Every satellite hobbyist should have one.

24-01-2007

cheap multi meter http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?...eria=CLEARANCE

**rolfw** · 24-01-2007

Moved this into the general section Rd100, as everyone should have one and this is a really good deal.

***wod*** · 24-01-2007

multimeter for what ? lol must be missing something obvious

Likvid · 24-01-2007

Not a necessary item.

**Topper** · 24-01-2007

Originally Posted by wod

multimeter for what ? lol must be missing something obvious

It is called a Bargain

**rolfw** · 24-01-2007

Well I've found mine invaluable, you can check the voltage output of your satellite receiver, the voltage at the LNB, the fuse in the plug you've fitted, whether the fused spur you are wiring into is disconnected, whether the coax is shorting out, whether there is voltage to the TVlink.

I wouldn't be without mine, has saved me hours and hours over the years and any satellite or aerial installer who hasn't got one must like wasting time.

This particular one is so cheap that anyone can afford it and is of use at home, even if you don't play around with satellites.

**the_happy_traveller** · 24-01-2007

They did a similar deal a couple of years ago in the stores.
Electronic multimeters - 2 for a fiver.
At that price I had to have them.
Swapped one of them with a mate for a couple of beers

They're both still going strong and in regular use.

***wod*** · 24-01-2007

i already have one for measuring 12v, 5v output on pc power supply when i'm overclocking pc but honestly didn't know about using them for sat stuff

***johnsattuk*** · 24-01-2007

Something I use a lot, and I have several expensive one's about that I can never find when required

, but for that money I think I shall get a couple, if they've any left, they want nearly as much for a spare battery.

At least it should increase my chances of finding one

**Llew** · 24-01-2007

Wouldn't be without my AVO 8.

A magnificent beast - analogue of course, useful for checking capacitor discharge time.

Llew

***johnsattuk*** · 25-01-2007

Originally Posted by Llew

Wouldn't be without my AVO 8.

A magnificent beast - analogue of course, useful for checking capacitor discharge time.

Llew

Just need a van to carry it in

**Llew** · 25-01-2007

I wouldn't let it out of the house - got cheapo digis for that

Likvid · 25-01-2007

Originally Posted by wod

i already have one for measuring 12v, 5v output on pc power supply when i'm overclocking pc but honestly didn't know about using them for sat stuff

In the old days, 25 years ago, you could use the multimeter for measuring the AGC output of the receiver as most receivers back then had AGC output connectors.

It was a pretty good poormans solution back then to adjust your dish.

***johnsattuk*** · 25-01-2007

Originally Posted by Likvid

In the old days, 25 years ago.

I was still old then.

***pgh13*** · 25-01-2007

Originally Posted by Llew

Wouldn't be without my AVO 8.

A magnificent beast - analogue of course, useful for checking capacitor discharge time.

Llew

And you could smack the apprentice across the head with it and it'd still work

**Llew** · 25-01-2007

These young'uns think they know it all Old Geezer.

When we get shuffled off to the retirement castle, we can talk about how we had to make our own diodes from bits of coal and fuse wire (true)

Llew

**Llew** · 25-01-2007

Originally Posted by pgh13

And you could smack the apprentice across the head with it and it'd still work

LOL, another use - that recessed dial was handy for holding tiny screws etc.

***pgh13*** · 25-01-2007

Originally Posted by Llew

we can talk about how we had to make our own diodes from bits of coal and fuse wire (true)

Llew

Wish we could've afforded coal

Robxxx7 · 25-01-2007

Originally Posted by Llew

Wouldn't be without my AVO 8.

A magnificent beast - analogue of course, useful for checking capacitor discharge time.

Llew

Now that brought back memories for me ... it use to be my tool of choice when i was an apprentice learning electronics ...

**Norm** · 25-01-2007

You've just reminded me that I have an AVO 8 - I may get it out of the cupboard tonight where it is stored in its magnificent leather case, just to have a look at it. I very rarely use it nowadays.

The Maplin multimeter looks the biz for under £3 - last thing I need though!

**Llew** · 25-01-2007

Ah, the leather case! Smelt like the inside of a prestige car

Think mine's mouldering in the loft

I see the latest AVO 8 costs close to £600 now... A friend gave me mine ages ago, couldn't have afforded a new one.

Did buy an Avo 8 Panclimatic (NATO job) before that from Henry's in Tottenham Court Road - a wonderland of army surplus gear - but it developed a stuck movement.

Llew

***johnsattuk*** · 25-01-2007

Originally Posted by Llew

Henry's in Tottenham Court Road - a wonderland of army surplus gear
Llew

That brings back some happy memories, one of the few good points of going to London. There used to be a few interesting shops in Totenham Court Road

Likvid · 25-01-2007

Originally Posted by johnsattuk

That brings back some happy memories, one of the few good points of going to London. There used to be a few interesting shops in Totenham Court Road

That was the first place i visited when i arrived in the old days in London as you had loads of cheap nice electronics we didn't have here, it was the mecka in Europe.

But after EU and all that fancy crap all countries were all the same and had the same stuff wherever you visited.

Kinda boring these days visiting another european country these days as they are all the same.

**Topper** · 26-01-2007

Mine arrived today and very nice it is too, much better than the 15 year old one I have which is well past its sell buy date, damaged leads, probes fallen off many times etc cheers Rd100

***BarMoo*** · 26-01-2007

When I saw that AVO thumb I smilied.

In fact, I was reminded of the same thing the other day on a TV programme (AVO = Amps Volts [and for the younger ones] have a guess what the

means, LOL.

Like many others here, I too used [suffered] this gem when ascending the elctronics ladder. Have long since descended the same ladder, hehehe.

First thing I did when I left college was to buy an electronic Multimeter (from Maplins) - still use it :-)) Doesn't do capacitor discharge readings very well - but comes in handy when I have to re-install Photoshop.

Moo.

.

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