Confession Time! I smoked my Analog Multimeter (VOM) as that what happens when you put 500VDC across the meter when it is set to measure Ohms. I purposefully bought this VOM for use with high voltage so I wouldn't smoke my expensive DVM.
My plan worked, but now I needed a replacement VOM, and this is the jewel from Amazon. You get a lot of capability for $30 including spare fuses inside the case. It even has a powerful magnet on the back so if you put it on a magnetic surface it won't move like when you are working on a car.
A New VOM for N6QW
Here 1s an interesting proposition for those whose only amateur radio activities are contests and operating. Since you don't homebrew you have do something with your license.
There are declared Micronations within the United States and one of those is in California known by the name the Republic of Slowjamastan run entirely by the Sultan of Slowjamastan. It is complete with purported land mines and where the wearing of Crocs is outlawed. [I am not making this up and it is not April 1.]
So here is the proposition... A permanent DXpedition to the Republic of Slowjamastan and get this call sign, K6SJM. You could charge for QSL Cards and be sure and cut in the Sultan for a piece of the action. His day job is in commercial radio, so he knows about hams.
Believe it or not, there are hundreds of declared micronations in the USA including such entities in the states of Texas, Utah, Nevada Ohio, Vermont, New York and Washington.
Are you listening ARRL here is an opportunity to sponsor MINOTA events. MINOTA = MIcro Nation On The Air. This could be a lot more fun than POTA or SOTA. ARRL, you could even go so far as to entice your offshore advertising sponsors to create a premium cost special MINOTA rig.
Slowjamastan has no permanent residents save for the Sultan, but other Micronation's actually have a significant number of full-time residents. I was told that one of the Micronations was founded by the guy who invented the Segway. This is serious stuff.
I can hear it now: CQ MINOTA, CQ MINOTA, this K6JSM, calling CQ MINOTA from the Republic of Slowjamastan. Special points for a MINOTA-to-MINOTA contacts.
Them that know make things go.
73's
Pete N6QW