Before starting today's presentation, I would like to acknowledge a think outside of the box, outstanding ham homebrewer and might I add good friend Tony G4WIF.
Tony is a not a Flash the Cash guy in the sense he is always tries to find a cost-effective way to execute a project. He often looks outside of the traditional ham hardware, read often expensive. In this link Tony presents a vertical antenna project that requires some special standoffs to keep the antenna wire from touching the mast support. Shazam, plastic kitchen cabinet hardware which is cheap and when installed appears like it was custom made for the antenna task. G4WIF employs a Nano VNA to test his antenna which is yet another must reason to visit the LINK
A great big Thank You to G4WIF for sharing your work. (Regrettably 4 Meters is not authorized in the USA.)
10 Testers /Accessories< $15
Today I am pleased to present ten test instruments and/or test accessories costing less than $15 each.
Now the rub, as this moves the user into having to know how to read technical instructions plus have some basic understanding of electronics. The latter of course is no longer mandatory to get an Extra Class license. So, let's Flash the Cash! Search Amazon under Electronic Test Instruments.
Test Leads ~ $8.99
Murphy's Paradox... You are always short one pair of test leads. Either you lost them somewhere or they are broken.
USB Tester ~ $12.34
DVM ~ $9.99
Continuity Tester ~ $7.99
Resistor Capacitor Diode Tester ~ $13.99
Magnetic Pole Tester ~ $11.99 (Guitar Pickup tester)
Panel Meters ~ $9.99 (Five Pack)
DVM #2 ~ $14
These are general purpose instruments usable on items other than homebrew radios built with 2N3904's. But you might have to know stuff to be able to effectively use them.
Again, we are shifting the focus of this blog in response to where the hobby is headed... The Flash The Cash mentality.
Can't wait until we hit the under $1000/item threshold. Man is there some neat stuff out there.
There is a cautionary note about one of the list items and that is the low-cost Fat Index Checker @ $7.99. You must avoid use of the device in, around, or in proximity of the XYL and GF. They will think you are sending a hidden message. It is included in the list for the OM's as we enter the fat inducing Holiday Season.
Them that know, Do Know how to Flash the Cash!
73's
Pete N6QW