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Reviews For: Icom PS-125

Category: Power Supplies

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Review Summary For : Icom PS-125
Reviews: 77MSRP: 299.95
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
Product is in production
More Info: http://
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00773.5
AD7HM Rating: 2006-01-28
Tried it...Retired it. Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
My PS-125 was free with the 746 PRO radio that I bought. From the moment the PS-125 was powered, it emitted a high-pitch squeal that got worse with the load from the radio.

ICOM can't repair the supply to get the noise to stop. On the first repair, they glued the ferrites on the coils. On the second repair, ICOM replaced the supply. I've spoken with their repair center supervisor and he says that the technicians can't hear the noise that I'm hearing.

And unfortunately, on the second repair, ICOM replaced my original supply with a "REPACK" supply that was DOA. I've been told I will get a new PS-125 and that I can keep the DOA one.

My frustration with ICOM is that they claim the noise is nomal for a switching power supply. Yet, I have 2 computers, a computer printer, and a DC TIG inverter arc welder (basically a 200 amp switching power supply), and none of these devices
squeal like the ICOM.

I just put an Astron SS-30M next to my 746 PRO today. Sorry, ICOM--there are high-power switching supplies that don't create an objectionable noise.

My radio has been down for the power supply for 3 of the 5 weeks that I've been licensed.
KC9BLT Rating: 2006-01-01
Works fine Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Runs very quite for a switching power supply. Have had several and they all worked fine for me. I would not pay the asking price for them, but if you want a dedicated supply for your ICOM radio I would pick one up for $150 or so. They are great when they come for free with the new ICOMS like the 746pro
S58J Rating: 2005-10-21
Does the job Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
O.K. this PS is not perfect, but it does a good job. No overheating at all, was tested in a few contest and it didn't get even warm. Yes, fan noise is present, but it is far from annoying and certanly not so loud as some people say. Personally I can't hear it, since I'm always using headphones (Heil). The only negative things are price (way to high) and absence of flip-up foot (if you found any solution on the market please let me know).
K7PEH Rating: 2005-08-11
PS-125 is Only OK Time Owned: more than 12 months.
The best thing I did with my PS-125 is selling it after buying a new Astron RS-35M. I had a PS-125 with my Icom 756 and for that purpose I believe it is underpowered. It overheats at times even when I am not transmitting nor have I transmitted for a day. Just sitting there driving my 756 in receive mode it the fan will come on and I will put my hand on the top and it is indeed warm.

My RS-35M on the other hand is almost never warm and that is even when I transmit. Of course, it is rated higher than the PS-125 but here I think the PS-125 is rated too low for the equipment that Icom assumes you are powering.

I sold my PS-125 to another ham operator but before we closed on the deal I recommended the Astron supply. He wanted to match the look and feel of his other Icom equipment and for that the PS-125 is OK.
AB4RG Rating: 2005-07-28
What a Dog! Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Mine came with the 756 Pro II ... free. It failed after 2 months (would not turn on) and was returned to Icom. They gave me a new PS 125. The 2nd one died after 8 months with the same failure mode. This has now been sent back to Icom ... and I'm back on the back-up PS. I love the radio, but the poor reliability of the PS 125 has me waiting for the other shoe to fall.
KG4NCK Rating: 2005-07-22
No problems so far Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have the PS-125 because it came FREE with my 746Pro. It has been chugging along for over 3 years now without a problem. This little lightweight switching supply does put a bit of rf hash into the receiver, but nothing too terrible or troublesome. The fan does come on intermittently even during recieve, and is a little noiser than what I would like. It is way over-priced though at $300 bucks. If I had to buy one, I would get a good Astron linear power-supply like the RS-20M (have one of those that is about 15 years old and still like new) that is quieter and cleaner than the Icom switching supply PS-125. But for a freebie, it is okay.
AB0UK Rating: 2005-06-27
Gets the Job Done. Time Owned: more than 12 months.
My power supply came with my IC746PRO over two years ago. It has never missed a beat. Yes, the fan could be quieter. Mine is under a shelf below microphone level so the sound doesn't get into my audio. I have run a 2 meter simplex net every Thursday for over a year and the radio and power supply are transmitting for over 15 minutes continious at least twice during the net running 50 watts FM and it has functioned flawlessly. I wasn't sure I would like it at the start. However, it has done it's duty well for me.

Jim, AB0UK
W1BAK Rating: 2005-06-27
Noisy fan!! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I had mine for nearly 4 months. It worked fine....voltage stable. My gripes were:
1. Noisy fan that cycles on/off no matter if you're in RX or TX.
2. For the price, you'd think Icom would spring for a volt meter and an amp meter, to monitor your voltage and current draw. There's plenty of room on the face!
I've recently sold it and bought an Astron SS-30M for half the price of a new PS-125...and it does all that the PS-125 does and more!
OZ1HTH Rating: 2004-11-30
Great! - when modified Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I got my PS 125 for about 3 months ago and it is working perfectly every day... But, i had to make two small modifications to get it perfect.
First of all i had read all the rewievs, and learned that PS-125 had a problem with noises, so even before it was put into action, i maked the KK5DR mod. ( http://www.qsl.net/kk5dr/PS-125.html ) This modification completly eliminated the fan noise, so the next noise to get rid off whas a irritating whine from the transformer. That problem i solved by insulating the transformer all the way around with a good layer of some of that sticky "compound/plasticine" wich normally is used to paste up posters on walls with. That made it! now it is totally free from noises, and working just great - and the so called "insulation" dose not cause any heatproblems for the transformer or any other parts inside.
NS5U Rating: 2004-04-14
Solid Supply Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I got this supply in the purchase of an IC-746Pro. They have been offered as free bonus to new rig purchasers. They are unreasonably expensive if purchased alone.

There is a fan which mysteriously comes on periodically. I don't find the noise excessive but if I did a replacement or modification should remedy the fan noise.

The cord could be longer. I can't detect the power supply radiating hash into my receivers.

For free this is a great supply. I would never pay the MSRP.

I find it reliable and a good addition to the rig............but I didn't pay any extra for it.