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Ham Radio Workbench Podcast


This podcast is your bi-weekly deep dive on making, DIY, electronics, and technical topics of interest to the ham radio operator. Join your hosts George KJ6VU and Jeremy KF7IJZ as they discuss current developments in ham radio while introducing listeners to a plethora of topics and skills such as test equipment, 3D Printing, Arduino, Raspberry Pi, and more.

Aug 2, 2016

George and Jeremy take a look at power supplies for powering radios and working on electronic projects.  They explain the differences between traditional radio power supplies and “lab” Constant Current / Constant Voltage power supplies.  They also provide helpful tips on what to look for when selecting power supplies for your radio or your workbench.

Tim KE4KE Website - http://www.ke4ke.com

Vance N3VEM - http://www.n3vem.com

Packtenna Mini - http://www.packtenna.com/

YouTube Packtenna Mini Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4RONXiPnkE&feature=share

New KJ6VU KX2 portable case video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfhqIH3wuk8

Bioenno LiFePO4 Batteries for ham use - https://www.bioennopower.com/collections/12v-series-lifepo4-batteries/products/12v-8ah-lfp-battery-abs-sealed-black-case?variant=1014198656

Raspberry Pi Clock - from N0BEL - http://n0bel.net/v1/index.php/projects/raspberry-pi-clock

2 Categories

  • “Ham” 12v PSU
  • Bench/Lab PSU

Ham “High Current” power supply considerations and tradeoffs

Linear vs Switch?

Variable Voltage vs Fixed Voltage?

Meters vs no meters?

What do you add as you go up in price?

  • Precision
  • Linearity
  • Low Noise/Low Ripple
  • More current/power
  • Computer connectivity/programmability

Linear 12V High Current Power Supply: Astron RS-35A - $180 - http://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=H0-004434

Switching 12V with Analog Meters: Samlex 1235M - $130 - https://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=H0-008965

Switching Variable Voltage with Meters: Powerwerx SPS-30DM - $160 - http://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=H0-011684

Switching 12V: Powerwerx SPS 30DV - $110 - http://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=H0-010662

Switching 12V Variable Voltage: Alinco DM-330MVT - $160 - http://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=H0-003728

Power Supply Accessories


Workbench Power Supply - What specs do you care about?

  • 0-20v or more
    • Single ended 0-20v - voltage reference to ground
    • Maybe Dual ended +/- 15 volts
  • Low ripple (<1mv p/p) - what is ripple?  (EEVBlog Ripple and Noise https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Edel3eduRj4)
  • 2-5 amps
  • Meters for Volts and Current (digital or analog)
  • Current limiting adjustment
  • Resettable output breaker
  • Short circuit protection

Test Leads - banana plug to whatever you need to connect to

What do you add as you go up in price?

  • Precision
  • Linearity
  • Low Noise/Low Ripple
  • More current/power
  • Computer connectivity/programmability

Dave Jones EEVBlog - earth ground vs ground referenced circuit - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xaELqAo4kkQ

Tenma 72-8345A 1-36V 3A Power Supply - $150 - http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/TENMA-72-8345A-/72-8345A

Tenma 72-8350 1-20V 5A Power Supply - $160 - http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/TENMA-72-8350A-/72-8350

Tenma 72-9465 1-36V 5A USB Controllable - $200 - http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/TENMA-72-9465-/72-9465

GW Instek GPS-1850D - $200 - http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/GW-INSTEK-GPS-1850D-/72-12100

Rigol Bench Power Supplies - https://www.rigolna.com/products/dc-power-loads/

Siglent Bench Power Supplies - http://siglentamerica.com/pd.aspx?tid=17&T=1