When I first started with the X6100, I’d see some noise that buried real signals when plugged into AC power.
Running on battery was fine, and running on the external lead-acid 12V battery was OK too. For weeks, I used the battery to smooth the noise. I’d run an AC power supply in parallel with the battery and turn it up just high enough that I didn’t see noise in the waterfall. The battery smoothed the power.
I switched to a LiFePO4 battery, and I found the built-in charging circuit made it hard to balance input power and output power just right to keep it smooth.
I asked around on the X6100 mailing list and I got 2 suggestions I took:
- a filter I can use with any cheap power supply I already have
- a cleaner, and inexpensive, switching power supply from Ateck that puts out a fixed 12V/5A
I purchased both to try, and both helped immensely, each on their own.
I wired up the filter with some 5525 connectors and printed a case for it. I use the filter in combination with my adjustable 24V/5A power supply on the go. That higher-voltage power supply is also useful to charge the LiFePO4 battery at 14.1V. The battery also lives in my box for portable operation.
I use the Ateck power supply on my desk by itself to power the radio at home.