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Reviews For: Astron RS-20M

Category: Power Supplies

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Review Summary For : Astron RS-20M
Reviews: 26MSRP: 130.00
Description:
13.8 VDC, 20 A Linear Power Supply (with separate volt and amp meters)
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.astroncorp.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00264.6
N1UHF Rating: 2011-02-10
Fantastic power supply Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought this PS about 8 years ago, used it as my power supply through most of those years. It always supplied clean and capable power. I really like the Ammeter and Voltmeter version as I can always tell what's going on.
It is a heavy beast at 17 lbs compared to the newer switched supplies, though i'm sure big ones are even heavier! Surely not for dragging around for portable or emmcom i recommend a good switching supply. But for home base use this one and other Astron metered versions are excellent.

The reason i'm leaving this review today is because a last week the lighted power switch on mine failed. I called Astron today in CA, and they took my name and address and said they were going to send a switch out to me free of charge. They didn't even ask me how old the power supply was! What a great company...
W4DXL Rating: 2010-03-21
I was able to kill one! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I ran this power supply for years, it was a bit underpowered for what I was doing. It ran 2 VHF radios and 2 HF radios without complaint for many years. Then I got a new HF rig that needed even more power and the RS-20M just couldn't keep up, the main fuse blew. I put a new fuse in but no joy, I probably toasted a transistor. My fault totally I have pushed this supply way too hard and it finally cried uncle when I hit transmit on AM. I will fix it and use it in a less demanding application. I'm sure it will again work for many years.

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Earlier 5-star review posted by W4DXL on 2006-03-25

Bought it used quite some time ago. It is rock solid. The meters are great indicators of what's going on. This supply runs all the radios including 3 HF tranceivers and a dual band VHF/UHF since I only transmit on one at a time.

I have a RS-12 which is even older, it too has been a great performer.
KB0XR Rating: 2009-09-10
Mine is good Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've had mine cooking on the operating desk for about 17 years now. Very boring. Apply power and it works.
KJ4GXU Rating: 2009-09-09
Great power supply Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I picked one of these up at the Huntsville Ham Fest last month and have been using it to power a TS-2000. It pushes full power out on SSB without a single complaint. I have it under the desk because due to the space so the meters aren't such an issue for me but if I had it on the desk it might be interesting to watch the current draw.

For 60 bucks this was an incredible deal for me.
KE5SMH Rating: 2009-02-04
Mine's an ugly stalwart Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I bought my RS-20M off Ebay in a liquidation auction of a business (Uniden it appears based on writing on the unit itself). It looked a little ugly in it's Ebay picture, so you KNOW it will look really ugly in person!

Anyway. It did. Lots of dents, scrapes and scratches, but I got it cheap.

Despite all the damage of a long abused life, the unit performs perfectly day after day!

You can't beat Astron for reliable, reasonably priced, quiet power supply duty... and you don't have to buy them in the "ugly" edition!

K5AEH
WA6MOW Rating: 2008-11-13
Great Value! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
They are selling on eBay for around $80.00. If you don't mind the weight and size, a heck of a deal. As stated, a solid performer. The meters are cool to look at but I would not spend the extra money for the M model.
VE3RAW Rating: 2008-07-14
Excellent - Solid Product Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have an Astron 20M as well as two Astron RS-50M Power Supplys, and am looking at a 70M. These supplies never fail, and simply keep on running.

Output is solid, with no flucuations at all.
They are built to take the punishment of day to day use. Output is clean and silent. What else could you ask.

I use the 20M for miscellanious smaller items today, but at one time powered a 100W transceiver. Only use for smaller items today as I have the larger 50M's for the work.

If you are looking do not hesitate.
W1LDD Rating: 2008-04-15
Well Built Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
These power supplys are built like tanks.I use it to power a 100 watt radio and it does not break a sweat.Buy one!
K3DBI Rating: 2008-03-22
Great supply Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I just bought this supply to run my dual-band Icom 207H. I must have a newer version as both meters are back lit which is a nice feature. I've read other reviews that coomplained about lack of back lighting.
I have no noise problem or vibration that has been noted by some. Even with my SWL gear right next to the supply.
I am very happy with the supply.
AB4D Rating: 2007-10-13
Does the job but noisy Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought this supply used a few years back. It works good but it is physically noisy and vibrates quite a bit. I would have given this supply a 5 except for the noise issue. I also own linear supplies from Daiwa and Yaesu, neither is as noisy as the Astron, with the Yaesu FP-800 being the quietest of the bunch.