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Handy Tools for Hams

By Ross Goodall, WD4NJV

Having the right tools at the right time adds greatly to the enjoyment of our hobby.  Some are low-cost tools used on a regular basis and others are used infrequently or in professional service work. 

Many hesitate to lend tools out as they may receive them back damaged, or not at all.  Some who are reluctant may gladly come over to your location or allow you to take smaller items over to their shop to be tested.

Look for tools with a lifetime replacement,  no questions asked guarantee.  I have received replacements multiple times on high-wear items like diagonal cutters that lose their sharpness.

When I worked in an automotive repair shop, a mechanic found a socket rolling around inside a customer’s muffler that was being replaced.  I showed it to a Snap On brand tool dealer, not expecting a replacement.  He insisted on replacing it with a new one!

For sensitive equipment like volt-ohmmeters, look for ones that come with a protective carrying case or rubberized sides.

 Kit for Repairs & Homebrew

(1) Pencil soldering iron (20 to 40 watts),  rosin core solder, desolderer or wick remover

(2) Soldering gun (75 to 300w for use on coax connectors)

(3) Needle nose pliers (small and large)

(4) Channel lock pliers

(5) Vice grip pliers

(6) Diagonal cutters (dikes)

(7) Wire strippers

(8) Assorted screwdrivers (miniature, medium, Philips, and slotted)

(9) Nut drivers, Socket set (1/8, 3/16, 1/4, 5/16, 3/8 inch, larger sizes for antenna work)

(10) Wrenches: Similar sizes as nut drivers, Hex wrenches

(11) Electric variable speed drill with quality drill bits and multi bits

(12) Reamer, Tweezers, Rat tail file, Nibbling tool, Crimper tool

(13) Electrical tape, Heat shrink tubing, Spaghetti cable covering

(14) Canned compressed air, WD40, Contact cleaner, Rust blaster

(15) Coax sealer, Clear spray paint for outdoor hardware 

(16) "Third hand" unit with magnifier, Hemostats, Clamps, Clip leads

(17) Grounded extension cord, AC line tester (neon, LED, etc.)

(18)  Digital volt-ohm meter 

(19) SWR and power meter

(20)  Flashlight, Spot lighting

Additional items that are nice to have 

(1) Frequency counter

(2) Antenna analyzer

(3) 50-ohm dummy load

(4) Oscilloscope (Software is available for computers to simulate scopes & other items.)

(5) Audio/Function generator (sine,square,sawtooth, etc. waves)

(6) RF generator

(7) Logic probe

(8) Temperature-controlled soldering station Weller WE-1010 or equiv.

(9) Plastic tuning wands (for adjusting coils on homebrew projects).

(10) Signal tracer, Small audio amplifier, Test speaker

(11) Electricity Analyzer  Kill A Watt or equiv.,

The variety of tools available is endless with new ones added daily. 

References:

1. ARRL Handbooks

2. N1GY. com/tools—test- kits-for-amateur-radio.html

3. Oreilly. com/content/practical-electronics-too

Highly-recommended and very affordable for homebrewers......component multi-testers. 

There are many versions with higher-priced ones able to test more types of components.

And finally, the tool that works when all else fails....the HAMMER.

JaxRadio.net

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