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| Reviews Summary for Icom PS-125 |
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Reviews: 63
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Average rating: 3.5/5
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MSRP: $299.95
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Description: This is a 25 amp continous and 30 amp peak power supply. It was built to match the Icom IC756 PRo and PRo 2
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More info: http://
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write your own review of the Icom PS-125.
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W0EAJ
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Rating: 2/5
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Sep 23, 2009 13:23
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There's a REASON they give it to you
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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This switcher p/s is NOT made by ICOM - it's made FOR them by an outside entity. If they work, they work great - if they fail, just toss it, as it's not worth fixing.
The output is NOT fused (there is a 10a fuse, but if the surge supressor goes, it "saves" the fuse - typical Murphy Syndrome.
In case yours does fry the fat little black surge supressor (ZNR-1 on the schematic.. but it's NOT on the parts list), here's the ICOM part-number and component type:
p/n 6910016470 (ERZV14D621) $4.61 each
Buy yourself an Astron instead - it's not as black & pretty, but you'll be happier.
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W6NFL
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 4, 2009 22:56
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Works fine
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Mine works as it should. The fan is audible but not near as loud as i was fearing from reading some of the other reviews. My computer's fan and amp fan is about the same loudness...no big deal at all. The PS-125 looks pretty good right next to the PROIII. As others have mentioned, the power plug that goes to the radio is very short so it really needs to be near the rig. Ive checked for hash and have not detected any on the bands from this supply. These are still "free" from most retailers when you buy a 746PRO so you can snag one at a pretty low price from fellow hams who just bout the 746PRO who have no need for the supply. Nice compact size too.
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AA1ZO
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Rating: 4/5
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May 24, 2009 12:33
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Good Power Supply
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I own two of these. One suddenly died after about 4 years. A switching supply must do 4 things. It must come on, it must continue to run, it must regulate and it must shut down if there is a problem. These four rules helped me to troubleshoot the unit. It turned out that it had a bad D26, a 15 volt zener. After replacing the diode, the unit fired right up. So it is back in operation. It's too bad that it doesn't have a volt/current meter. Indicators have a language of their own. They tell you what is going on at a glance. The fan is noisy but will only stay on for about 3-4 minutes. There is a sensor under the transformer that toggles an OP amp that turns the fan off/on. So even when it is just powering the receiver, the fan will cycle as it saturates the ferrite core of the transformer. It can't be helped. It is the nature of the beast. I also wish the power cord was longer. I believe they make it short to cut down RF hash. All in all though a decent power supply.
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KE1IN
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Rating: 4/5
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Apr 14, 2009 12:21
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Good Match to IC-746PRO
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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My PS-125 was included with my IC-746PRO. Two months to the day after I got it, it failed. Sent to Icom Service in Bellevue, WA. It seems IC11, an op-amp, had failed. Icom Service repaired it under warranty and shipped it back to me packed better than I had shipped it to them.
I didn't see any other reviewers noting this problem, so perhaps mine was isolated. I've had no noticeable problems with RF hash or fan noise.
I agree with other reviewers that the short DC cable limits the PS to being placed to the right of the transceiver.
Note that the new PS-126 that's designed for the IC-7600 is probably the same basic supply with just a 4-pin power connector on the DC cable.
73,
David, KE1IN
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W7KPQ
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 1, 2008 09:22
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What's the BEEF?
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I received the PS-125 free when I purchased my Icom IC-756 Pro III. Currently, I'm using a Kenwood PS-53 PS for the Pro III. The Kenwood PS-53 is a great linear PS. Recently, I made a trip and took the PS-125 with me to operate fixed mobile as it's definitely more compact than the Kenwood power supply. I've had the PS-125 for three years – never taking it out of the box. From what I've read on eham.net, many hams feel it is a "dog" – it creates hash and has a noisy fan, so I was quite dubious about its performance.
Well, to my chagrin the PS-125 does not create ANY hash that I can detect, and the fan noise ISN’T an issue! Yes, one can hear the fan run if you put your ear next to it. If you’re listening to a normal conversation on your rig you won’t hear the fan run. It’s actually very quiet!
If there is one item I would change it would be the connecting cable between the PS and the transceiver. The cable goes directly into the back of the PS-125. It would be nice if it had screw terminals like the Kenwood so one could add small devices that also require 12v to operate; like my RF Power/SWR meter.
Otherwise this is a fine piece of equipment. Small, compact, a quiet fan, and no hash whatsoever. FREE can be a good thing!
Richard
W7KPQ
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K9CTB
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 23, 2008 22:54
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Nice Little Supply
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I got my PS-125 as a "bonus" with my IC-746 Pro, but I still consider that I paid for it. ;-)
Nice little unit that matches the '746 and provides a clean 13.6 volts (according to my Fluke 87). I really appreciate the improvements over my PS-85, including a quieter fan that actually cycles with internal temperature. Although I've had no problems with this supply in the year I've owned it, I prefer the quiet reliability of my Astron RS-35Ms. I'll happily revise this review if the PS-125 lasts the 20+ years my Astrons have.
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W1ZE
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 18, 2008 19:03
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Works for me
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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No excess fan noise or hash in the one that came with my 746PRO. Provides a well regulated 13.6 volts too. If there is any hash or birdies I could not detect them. My PC and TNC delivers more RFI than the PS-125
CONS(minor) would have been nice to have a 2nd voltage output for aux equipment.
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AE5EH
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 18, 2008 14:49
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Works for me!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Don't understand the complaints really! Noisey, too noisey & interferes with converstion? Really now, if someone wants a recording w/video audio (taken from another reciever) of me in QSO with PR781 hooked to my 756PROIII powered by a PS125, let me know. There is no acoustical noise that bad coming from the power supply. Sorry. It's not there. Maybe folks are using their mic installed in the middle of a parabolic dish?
RFI hash? Nope sorry. Not there either to degree that is that bad. Your PC's processor you use for logging puts out more RFI hash than the PS125! The power supply was made to place next to a 746,910H,756. Why would you want a longer power cord? That's silly.
The only thing I see wrong with the PS-125 is the price. MSRP is a too high. But otherwise, a decent unit. It's small, light, simple, plug directly in to your 756PROII, III, 746PRO, 910H. By the way, it should be common knowledge by now, that these have been given away as package deals with 756 & 756, and Gigaparts is selling them at a decent price right now. Cheaper than can be had off of ebay used.
People may mean well, but be careful of what you read in these reviews. Come on folks this is getting out of hand.
Terry-AE5EH
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WX4O
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 18, 2008 13:13
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Nice P.S.
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Got mine free with my Pro III 2 years ago. Never a problem. I don't notice the fan noise except rarely. For free: take. For buy: take time. Overpriced except when free.
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KG6WLS
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Rating: 2/5
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Aug 18, 2008 11:38
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Gave 'em away
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Nice matching power supply for the latest Icom transceiver line. The fan is too noisy for having QSO’s and the 12VDC pigtail is too short to move the unit away from the operating position.
Basically gave the two PS-125’s away and I’m quite happy with my Astron 35M.
73
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