[TowerTalk] Using a dip meter

[Chris Wendling]

Jeff,
  
  The dip meter is a very versatile instrument, with very many uses.
  I own several makes, and use them regularly.
  Some of the applications are:
  
  1) Receiver adjustments
  2) Transmitter adjustments
  3) Shunt and series trap adjustments
  4) Measuring the Q of a tuned circuit
  5) Finding an unknown capacitance value
  6) Finding the inductance of RF coils
  7) Finding the inductance of toroid coils
  8) Checking for parasitic oscillations
  9) Neutralization of tube circuits
  10) Use as a relative filed strength meter
  11) Adjusting antennas
  
  As someone already mentioned, they are very good for tuning 160m  antennas when strong AM broadcasters are in the vicinity. The MFJ  antenna analyzers don't work well in that situation.
 When I build a  new regen receiver, or a new xtal receiver, I used the dip meter to  trim the number of windings on the homebrew coils to the required  frequency.
  
  Dip meters are a lot of fun, and understanding their use can really further your enjoyment of the hobby.
  
  To get specific information on how exactly to accomplish all of the  applications I have listed above, you can download the Heathkit Solid  State Dip Meter Manual, Model HD-1250 from:
<http://bama.sbc.edu/heath.htm>
  
  73,
  CW - AI4MI