[TowerTalk] 259 Grid dip meters ///reply de kg5u

[Dale L Martin]

	>
 There is even an
> accessory kit that turns the thing INTO a grid dipper, for the usual
> coil-capacitor tanks circuit testing. Mine is an older model and
> makes basic
> measurements, but I understand the current models do much more. I
> would like
> to update someday...........
>

I agree about making stubs with and plugging them in to the 259.

However, I don't know what anyone else's experience has been with the
plug-in coupling coils for the 259 to make it a dip meter, but I thought it
was pretty weak.

I tore down and refurbished a Cushcraft A3 a couple of years ago.  Using my
B&W Model 600 dip meter, it was a snap.  But, I couldn't resist buying the
coils for the 259 to see how it would fare (the 600 is a-c powered; the 259,
battery).  I could not get a dip on any of the coils with the 259, but got
pronounced dips at medium sensitivity with the 600.  Eventually, what I
ended up doing just for fun was to take a dip on a trap with the 600, then
couple the 600 coil to the 259 coil and tune the 259 for a dip and read the
frequency.  It was pretty consistent--whether it was the actual dipped
frequency of the 600, I can't say, but it was close (by interpolation) to
that of the 600 dial scale.

That has been my only real need for a dip meter in the past couple of years,
so I don't know if there are other dip activities where the 259 might do
better.  But, in this case, it didn't make the grade.

73,
dale, kg5u


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