[Elecraft] ASTRON RS-20A

[Bob Nielsen]

On Thu, Dec 18, 2003 at 08:42:07AM -0800, Alan WB6ZQZ wrote:
> ARRL performed extensive testing on a number of modern switching supplies. 
> Several of them were found to be adequately low noise for HF use - at or 
> below the receiver noise floor.
> 
> The Astron RS-20 is a great supply. The Astron SS-30M is one of the 
> supplies that ARRL tested and found to be excellent for HF. I have had good 
> luck with both of them. The SS-30M also seems to operate fine connected 
> directly across a deep cycle battery with the intrinsic switching diode 
> protecting it from reverse currents, so I've used it in portable operation 
> on a generator across a group 27 deep cycle, which works well for 
> 'uninterruptible power'.
> 
> With or without a battery I have not noted any interference from the 
> SS-30M. Portable operation puts us in low noise areas (usually without 
> computers), so power supply noise would be more noticeable than at home.
> 
> If you want a lightweight supply check the ARRL for the QST article 
> reviewing the switchers. There are some good ones and some not so good.
> 
> I believe the MFJ also tested well.
> 
> -- Alan WB6ZQZ

There actually are two articles, the Astron SS-30M, MFJ 4225-MV, Icom
PS-85, Kenwood PS-40, Samlex SEC-1223 and Yaesu FP-1023 were reviewed
in January, 2000 <http://www.arrl.org/members-only/prodrev/pdf/pr0001.pdf> 
while the Alinco DM-330MV and Diamond GZV-4000 were reviewed in
September, 2000 <http://www.arrl.org/members-only/prodrev/pdf/pr0009.pdf>.

ARRL members can access these reviews at the URLs shown above.

Bob, N7XY