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I would add make sure what you think you’re testing is what you think it is before putting that meter on it also. I got called out for a blown fuse on 4160 three phase. Each leg supplied a group of transformers and the electricians (not our company) thought the high side was 480… they opened up the back, one guy put the probes on while the other held the 600 volt rated meter. They both lived but they both went to the burn ward. Be safe and pass on stories where things can go wrong so the newbies may learn and hopefully avoid bad mistakes.

For 12v dc the best investment a mechanic or hobbyist can make is a power probe. Testing grounds, relays, giving power or ground to something.

It will only hurt for a little bit - until you either trip the breaker or pass out from the pain. I've zapped myself with everything from 12 V DC to 480 V AC three phase. 120 is the worse since it wants to hold onto you. Generally (but not always) 220V and above will throw you off. I got hit with 480V three phase when testing a contact. The relay went bad and it was getting the full 480 across it. I had my left hand on the metal cabinet when it hit me. It instantly threw my hand off the door. One of the worse shocks I got was when working on a 36 V DC golf cart. I got zapped by the full 36 volts from 6 high amp 6 volt batteries. I was testing the big resistor that controls the speed and accidentally got my left forearm across all three terminals on the motor. I had to grab my left arm with my right hand to pull my arm off the motor. I won't go cheap when it comes to tool needed for electrical work. All of my screw drivers and some pliers are all rated for up to 600 volts. And I definitely won't use those pen testers.

Don't get me started on those pen testers. I always tell the new guys to NEVER rely on them. If you insist on using one you better check using your meter. 277v and 480v is so unforgiving.

That is the beauty of the 87, it's such a joy to use. I always thought the clamp was such a neat accessory.

Yeah they can be finicky, I trust them to tell me something is hot, I don’t trust them to tell me it’s not. Klein has certainly made some money off of me over the years too

I’d put my money on the latter. But at least exercise is supposed to be good for you.

Still prefer Klein. And I have never trusted those pen type devices to see if a circuit is live. I do have one old Fluke meter. All it measures is 129 or 240 voltage. It must be close to 60 years old now.

I agree that good tools are a joy to use. Like radios it seems I can never have enough. As for Flukes I have the Fluke 16 and Fluke T5 1000. Before I retired I used to have the 87, the 376 FC with the flexible clamp (that was a nice meter) and a 771 milliamp clamp on (usefull for 4-20 controls). All good meters.

Yea obviously, but how do you know a neighbor is calling from his house versus his car? (You have to respond to even ask.) All this rationalizing is useless. therefore.... (wait for it).

Ah, the classic 87, it never goes out of style nor will it ever be discontinued. Don't remind me about clamp meters. My dumb ass left my old favorite Fluke ampprobe where I was working and didn't remember I forgot it till the next day. Needless to say somebody got an early Christmas gift. I bought a new one, it gets hooked to my belt. I ain't making that mistake twice.

Some sad hams hate on other amateur license holders especially the old curmudgeons that had to write essay answers on their tests and had to pass the CW code portion too. They feel that since they had to walk up hill in 2 feet of snow both ways to school that everyone else should have to do the same.

I have been assured by "some people" that this is a lie, this never happens, and it is impossible - and if you spread these vicious lies you are a racist or a nazi, or "too dumb to pass the test"..

All I had to do is make mention of having a GMRS license on 2 meters. The attitude that came off of the Hams just about dissolved my speaker. Needless to say, I quit talking on ham. I hop on Ham on a rare occasion to check into a net or something but my days of having conversations is probably over. I got this same attitude over making mention of an experience I had on CB radio. Just say the name of another radio service and the most vile hatred oozes out of some Hams.

I'm still using the Fluke 73 III that I bought 25 years ago. It does most everything I need it to do. I have a new Klein clamp meter for amperage reading when needed

I have the 117 and really like it. Of course I wanted the 87 but I couldn’t justify the price difference.

None, all are located within and service the central Maryland area.

It seems to have some promising features. I guess I'd be interested in how well the programming app works, how you like the Bluetooth and it's multitude of options and do you find it to be an improvement in quality from it's BTech mobile predecessors? Looking forward to your video and thoughts.

Fixed stations don't connect to mobile stations.

I've found out the hard way in my younger days that if you skimp and buy inexpensive tools you pay for it in the end. If you're doing mobile GMRS installs or troubleshooting, and the gear and accessories are "Imported" it is inadvisable to use a domestically manufactured meter, even the legendary Fluke. To solve this dilemma I've been finding myself in more often than not is to purchase an "Imported" Fluke meter to get around this problem. Now when I'm in this situation again, I won't feel like I'm mixing matter with anti-matter. I love this meter!! Ain't she pretty? Now off to measure the current draw of my DB20.

I don't consider myself as "some people", at least I don't think so or willing to admit it, but I do consider myself as a "radio dork" and a Jeep Creep", and I will watch the video, but I'm curious if this BTech is similar or a copy-cat of the Midland MXT575 with a handheld controlhead/microphone and the transmitter/receiver unit gets put under the seat type configuration. Oh by the way, I don't get any Amazon deliveries, but the Amazon driver in our area is a Cute-as-a-button lady and no way near looks like an Amazon, nor do we allow Amazon Men in Sun City West.

The Amazon man just delivered my BTech GMRS 50Pro - ask your questions now/post your concerns! I will be uploading a video about it in the next day or two and looking for feedback/questions, even from "some people".

My suspicion is your problem is in the transition between to components. An example would be coax to connector, connector to antenna connector, antenna connector to radiating element, and so on. It's in there and I'm sure you will find it if you get aggressive looking for it.

How did the solder joints look on the antenna? Did you buy a complete cable or did you get bulk cable and install the ends yourself? The destructive way to see if water has gotten into the coax from the connectors is to cut the connectors off and examine the dielectric. The dielectric material will discolor when it gets wet. I've seen issues with bulk head and other adaptors where the treaded portion of the SO239 was too short and that can cause problems too. Another issue is a mismatch of threads IE standard versus metric or the thread pitch was off a little. I've had troubles with less expensive 90 degree PL259 to SO239 adaptors and with Pl259 to PL259 adaptors. They caused issues with SWR.

May have an official answer soon. (or it might be another meaningless exercise, never know with these folks)