[Lowfer] LRC Meter

[WE0H]

I wish the old stuff were available in Minneapolis for little money. All the
stuff at our hamfests is way over priced. Back in the '80's stuff was cheep
but not anymore.

Mike>WE0H


-----Original Message-----
From: lowfer-admin@mailman.qth.net [mailto:lowfer-admin@mailman.qth.net
]On Behalf Of Ed Phillips
Sent: Friday, October 24, 2003 12:40 PM
To: lowfer@mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Lowfer] LRC Meter

John Andrews wrote:
>
> Ed,
>
> > As for measurements I much prefer a
> > good bridge over the "LCR meters" which are potentially susceptible to
> > producing all sorts of erroneous results.  For Q I prefer a Q meter or
> > some form of parallel or series loss resistance measurement.
>
> I'm blessed with having an old General Radio RF bridge (516C - fairly
rare).
> The 916A, 916AL and 1606 are more common. They are very handy things to
have
> around, and can occasionally be found at decent prices on Ebay. They can
be
> a bit cumbersome to use, but do give you the advantage of making
> measurements on the frequency you plan to use.
>
> If you're not trying to make antenna measurements, a Q meter is probably
> easier to use.
>
> John Andrews

John:

        Your note prompted me to do an inventory of readily-accessible
stuff.

RF:

GR-1600A

Boonton 160A Q-Meter (mint)

Heathkit copy of above (works surprisingly well and lighter)

Boonton 30-200 MHz Q-Meter (name plate gone)

Original Millen Grid Dip Meter

Several Heathkit grid dippers & "Tunnel Dippers"

Home-grown 6 Meter grid dipper mounted on soup can

Several RF signal generators from GR to HP 608D to Heathkit.  I'm too
lazy to look at the oldest GR but it's a Navy version which came in a
heavy aluminum case with separate power supply.  Uses a type 76
oscillator tube so at latest middle-1930's vintage.  Works just fine but
heavy as sin.  I've used it a lot for VLF receiver work.

Several counters including giant panel-mount HP 524C with all imaginable
plugins which I'd like to give away - takes up too much space

Audio:

GR 660A (Wooden case, sloping panel, built in 1000 Hz tuning fork)

Electro-measurements ESI-250DA (used most because of size)

Heathkit version of same (works surprisingly well and lighter)

        Can't help it but I'm obviously a pack rat who likes good test
equipment but has long since run out of room for it.  When I go to the
swap meets I measure the cost of stuff in terms of "where could I put
it".  Seeing gorgeous old gear which I've always hungered for at give
away prices.  Recently saw a fairly recent and almost new HP network
analyzer for only $100.  Had to pass it up.

        Should mention that RF measurements are difficult here because of a
couple of local (~1.5 miles) 10 and 25 kW BC stations which give good
readings (>3 volts) on the Q-Meter even with shielded coils!!!!  Takes
care to recognize BC QRM from that being measured.

        I'll bet you can top this.

Ed
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