A cheap 12 VDC supply

We headed off this morning to find a 20 or 25 amp power supply for my FT-897D. I have this little battery booster/air compressor but its battery dies after about 1/2 hour of PSK time. I thought of buying a battery but that would be too heavy and I am sure the apartment owners don't need a big battery.

I found a battery quick charger for $135 but decided to keep looking. Then, after many shaking heads, I looked up on the shelf of a computer store and there was a 450 Watt power supply rated at 18 Amps at 12 Volts. That will work fine for my 50 watt BPSK signal from the Yaesu. I snapped it up for $28 and headed down the street.

Once back at the apartment, I had to figure out how the power control system of the computer supply works. Turns out you have to ground pin 8 (green) on the motherboard connector for the rest of the power supply and fan to turn on. Once I did that and merged all of the black (ground) and yellow (+12 VDC) cables I have a fine power supply for little cash.

I plugged it in and things lit up. Then immediately the power in the apartment went out. Turns out you have to go to the power company with a VIP card that comes with your power meter and bring cash. They give you a secret code to enter into the meter's keypad and you get some more kilowatt-hours.. Now if I can just figure out how many kw-hrs I have left so the power doesn't go out again.

Made a few contacts but a pizza dinner called and we are Skyping tonight back home. Will be on the air by 15 Z on Sunday. 73