[Elecraft] K3 Power Supply

[Dick Dievendorff]

A lot depends on how you plan to operate.

I have a Gamma Research HPS-1a http://www.gammaresearch.net/ that is ideal
to take with me for portable operation for CW and SSB.  It handles a 100
watt transceiver on these modes fine, but would not handle RTTY at full
power or very slow CW.  It's tiny and light. It's a switcher, with a 5 FARAD
output capacitor.  It's quite popular and there's a bit of a waiting list
now.

Perhaps a smart battery charger for your batteries would be a good choice
for you. Try http://a-aengineering.com/QST_58.pdf  
This has the advantage of emergency capability if the power is off.  I
choose not to have big batteries in my house, but I'm guessing a sealed
battery would be safe enough. My K2 has an internal battery, and I'm using a
smaller version of this smart charger to keep its battery charged.

You can choose a small switching supply like one of the Samlex or Alinco or
Astron offerings.  The Alinco DM-330MV has many fans.

I plan two K3s for SO2R contesting.  I use an Astron 70 amp linear supply
and an 80A West Mountain Engineering power pole distribution panel and all
the 12V devices in my shack (antenna switching, SO2R controller, power
meters) connect to it via Anderson Power Pole connectors.  I don't need this
much current capacity, but everything runs well under its designed
capability.

Some switching supplies are noisier than others, so if you're considering a
switcher, look over the reviews carefully.  The K3 is quiet enough that
you'll hear everything. Many high-end rigs have built-in switching power
supplies.  If the switcher is built for communications use it has a chance
of being reasonably quiet.  But you won't keep a noisy switcher very long.
Pay the money for a good one.

73 de Dick, K6KR


-----Original Message-----
From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Thom LaCosta
Sent: Tuesday, January 15, 2008 3:31 PM
To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
Subject: [Elecraft] K3 Power Supply

Looking for suggestions for a power supply for the K3/100

The only thing I have handy(well, if I can get them upstairs) are 
some sealed lead acid batteries from motorized carts.

I have a few that are 34ah and at least one that is 55ah and one of 
the chargers that autosenses battery charge level.

Seems to me this should do the job, but I've never run a 100 watt rig 
on batteries, so I really don;t know.

thanks in advance for suggestions.

73,
Thom k3hrn

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