Ham Radio 360
///////////////////////////////////////////
Ham Radio: Workbench-4, Meters
Posted: 16 Aug 2016 04:13 AM PDT
http://hamradio360.com/index.php/201...ench-4-meters/
THE WORKBENCH EPISODE 4 RF Meters, DC Power Meters, and Digital
Multimeters
For this episode, I made a quick and dirty video comparing several Tenma
Digital Multimeters with my Fluke 287.* I compared voltage, continuity,
current, and miliamp current.* You can check this out
he *
https://youtu.be/tl76f0S3iOU
Save 5% on your next order from MCM Electronics with promo code RADIO5
http://www.mcmelectronics.com
CONTEST!* Enter to win a Tenma 72-10415 Digital Multimeter (a $100 value)
by visiting
http://www.mcmelectronics.com/workbench and signing up for
their email newsletter!* Contest ends on 8/25/2016 and the winner will be
randomly selected and announced on the next episode of Workbench.
Segment 1 News and Updates
Update: *LM317 power supply:
$5-$10 gets you a PCB with a regulator, digital display and voltage adjust
pot.
Just put in 3 volts more than the output. *0-30 volts typically.
Ebay Link
Tons of cheap kits and electronics from
www.banggood.com
Example: *
https://blog.adafruit.com/2016/08/11...ay-3dprinting/
Icom released a new ID-51 Plus2
http://www.icom.co.jp/world/news/160...rvariation.pdf
Kenwood TH-D74
http://www.jvckenwood.com/en/press/2...ss_160808.html
Whats on Georges bench?
Finalized the PCB for the antenna analyzer
Rev 2 Gerbers are off to the PCB fab
Working on D-STAR DD module with Rich KC6OBJ
D-STAR stack + 2 1.2 GHz ID-1’s
Goal: *Over the air TCP/IP to the repeater site PLUS 3.4 GHZ link between
sites
Two new IRLP nodes made from Raspberry PI’s * Thanks Dave VE3LTD
One to backhaul from Black to our IRLP reflector
One to backhaul from WA6HHQ in Aptos on the Central Coast
Whats on Jeremys bench?
Sick Raspberry Pi 2 in my cluster.* Intro to
cluster: *
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJKhRLKXr-Q
Finishing Battery Test of Bioenno Test and starting to work
3 Meters from MCM Electronics!
Segment 2 * METERS
Analog VOM
Simpson 260
Pro Tips Hams rarely need precision, they need indication (Indicator vs
instrument)
Cheap
Basic measurements like continuity, coarse voltage and current.
Sometimes they stop working because of bad connections, components.
Ebay Link
$12 with shipping
Have to have features
Auto Ranging
True RMS A/C Measurement
Check max voltage and current specs
Backlight
Kick stand
Continuity testing beep
4000 counts / 3 ¾ Digits https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4JFeU-o2kc
Nice to have features
Capacitance
Diode check
Transistor check
Frequency counter
Computer connectivity
High quality probes
Impact resistant / weather proof case (rubbery)
What do you get as price increases?
Precision
“Nice to have” Features
Non contact sensing
Computer connectivity
Accessories
Power Handling
Faster continuity test response
Good probes
Silicone insulation not cheap wire
Good strain relief
Flexible
Sharp probe points
Removable alligator clamps
FLUKE TL71 10A PREMIUM DMM TEST LEAD SET FOR DIGITAL MULTIMETER PROBES NEW
$18
$100
Tenma 72-7780 6000 count TRMS $60
http://www.mcmelectronics.com/produc...-7780-/72-7780
Extech…
Tenma 72- 10410 $67 6000 count TRMS w/ USB $67
http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/72-10410
~$100
Tenma 72-10415 22000 count TRMS w/ USB Connectivity $100
http://www.mcmelectronics.com/produc...0415-/72-10415
EEVBlog Branded Bryman BM235 ~$100US
https://www.eevblog.com/product/bm235-multimeter/
$300
Fluke 87V $340
Fluke 287- $450
Keysight (Agilent) U1272A $490
Clamp Current Probes
Tenma $40
http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/72-9180#review
RF Power Watt Meter
Difference between a RF watt meter and a SWR meter?
Same thing but
RF power meters may not show SWR
Make sure you pick one for the frequency range and power level that you
need.
Requires a load!
Cheaper good enough
MFJ 822 (HF 2m) $60
http://www.mtcradio.com/mfj-822-watt...-300-w-mobile/
MFJ 842 (2m,220,440) $60
Diamond SX-200 (HF 2m) $90
http://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=H0-000009
Diamond SX-600 (HF, VHF, UHF) $180
http://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=H0-000013
Commercial grade
Bird Model 43 and slugs ($300 for meter + ~$50+ per slug)
http://www.birdrf.com/Products/Wattm...x#.V6tGLpgrKUk
DC in-line power monitor
Powerwerx Wattmeter-PP *$50
https://powerwerx.com/watt-meter-ana...e-dc-powerpole
$14 clone on Ebay
RC Digital LCD Watt Meter Battery Voltage Current Power Analyzer Tester
Ebay Link
West Mountain Radio PWRcheck $185
Many modes, programmable “gas guage”, USB for logging and computer
monitoring/alerting
http://www.westmountainradio.com/pro...ts_id=pwrcheck
TUTORIALS
Sparkfun How to use a multimeter
https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials...e-a-multimeter
Fluke ABCs of DMMs (Digital Multi Meters)
http://support.fluke.com/find-sales/...16_ENG_M_W.PDF
Ideal Industries Basics of Digital Multi Meters
http://www.triotest.com.au/shop/imag...ultimeters.pdf
EEVBlog Multimeter Videos
DMM Buyers Guide for Beginners: *
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gh1n_ELmpFI
How a Multimeter Works:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuCXsT3_WRE
Multimeter Counts and
Resolution: *
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4JFeU-o2kc
This posting includes a media file:
http://media.blubrry.com/fo_time_the...adio15/wb4.mp3