A new multimeter in the shack.

Since 1996 I am a fan of Voltcraft multimeters. The first one was a VC98. It still work altough is heavy modified to overpass the years. It is not very precise and has a little problem with the rotary selector but still in service.

The second one is younger but I managed to fry it a little. It is a VC 960. I love it, especially for the 200 Mhz f-meter and the 5 digit measurement capability. Not in production anymore and I couldn't find one from a good seller.

So, I ordered from Conrad a VC1008. 

First impression is positive. It already has the external power connector and it works with 4 AA batteries that can be rechargeable ones.

The case feels a little cheaper than the VC960 and the max. freq. is only 8 MHz.

Another positive is that the optical USB interface and the software are included. For the VC960 I had to purchase the optional interface.

I found the schematic for my VC960 and I will try to make it work again.
Happy Birthday to Me!

posted from Bloggeroid

Extreme unpolite station...

While I was trying to call a station from Mauritius, an Italian station started the transmission below:


3:02:57 PM> Main
***
3B8FA de YO3HJV/P YO3HJV/P
pse kn
*** Hello my friend YO3HJV/P COPY  IK1LRY IK1LRY
 Rst(Q):.599 599 s/n  9 dB/ imd -28 dB
 MY Name:.IS Francesco Francesco
Qth :. Moretta nr Torino
Y:.(65)  LIC :.(1988) LOC:.(JN34SS [279.3° 1,442.8km])
Info:.www.qrz.com
My:.qsl only via www.e.qsl.cc Automatic (AC)
Good luck 73 your family.t.n.x for qso bpsk31  khz  21Ø7Ø.577
how dow copy de  IK1LRY (YO3HJV/P) ciao bye sk <(*/_*)>

3:04:46 PM> Main
***
3B8FA 3B8FA de YO3HJV/P YO3HJV/P
ik1lry pse qrx
pse kn
***
3B8FA 3B8FA de YO3HJV/P YO3HJV/P
pse kn

Of course, 3B8FA wasn't on air when the italian station finished the unwanted QSO.
No, I do not logged that!

5 bander vertical

My new 5 band quarter wave antenna

This is my new antenna. Made in 2 days.

posted from Bloggeroid

First day...

Well... wednesday early morning I had a heart attack. Fortunately, my wife was awake and knew the sympthoms so the emergency crew from the ambulance already had their emkit when arrived. I was at the hospital in less than an hour so I may say I am a lucky one...
But all my life has changed in these few days...
I feel that I must change the priorities so, there will be less posts on this blog.
Wednesday 11th of June was the first day of my remaining life...