Monthly Archives: October 2019

Clean Up Your Shack – 2019

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The online follow-up to my talk for the 2019 RSGB Convention.

3 chokes

What’s new since 2015

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  • Constant changes in the prices of ferrite cores (but still the same Best Buy supplier)
  • Updated Whole-Shack Mains Filter

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Downloads

  • Extended slide pack (PowerPoint) includes more slides showing how to build the updated Whole-Shack Mains Filter.
  • View ‘Clean Up Your Shack 2015’ (YouTube) for more detailed background.
  • Slides from my 2010 talk about chokes and baluns  to drill deeper into that subject.
  • All mains earth (green/yellow wire) connections are to the earth tag on the top end of the filter. 

THE PROBLEM SOLVER: Fair-Rite 0431177081 snap-on core

Not cheap, but well worth it. If RF noise threatens to take your hobby away, then surely it’s worth something to get it back?

  • Manufacturer’s data  Ignore the photograph – this biggest bead doesn’t look like that.
  • Current Best Buy supplier – and always near the top of the list –  is www.mouser.co.uk
    Again, ignore the photograph, trust the part number.
    Notice the big price break at quantity 10. This makes an ideal club purchase.
    UK prices are in GB£ but do not include VAT. However, that is all you have to pay. Three-day FedEx shipping from the USA is streamlined and free for orders over £50+VAT.

Parts list for the Whole-Shack Mains Filter

  • Packaged 15A or 16A mains filter, single phase, 250VAC rated.
    Within 2 days of publication, the Roxburgh RES5-F15 filter from Farnell was sold out! The specific type of mains filter is not critical, so instead let’s try the Schaffner FN2030-16-06 (also from Farnell, but many more in stock).
  • Large Fair-Rite core 0431177081: Mouser (see above) or Farnell
  • Qty 2, Fair-Rite oval core 2643167851: Mouser or Farnell
  • Plastic box CE-TEK GR17012 to fit the above parts: CPC  EN84544 
    NB: I said PLASTIC for a reason! A metal box opens up a world of unnecessary complications about earth continuity and de-tuning of the ferrite choke.
  • Qty 2, plastic cable glands, 5-10mm size: CPC CBBR7352
  • At least 3m of 3-core 2.5mm² mains flex, 90ºC rated: eBay, eg here
  • 13A socket strips to meet your requirements
  • 13A plug. The maximum total current supplied to all sockets is 13A, limited by this plug.