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25 CPS wrote: ↑Sun Apr 20, 2025 12:56 am
That meter looks like it cleaned up really nicely. Do you know of a source of pin plug test leads? I have two meters that use them but no leads. I was going to try test fitting a mini-banana plug connector into a pin socket and see if it fits and is workable but haven't had a chance yet.
IIRC ProbeMaster is the answer. I have a set with the normal right angle protected bananas and they're gorgeous. They have a compatibilty matrix for many multimeters that could prove useful.
Thanks for the tip! I just placed an order for a Probemaster set with pin plugs - I'll let everyone know how they work out. Probemaster 8019S, 48" long with 0.080" dia pin plugs.
25 CPS wrote: ↑Sun Apr 20, 2025 12:56 am
That meter looks like it cleaned up really nicely. Do you know of a source of pin plug test leads? I have two meters that use them but no leads. I was going to try test fitting a mini-banana plug connector into a pin socket and see if it fits and is workable but haven't had a chance yet.
IIRC ProbeMaster is the answer. I have a set with the normal right angle protected bananas and they're gorgeous. They have a compatibilty matrix for many multimeters that could prove useful.
Thanks for the tip! I just placed an order for a Probemaster set with pin plugs - I'll let everyone know how they work out. Probemaster 8019S, 48" long with 0.080" dia pin plugs.
-Pat
I must've been in a bad state - it took me a while of staring at the Probemaster website to figure out you specify the test probe end as well as the instrument connector. I got confused for some reason and thought that they cateogrized everything by the instrument connector type.
I'm going to hold off until after the truck gets its spring servicing in the next few weeks but what I might do is order a set of pin and reverse banana plug leads plus a test probe set to use with either.
I got a shipping notification today, so I should have them by early next week - they're coming from the left coast via USPS. I'll post pics and let you know what I think when I get them.
Cubdriver wrote: ↑Tue Apr 22, 2025 2:52 am
I got a shipping notification today, so I should have them by early next week - they're coming from the left coast via USPS. I'll post pics and let you know what I think when I get them.
-Pat
Cool - I'm looking forward to seeing your thoughts on them when they arrive.
On my end, it was the opposite notification while I was at work yesterday afternoon that a delivery had arrived:
As usual, the package - quite the artistic package too - was left in full view dead centre of the front porch on prominent display for maximum enticement of any enterprising porch pirates that might happen to go by. Luckily it was still there when I got home.
That was the replacement Agilent U1213A that arrived and that was about the extent I was able to test it today between doing a side job, having a nap, and heading out to a couple of appointments and then my regular job. For a very brief test it was promising though. It powers up, the display and backlight work and I was able to null the DCA reading but I still need to get it on an actual current measurement test bed. This one like the one I bought from the Keysight eBay store in 2020 came with the plain flat battery door that blocks the optical path for the data connection so I'll have to either transplant the battery door from the damaged meter or break out the second one since I ordered two from Keysight at the time and have an extra. Tomorrow before going to work is going to be about the earliest I can do that though but timing's looking tight already so it's doubtful.
Glad to see your replacement meter came, and even more importantly was still there when you got home. You'd think it would be common sense as a delivery person to put a package in at least a somewhat inconspicuous spot if possible. Obviously, I expect too much from people, as common sense is a horribly misnamed thing.
Cubdriver wrote: ↑Wed Apr 23, 2025 2:16 am
Glad to see your replacement meter came, and even more importantly was still there when you got home. You'd think it would be common sense as a delivery person to put a package in at least a somewhat inconspicuous spot if possible. Obviously, I expect too much from people, as common sense is a horribly misnamed thing.
-Pat
It baffles me. The gap between that recycling bin on the right and the wall next to the door is big enough for fairly large parcels. It's been a few years since I had anything delivered that wouldn't fit in there and it's well concealed since the porch has a brick wall on either side and the bin in front means any package hidden there beside the front door is pretty much invisible from the street. You'd have to be on the porch pretty close to the front door to be able to see it. Sometimes the delivery people do put them there but it's the rare exception and definitely not the rule.
Anyways, I'm glad the replacement meter arrived intact and didn't get porch pirated. I'll be happier once I have a chance to give it a proper test run to make sure all the functions all work properly and I can finally close the book on the whole fiasco.
I went to the local radio rally yesterday. Really just a carboot sale for the local repeater group. I was selling. Mostly big stuff with low value like a scope mobile and instrument mobile. As I on my own there wasn't much opportunity to look around and buy. I did however pick up one item of TE.
A Rohde & Schwarz CRTU-G digital radio test. It is missing the front handles. "I think it's working OK" the seller said. Not too much of a gamble at £200 though considering it cost over 1000 time that.
Had a quick play this evening. Happy to say it booted into base software no problem and the Spectrum Analyser is picking up off-air signals. So no gross failures.
Now just need to back up the HDD and then load CMU 200 base software onto it. That gives a full function 100kHz to 2.7GHz signal generator, 10MHz to 2.7GHz spectrum analyser and a 50W power meter.
The 2955 is OK but once you have used a HP 8920A/B or one of the R&S units you won't want to go back to it.
The only problem with the CRTU and basic CMU 200 is the lack of analog audio demodulation and SINAD measurement.
I have a cheap 8920A if you are interested.....
