Pat:

I did not think to test each of the four transistors separately for warmth
when the supply was under heavy use.

This actually is a good idea.

I'm thinking of taking the RS35 to my local club. ... They have a tech
corner at our monthly club meeting, and I could present the whole issue as a
challenge for anyone who might be interested.

Of course, if parts need to be replaced, that may be another issue, but I'm
getting ahead of myself.

Will have a joyous Thanksgiving with the family tomorrow, and cogitate on
this more after recovering from the over-eating which inevitably will occur.

And, speaking of Thanksgiving, I want to wish everyone on the list a happy
one!  I think I probably say this every year, but this is by far the most
friendly and informative e-mail list to which I belong.  I am truly grateful
for the friendship  and knowledge that everyone provides.  My sincere hope
is that I somehow help others as much as I have been helped over the years.

Tom Behler: KB8TYJ


-----Original Message-----
From: For blind ham radio operators [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Pat Byrne
Sent: Wednesday, November 25, 2015 10:56 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Power Supply Update

Tom,
Do all of the pass transistors feel the same amount of warm?  Perhaps one
has failed.  Is there anyone of your acquaintance who would be competent to
help you troubleshoot?  I know that can be a challenge.  is it feasible to
replace all components except the transformer?  And I remember recently
reading on this list that overall voltage regulation is better with a
switching supply than a linear.  No answers, just a few thoughts.
Eat too much for dinner tomorrow before deciding this weighty issue!
Pat, K9JAUAt 08:47 PM 11/25/2015, you wrote:
>Hello, everyone.
>
>
>
>For those who might be interested, I have an update to share regarding 
>my Astron power supply woes here at the home QTH.
>
>
>
>It turns out that I think I was correct in suspecting that something is 
>failing in my Astron RS35 supply.
>
>
>
>I connected my TS590 to my older Kenwood PS53 supply, and my output 
>power is now a solid 100 watts according to the TS590's internal swr/watt
meter.
>This is on the same 40-meter resonant frequency where I tested the RS35 
>the other day, and got 75 watts out according to the TS590 meter.  My 
>TW1 reading with the PS53 supply was 90 watts out, compared to 58 watts 
>out with the RS35.
>
>
>
>I then connected my TMV71A to the PS53 power supply, and with a 1.2 to 
>1 SWR reading, got an output power reading of 44 watts on 2 meters, and 
>36 watts on 440, according to my TW2.
>
>
>
>In my view, this indicates that my problem with reduced output power 
>likely has been  related to the RS35.
>
>
>
>So, at least in the short term, I'm going to need to re-configure 
>things in my shack here.
>
>
>
>I'm going to run the TS590 setup using the PS53, and my TMV71A, using a 
>Tentec 963 30-amp switching supply that I picked up at a local swap 
>last summer.
>
>
>
>My next decision will be what to do with the RS35.  I'm going to see if 
>I can get one of the guys in our local club to help me troubleshoot the 
>situation, but I'm not sure how successful that will be.
>
>
>
>I'm actually seriously thinking about purchasing a completely new power 
>supply, since I prefer to use a rig runner for connecting everything in 
>my shack to a single power supply.
>
>
>
>And this brings me to a question:
>
>
>
>Does anyone have recommendations for a good replacement supply?  I am 
>ok with a linear supply, since it just sits on a shelf of my operating 
>desk here at the home QTH.  To be safe, I would like something with at 
>least the capacity of the RS35,, or maybe even somewhat greater if it 
>is reasonably affordable.
>
>
>
>I'd consider another RS35, but with some of the quality control reports 
>I have received recently, I'm now not so sure that's the best route for 
>me to go.
>
>
>
>Any thoughts/recommendations?
>
>
>
>Tom Behler: KB8TYJ
>
>
>
>
>
>