10GHz amplifier

I have been mulling over what to do with my 10GHz SSPA. It needs 11V at what I though was about 8A. It turns out that the quiesent current is nearer 10A and the peak drive sends it up to about 12.5A.

I didn’t want to use 28V to drive the Melcher DC-DC converter to produce the 11V. 

G4FSG pointed out that Rapid Electronics are selling their remaining stock of TDK Lambda PS150 (150W) power supplies for £22.95 +VAT. That has to be worth a trip down to Colchester tomorrow.

The  12V version is variable from 10.5 to 13V at 12.5A and can be run from 110 to 230V AC, so I could run it at my dish from the yellow builders transformer that supplies a ‘safer’ 55-0-55V AC out at the dish. 

The alternative is a Nissei NS1230M variable PSU that gives 20A from 4 to about 16v from110 to 230V AC. These PSUs are £89 from Martin Lynch and Son.

I have been active on 2m FT8 again this evening and worked some nice DX including down into northern Spain, once again. Conditions seem quite good on 2m at least.

Sam