New Rig Expert Shack Master 600 power supply - initial impressions

David Decoons, wo2x

Hi All,

Decided to get a new power supply in preparation for the 8600. The supply will replace my trusty Alinco DM330MVT. Here are my initial impressions of the new power supply.

Packaging - well packed with quick start instruction guide, card with info for their web site (Windows and MAC software, manual download). Power cable, USB A to C cable for programming and monitoring the supply, and a plastic piece to allow placing the supply standing on end.

Power connections for devices - On rear there are binding posts rated at 30 amps and two sets of Power Pole connections rated at 45 amps. Front panel has another two sets of 45 amp Power Poles, two USB-A charging ports, and two USB-C charging ports. The USB ports support various fast charging protocols.

Installation - My power supply was installed on end in my radio server cabinet. Connections o the 6600M are via the binding posts. I'll change to the rear Power Poles with the 8600. I also have a Power Pole connection going to my West Mountain Radio Rig Runner 4005i. AC input can auto range over a very wide range from 80 to 264 volts AC.

Software - There are utility programs for both Windows and MAC. I installed the Windows version on a Think Center mini PC in the radio server cabinet and connected the supplied USB A to C cable from the PC to the rear of the power supply. I loaded the Windows utility on the Think Center and did a Remote Desktop connection to the Think Center. You can adjust DC output voltage (I raised mine to 14.8 volts) and select various items to show on the monitor graph. You can also record readings over time (think DC voltage and current between RX and TX).

One setting in the software that I like is the ability to have the power supply turn on after an AC power fail. It is defaulted to enabled. Perfect for remote installs

My next step is to get the Shack Master connected to Node Red and have the various readings available on my Node Red dashboard.

Overall impressions so far are excellent. It is not cheap but the Shack Master is well built and is working very well.

73 Dave wo2x

Mike Steventon

Nice review, Dave. Just checked it out with retail store here in UK. The price here is £420 including tax. As you say, expensive, but quite a tempting looking beast!!

Thanks for the note.

73 Mike G4GWH

KB2LMN

Nice review, I would like to know if it produces any noise compared to linear supply, did you happed to check for AC ripple?

Curious, KB2LMN

Mike-VA3MW

Gord-VA7GP

It's good to have the specs, so folks can make an informed choice.

IMHO, that ripple is far higher than my radio-desired 5-10 mV p-p at full load. But it may therefore be budget-friendly, and the attached radios may add more filtering and regulation.

KD0RC

I agree Gord. There is also switching noise that may or may not be a factor on the ham bands. There are quite a few switching supplies that are totally great in the ham bands, and some that are not so good.

David Decoons, wo2x

I will be testing on the air in more detail over the next week. I just got back from a road trip and have some antenna testing to do so I’ll be on the air quite a bit this week.

This replaced an Alinco DM330MVT which was RF quiet from 6 through 80 meters.

73

Dave wo2x

Mike-VA3MW

Sergey KN7K

Alinco DM0330MV

Specifications:

• Input voltage: AC120VAC(MVT) / 220VAC(MVE)
• Output voltage : 5 to 15VDC variable
• Output voltage variation: less than 2%
• Protection: short-circuit, Automatic current limiting over 32A(MVT), 30A(MVE), over-temperature
• Output current: MVT 32A(max), 30A(continuous) / MVE 30A(max), 25A(continuous)
• Ripple: less than 15mVp-p at rated load
• Fuse: 8A (MVT) / 4A (MVE)
• Meter: single volt/current meter, back-lit
• Size: MVT 175(w) x 67(h) x 165(d) mm / MVE 190(w) x 69(h) x 181(d) mm
• Weight: MVT approx. 2 Kg / MVE approx. 2.3Kg

Santiago Mejia HI8O

I'm waiting for my Shack Master 600 to arrive shortly and it'll be installed in my remote station.

I plan to connect my 6400, TGXL and Antenna Genius to it, plus my Yaesu 991 (I don't use both radio at the same time). The Astron SS-30M currently serving the 6400 will be used with my Rotator Genius (substituting a Honeywell which is having a hard time with the Ham IV). This will free 2 Samlex and the Honeywell which we'll be my spares.

@David Decoons, wo2x how's yours behaving?

73, Santiago

David Decoons, wo2x

mine has been working fine. I ran an extra PowerPole to PowerPole cable from the ShackMaster out of my cabinet for testing other equipment.

I have the USB to the management ThinkCenter PC in the cabinet. I can Remote Desktop into that PC and run the ShackMaster app as needed.

73 Dave wo2x

Neil D Friedman N3DF

And this would be an improvement over my 30-year old Astron because…?

Mike-VA3MW

Because it is cool! :).

• you can see current voltages on a status screen
• you can see current current on a status screen

Plus a ton of other cool features. The ShackMaster looks awesome setting on a desk. The Astron does not and is best suited for sitting on the floor to keep your feet warm. :)

Santiago Mejia HI8O

Yes. In my case, being on a remote site, the possibility of the computer app to monitor and control de ps it´s the reason I´m making the change.

73, HI8O