View Full Version : Connecting A rig Directly to The Main Or Via 13.8V Power Supply
A71AN
03-23-2008, 10:38 AM
I hope this does not sound like a silly topic been posted on qrz.com, as it assists me to do things in proper order, to avoid damage to my equipment.
I have the FT-1000MP and it comes with 220/240V internal power supply, which means this rig could be directly connected to the main, at the same time, it also having the facility to connect it via a 13.8V external power supply.
The direct A/C current and voltage some times is not well stabilized and get affected with the system loading, especially if that system feed large industrial plants, like steal plant, for example.
I always use A/C Automatic Voltage Regulators and connect all of my equipments throw them.
The largest A/C Automatic Voltage Regulators I have in my room is 20KV with 3phase unbalanced protection relay. Some others I have, they are of 3KV and 5KV rating , also with protections and trip facilities.
Still to some people the D/C Supply is of much stable and clean nature and less risk of damage to the equipment.
I did not connect my rig yet to the main, and need to know, connect it to the main directly or connected via a 13.8V power supply, the reason why I had to wait before I connect my rig to the system, is because some people believe that one of the disadvantage of this rig, is its internal A/C power supply.
Thank you an 73
PA5COR
03-23-2008, 10:50 AM
The internal PSU should handle the curnt very well the transciever needs.
The DC connection is there for running the transciever from the car battery if need be.
If the internal PSU is working as it should be, there's no reason not to use it.
73,
Cor
One thing to keep in mind is the external power supply may not have a crowbar circuit in it. If not, and a pass transistor should short out, the full unregulated DC could be fed to the rig. In some case this could be in the range of 15-18 volts. The crowbar could be an SCR which is essentially out of the circuit, UNTIL it senses a higher voltage than normal, then it shorts out the voltage to ground, blowing a fuse, and saving your rig. But not all external supplies have the crowbar built in.
Rick K2XT
A71AN
03-23-2008, 02:06 PM
The internal PSU should handle the curnt very well the transciever needs.
The DC connection is there for running the transciever from the car battery if need be.
If the internal PSU is working as it should be, there's no reason not to use it.
73,
Cor
Thank you my friend, I realy do not need to operate this unit, on my car as I have another 3 unit to do so, I have the IC-706, IC-7000 and the FT-857.
It to be used at home and as long the the internal PSU is ok, I will connect to the main.
Thank you my friend and 73
A71AN
03-23-2008, 02:07 PM
One thing to keep in mind is the external power supply may not have a crowbar circuit in it. If not, and a pass transistor should short out, the full unregulated DC could be fed to the rig. In some case this could be in the range of 15-18 volts. The crowbar could be an SCR which is essentially out of the circuit, UNTIL it senses a higher voltage than normal, then it shorts out the voltage to ground, blowing a fuse, and saving your rig. But not all external supplies have the crowbar built in.
Rick K2XT
Could this be the case with the FT-1000MP, please ?
Thank you and 73 my friend
A71AN
03-23-2008, 02:12 PM
What do they mean by W8JI mods, which should be added to this rig, please and why ?
WA9SVD
03-23-2008, 02:16 PM
If you use a unit such as a "UPS" (Uninterruptible Power SUPPLY) similar to that used to provide emergency power to computers, you will probably be all right operating from your mains. Such units usually have filtering and surge protection built-in, and can usually compensate for wide variations of the mains voltage.
A standard external power supply (such as the Astron supplies you own) will have over-violtage protection ( a "crowbar" circuit) but may not operate as well with wide variations in your mains voltage.
A71AN
03-23-2008, 02:24 PM
If you use a unit such as a "UPS" (Uninterruptible Power SUPPLY) similar to that used to provide emergency power to computers, you will probably be all right operating from your mains. Such units usually have filtering and surge protection built-in, and can usually compensate for wide variations of the mains voltage.
A standard external power supply (such as the Astron supplies you own) will have over-violtage protection ( a "crowbar" circuit) but may not operate as well with wide variations in your mains voltage.
Thank you my friend and I wish you happy Easter Holiday and the same for all of you loved ones.
73 my friend
What do they mean by W8JI mods, which should be added to this rig, please and why ?
The FT1000MP series have a problem with key clicks on CW.
I had sent you a page with modifications to the radio to fix this problem. Those are the W8JI mods.
A71AN
03-23-2008, 03:37 PM
The FT1000MP series have a problem with key clicks on CW.
I had sent you a page with modifications to the radio to fix this problem. Those are the W8JI mods.
Oh, my friend, who will do such a modification around here, this is sound impossible, I have to wait for your visit here, but again I will try to look into this problem, does this mean I can not operate this rig on CW my friend ?
73
kg5vk
03-23-2008, 03:55 PM
my Ft-1000mp works fine and does not have a "key click mod"
73
kg5vk
steve
A71AN
03-23-2008, 04:30 PM
my Ft-1000mp works fine and does not have a "key click mod"
73
kg5vk
steve
Please my friend, how can I find out this key click mod ?
Thank you and 73
kg5vk
03-23-2008, 04:53 PM
do a google search for Inrad filters Ft-1000mp
I am sure you will find it
steve
A71AN
03-23-2008, 05:01 PM
do a google search for Inrad filters Ft-1000mp
I am sure you will find it
steve
Thnk you my friend
I am sorry my friend, I possibly did not write that correctly, you said, you FT-1000MP work fine and do not have the key click mod, how is this and why mine should have the modifications, arent they all the same rigs, pls ? and does that mean you did no modifications on your ?
Oh, my friend, who will do such a modification around here, this is sound impossible, I have to wait for your visit here, but again I will try to look into this problem, does this mean I can not operate this rig on CW my friend ?
73
Salam Rashed,
It does not mean you cannot operate CW. It only means that there are "clicks" in the CW signal, which means that the signal rises and falls too fast. But it will still work, it will just have key "clicks"
The description of the problem and the solution is here:
http://www.w8ji.com/ft1000mk_v.htm
There is also the Inrad modification which also solves the problem:
http://www.k1ttt.net/technote/Inradkeyclickmod2.pdf
They are not necessary, but provide a great improvement in the signal on CW.
ka5piu
03-23-2008, 05:39 PM
Hello.
There is no need to do any mods to that radio.
Some super picky people feel that the radio has some issues with key clicks.
I, for one, can not hear this.
True, the radio is a bit crisp on key and unkey, not "that musical sound", but we are sending code, not making music.
Looking at a scope, there is no issue.
So, we went from internal power supply vs external, to a mod that is not needed.
I have several rigs that have the 110/220VAC and 13.6VDC option.
I use whatever is avaliable at the time.
The FT-101, FT-107, FT-897, as well as a few other radios, can do this transition.
Crowbar protection is a matter of the quality of the supply, better units have this built-in.
All of the larger Astrons have crowbar protection, so you need not worry.
http://www.astroncorp.com/linear.shtml
And, the same bunch that says you NEED to mod this radio will get upset over the very idea of repainting a radio, in decorator colors. :p
A71AN
03-23-2008, 06:13 PM
Hello.
There is no need to do any mods to that radio.
Some super picky people feel that the radio has some issues with key clicks.
I, for one, can not hear this.
True, the radio is a bit crisp on key and unkey, not "that musical sound", but we are sending code, not making music.
Looking at a scope, there is no issue.
So, we went from internal power supply vs external, to a mod that is not needed.
I have several rigs that have the 110/220VAC and 13.6VDC option.
I use whatever is avaliable at the time.
The FT-101, FT-107, FT-897, as well as a few other radios, can do this transition.
Crowbar protection is a matter of the quality of the supply, better units have this built-in.
All of the larger Astrons have crowbar protection, so you need not worry.
http://www.astroncorp.com/linear.shtml
And, the same bunch that says you NEED to mod this radio will get upset over the very idea of repainting a radio, in decorator colors. :p
Thank you my friend, this has really given me a great satisfaction now, you been very helpful
I hope you are having a great time with the Easter Holiday and my best regards to you and all of your loved one
73 my friend
ka5piu
03-23-2008, 08:12 PM
Salams.
I do not do Easter, this I do not understand.
Eid al Fiter, this I understand. ;)
Salams.
I do not do Easter, this I do not understand.
Eid al Fiter, this I understand. ;)
Sure Rudy, Happy Easter.
A71AN
03-24-2008, 04:35 AM
Salams.
I do not do Easter, this I do not understand.
Eid al Fiter, this I understand. ;)
Good Morning my friend, you are really confusing me, you have an American Ham paper and call sign, so, are you American or Saudian ?
I do enjoy Easter and feel great when I share such times with my friends all over he world, I do not like to be all alone in this world, no one could just close his door and be alone.
People are for each other, and should share the good and hard moments with each others, this is to me how friends should be.
Thank you again my friend, you also sound very active here on qrz.com, I am sure you are enjoying the company of all the good people here, the same way I do.
God Bless.
73