[Test-Equipment] Test Equipment 101: measuring the variable cap

[Brian Harris]

I have two HP digital L/C meters. They work fine on air variables. You just need to mind the stray capacitance. I usually test air variable at 1 MHz. The cheap Chinese units don’t have that luxury. 

Sent from my iPhone

> On Sep 18, 2022, at 10:28 AM, Doug Hensley <w5jv at hotmail.com> wrote:
> 
> From time to time I wonder about the capacitance value of a vintage
> variable capacitor: the multi-plate unit typically used in receivers.  Seems
> like the older the receiver (sort of) the more plates the cap has.
> 
> My Dah-shing "measures all" unit usually repeats the value printed on
> a good electrolytic or disk ceramin. When it comes to the variable cap,
> I am not sure at all.
> 
> Input from someone whose "been there, done that" please 🙂 ....
> 
> Doug W5JV
> 
> 
> Visit https://www.qrz.com/db/W5JV for some great vacuum tube finds.
> 
> 
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