tcp2525

Ouch!

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.

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.

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.

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.

Amazing what a little piece of Heliax makes. Buy it once, install it once, and never look back.

Nice! You should really feel great that you it it behind you and it's working.

Good people. I've been dealing with them for years.

Bragging rights.

Depends on the landlord. Just talk with him and ask permission. Explain exactly what and how you are going to do it in plain simple English. Back in the 80s my landlord let me put up a 40 meter dipole and run the cable. It helped that I offered to repair any holes I made and paint the apartment. It was a bargain for me.

Klein is definitely a great entry level meter that are very inexpensive for new techs just leaving trade school, but they find that most have a short lifespan and seek out more accurate and reliable meters. It's great that Home Depot will exchange them, even when past the return period. I agree, buy and use what you like. Gotta admit, it does suck watching techs struggling with UEI and Fieldpiece garbage. Remember those?

What type/brand meter are you using? If you're not using a Fluke meter and are most likely using one of the those cheap "imported"ones, I would say your meter is not really accurate. If you have a modern vehicle it has a voltage monitoring system that will alert you to potential problems.. The other issue is you bought a disposable radio, just keep sending them back for a replacement until you get one that lasts more than 24-hours.

Man, you guys are going extreme. Next you'll attempt to put a condom on a pachyderm. Just wrap it with good quality 3M electrical tape and be done with. I have wrapped with that stuff and it's still working after 30 years. You can get rolls of 2" wide from your local utility worker for free, just ask.

Most updates are released to fix bugs the software developer overlooked while rushing to get the product out the door and on the market. You're the customer and have no need to know what was done in the firmware.