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Reviews For: Astron SS-30/M

Category: Power Supplies

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Review Summary For : Astron SS-30/M
Reviews: 98MSRP: 120 to $160
Description:
30 Amp Switching Power Supply (SS-30M with meters) (SS-30 no meters)
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.astroncorp.com/switching-desktop
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00984
KB6HRT Rating: 2005-02-05
Good power supply! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Only been using it a short while but sure like it so far. The meters read right on where there supposted to there is no hum or hash and its dead quite, I set it on top or my RM-70A. It replaced a RM-35A that I had in service and I brought used but in the last year or so started to have a low hum that came from the transformer but still is working ok.
EI2JP Rating: 2004-08-27
Excellent Switcher Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've owned two of these units for several years now. One powers my HF station + accy and the other powers my VHF/UHF FM gear. I bought the product on the strength of the QST review. I wanted a good switcher that didn't have a lot of RF hash. The SS-30M fits the bill.

In fact, I have never had any problems with RF hash on any of the HF bands.

I like the ambient noise in the shack to be quiet, and the thermostatic fan is great. Even when its running I don't find the noise level at all objectionable.

I have not had the noise problems on CW that others have mentioned..

I expect to be purchasing another before the end of the year for field ops.
NL7W Rating: 2004-07-06
SS-30M is an Exc Buy Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I also had mixed feelings about purchasing this supply. They were unfounded. Presently running my HF station on this unit (TS-850Sat) and it works fabulously. With the rig connected to the dummy load, I purposely searched all the ham bands looking for spurious emissions from the supply - couldn't find any. Also, the supply's fan only comes on during extended key down periods at 100 watts, and promptly shuts off after about a minute or two. The fan is quiet in my book - hardly noticeable (the fan is my Dell notebook is far more objectionable). It's well built and reminds me of the other Astrons I've owned over the years.

Well done, Astron. The SS-30M is a perfect example of a quality product that's made in the USA.

73 from Palmer, Alaska!
KG9HV Rating: 2004-05-07
Small and light weight Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've had the SS-30M for a couple years and it works ok on SSB but I don't like the noise it
makes when I key cw. I hear a high pitched noise
come from it and it changes with the pwr setting
on the rig. Higher the power, the higher the pitch. It is very small and light and the fan
isn't too awfully loud but you do know when it's
on. I bought a RS-35M linear supply to power my
TS-570S and like it much better. If you want a
portable supply for SSB work, it's very nice.
Forget about getting in touch with Astron by email..I don't think it can be done..
John KG9HV
K8LEC Rating: 2004-03-26
Great Supply Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I was leary of buying a switching supply and only purchased it after reading the reviews on this site and on recommendation from my uncle who powers his Yeasu FT-857 with his. I love it! It's quiet, it powers my Icom IC-718, Yeasu FT-8800R and LDG Z-100 auto-tuner with no problem. If I had one complaint it would be like many others, that the supply doesn't have any more than one set of terminals, and they are small at that. However, with a little work I was able to get all 3 cables into them.

I have no trouble with RF in or out of the supply.

I give it a 5, and plan to buy another!
K1UC Rating: 2004-02-27
Keeps on truckin' Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This power supply replaced a MFJ-4225 that I returned after a few days due to poor build quality. I realized that it's been on continuously since 1998. It just keeps on going. I have some birdies on 10m, but those are from the computers in the shack.

I highly recommend this power supply.

KB5PQL Rating: 2004-02-26
Another Look Time Owned: more than 12 months.
When I first got this little supply I didn't like it. I didn't like it Back in '99 and I did't like it until a few hours ago. There was so much RFI on the bands some of the frequencies on 17meters were useless to me (over S-9 noise). While I still could get on the air and use most bands..all of the bands had some form of RFI. As a result, I was looking to replace the power supply last month. I decided to hold on to it a bit longer while I got my HF station back on the air. Then, after reading a few posts on here, I discovered that other hams were having the same problem with their supply. I decided to try tightening the so called "loose" screws on the board. They were not "loose" but they did spin another half turn. That's it! the HF bands are all CLEAN again! If you're having similar problems try that first. Thanks for saving me some cash guys!
W3NRL Rating: 2004-02-22
still running after 1 year Time Owned: more than 12 months.
this little guy has been on and running for over a year, i haven't turned it off since i got it, and no problems
NT9M Rating: 2004-02-22
Working fine Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've had my SS-30M for three years now. Originally bought it to power an Icom 718. Now it powers my TS2000. Since this is the first supply I've bought new I don't have much to compare it with, but I've had no problems at all and would recommend it.
WR2W Rating: 2004-02-22
First Astron To Get A "4-Good" Rating Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Only a 4 on this SS-30 (no Meters) switching supply because it produces slightly more hash than the two Samlex 1223 supplies I had. I'm only using 20 to 25 watts out, and the fan has never run because the supply is still cool. I have no problem with RF blow-back eventhough my antenna is kinda close to it. The hash does weaken the further away the supply is from your antenna, and equipment. For this size switcher they should have included the second set of power terminals that the punch-outs are provided for in the rear. A very Good switching supply but Astron diden't do Great on this one...