| K7NNG |
Rating:  |
2004-11-29 | |
| excellent |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| I have had one since they came to the market. It is original and never failed me. I have powered a large variety of rigs with no problems for several years now.. |
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| K6AER |
Rating: |
2004-11-29 | |
| A Disappointment |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
Well, I have had my supply about two years. I use it to power my TS-570 S/G HF transceiver and my various VHF and UHF transceivers. Over the last three months some hams have noticed fusses on my HF Audio. Nothing to pronounced but nothing to be proud of in the audio department. I used several transceivers including HF mobiles and your large base HF rigs. This has been an intermittent problem. Finally I switched power supplies and it turns out the problem was in the Alinco DM330MVT unit. On power peaks it was going into shutdown at 20 amps. This power supply is rated for 32 amps peak. I noticed the problem with my scope and the power supply un-regulation was what was causing the problem.
The power supply is a nice size and the metering is nice but its basic function should always be met. Several hams have complained about power supply RF noise but if your antenna or unshielded leads are close to the shack then you should be using an analog type of supply. I now use a Commercial DuraComm 55 Amp Switch mode supply from Tessco and all is fine.
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| ON6CV |
Rating: |
2004-11-17 | |
| Cute little sexy thing ! |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
[PSU = Power Supply Unit]
The ALINCO DM-330MVE is the European version with the CE Approved label, it works on the 220V
mains.
I will not explain in detail what has been already exposed here in the numerous reviews of this product but I will just give my opinion on it for what it worth of course.
Back in the 90's, I was thinking that the heavier a linear PSU was, the better it was ! :-)
So, in the ham fairs, I was taking the PSU in hands just to feel about the heavy weight.
Mmmmhh, this one is good, this one is too light ! :-)
Now, I've changed my mind about those switching PSU and there's some good one on the market today. Keep an eye on the ARRL switching mode PSU benchmarks.
The ALINCO DM-330MVE is one of those I think, with it's cute little sexy extruded aluminum box, it will look pretty smart on your desktop shelf.
Well, I'm not using it with a portable transceiver but with my beloved Tentec Orion HF transceiver ! I was not affraid to put such a power supply on this excellent transceiver... because it's working the way it should !
The PSU did not generate any birdies or background noise into the receiver. On transmit, full power, 100W, the meter is peaking to 24A on some frequencies and it stays cool. No noise from the PSU or the transceiver.
How to set the Noise Offset ? Just connect the power supply to the mains in a silent room, not in your shack or computer room, switch the PSU on, you'll probably hear the high pitched switching noise if you put your ear just above the unit, just turn the Noise Offset encoder, the noise will disappear at several places while the encoder is moved.
Leave this encoder where you can just hear no noise at all ! When maximum current drains occurs, it's possible to hear the noise again, simply fine tune the Noise Offset encoder. Nice feature indeed.
From the manual :
These Osaka engineers are funny guys ! :-)
On the manual, you can read : "... there's even a bright backlighted power/current meter !"
Well, with only 1 small green LED on each side of the meter you can at least imagine how dim the power meter is !
This meter needs a real upgrade I think. A row of LED like in the Orion could be nice. In a complete dark room, you'll see it, not in the normal daylight !
Anyway, I think it's a great small product that just works as stated by the manufacturer.
The price here is 110€ ($145), which is a very good price for such a product.
Also consider the Diamond GZV-4000 is you're searching for a good switching mode PSU. I choosed the Alinco just because of it's reduced size and it looks great above the Tentec Orion.
Tentec is selling a switching mode PSU too, the model 963, it looks like the SAMLEX SEC-1223, so if Tentec is doing it, why not try it ? I mean, who's affraid to put such a PSU on a high end HF radio ?
Just try it, if it's not working for you, keep the PSU for your VHF/UHF rig or accessories and go back with a linear mode PSU ! Your money is not lost at all.
Best regards, GL and VY 73's
Eric, ON6CV. |
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| VA2DV |
Rating: |
2004-08-07 | |
| Compact performer |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I have choose this power supply because of it's size and features.So far,i am very satisfied with the perfomance.It's a perfect match for my FT-857D.Just a couple of birdies on 80m but the noise
offset circuit take care of that.My antennas are
very close to the shack and the DM-330MVT is not
grounded so it is probably my fault...
I would have give a 5 but i notice two things that can be improved : A brighter light for the meter and a detachable power cord.
Anyway , a superb product at a fair price. |
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| VE7ALQ |
Rating: |
2004-08-03 | |
| Use with ICOM IC-706mkiig |
Time Owned: 6 to 12 months. |
I am very pleased with my Alinco DM-330MVT which I use as the power supply for my ICOM IC-706mkiig transceiver. My antenna is 125 feet away from the transceiver (and power supply) so I have no issues with hash or birdies, even on 80 and 160 meters. I had been warned that the Alinco DM-330MVT would run hot. This is not the case with my ICOM IC-706mkiig only drawing two amperes receive, key down 18 amperes when sending Morse Code.
I intend to purchase an Alinco DM-330MVZ which is the 220 VAC 50/60 Hz model, to take with me when I go to Israel. |
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| K1ESL |
Rating: |
2004-03-02 | |
| Great all-purpose supply |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
| I chose the Alinco over the highly rated Samlex 1223 because of the cig lighter plug and wire terminals on the front. I took a chance on the reports of noise, and found it's not excessive. Yes, it does show up in some spots, however, tuning it out is very easy. It could get to be a pain in the lower bands where it shows up more often, but it just means you are adjusting the anti-noise tuning more often as you tune the band. But overall I find it very acceptable. I also chose it for its portability over a linear supply - 5 lbs sure beats 20 when you want to take the rig along to another QTH. All in all, I'm very pleased. |
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| K9FTB |
Rating: |
2004-01-31 | |
| 1st unit - Hash in the RX, 2nd unit - Perfect |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
First, let me say I already own a DM-330MVT and it works great with my K2. Have had the first unit for about 2 years. Based strictly on the switching PS review in QST - the Alinco got good marks. No hash, no nothing, except clean regulated DC when using the K2.
I especially like,
1-lighted meter (side LEDs) with V or A switch
2-push terminals on the front - 2 sets!
3-cigarette lighter socket (10A) on the front
4-variable output
5-preset output (you can set the output to any voltage - fully variable)
6-overcurrent, overvoltage, overtemp protected
7-high current connection on the rear panel
I don't like,
1-the temperature of the heat sink is incredible when your really using this guy - it's hot!!
On the second unit I recently purchased (since my experience with the first unit was great), I heard nothing but RFI from the BC band to about 20 meters (rig is a new IC-718). The Alinco has a variable control to "move" the switching frequency around if you hear interference. In my case, there was never a position that didn't absolutely smash the receiver, even on the SWL bands.
My solution was to return the Alinco to HRO and purchase a "linear" Astron (RS-35M). The acid test proved either the Alinco power supply was defective or the IC-718 was very sensitive to switching noise. The Aston is completely quiet as I would expect - and most importantly so is the RX !! Yeah Astron - although it's 27 #'s and a lot bigger!
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|
| W2YMM |
Rating: |
2004-01-12 | |
| 1 year works great ! |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I needed a new power supply to replace one that died on me and started asking around and this one got high marks. I've had it on 24/7 for about a year now and I couldn't be happier. I have no noise problems and the unit stays cool.
The price was right. |
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| WA2EWE |
Rating: |
2004-01-10 | |
| Excellent Choice ! |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I am very happy with this PS after using it for about 3 weeks. I would buy it again. For the weight and volume, it provides the most current capacity and convenience outlets at the lowest price. I like how the main connectors are on the back of the unit. Oh, as for the switching noise? Yes it is there below 10 MHz. I use this PS with my FT-897 and I compared the noise from the the supply vs the noise present when using battery power. You can really hear the noise from the supply. I question anyone who says there is no noise. There are periodic "birdies" that occur at various points accross the bands. Although the product review in QST shows a solid area of noise in the photo of the signal scopy, you must consider the compressed frequency scale. But, the birdies are spaced out and do not occur that frequenty. When the birdies were on top of my selected operating frequencies, I was able to move them away with the adjustment knob. The birdies do move as the supply heats up initially. But that is to be expected. But, there is no wide band hash. So moving the birdie out of the way is just fine with me. Hey, hams like to be able to tune something right? Since this works very well it makes the entire issue of switching noise moot. Every switching supply will have some noise so being able to move it out of the way is the answer. So, I rate this one a 5/5!
Jim, WA2EWE |
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| KC2LZT |
Rating: |
2004-01-02 | |
| Smooth Operator |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
| This is a nice built, COMPACT and quiet unit. Plenty of extra features. I struggled between this and the Samlex but wound up going with the Alinco due to the higher capacity. Have all my equipment tied in via a RigRunner and no complaints so far. |
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