONO

I am a new Ham. Do I need 220 volt to achieve performance. Or do us systems work on 110 volts.

The thing I do not understand about HR power supplies is that all our equipment says 13.8v but some PSUs adjust from 4 - 20.... If I am buying a PSU for ham radio I want it to be 13.8v with anderson power poles and no cigarette lighter socket.

The law of diminishing returns. Paying double does not equal double the equipment but it is better (usually)

I'm brand new to the hobby... so I'm sure this is a dumb question, but if I get a power supply that can peak at 35amps, am I not just going to immediately trip the 15amp breaker on my home electrical panel? Do I need to replace those breakers with a higher amperage one?

The Alinco dm-330mvt is a good PS, ?

hi my fist psu got 28 years ago military made 13.8v 40 amps 24..28v 16 amps and 48..56v 4 amps stil have it is a beast haz 2 transformers of 1200w each about 30kg the connectors where a bit of a problem 5 pin 25 amps mains in out and 10 pin 60 amp per pin output voltage 73

I appreciate the information a lot of really good stuff that you covered I the video. 73 AE4OY WILLIE

There’s price, quality, and speed (availability). You get to pick two at the expense of the third.

This was one of the most frustrating thing for me. The goal is to have a power supply that "will" deliver a smooth consistent amperage under load up to its manufactured rating. People were trying to sell me a $500.00 PS for a 2m 50 watt radio because I asked which power supply. After much research I bought the SEC-1235M $99 on sale. Research and ask other Hams. When someone says "That one", ask why? Find out the context of their use case. Some folks buy the $500 supply because it does "X" when they DX SSB on a 160m quad with a 1500 watt amp. Is that your use case? More then likely not if your new or just into the Amateur Radio. Don't buy a supply that just does what you need, buy what you can reasonably grow into. Buy a supply that will power your 65w 2m station and will power your 7100 when your ready for it. Ron KO4AYE

The two main problems with most power supplies these days is that most are switch mode which causes RFI as discussed here, and most do not have over voltage protection. Infact even most linear supplies do not have over voltage protection. I bought a Microset PT-135. expensive at £250 English pounds sterling but it's Linear and has both short circuit protection and over voltage protection. A lot of money for a PSU, but if it prevents you from loosing a radio that is far more expensive, surely it has to be worth it? the verdict? you get what you pay for. why spend a fortune on a radio if your not going to power it with a decent PSU?. it's a no brainer as far as iam concerned and not worth the risk! I can't understand anyone who is willing to spend a few grand or whatever on a HF radio, yet is quite happy to skimp on the power supply.

You're definitely from Balmere

I’m a new tech and wanting to set up 2m and 70cm dual band mobile as a base station. I’m will have to buy one part at a time. Thinking start with a decent power supply then antenna and SWR meter and then radio. So this video is very timely and informative for me and a lot of other newbies. Thanks

How to use the power supply for the radio, because there is DC cable

Just getting into Ham radios (about 2 years ago i got the bug) and went a bit too far with building a new Ham shack ,now I have been waiting for a year to get into classes (Canadian Amateur Radio Operator Certificate) .I have a cb shack and love all things radio! wish i had stumbled across your vids before i started buying

3:10 Amplifier or Power Supply 😉?

That's funny. Almost all the hams I know use Linear supplies. Switchers are noisy and unreliable. Great for portable operations but for your shack just buy an Astron Linear as it will outlast you.

Tekpower TP30SWV is a 30a power supply. You said 10a.

Subbed, 73 de VK6MMB

if you are going to go for a switching power supply and operate HF, you need to be PICKY and get a quiet one.... or you'll regret it.

The huge problem with EVERY "switching" power supply I've tried is that they throw out a massive amount of "Radio Hash"!!!!! I've discovered that even the most expensive of these have not solved this "RF Hash" problem! So, no switching units for me!

Descriptions of "how they work" is either over simplified or spouted from a position of not understanding principles of electronics.

Buy a Cell Phone and stop playing with that junk.