Re: [drakelist] DMM recommendation
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: You might want to keep your eyes open for one of the Heath VTVMs Hi Garey, And somewhere on the internet was rebuilding instructions (or have it done) for the probes I believe I found the article somehow through the drakelist. Carl WD8NHK **Get the scoop on last night's hottest shows and the live music scene in your area - Check out TourTracker.com! (http://www.tourtracker.com?NCID=aolmus0005000112)
Re: [drakelist] DMM recommendation
FYI to the group I too have a heath VTVM that I use frequently for receiver alignment and other uses. The probe is rarely included when you find one of the many versions (cosmetically) of pretty much the same design. The probe designed for these VTVM's is not necessary. The best thing to do is modify the input circuit, very simple to do. Then when the main switch is turned from AC to DC to Ohms, you have the correct input impedance and blocking. It makes the Heath as easy to use as the Simpson 260/270 series. You simply buy a set of standard probes and a stereo 1/4 phone plug and wire the two leads to it. I have the information here somewhere and can supply to anyone who wants. Its also available on the internet. David wd9cmd - Original Message - From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: drakelist@zerobeat.net Sent: Thursday, July 17, 2008 9:07 AM Subject: Re: [drakelist] DMM recommendation [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: You might want to keep your eyes open for one of the Heath VTVMs Hi Garey, And somewhere on the internet was rebuilding instructions (or have it done) for the probes I believe I found the article somehow through the drakelist. Carl WD8NHK -- Get the scoop on last night's hottest shows and the live music scene in your area - Check out TourTracker.com!
Re: [drakelist] DMM recommendation
"Chuck Grandgent" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> made an utterance to the drakelist gang -- My .02 worth - I appreciate the comments on the value of an analog meter in some situations. That said, I have to say I've had a Velleman DVM890 for a couple years now (from Allelectronics), and am very happy with it, and at the price a good value. Chuck, K1OM -- Submissions:drakelist@zerobeat.net Unsubscribe:[EMAIL PROTECTED] - unsubscribe drakelist in body Hopelessly Lost:[EMAIL PROTECTED] - help in body of message Zerobeat Web Page: www.zerobeat.net - sponsored by www.tlchost.net --
[drakelist] So true
Bob W7AVK <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> made an utterance to the drakelist gang -- Interesting post. http://www.walletpop.com/specials/top-25-things-vanishing-from-america?icid=200100397x1205860662x1200271493 Check number 16. Sorry to say, I agree. http://www.walletpop.com/2008/07/17/top-25-things-vanishing-from-america-16-ham-radio/ 73 Bob W7AVK -- Submissions:drakelist@zerobeat.net Unsubscribe:[EMAIL PROTECTED] - unsubscribe drakelist in body Hopelessly Lost:[EMAIL PROTECTED] - help in body of message Zerobeat Web Page: www.zerobeat.net - sponsored by www.tlchost.net --
Re: [drakelist] DMM recommendation
Garey Barrell <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> made an utterance to the drakelist gang -- Carl - All the "probe" needs to be is to have a 1M resistor _at the probe tip_, for DC measurements only. Worst case you can make a probe and have another without the resistor for AC and Ohms measurements. The only tricky thing about the Heath probe was that it had a method to switch the resistor in or out at the probe point. If you have a separate DMM, you'll probably never use the VTVM for AC or Ohms measurements anyway! By the way, don't fall for the "mods" circulating that explain how to put a 1M resistor INSIDE the VTVM to "automatically" switch the resistor in and out. The Heath (and RCA and B&K and Knight and EICO and ...) engineers were smart enough to have done this themselves, IF that was the "right" answer. These mods were "designed" by people who didn't understand WHY Heath originally went to the trouble to design and build a probe with the switch in it. The reason to put the 1M resistor AT THE PROBE TIP was to "decouple" that 3' test lead (antenna, variable capacitor, inductor, link couping) from the measurement point for the _high impedance circuitry in tube equipment_! A little knowledge can be a dangerous thing! 73, Garey - K4OAH Glen Allen, VA Drake 2-B, 4-B, C-Line & TR-4/C Service Supplement CDs [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: You might want to keep your eyes open for one of the Heath VTVMs Hi Garey, And somewhere on the internet was rebuilding instructions (or have it done) for the probes I believe I found the article somehow through the drakelist. Carl WD8NHK -- Submissions:drakelist@zerobeat.net Unsubscribe:[EMAIL PROTECTED] - unsubscribe drakelist in body Hopelessly Lost:[EMAIL PROTECTED] - help in body of message Zerobeat Web Page: www.zerobeat.net - sponsored by www.tlchost.net --
Re: [drakelist] DMM recommendation
Mike Bryce <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> made an utterance to the drakelist gang -- let a heathkit collector pop in here for a second... the use of a 1/4" stereo plug is not a good idea either. the original plug had a really wide band between the tip and ring. Mike, WB8VGE SunLight Energy Systems The Heathkit Shop http://www.theheathkitshop.com/ J e e p o|||o Note: No trees were killed in the sending of this message, but a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced -- Submissions:drakelist@zerobeat.net Unsubscribe:[EMAIL PROTECTED] - unsubscribe drakelist in body Hopelessly Lost:[EMAIL PROTECTED] - help in body of message Zerobeat Web Page: www.zerobeat.net - sponsored by www.tlchost.net --
Re: [drakelist] DMM recommendation
I would be interested in seeing what info you have on the probe changes. Dick - Original Message - From: David & Chris Drake To: drakelist@zerobeat.net Sent: Thursday, July 17, 2008 9:44 AM Subject: Re: [drakelist] DMM recommendation FYI to the group I too have a heath VTVM that I use frequently for receiver alignment and other uses. The probe is rarely included when you find one of the many versions (cosmetically) of pretty much the same design. The probe designed for these VTVM's is not necessary. The best thing to do is modify the input circuit, very simple to do. Then when the main switch is turned from AC to DC to Ohms, you have the correct input impedance and blocking. It makes the Heath as easy to use as the Simpson 260/270 series. You simply buy a set of standard probes and a stereo 1/4 phone plug and wire the two leads to it. I have the information here somewhere and can supply to anyone who wants. Its also available on the internet. David wd9cmd - Original Message - From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: drakelist@zerobeat.net Sent: Thursday, July 17, 2008 9:07 AM Subject: Re: [drakelist] DMM recommendation [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: You might want to keep your eyes open for one of the Heath VTVMs Hi Garey, And somewhere on the internet was rebuilding instructions (or have it done) for the probes I believe I found the article somehow through the drakelist. Carl WD8NHK Get the scoop on last night's hottest shows and the live music scene in your area - Check out TourTracker.com!
[drakelist] Re: Dmm recomendations
Many thanks for all of the info folks. I've ordered a Fluke 115 which I'm sure will satisfy my needs for quite some time. BTW, I do not yet have a Drake but would like to acquire a 2-line (I only work cw) when I finish with current products. Thanks -- Alan
Re: [drakelist] DMM recommendation
Garey Barrell <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> made an utterance to the drakelist gang -- Mike - Absolutely, I had forgotten about that. I don't know of any source for that plug in these days where 50V is considered HIGH VOLTAGE!! :-) Essentially, it was a "stereo" or three-circuit plug, but instead of the "ring" portion being metal, it was a fiber insulator. I never took one apart, but I suspect it also had extra insulation in the "shank" portion. A "stereo" plug with the ring floating would give a "double-break" insulation between the tip and shank, but anything over 500V would probably be pushing it. 73, Garey - K4OAH Glen Allen, VA Drake 2-B, 4-B, C-Line & TR-4/C Service Supplement CDs Mike Bryce wrote: Mike Bryce <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> made an utterance to the drakelist gang -- let a heathkit collector pop in here for a second... the use of a 1/4" stereo plug is not a good idea either. the original plug had a really wide band between the tip and ring. Mike, WB8VGE SunLight Energy Systems The Heathkit Shop http://www.theheathkitshop.com/ J e e p o|||o Note: No trees were killed in the sending of this message, but a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced -- Submissions:drakelist@zerobeat.net Unsubscribe:[EMAIL PROTECTED] - unsubscribe drakelist in body Hopelessly Lost:[EMAIL PROTECTED] - help in body of message Zerobeat Web Page: www.zerobeat.net - sponsored by www.tlchost.net --
Re: [drakelist] So true/so subjective
ron <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> made an utterance to the drakelist gang -- Bob W7AVK wrote: Bob W7AVK <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> made an utterance to the drakelist gang -- Interesting post. http://www.walletpop.com/specials/top-25-things-vanishing-from-america?icid=200100397x1205860662x1200271493 Check number 16. Sorry to say, I agree. I do not. I checked their listing of other items and find some of it also subjective. Regarding Ham Radio: Kids (and adults) do know abt Ham Radio and associate it with today's technology. (thanks go to ARRL, among others, for publicizing that) Kid's Day is one faucet to expose them on this neat hobby. Many of the new comers like the idea of communicating with a small radio instead of a "cell phone". I could go on . you get the point. Ron wb1hga -- Submissions:drakelist@zerobeat.net Unsubscribe:[EMAIL PROTECTED] - unsubscribe drakelist in body Hopelessly Lost:[EMAIL PROTECTED] - help in body of message Zerobeat Web Page: www.zerobeat.net - sponsored by www.tlchost.net --
Re: [drakelist] DMM recommendation
Dick, Here's the link to the probe fix. If you have a good probe with your heathkit, then use it. You can also make one if so inclined and are the industrious sort. Also, I think B&K made a similar probe with the resistor installed and you could switch it in and out at or near the probe tip. Don't remember for sure. I have one with the original probe, calibrated, and one with the probe fix installed. It is also calibrated. Both work and read identical. I suppose there are cases where the probe fix may cause the meter to read wrong, but I have not found any in normal shop work. I believe mine does use the old style phone plug that heathkit sold with the unit new. As I recall it does have additional insulation between tip and sleeve, so that may be an issue to consider. My Flukes and Simpson gets the most use here but the heathkit VTVM is used often when I have an old receiver to align. http://www.theheathkitshop.com/vtvmprobefix.html Good luck, David Wd9cmd - Original Message - From: Donley To: drakelist@zerobeat.net Sent: Thursday, July 17, 2008 12:13 PM Subject: Re: [drakelist] DMM recommendation I would be interested in seeing what info you have on the probe changes. Dick - Original Message - From: David & Chris Drake To: drakelist@zerobeat.net Sent: Thursday, July 17, 2008 9:44 AM Subject: Re: [drakelist] DMM recommendation FYI to the group I too have a heath VTVM that I use frequently for receiver alignment and other uses. The probe is rarely included when you find one of the many versions (cosmetically) of pretty much the same design. The probe designed for these VTVM's is not necessary. The best thing to do is modify the input circuit, very simple to do. Then when the main switch is turned from AC to DC to Ohms, you have the correct input impedance and blocking. It makes the Heath as easy to use as the Simpson 260/270 series. You simply buy a set of standard probes and a stereo 1/4 phone plug and wire the two leads to it. I have the information here somewhere and can supply to anyone who wants. Its also available on the internet. David wd9cmd - Original Message - From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: drakelist@zerobeat.net Sent: Thursday, July 17, 2008 9:07 AM Subject: Re: [drakelist] DMM recommendation [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: You might want to keep your eyes open for one of the Heath VTVMs Hi Garey, And somewhere on the internet was rebuilding instructions (or have it done) for the probes I believe I found the article somehow through the drakelist. Carl WD8NHK -- Get the scoop on last night's hottest shows and the live music scene in your area - Check out TourTracker.com!
Re: [drakelist] DMM recommendation
Tom Swisher <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> made an utterance to the drakelist gang -- On Jul 16, 2008, at 10:47 PM7/16/08, Garey Barrell wrote: You might want to keep your eyes open for one of the Heath VTVMs, some of which have huge meters. They are abundant at hamfests, easy to fix (as long as the meter movement or cover aren't damaged) and typically cheap! The Simpson 260 is an excellent meter, but unless you get one of the very latest models they are only 20,000 ohm / volt sensitivity. This is usually not a problem, except when it comes time to measure a high impedance AVC circuit in a tube receiver. Then the 11 Megohm input impedance of a Heath VTVM is handy! I concur again... I have one of the Heath VTVMs but don't use it too much; sure is handy to have around when you need it, though. Tom WA8PYR -- Submissions:drakelist@zerobeat.net Unsubscribe:[EMAIL PROTECTED] - unsubscribe drakelist in body Hopelessly Lost:[EMAIL PROTECTED] - help in body of message Zerobeat Web Page: www.zerobeat.net - sponsored by www.tlchost.net --
Re: [drakelist] DMM recommendation
Ron Wagner <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> made an utterance to the drakelist gang -- So how does a Heath VTVM compare to a RS FET VOM? Mine has similar or better charactistices to a VTVM. I guess I am too young as I never used a VTVM, but as a kidI bought what I could afford (long ago). BTW I acquired a Heath V-7A VTVM at a hamfest to play with, but it is on the shelf because I could not find probes. I know I used my FET VOM to peak up the R4B, and seems like that circuit at the TP is very high impedence. TNX es 73, Ron WD8SBB -- Submissions:drakelist@zerobeat.net Unsubscribe:[EMAIL PROTECTED] - unsubscribe drakelist in body Hopelessly Lost:[EMAIL PROTECTED] - help in body of message Zerobeat Web Page: www.zerobeat.net - sponsored by www.tlchost.net --
[drakelist] 7 and 9 pin plug source needed
"Jim Pruitt" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> made an utterance to the drakelist gang -- Does anyone know of an economical source for 7 and 9 pin tube plugs like the Amphenol 86-896? I am looking for plugs to make a couple solid tubes and broken tube bases do not solder very well. I had a couple sources bookmarked but they must have sold out as the link is no longer valid. I do remember that a couple of sources I found when looking in the past were NOT CHEAP so I am trying to find a source that has a few at an affordable price. Thank you. Jim Pruitt -- Submissions:drakelist@zerobeat.net Unsubscribe:[EMAIL PROTECTED] - unsubscribe drakelist in body Hopelessly Lost:[EMAIL PROTECTED] - help in body of message Zerobeat Web Page: www.zerobeat.net - sponsored by www.tlchost.net --
