VTVM probes

[Jack Crenshaw]

The Eico VTVM's had a slide switch in the side of the probe. However, the probe body was
considerably larger in diameter. I have no doubt that the Heathkit probe is elegant and
slim, and all that good stuff.  Just try to find (or build one) today.

On the other hand, there must be all kinds of subminiature parts available today, that
weren't there 20 years ago.  Anyone got any bright ideas?

Jack

Richard Post wrote:

> Why not just put a small slide switch in the probe to short out the
> resistor for AC-Ohms?  A small push button will also do.  I prefer to have
> the resistor in the probe.  It limits the current in the probe wiring in
> case the wrong type of phone plug (smaller insulator) happens to short out.
> It won't protect you on AC but most of my measurements are on DC.  A
> shorted phone plug and probe wire runs maximum current of a half milliamp
> at 500 volts assuming the resistor is in the right place.
>
> As a teenager, my first probe was for a homebrew RF signal tracer using a
> hi-fi audio amp I had previously brewed.  Had the slide switch to pull the
> signal diode out of the circuit for audio tracing.  Back then, bouillion
> cubes came in a long thin round metal cans.  I put a long pointed screw in
> the plastic cover and a hole in the other end for the shielded wire to come
> out.  Had fun times repairing radios many years ago.
>
> 73,
>
> Rich
>
> At 12:16 PM -0500 2/2/01, Fred Holnagel wrote:
> >Re: Probes for Heath VTVM.  At the risk of offending the purists among
> >us, a person could install a mini-switch on the panel and switch in a 1m
> >resistor that way. A low resistance contact would be preferred. ( Sounds
> >too simple, what did I overlook?) Fred W7PRV
> >
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