[Premium-Rx] Q: Operating a R&S EK-070 with 12V?

[Barry Hauser]

Mark wrote:

> I have a quick question about a R&S EK-070:  Is it somehow possible to
> use this receiver with 12 volts DC (i.e. mobile in a car)?  Or do I have
> to buy a 12V DC to 220V AC adapter?

While those adapters (inverters) start at fairly low prices, at least around
here, they are basically switching power supplies and tend to be very noisy.
They also vary in terms of the AC waveform they produce -- practically
square wave -- which may not interact well with the receiver's power supply.
There are more sophisticated inverter designs which do a better job of
emulating a sine wave, but there may still be a good deal of noise.  While
you could try one and either return it if it is unsatisfactory or use it for
some less critical appliances, I suspect you would do better to acquire the
N3 supply as Christine has suggested.

If you decide to try an auto inverter, be careful interpreting the wattage
ratings and duty cycles.  Some packaging descriptions may play a game with
peak vs continous ratings.  For example, 300 watt units can be bought for
less than $50 US in many shops here.  Even the nearby Walgreens 24/7 super
pharmacy and everything-store has one in a blister pack on the shelf.
However, if you read the fine print, that generous-sounding capacity may
only be good for brief periods, like 10 to 15 minutes, whereas the continous
rating may be less than half.  Regulation is another issue.  There may be
some risk of damaging the receiver's power supply with one of them.  I'd
imagine the N-3 supply would also provide the option of running the receiver
from a battery supply in the event of power failure or, as some like to do,
operate in extreme quiet mode -- if that supply goes purely DC to DC.

Barry