VHF in waterside workshop - Can someone suggest a mains power supply unit

[picardy]

I would like to fit a fixed Standard or ICOM fixed VHF in a waterside workshop to communicate with our boat and would like to connect it to a 240volt supply. Can anyone recommend a good quality unit (ie not a cheap unbranded version) that would provide a 12 volt DC output at the required amps from an AC mains point?

Many thanks

 

[superheat6k]

Likely a decent say 20 - 30 AH battery with mains charger as the VHF will draw quite a surge current when transmitting.

But be aware you will be breaking the Laws governing use of Marine VHF if you plan using the standard range of VHF channels, as only official bodies can transmit from shore, or marinas who have use only of one have of the duplex channel 80. That is why CB radio exists.

 

[Refueler]

First point .... you are aware that fixed stations ashore are a separate licencing issue ?

But anyway .... the best way to power is to use a Lead Acid battery - such as a House Alarm SLA ..... with charger connected if frequent use .. or just charge up periodically.

If you use a power supply - you need to make sure its at least 30W or more as the full power VHF tx is 25W ... but that's after losses - so the real demand is more like 30W .... ie you need at least a 3A power supply.
I would suggest a 5A 12V PSU - plenty on eBay ... such as :

12V 1/2/3/5A AC/DC Power Supply Adapter Charger LED Strip CCTV Camera Laptop UK | eBay

or one of these :

DC 5V 12V 24V Power Supply Driver Adapter for LED Strip Light AC 110V-220V | eBay

I suggest 5A - so that the PSU is not working to limit ...

 

[ash2020]

I was going to say exactly that, but I didn't want to be a spoilsport. You could use a handheld and stand in the water!

 

[picardy]

Thanks all - all noted about the rules as well.

 

[picardy]

PS.....How do I get a licence for shore based radio (we are a small family run boat yard). Looked at OFCOM and can't see it there ...?

 

[scottie]

I used to have a license that permitted use on a hand held which if all else failed covers the spirit if not the law
can’t remember exactly what the license was called

 

[Refueler]

PS.....How do I get a licence for shore based radio (we are a small family run boat yard). Looked at OFCOM and can't see it there ...?

I would suggest you email OFCOM and get a proper answer.

As example : When I installed VHF in our Office out here in Latvia - we monitored ships in / out of port we worked. I contacted Latvian Licencing Authority who then stipulated use etc. But TBH - they were not too happy about it.

Note that if you set up a standard vessel based VHF - the Duplex channels will be no use to you - as Duplex uses slightly different frequency for shore vs vessel ... Vessel does not receive vessel TX'd duplex ...

The simplest solution ----- get a handheld and use that ... easy enough to licence along with your fixed on your boat ... just don't mention use off boat.
When my boat was UK registered - I had fixed VHf and two handhelds on the licence.

 

[picardy]

Would this unit be suitable for powering the unit? I would prefer to avoid a battery if I can...... Power Supply 5A 60W - 12V DC - IP67

 

[Refueler]

Would this unit be suitable for powering the unit? I would prefer to avoid a battery if I can...... Power Supply 5A 60W - 12V DC - IP67

Yes - but why pay so much ... there are thousands of PSU's like that out there for less money .....

 

[picardy]

Thanks all - much appreciated

 

[wonkywinch]

Radio amateur shops sell PSUs for radio transceivers, eg:

Power Supplies - ACCESSORIES

Amateur Radio Power Supplies

Marine Radio - Waters & Stanton

 

[Pye_End]

How about a pair of these?

IC-U20SR : PMR446 Licence Free Walkie Talkies - Icom UK

 

[MontyMariner]

Not sure about you, but I keep redundant AC to DC adapters from old bits of kit / appliances. They are of various o/p voltages and current ratings, some are 12v with a decent current rating.

 

[Bilgediver]

Something like this in link below will give a suitable smoothed output.


Amazon.co.uk

 

[Momac]

Is this any help

https://www.ofcom.org.uk/manage-your-licence/radiocommunication-licences/maritime-radio
.

 

[Gsailor]

Would this unit be suitable for powering the unit? I would prefer to avoid a battery if I can...... Power Supply 5A 60W - 12V DC - IP67

25w is power at transmition,

So 25w/12.7v = less than 5 amps, so YES it would work.

IP67 is waterproof, so you would be paying for something you don’t need.

I used to have a vhf in the dining room just to listen to (aerial went up to loft) powered by a lead acid battery and a solar panel.

You don’t want to use a battery, so an AC TO DC power supply is your answer.

Easy to wire into a ship’s radio, not so easy to wire into a handheld radio.

 

[William_H]

I found my VHF draws 2.5 amps on transmit or 30+ watts at 12v input. But then OP may be satisfied to operate the radio on low power 1w output reducing current less than an amp. Just difficult to ensure it is always set on low power. ol'will

 

[wonkywinch]

Be careful powering it from a 12v supply. Most mobile gear is designed for operation on 13.8v.

25 watts at 13.8v is less than 2A but the transmitter is not 100% efficient plus all the other electronics in the box means 5A should be good and indeed this is what the Icom etc spec shows as drain.

As others have said, check the legality of a shore installation.

Another contender .. https://cpc.farnell.com/unbranded/in06977/power-supply-bench-13-8v-6a/dp/IN06977

 

[fisherman]

I use any old tranny, off a keyboard or some such, but only for listening. My boat ammeter used to show 7A on transmit.
When I did transmit from shore I pretended to be a vessel, made up name, or used one I owned. So don't use 'Boatyard base' for instance