12V DC Power Supplies for Ham & CB Radio

Powering your 12V mobile or CB radio indoors? You've come to the right place. A dedicated DC power supply is the heart of any base station, converting your home's 110V AC wall power into clean, stable 13.8V DC. Using a cheap, "dirty" power source can damage your expensive radio equipment. Our curated collection of linear and switching power supplies from top brands like Samlex, Pyramid, and ICT ensures your rig gets the stable power it needs to perform at its best.

10 products

Power Supplies

🎓 An Expert's Guide to Choosing Your Power Supply

Your radio is only as good as the power it receives. A reliable power supply is a critical investment for any home base station, protecting your gear and ensuring clear, stable transmissions. Here’s what you need to know to pick the right one.

Linear vs. Switching: What's the Difference?

You'll see two main types of power supplies: linear and switching. Both convert AC to DC, but they do it very differently.

Power Supply Type How it Works Pros 👍 Cons 👎 Best For
Linear (e.g., Pyramid) Uses a large, heavy transformer. Simple, robust technology. Extremely "clean" power with virtually zero radio frequency (RF) noise. The gold standard for sensitive HF radios. Very heavy, less efficient (generates more heat). HF radio operators, audio purists, and anyone who needs the absolute quietest power source.
Switching (e.g., Samlex, ICT) Uses modern, high-frequency electronic components. Lightweight, compact, and highly efficient (less heat). Cheaper models can inject RF noise into your signal. High-quality brands like Samlex use advanced filtering to prevent this. Most VHF/UHF mobile radios (Ham, GMRS, Business), and any application where size and weight are concerns.

📈 How to Choose the Right Amperage (Amps)

Amperage is the measure of electrical current. Your power supply must be able to provide at least as many amps as your radio draws when transmitting at full power.

  • Check Your Radio's Manual: Look for the "Max TX Current Draw." A typical 50-watt mobile radio draws 10-12 amps. A 100-watt HF rig can draw over 20 amps.
  • Continuous vs. Peak (Surge): "Continuous" is the load the supply can handle 24/7. "Peak" or "Surge" is the maximum it can provide for a few seconds (like when you key the microphone).
  • 💡 Expert Tip: Don't just meet the minimum. We recommend a power supply rated for at least 1.5x to 2x your radio's maximum draw. This is the #1 rule for a reliable station.

Why? Running a 12A radio on a 12A supply means you are stressing the components to 100% every time you talk. This causes excess heat, fan noise, and leads to early failure. Running that same 12A radio on a 23A supply (like the Samlex SEC-1223) means the power supply is barely breaking a sweat, running cool and quiet for years to come.

🚚 What about 24V to 12V Converters?

You may also see DC-to-DC converters (like the Alfatronix Powerverter) in this category. These do not plug into a wall outlet. They are designed for vehicles with 24-volt electrical systems (like transport trucks or heavy machinery) to safely power 12-volt equipment like a CB radio or mobile radio.

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