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Reviews For: Samlex SPS-1204UL

Category: Power Supplies

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Review Summary For : Samlex SPS-1204UL
Reviews: 13MSRP: 29.95
Description:
Compact 3.5A Switching Power Supply with
cigarette lighter socket and terminal outputs.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.samlexamerica.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00133.5
KB9VRG Rating: 2004-05-24
Does what I need it to do Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Powers my two Kenwood HT's without any trouble. Haven't heard any interference on VHF/UHF. Like the safety of a 3-prong plug.
KN4DI Rating: 2003-06-06
Not for SSB-HF Radios Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
HASH ALERT - HASH ALERT - This power supply not suitable for homes with HF radios.

I liked this little supply -- I really did. It was small, lightweight, easily portable, no vent holes to allow dust inside. Just what I wanted for my new Icom IC-703 QRP rig.

But after a few hours of use, I found it produced S-9 plus "hash" every 60KHz which slowly drifted up the band. Not just on 160 & 80 meters, but on 40m & 20m as well. My Astron SS-30 didn't do that sort of thing.

Unfortunately, I can't really seem to use it to power anything else either (maybe a 2m/440 handheld), as it seems to radiate the "hash" far and wide.

So if you have an HF radio in the house, I'd suggest you look at the Astron SS-30 or SS-25 as an alternative, as they are supposed to be filtered so as to prevent any switching "hash" problems. I know they are much bigger, but do you really to listen to switching "hash" drift across that QRP signal you in QSO with?
N3CJN Rating: 2002-11-19
So Far, So Good Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I just received this little PS to use with my FT-817. I also have a Samlex SEC-1223 and am well satisfied with it. My brief check revealed no hash on HF, but haven't tried it on VHF or UHF yet.

After reading mixed reviews of MFJ's little switcher for the '817 and considering a little computer PS from Jameco that would require an adapter, I jumped at this one, instead. This one
may be slightly heavier than those as it has a metal case. But for use where there's AC power, who cares?

I already had added a cig. lighter plug to the Yaesu's DC cable, so this PS option was plug and play for me. For those who hate cig. lighter connections, you can pretend it isn't there and just use the spring terminals on the back.