New Video Uploaded - Switcher Power Supplies and RFI

Michael Coslo

I just uploaded a Video to Youtube, This one is Switcher Power Supplies and RFI. Using a Flex Radio with DogPark Software, I made tests of an Alinco DM-330MV Power supply and looked at it on my Flex 6300.  on Amateur radio bands and elsewhere. 

With so many people claiming that Switching Power supplies will  interfere with your amateur Radio operations period, the results might be a bit surprising. 

The link is https://youtu.be/R8p5WUAriBo

People can also check out my video on interfacing SmartSDR and fldigi for digital operations on my channel.

Jay Nation

Michael

Nice video.

Sometimes "Old Wives Tales" are just that.
Once she's gone, might as well move on. 
Amateurs are a little like elephants, they never forget.
Maybe they ought to!

73, Jay - NO5J

Cliff

When I try to watch the video I get a warning it is not private?

"Your connection is not private

Attackers might be trying to steal your information from youtu.be (for example, passwords, messages, or credit cards).

 NET::ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID"

Cliff VK2NP

K9DUR

I have owned 3 DM-330MV supplies going back over 10 years.  All 3 are still in service.  I have never had any noise from any of them. -- 73, Ray, K9DUR

Arnie

Nicely done. Thanks for doing this test.
73 de Arnie W8DU

John W9KXQ

Michael,
Nicely done.  I am using a Jetstream switcher on my Flex 6500 with similar results.  Thanks for sharing.
73

John
W9KXQ

Michael Coslo

Better check your settings. I'm battened down pretty hard, with Sophos, Noscript and have AdBlock Pro and CookieKiller and have Better Privacy installed to root out the other places the bad guys try to hide cookies, and I don't get any such messages.  Tested  on FireFox OS X and Windows, Safari for OS X, Edge in Windows 10, FreFox in both Ubuntu Mate for Intel, and on Raspberry Pi 3. 

It is a public channel, otherwise no one else would see it, but should be as safe as any other Youtube channel.

If you find out the issue, I would be excepetionally interested in knowing what exactly it is.

Michael Coslo

I think this might be a controversy on the RFI list. I did the video in part because there were some gurus stating that a Switching Power Supply interferes with AMateur radio period, and with a Flex radio, we would see that right off. 

Alinco and I think JetStream make these, power supplies, and I've been delighted with them. 

Michael Coslo

As expected, the experts on the that list don't like my video at all. One fellow managed to have a scathing reaction with all manner of points brought up, and he didn't even watch half of it. (those points were brough up in the portion he didn't bother to watch. 

Sometimes stuff like that lets me know I'm on the right track. 8^)

Cliff

Hi Michael,

Also using Sophos, and Adblock and OpenDNS which may be the reason on OSX.

Cliff

Dave KD5FX

I had lots of problems with the MFJ 4225, I didn't notice it until I got a Flex, then saw these birdies on many bands, especially on 20 mtrs. I finally hooked the radio to a 12v battery and switched the MFJ on and off. The birdies were gone when the MFJ was off! Sold it and got an Astron linear supply ASAP!!!

KY6LA_Howard

@Michael

Well Done!

HOWEVER you were using one of the much better quality switchers that had a tunable noise control.

MOST Switchers are much cheaper and poorer quality (MFJ?) and do in fact generate a heck of a lot of unwanted RFI

So categorically saying Switchers are OK is plainly wrong.. Stating as you correctly stated that one you tested is good is the correct observation but one cannot generalize this to all Switchers

Unfortunately most hams are cheap ..so they end up with cheap noisy switchers and then complain that their radios hear too much noise..

Hence I still recommend using a linear power supply or battery just to avoid these issues...

Michael Coslo

Thnks Howard. My club has one of the MFJ's. I should do a test on it. And some wall Warts are horrifying. I have a HP Printer/scanner  that looks custom designed to wipe out 40 meters and below.