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IC-746 FAQ
3
Accessories
3.1
Power Supplies
3.1.1
What power supply should I use with the IC-746?
Short Answer
Any good quality, communications grade, power supply rated at least 20 amps or more
(continuous duty) should do just fine. However, most of us use larger supplies (for a variety
of reasons).
Popular supplies that are known to work (via testimonial):
Alinco
DM-330MVT
30/32A switching
Astron
RS-35M
25/35A
linear
Astron
SS-30
25/30A
switching
Astron
SS-25
20/25A
switching
MFJ
4125
22/25A
switching (MightyLite)
MFJ
4225
22/25A switching
MFJ
4035-MV
30/35A linear
Samlex
SEC-1223
23/25A
switching
Kenwood
PS-52
20/22A
linear
Power supplies to avoid (via testimonial):
Astron
RS-20
- overloads too easily
Kenwood
PS-30
- overloads too easily
Diamnond
GZV-4000
- RF hash on 40/20m
Icom
PS-85
-
RF
hash
Long Answer
This question typically arises for one of two reasons. Either someone wants to buy a new
power supply, or they have an existing power supply that they want to use. In both cases, the
issues are: load capacity, size, weight, electrical noise, mechanical noise, cost, features, and
appearance. Buying a new supply gives you a lot of options; there are plenty of great
supplies out there. With an existing supply, you have no control over these factors; you're
simply looking for a "fit".
You'll want to consider the following factors.
Reviews
QST tested and reviewed many supplies in January and September, 2000. You'll find the
results informative. ARRL members can access those and other reviews on-line at:
http://www.arrl.org/members-only/prodrev/pdf/pr0001.pdf
Page 23 of 113
2003-02-08