Base station amplifier power supply

Why is a base station power amplifier important?

The proliferating frequency bands and modulation schemes of modern cellular networks make it increasingly important that base-station power amplifiers offer the right combination of output power, efficiency and multi-band support – at both peak and average power levels. PAs are the main energy consumers in modern base stations.

Can a mobile radio be used as a base station?

Of course, there is a little matter of power. A mobile radio is specifically designed to operate on DC power from a vehicle. It has no internal power transformer or inverter of its own, so it isn't made to plug into the AC wall outlet of a home or office building. In that case, how do you power a mobile radio for use as a base station? That's easy.

How do I convert my mobile radio into a base station?

Simply put, to convert your mobile two way radio into a base station, we recommend that you buy a higher amp power supply than is absolutely needed. When it comes to power, you can't over buy. If in doubt, go bigger. At the end of the day, you'll be glad you did.

How do I choose the right size power supply for my Radio?

To the average layperson, all this sounds overly complicated. So to simplify the process, here are some general guidelines for choosing the right size power supply for your radio. Use the manufacturer's amp rating of the radio as the rule. Use the maximum, or peak load rating of the radio, not the standby or typical draw.

How many amps should a power supply have?

If connecting multiple radios, add up the total amps of all the radios during peak load combined. For example, let's say you have a 50 watt radio and the maximum draw is listed at 10 amps. Buying a power supply advertised with a peak load of 10 amps might still be a bad move. First, power supplies have two amp ratings: continuous and maximum.

Do mobile radios need a power supply?

Mobile radios have different power requirements, and power supplies have different power ratings. Choose the correct power supply for your radio, and you may have years of clean power with no noisy interference and uninterrupted service. Choose the wrong one, and your radio may not be able to transmit or even stay on from the start.