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JEY Labs

b

Doug Millar

K6JEY

Modern

Multimeters

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For Comparison

Fluke 8060A

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1981 vintage

​

Does dB

relative to 600Ω

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No data logging

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Fluke 8922A

Reads to -50dBm

-5dB low

@30MHz

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Recorder output

Rel dB

1987 vintage

​

Replace your

GR IF amp?

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Rustrack Data Logging

This was easier than

Industrial units.

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Most were digital

Versions of this with

Poor interfaces.

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Modern DMM’s

  • A lot is changing and will change.
    • External data logging programs via
      • USB, LAN, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.
    • Better displays
      • TFT with excellent contrast
      • Colors
      • Much more information
    • Firmware updates
    • DBm measurements referenced to Z

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Data logging will do for you what a waterfall display has done for your radio. �

.

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Some�Measurement Examples

  • Use a receiver output with a Multimeter for sun and moon noise measurements
  • Power measurement from the DC jacks/ recorder output on a power meter. (e.g. HP437, Anritsu)
  • Frequency drift over time on your radio.
  • Measurements can be in dBm or dBV at a fixed resistance and to a reference level.

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Focus of the Talk

  • 7 Different meters
    • Siglent SDM3045x 4 ½ digit (60K counts)
    • Agilent 34410A 6 ½ digit
    • Uni-T UT181A handheld 4 ½ digit. (60K counts)
    • Uni-T UT 61E+ handheld 4 ½ digit (22K counts)
    • Uni-T UT60BT Handheld (9.9k counts)
    • AN9002 Handheld (6K counts)
    • MEET Pencil DMM

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Siglent �SDM3045,55,65�

  • Very similar to an Agilent 34461A ($1,300+)
    • Does data logging and trend analysis live. 1Gb of memory and thumb drive.
    • Does dBm at Z or dBV
    • Simple Recalibration
    • 1GB of memory +USB

​

    • 4 ½ digit $300
    • 5 ½ digit $450
    • 6 ½ digit $600

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Trend Display�Data Logging

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Siglent dBm

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Siglent DMM Explorer Program

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DMM Explorer Trend Data�Via USB

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Local Graph

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�Agilent 34410A

  • Updated (2005) and improved

34401a (1993)

  • Internal data logging

program via LAN.

  • Internal averaging
  • Other models have
  • Auto calibration and data logging trace. ($$$)
  • External Pathwave DMM prog via USB or LAN. Has excellent graphing.
  • The dBV or dBm ref. to Z. is easy.

​

About $500

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Keysight Pathwave

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  • First rate program
  • Averaging gives you one more digit (34461a)
  • Get Pathwave as a free download.
  • Regular BenchVue is $65/yr.
  • LAN and USB connections are easy
  • LAN can conflict with Wi-Fi.

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Pathwave DMM Free version

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BenchVue DMM Paid App and 34410A

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HP34410a Remote Mode

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  • Run LAN/USB cable to computer in Pathwave DMM app.
  • LAN to portable Wi-Fi router should also work
  • Great for working on antennas and monitoring the radio.

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Agilent 34401a�Notes

  • 34401a
    • Uses a Null Modem-DB9 connection.
    • Startech.com FTDI to null modem DB9 adapter cable should work. $45
    • Keysight serial cable instructions-
  • Keysight Serial cable Instructions
    • Meter will measure dBm.
    • Excellent meter but 1993 vintage ($200)

​

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UNI-T 181A

  • Hand held
  • Bigger than average.
  • Excellent sharp display
  • Extensive data recording
  • Accurate and very fast
  • External USB/Bluetooth
  • Firmware upgradable
  • Recording and graphing

are internal and External.

60,000 counts

    • About $280

​

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Relative dBm at Z and Record

DBM referenced to Z

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Save and Trend Views

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UT181A

Data Logging

Use either

Internal data display or

External program via USB

Or via Bluetooth to Android

Easy set up! Live graphing.

Record data then get graph.

Use up and down to scale graph.

dBV or dBm

20,000 data point memory.

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Software for UT181A

Auto ranges and records live

Close or open windows here

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UT181 dBm Measurement Chart

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UNI-T Program Notes

​

  • Chart can be full screened. Auto scaled.
  • Window sections can be opened or closed.
  • The Bluetooth programs are excellent.

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Bluetooth Adapter

Works well with

UNI-T and Android

or Apple

Data program

BT 4.0

​

Adapter $30

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UT 181A via Android

Recording live

in dBm

Try- the meter

at the radio

and

The Android

at the antenna

Data saved on

Phone and DMM

You don’t have

To be at the

Meter to read it!!

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UNI-T 61E+

  • UNI-T 61E+ $85

​

    • Very accurate excellent Meter.
    • Has Relative measurement
      • Relative AC V measurement
      • No dBm measurement
      • No internal data logging
    • Has same Bluetooth adapter
    • and excellent program.
    • 22,000 counts
    • $250 cheaper than UT 181

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Android display Via Bluetooth

For dBV readings

1.Zero with relative button

in AC volts position.

2.Observe peak hold on chart.

3.Calculate dBm from AC

voltage difference.

Comes with calibration cert.

4. Order one that comes with a

case.

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Uni-t UT60BT

  • Very cheap at $40
  • Internal Bluetooth
  • More limited
  • Same program
  • 9.9k counts

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AN9002

  • Cheap at $50
  • Excellent ext. Program
  • Internal Bluetooth
  • Slippery case.
  • Cheap leads
  • Display Lens not protected.
  • Good display, though.
  • 6k counts

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MEET- Pencil DMM

    • Relative and hold
    • Bluetooth for external

analog type meter.

    • “ DMM
    • without test leads”
    • Data logging,
    • and graphing
    • Takes pictures of the

setup.

$35 Amazon

“MSBDTP1A”

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Meter and Phone

You can

take pictures of

the measurements.

​

No test lead wires!

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Did I say $35 from

Amazon?

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Meter Comparison- Expensive

Siglent 3045x- $300

    • Best display and easiest to use, USB storage , Great internal data logging program
    • Uses USB for remote program that works easily

Agilent 34410A- $500

    • Best accuracy, internal program hard to use. Outstanding ext. program BenchVue Basic (live graphing) LAN or Wi-Fi- USB

UT181A $290

    • Hand held, versatile, great display, accurate, many measurements and very fast. Unique bar graph.
    • Internal graph, easy and excellent interface and program
    • Bluetooth app works perfectly for Android and Apple.

UT61E+ $85

    • Like the 181- but no internal data logging , dBm or nice display.
    • Use Bluetooth and ext. program and ACV for logging.

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Meter comparison- Cheap

  • Uni-t UT61BT- $37
    • Well built , good range, internal BT Good prog.
  • AN9002- $28
    • Cheaply made, Great Prog. internal BT
  • Pencil DMM- $35
    • A no brainer. No test lead DMM. Buy it.

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Results

  • Worthwhile changes-
    • The addition of data logging and graphing programs.
    • USB and LAN connections that are easy to use.
    • Remote program via Bluetooth to phone.
  • Next Steps?
    • More phone based apps via Bluetooth 5.3
    • Wi-Fi to router to a laptop’s Wi-Fi input to run

Programs via Wi-Fi.

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Test Lead Set

Probe Master 8017S

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Example- Sun-Moon Noise

  • Use a power meter like an HP438A or Anritsu ML4803A with averaging.
  • Use a data logging DMM like the UT 181A

at the recorder output of the power meter

  • Use Bluetooth to link to a phone for live

Graphing and storage.

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Antenna Data

60db gain

Put signals

Higher in

The sensor’s

Power

range

DC from meter

Use

dB

Relative

Mode

144MHz

From

Xvrtr

Use

averaging

HP 438a

Works

Well

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At The Antenna

Using a splitter allows

live monitoring.

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The UT 181a- no averaging

Anritsu ML4803a has 4 levels

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Conclusions

  • The Siglent 3045x is an excellent lab meter Great internal data logging. Easy to use USB program. Thumb drive storage.
  • A good combination for bench and portable are the Siglent 3045x and UT61E+
  • If you bought just one meter, the Uni-T 181A would be a good choice.
  • Buy the Pencil DMM for $35. No brainer.

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Time for Questions

Doug Millar K6JEY

drzarkof56@yahoo.com

Many Thanks to Oliver KB6BA for his work on

Measuring moon noise with small dishes.

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�