[nrv-hams] An RF field strength meter (sort of) for the overly frugal ; -)

[Knight, Dave]

>From K7AGE, came this video for building a really cheap RF field
"measuring device" <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-x2tVGPiE0>.

FWIW, I built one, on a free Harbor Freight digital multi-meter with about
$1 worth of parts, and it seems to work as advertised. i.e. uncalibrated,
relative signal strength readings.

As one might expect, readings are pretty finicky about "antenna" length vs
frequency and proximity to the source.  With a little experimentation, I am
able to get "reasonable" readings reflecting both power settings on my
Baofeng, for example.

It's not a great tool, but it's better than nothing, and the price was
right  ;-)