Astron SS-30M-AP Power Supply First Look!

[@Dusty_Ham]

Looks like a great little power supply. I love the addition of the USB ports on it.

[@robertpearl6037]

yes, glad to see Astron has a switching supply. i have had a linear Astron supply since 1995 still going strong. I believe Astron is a trusted company.

[@Subgunman]

Working with commercial radio sales we sold many Astron linear supplies in the past. As Timex used to say, They took a lickin' and kept a tickin'. As for repairs, very few needed, usually pass transistors from a customer overloading the supply. Only one I could not fix and that one was hit by lightning. One can only hope that Astron will provide schematics for these supplies as well as a tech support / FAQ site for those with little experience in diagnosing and repairing issues with switching supplies. A big Bravo to Astron for making this supply a wide input voltage range ( hopefully without any type of switch over arrangement) makes life for Hams a bit easier. Alinco's new 30 amp switcher is available as only a single voltage input depending on where it is sold in the world with no chance of moving it between both common input voltages.

[@heronsbend1318]

Very helpful for a new Ham (@ 66 years old) looking to power my first radio. Finally retired and have chance to indulge a bucket list item…still developing my philosophy of use, but just ordered this supply to pair with an Icom IC-7100 as a general purpose shack/travel radio. More concerned with the flexibility than the absolute absence of transient noise as I try different things to decide where to take the hobby. Very useful information…thanks! 73/KO4UWS

[@ImHungryMK]

I hate not being able to see things before I get them. thank you for doing this video.

[@KeystoneRangers]

Like that they added usb on there finally. I got my first and only 20 amp astron about 25 years ago. Still working every day 24/7.

[@M9A1MAN]

Good video man. I don't think Astron makes them like they used to though. I bought a 50A linear Astron a while back. Every time I turned it on, it kept blowing fuses. That's with no load on it. Had to go back to my trusty MFJ.

[@glenmartin2437]

Thank you. The MFJ and Astron PS's have worked well for me. N0QFT

[@carltechmobile3983]

I still prefer a linear power supply. Much cleaner power and no noise for other rigs.

[@TheNoCodeTech]

Very interesting. MNHR TeamReplay for the win! Thanks, I dig this.

[@SteveG4YTK]

Many thanks for making this video. I have just replaced my old Manson psu, I was worried one day the voltage could go high. It arrived today and works great no rf noise on hf from this PSU. What a change not to have a noisy fan coming on every couple of minutes. I am using it with my FTDX10 2.2 amps on RX, 17amps on cw 75w. Once again many thanks.

[@wild-radio7373]

Thanks for showing us this :) !♡♡♡

[@Aaron48219]

1:20 C14 inlet for a standard C13 connector (PC) cord. 👍 Would like to see the Alinco DM-30TR compared to these as well considering the Alinco is in the same price bracket as the MFJs. Put a higher current load (15-20A) on them and measure the voltage to see how they perform.

[@alanbrockmeier6871]

When I purchased my first HF radio a Icom 7300 in April 2021 DX Engineering recommended the Astron SS-30-M and it has been excellent. Good review, like the new features on this new model. 73 NM5SP

[@robjanusch998]

HEY 2DOT!!! How's it goin'? Hf radios are powered from the back. 2m/440 are powered in the back. Antenna tuners are powered in the back. Amplifiers, the same, in the back. Question: WHY then, do power supplies makers put the power ports, IN THE FRONT?? I can see it for use in a laboratory where things are being plugged in and out all the time, BUT hams hook it up, and for the most part, forget about it! Just wondering. Thanks !!

[@HamRadio2]

Usually it is just easier to get to while sitting on a desk.

[@ErnestGWilsonII]

I absolutely love Astron linear power supplies. The key word being linear. I will never own another switching power supply again. Look somewhere on your RF scope and you will find that switching power supply. Have never met a switching power supply that didn't put some hash on a band somewhere. Made the switch to linear power supplies and have never had another drop of radio frequency hash anywhere on the spectrum from a linear power supply.

[@jeremiahbullfrog3090]

Load it to 20 amps, then measure p-p noise level would be an excellent data point. (on a nice scope of course)

[@DominicMazoch]

13.8 V ports placement depends. For a home station, the rear is better. However, for an activation, front is better. More space between pairs would also help to place the APP on and off the unit. More power! Yes! Found out my IC746 Pro puts out 125W, not 100, so a few more amps might be a good idea!

[@BubbaJazzy]

I'm waiting patiently for the SS 50M AP it should be available this September

[@HamRadio2]

Hope so!

[@ozone385]

Power poles on the front is a great idea. USB on front is another great idea, to power a Raspberry Pi.

[@HamRadio2]

Yep

[@wvsparkey1]

I kinda agree with some of the linear approach peeps.. load down one usb port + the switched ps.. you'll get the dreaded "roving hash birdie" .. and without doubt, it will come down the band hunting your carrier. Slowly crossing your ft8 bandwidth and seeming to be passing you by. But only a few hundred khz away it stops! Out of your way but why did it stop? OMG it's turning! Coming back up. Back up to the middle of your passband. There to shift from top to bottom, soiling your dx. This is my tale of the evil roving "hash birdie" 73 N8ON

[@jptucsonaz8503]

I noticed a glaring issue right off... There is no dedicated station grounding terminal/lug on the back! Which also begs the question; is the negative side of the output connected to the case? Or just the AC ground. ...or neither ?

[@twohandsandaradio]

I'm not sure of any power supplies that do have? In most power supplies the + and the - would be floating (isolated). A third Gnd connection is really not necessary.

[@HamRadio2]

I saw a video a while back that claimed NONE of the modern p/s had this, and it showed how to modify your p/w to ground it properly, which eliminated lots of noise.

[@DominicMazoch]

There are a group of hobbiests who could use these type of power supplies: model railroaders. Also, the RV, 18 wheeler and prepare communities might be interested in this. I think a lot of their stuff is on 12-14V DC. Lastly, live theatre for lighting and props?

[@DominicMazoch]

These companies need to advertise in places like MODEL RAILROADER. More customers. Might get more customers. Maybe more hams. Many model railroaders are hams! Houston Tinplate Opertors Soc. makes huge orders for Anderson PP for quick disconnects for track and accessories. Again, another crossover. More customers. Maybe more hams. Again need to widen the ad net!

[@norrinradd8952]

Thanks for sharing. Always appreciate your product coverage. If I was forced to find a "CON" it would be that the USB ports are 1.5A each (according to Astron). Sure, 3.0A max combined, but that's marketing bullhockey buzzword sensationalism. Not a deal breaker, but a consideration for some. I would still buy one. I just wouldn't rely on it for powering my fulltime Ham Pi, nor would I expect it to charge my tablet very quickly.

[@HamRadio2]

Agreed

[@scottwheelhouse5715]

Scott wants one!

[@Hax0rZ1]

Did they ever come out with the larger one?

[@HamRadio2]

Yes I have the 50 amp that I did a few short videos on

[@radioshopbob]

WELL I am still waiting to see what the power supply does with a full 100 watt load from you r Flex????

[@n1kkri]

I wonder how clean it is concerning HF RFI. Just because a switching power supply meets FCC regs for conducted emissions it doesn't mean your not going to hear it in the HF spectrum. For VHF/UHF there great.

[@kornucopia9460]

I can tell you it's not clean at all.

[@oak3076]

I would guess that the USB ports do not feed through the meter?

[@earleclemans4836]

Where do we get those hats??

[@HamRadio2]

Shop.Hamradio2.com - I am setting them up now. Should have them ready in a few days.

[@madmax2069]

I own a Astron SS-30m (love how the analog meters look), it's been a pretty good power supply. So this is pretty much the same except for the USB and digital meters and front power poles.

[@rohnkd4hct260]

Not a Power Pole fan. But ASTRON are good power supplies.

[@HamRadio2]

Not a Power Pole fan? First time hearing that from anyone...

[@mikekf0eap16]

@@HamRadio2 there are at least 2 of us now who are not power pole fans.

[@myradiovideos]

I had and sold my last Astron switching power supply because of the LOUD Fan Noise! Can you comment on fan noise with low draw, 1 amp, than 5, 10, 15, 20 amp draw and how the fan reacts. Thanks

[@tglenn3121]

With the exception of the power pole ports, I like this power supply. Sorry, but to me, power poles are a bigger pain in the ass than they're worth.

[@kornucopia9460]

mine has terrible RFI from 5MHz to 10MHz... even worse when the power is supplied via the Powerpoles

[@HamRadio2]

Astron doesn't usually have that problem, you might have a dud

[@kornucopia9460]

@@HamRadio2 I called them up and they suggested that I make sure the ground plane screws were tight and that my electrical ground was sound. Everything is fine... I'm not going to give up, but will send it in and see if there is something faulty.

[@paulhastings3109]

Looking for another power supply and this is the ticket. Be great for field day 73 KQ4CD Paul

[@chadvandam7179]

I am totally blind! So, is there anything such as a talking power supply?

[@HamRadio2]

Not that I have ever seen

[@chadvandam7179]

@@HamRadio2 crap! I’m blind and want to get into HF but I need products that talk to me not just ones with stupid screens! I know that’s what it’s all about with you sighted people but God I hate stupid screens! So no talking power supplies no talking signal meters I have to have a sighted person there all the time God I hate that! Any ideas?

[@williamphelan8779]

I have one, recently purchased. Some points: this company USED to be a better company. The rear connections are so outdated and, IMO, shabily marked: Black=negative, PINK (!)= positive. Pink ? What the ...? Another negative point is the price point. Quite a bit more than the MFJ yet made in China ! UGH ! Astron would not respond to my comments.

[@martincampbell8655]

I really don't like the rear terminals on this supply! They are basically useless. I would much rather see two sets of powerpoles on the back.

[@marklowe7431]

Build power supplies. Buy a toroid core, wind, eda a pcb and build. Switch modes are noisy turds.

[@daveN2MXX]

It looks like a power supply lol

[@justintime1598]

Instead of waffling on about the USB ports for 10 minutes, why not some useful information like is the fan noisy and does the fan run all the time or come on when necessary.

[@HamRadio2]

That's funny how you think useful information is information that no one else cares about

[@jimmarcum7362]

I have the older analog dual meter version. Astron makes great power supplies. The rear DC output terminals are the only negatives. I wish they would change them to binding posts. Or some other style. Jason, I was hoping you would have tried out the rear terminals, connecting a standard HF power cable. The terminals on the rear are horrible when using heavy gauge wire.

[@williamphelan8779]

I completely agree, Others have made the same comments. Astron doesn't give a rats butt.