I have absolutely no problems on a 20A circuit.  Caveat:  My shack has a 100 A branch feeder panel, and the drop is only about 10’ from the panel. 

I personally think 30 A 120V circuits are a bad idea, as they can cause imbalance in a split-phase system if fully loaded.  They hearken back to the bad old days of the 110V service.

Scott W7SVJ

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Jason WA6BBQ via MRCA
Sent: Tuesday, May 5, 2026 2:58 PM
To: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: [MRCA] BC-610I on a 20A circuit?

I’ve always been under the impression that a BC-610 required a minimum of a 30A 120V circuit. 

At full power according to the manual, on 120V (original spec is 115V) comes to 16 2/3 A, just a tad past the 80% circuit loading “rule.” 

Sure, 30A would be vastly preferable, but I’m curious to hear of anyone’s successes running one on a 20A circuit/ 12GA wire. 

Something might rapidly move up in restoration priority! Or, it’s just a really bad idea? 

Thanks and 73,

Jason WA6BBQ