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Reviews For: Astron

Category: Power Supplies

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Review Summary For : Astron
Reviews: 49MSRP: varies
Description:
Linear and switching DC power supplies
Product is in production
More Info: http://astroncorp.com/
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00494.5
N7UQA Rating: 2000-11-06
Best supply I've ever owned Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have owned a RS-50M for 10 years. During this time is has been on 24/7 for the past 8 years with loads reaching as high as 40 amps. The supply is VERY quite and develops very little heat when idle. As far as I'm concered Astrons are the ONLY power supplys I'll ever buy. If you want a power supply that runs for ever do yourself a favor and buy an Astron, you won't regret it. I'm looking forward to purchasing the RS-70M :)
N1KFC Rating: 2000-10-25
So reliable, it's easy to forget it Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have and use every Astron I ever bought except the one I gave a new ham (that one is still in use too). The list includes a 12a, 20, 2 35m, and 2 ss-30. I also have a new (and VERY NOISY!) MFJ 45a switching supply going up for sale. While it has more binding posts, I used it for 2 hours before ordering another Astron ss-30 to replace it. I'll never buy anything but astron. They just run, never complain, and are very quiet, across the product line. They are so reliable that it is easy to forget that they are there.

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Earlier 5-star review posted by N1KFC on 2000-07-05

I have had the astron 12a, 35m, and the ss30m. When something performs well, one might take it for granted. These power supplies have never once caused me a moment of trouble. They are well built and very stable.
KA6VAN Rating: 2000-10-20
Most favorable Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have a M35 that has powered my station for seven years without a problem. The station is well protected from lightning. That and the rugged construction of the Astron make a very reliable station. I have had problems with Astron supplies at mountain top sights where there is poor line voltage and a lot more lightning. The supplies are very easy to repair if the transformer is not cooked. I use a rectifier block with a higher PIV when they need replacing to make them a little more resistant to line voltage changes.
KG9HV Rating: 2000-10-20
SS-30M Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I bought the SS-30M for its small 5lb package. I
saw it rated the best by QST and some good remarks
here. One problem I have is that when transmitting
on CW or FM, the p/s emits an annoying "whine" noise. SSB is quiet though. I thought I had a bad
one, but upon investigation, it seems that is the
way they are. If your a SSBander, great p/s. If
your FM or CW, you'd better look at the linear
supplies. Emailed Astron from their webpage to
ask about it, got the email back marked "undeliverable"....Guess they weren't home.
WT8Y Rating: 2000-09-20
Reliable Units Time Owned: more than 12 months.
10 years ago I bought 4-50 amp/adjustable Astron's for a new Electronics lab. This was for the company I work at. I took a beating from my co-workers for the purchase of a bunch of "ham power supply's".
10 years later they are the only power supply's in the lab that have not failed. This is great
since we have a lab full, with 12 engineers and technicans testing, designing and running various
electronics projects.
AB0MP Rating: 2000-09-19
Reliable Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have had experience with both a SS-30 and SS-30M switching supplies. I can say I have never experienced any problems with the units in running full 100 watts from my Icom. Quiet in operation, I sometimes forget just how well it works.I traded my SS-30 for the 30M model with meters, simply for an appearence reason.When I started into ham radio I was told by my Elmer to "Buy an Astron". And glad that I did.
WG7X Rating: 2000-09-03
Does just what it is supposed to! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have used this supply with my TS-120s and other rigs ever since I blew the Kenwod PS-30 on field day. (Poor generator regulation...hi!)

The Astron RS-35a has run every day since then day in, day out with out a single problem. I would echo the comment about the power stability and the crowbar circuit. The PS will shut down so quickly that no sparks are visible and the connected equipment is undamaged. I have tested this particular feature inadvertantly a few times, believe me!

This unit just works well, and continues to do so even under the most adverse circumstances.

Kudos to Astron! This is the ONLY power supply that I will ever buy!

P.S. I also have had a chance to see the 24vdc unit in operation. Despite all the abuse that the GI's of the 7th Infantry could dish out, the supplies never failed...
K0VH Rating: 2000-08-30
It worked for 18 yrs! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I used the RS20A for 18 yrs mostly powering an ICOM730 and 2mtr rigs. The only problem was
it blew a regulator transistor few yrs ago - tough type to find but when I wrote Astron they send me a FREE one, probably 15 yrs out of warranty!! It's resting quietly now as I used it to
power my ICOM746 as of a year ago but that was pushing the 16A limit and I blew out
something else on the regulator board....have not taken the time to debug it but am keeping
it as a backup when I get the time to fix it. Needless to say I bought an Astron (switching) 25A supply at that point, I hope that goes another 18 yrs! Dave K0VH
W9PMZ Rating: 2000-08-30
The RS20A is a great power supply!!! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have had a RS20A since November of 1985. Has worked continually since except for a regulator IC that blew in a storm. Replacement IC was available at Radio Shack and the RS20A was in no time back up and running.
KC2GUW Rating: 2000-08-30
Great, reliable supply Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have an old RS-10A that was givin to me two years ago. It has never once failed. A very reliable, well made supply that will last many years.