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write your own review of the Astron SS-25M.
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N4ZAW
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Rating: 5/5
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Sep 3, 2009 11:29
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Like a rock!!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I work this tiny supply hard -- TOO HARD! So I recently decided to replace it with an MFJ-4245mv... What a mistake that was!! The MFJ is junk in comparison. This little jewel keeps me running while I'm pushing it's current limit to the redline. Read my review regarding the MFJ supply. I do need a bigger supply -- but you can bet yer bippy it will be another Astron!
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KF9OK
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 6, 2009 11:41
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Just works, year after year...
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Well I haven't used this on an HF rig, as my HF has a built in power supply, but it's sitting about 6" from the HF rig providing power for the 2m/440 radio, scanner, VHF commercial rig, and whatever else happens to be hooked up at the time. And it's worked reliably for 7-10 years, I can't even remember when I got it. During that time it ran for almost a year as a battery charger/maintainer hooked up to several auto and tractor batteries.
My only complaint is the noise from the fan, which will turn on at intervals even with an extremely low load on the supply. For a time my "shack" was in my bedroom area and the fan turning on at night was annoying even though it wasn't especially loud.
I couldn't detect any RF noise from the unit in the HF bands, which I tested extensively after I got it due to concerns over switching power supplies.
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W8AAZ
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Rating: 4/5
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Mar 19, 2009 19:05
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addendum
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I just realised they were talking the M version which has the meters. Mine is blank faced, no meters as I guess I was a cheapskate. Not required but I suppose they would be nice to have.
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W8AAZ
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Rating: 4/5
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Mar 19, 2009 19:02
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No problem, long use
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I think I got this when I got my TT Jupiter, so it has been around since 2000-01? in my shack. Ran the Jup. fine with no complaints. Sets there and does it's thing. Fan will come on occasionally, either in TX or RX mode, almost like regardless of load or something. Last year I bought the TT OMNI VII. They suggested that the Astron would not be enough to run the VII and I was fearing that I would have to plunk down Big $$$ for a new supply. But the Astron runs the VII no problems, just sets there quietly and does nothing to draw attention except when the little fan kicks on for a few min. I consider the fan noise a fair tradeoff for the small size and weight. Does not have to go on the floor or out of the way. Not a really loud fan or anything and just runs a few minutes. Big deal.
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KD5TVF
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Rating: 2/5
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Sep 27, 2008 02:52
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Not reliable
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I have the same RFI problems with the Astron SS-25 as others have posted.
First, it was on 20m. I had the radio stacked on top of the power supply to save space on my desk.
I could TX on 80, 40, 10, and 2 meters without problems. Go to 20 and it would start buzzing and my FT-857 would shut down.
I rearranged my cables, and now the problem is on 2m.
My other power supply (from a different manufacturer), when connected in the same exact configuration (cables) works flawlessly.
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K3ICH
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 27, 2008 05:27
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No problems with several units
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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While I admit, there may be a problem with RFI, I have never experienced it with any of a half dozen various Astron switchers I use ranging from their little SS-18 up to the SS-30M's. When powering my PRO III, the fan comes on for a minute or so about every 4 - 5 minutes and I have never had any switcher interference in the receiver. I have had the SS-18 shut down from over current (my fault), but the others work fine powering any 100 watt rig I've used them with. By the way, the only difference I can see between the SS-25 and the SS-30 is the bigger fan and slightly taller case so, if size is important, and you do more listening than transmitting, the SS-25 will work fine.
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WB4TJH
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Rating: 3/5
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Jul 26, 2008 17:12
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Needs to be RF proofed
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I have the 20 amp switching supply without the meters. It works well in the shack, but recently I used it for portable HF operation near an antenna. On 40 meters, I had no trouble, but when I tried to use it on 20 meters, it shut down each time I keyed the mike, obviously getting RF into it. I plan to add some ferrite beads on the AC input leads and on the DC output leads. I hope that will cure the problem. But I think Astron needs to do some serious trouble shooting on this power supply and eliminate the RF problems.
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N4SJW
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Rating: 0/5
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Jul 26, 2008 16:30
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Shuts down on TX
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Same problem as below, occassionally the PS shuts down when TX on 2M even on lowest power setting. I have a mag mount antenna on the other side of a metal cabinet. This is a base station for a hospital - simply not acceptible.
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VE2FAB
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Rating: 0/5
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Jan 25, 2008 12:18
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Problem with RF on 2m
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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When TX on 2m, the power supply shutdown until you turn the power switch off then on. Turning the radio off will not reset the power supply.
No problem if you move the antenna far or if you used a dummy load.
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NC2F
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 2, 2006 11:46
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Reliable and Portable: ...and get the meters
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I just picked up a SS-25M to go with my Yaesu FT-897D. The SS-25M is rated for 20A continuous and 25A Peak. At a full 100W the Yaesu 897D draws 22A, so the SS-25M is up to par without having to step uo to the slightly larger case of the SS-30/M. The SS-25M is also a nice match to the 897D and both fit nicely into a Pelican case for storage/transport. By using the exteranl supply, it keeps my 897's internal battery compartments free for use with the battery packs.
I have other Astron power supplies as well and they are all top notch supplies. And if you asking yourself if you should spend the few extra dollars for the meters, I say do it. Seeing what is going on with your supplies' voltage and amperage is key to maintaining your expensive radios.
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