[Elecraft] [KX3] Boost Buck 13.8 V Regulator

[Phil & Debbie Salas]

I put two 1N5400 diodes in series with each other (these are 3-amp diodes).  The diodes are physically side-by-side, with the leads connected in series to keep the assembly small.  This all fits nicely between two PowerPole connectors and has a piece of heat-shrink over it.  When connected between my 4S2P LiPo battery (16.8VDC fully charged), I get 14.8VDC on receive, and 14.2V with 2.2 amps on transmit at 10 watts.  When the receive voltage drops to 13V (as monitored on the KX3), I unplug the diode assembly.

Maybe it is not elegant.  But it is cheap, works great, and doesn’t generate any hash.

Phil – AD5X