Alinco DM-30
$$ยทยทยท
| Frequency | n/a (13.8 VDC switching power supply) |
| Bands | n/a (station power supply) |
| Power | A 13.8 V DC switching power supply. It delivers 20 amps continuous at 13.8 V and 30 amps maximum (50 percent duty cycle, 1-minute intervals); above 30 A it shuts down automatically. |
| Modes | DC power supply (13.8 V regulated, switching) |
| Weight | 1.6 kg (3.5 lb) |
| dc output rear | Rear binding posts (30 A peak, one pair) for the main DC output |
| dc output front | Front quick terminals (5 A peak, one pair): Anderson Powerpole on the 120 V 'T' version, banana on the 230 V 'E' version |
| ac in | 120 VAC (DM-30T) or 220 VAC (DM-30E), 50/60 Hz |
| power req | 120 VAC (DM-30T) or 220 VAC (DM-30E) input. Output 13.8 V DC at 20 A continuous (30 A peak), adjustable 9-15 V or fixed at 13.8 V. |
A light, compact, affordable switching supply that delivers 20 amps continuously (30 peak) at 13.8 volts, plenty for a 100-watt radio, at a fraction of the weight of a linear supply. It has an illuminated digital volt/amp meter, output adjustable from 9 to 15 volts or fixed at 13.8, a Noise Offset Circuit to move switching hash off the operating frequency, both rear binding posts and front quick terminals (Anderson Powerpole on the US version), and full protection.
As a switching supply it can still produce some RF hash despite the noise-offset feature, which is why some HF operators prefer a heavier linear supply. The 20-amp continuous rating suits a 100-watt radio but not a big amplifier, it relies on a cooling fan that is audible, and the front quick terminals are limited to 5 amps.
The Alinco DM-30 is a compact, inexpensive 13.8-volt switching power supply for a typical 100-watt station: 20 amps continuous, adjustable voltage, a digital meter, a noise-offset circuit and convenient Powerpole outputs, all in a light package. It suits an operator who wants small size and low cost; those who run an amplifier need more current, and HF purists who want zero switching noise prefer a linear supply such as the Astron RS-35M.
The Alinco DM-30 is a compact 13.8-volt switching power supply for an amateur station. Most ham gear runs on 13.8 volts DC, and this supply turns household AC into that voltage to feed a transceiver. It is rated 20 amps continuous and 30 amps on short peaks, which comfortably runs a typical 100-watt radio, and unlike a heavy linear supply it uses a high-frequency switching design, so the whole unit weighs only about 1.6 kilograms.
The output can be adjusted continuously from 9 to 15 volts or locked at a fixed 13.8 volts with a switch, and a large illuminated digital meter shows volts and amps in real time. Switching supplies can put hash on the bands, so Alinco includes a Noise Offset Circuit that shifts the switching noise to a different frequency, moving it off whatever band you are using. For connections there are heavy binding posts on the rear for the main 30-amp output and a pair of front quick terminals rated 5 amps, which are Anderson Powerpole on the 120-volt 'T' version sold in the US and banana sockets on the 230-volt 'E' version. A cooling fan keeps it running under heavy load, and it has triple protection against short circuits, over-temperature and over-current, shutting down automatically above 30 amps. It is CE-approved, made in Japan, and sells for around $135.
It suits an operator who wants a small, light, low-cost supply for a 100-watt radio. A station running an amplifier needs more current, and operators who want absolutely no switching noise on HF still prefer a linear supply such as the Astron RS-35M. Within Alinco's own line, the larger DM-330MV offers a similar switching design with more output.