[HBQRP] RF probe

[Darrel Swenson]

Steve...

So that's where I bought it!!!  I didn't think I brought it back from
PacifiCon either year, but didn't remember where I got it.  I did find
instructions out on the NorCal page, so figured Doug must have had something
to do with it.

An RF probe is easy to use... put the lead with the center of the coax in
the DC Volts + socket on your electronic multimeter and the one with the
shield in the Common - socket.  Then clip the white alligator lead to the
ground plane on the circuit you want to test, and stick the probe somewhere
where there is RF.  (Use the ballpoint pen version on solid state QRP gear
only!)

They just give you a "relative" reading, they are not calibrated.  On an
amplifier you should see a bigger reading on the output than you got on the
input.  (Usually from the emitter to base.)  On an oscillator you should see
RF on the output (base) only.  etc.

If you are on QRP-TECH, Chuck Adams has been doing a bunch of calibration
testing of the NorTex Acuprobe.  The N5ESE version Doug was selling is not
that accurate, the readings will vary with frequency and loading, but should
still give you a relative indication, which is what you need for trouble
shooting.

I'm going to try mine on my original SW40 tonight and see if I can figure
out why it doesn't work.

Darrel... K0AWB


-----Original Message-----
From: hbqrp-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:hbqrp-bounces at mailman.qth.net]On Behalf Of ssellmeyer
Sent: Wednesday, November 16, 2005 11:57 AM
To: Midwest Homebrewers Group
Subject: [HBQRP] RF probe


Darrel:

Is your RF probe from Norcal ???  I bought one from Doug Hendricks (kit)
when at Ozarkcon for $5 and was wondering if they are the same ??  Housed in
a ball point pen case ????  Got it put together but haven't and don't know
how to use it yet. No doubt we are about to learn eh ???

Steve/WBØQQT
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