Pyramid PS-26KX
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| Frequency | n/a (13.8 V DC bench power supply) |
| Bands | n/a (station power supply) |
| Power | A linear regulated bench supply: about 22 A continuous (25 A surge) at 13.8 V, with output adjustable from 6 to 15 V. Roughly 500 W AC input. |
| Modes | linear regulated adjustable bench DC power supply with dual meters |
| dc output | Front 5-way binding posts plus screw terminals and a cigarette-lighter (12 V accessory) socket |
| ac in | 115 VAC mains |
| power req | 115 VAC input. Output 13.8 V (adjustable 6-15 V), ~22 A continuous. |
Cheap and clean: a linear supply adds no switching hash to HF receive, the dual analog meters let you watch volts and amps, and the adjustable 6-15 V output is handy for testing. At about 22 amps it comfortably runs a 100-watt radio, the cigarette socket and binding posts make hookup easy, and it is one of the least expensive ways to power a base station.
Being linear it is heavy and bulky for its current, the analog meters and budget build are basic, and 22 amps suits a single 100-watt radio rather than big loads. Quality control is variable on inexpensive supplies, and it is 115 VAC only in its common form.
The Pyramid PS-26KX is a budget linear 22 A bench supply with adjustable voltage and dual meters - a cheap, hash-free way to run a 100-watt mobile radio as a base station. It is heavy for its current and basic in build; those wanting light weight choose a switcher, but for clean, low-cost power it does the job.
The Pyramid PS-26KX is an inexpensive linear bench power supply, a common and economical way to turn a mobile two-way or ham radio into a base station. It converts 115-volt AC into the 13.8 volts radios need, supplying about 22 amps continuously (25 on surge) - enough for a typical 100-watt transceiver. Its output is adjustable from 6 to 15 volts, which makes it handy for powering or bench-testing other 12-volt equipment, and a pair of analog meters on the front show voltage and current at a glance.
It is a linear supply, meaning it uses a transformer and linear regulation rather than a switching circuit. That makes it heavier and bulkier than a modern switcher of the same current, but it also means it generates no switching hash on the HF bands - a point in its favor for receiving. Connections are flexible: front binding posts, screw terminals and a cigarette-lighter accessory socket let you hook up almost anything.
The trade-offs are simply those of a budget linear supply: the meters and build are basic, quality can vary, it is heavy for its current, and at 22 amps it is sized for a single 100-watt radio rather than big loads. But at around $70-90 it is one of the cheapest clean power options available, which is why it is so widely used.
It competes with other budget supplies and is a lower-cost, linear alternative to switchers like the MFJ-4230MVP; for the highest-quality linear power many operators step up to an Astron RS-35M.