Whatever meter you select, I would recommend one of the many test lead sets put up by Pomona.  They have sets which include different types of clips for when you can't hold both leads, or when testing several points in reference to a common point.

They are not cheap, but if they're not abused, will last many years longer than the leads that usually come with most low end multimeters,  I had a set at work that held up through over 21 years of everyday electrical and electronic testing in a hospital.  I'm retired now, but as far as I know, they are still going strong on the job.  I have a set for my personal multimeter, as well. 

I have a UEi 383B basic DMM which is on sale now for $58.95 at Test Equipment Depot (see link below).  One of my favorite features is the nice, large, backlit readout for us old folks.  They have several DMMs with different features, and plenty of attachments.

A bit of advice from my own experience...the combination clamp-on ammeter/multimeters (the single unit ones) made by Amprobe never seemed to hold up well in the long run.  If you need a clamp-on (for AC), get the separate attachment which plugs into a multimeter.

http://www.testequipmentdepot.com/Pomona/index.htm

Bruce, KK4IKO

I attended my first hamfest this summer.  While there was plenty of real gear, including oldies but goodies, I was dismayed to see vendors selling lots of new, cheap, flea market-type junk, most of which was not ham related.  They were clever enough to set up close to the entrance where you had to trip over them to get to the good stuff.

Is this typical?

Bruce, KK4IKO

It won't help your current quandary, but here's something I installed years ago to give me double protection from e-mail fraud and spam.  It's a program called Mailwasher Pro.  http://www.firetrust.com/en/products/mailwasher-pro.  I believe there's even a free version which will give a real good idea what Mailwasher is all about. 

The program allows you to see the gist of your mail while it's still on the server, before you download it into Outlook or whatever other e-mail program you use.  You can safely open links, too.  It has lots of options for dealing with different kinds of e-mail, including bouncing, it's real easy to delete stuff, and only download what you want to open.  A great program that comes out of New Zealand.  Their support is exceptional, and the Pro license is good for 3 computers.  Nick Bolton at Firetrust produces other good software, as well.

Bruce, KK4IKO

I like my old (2000) Jeep Cherokee Sport (not Grand Cherokee).  Potentially better mileage than the monster Suburbans, Tahoes, etc.  Nice big steel roof for antennas, real steel body attached to real steel frame.  No battery sensors or other advanced electronic monitors to work around.  I have not experienced any ignition or other engine noise on my radio.  4WD goes anywhere.  I believe 2001 was the last year for the regular Cherokee.

Bruce, KK4IKO

I was reading the manual for my IC 706MKIIG, and noticed it says there is no internal SWR metering when the VHF antenna connector is used.  Any particular reason for this?

I'm not having any problems, just wondering why that is.

Bruce, KK4IKO

I have 2 RS stores in my area, one is a Tandy-run store which can only stock what Tandy sends them, or special order.  Not a bad selection of basic parts and components in store, but the staff is clueless about technical aspects.  The other store is a franchise where the stock is purchased by the the owner and resold.  Very limited, and mostly clueless.  Both are into phones big time.  I have one of their digital soldering stations that works well, and although RS has a limited selection of tips available, I discovered it uses one of the Hakko series of tips, which are available locally at an industrial supply house.

We used to have a Southeastern Electronics dealer, but he's gone.  I'm thinking internet parts and component dealers are pretty much in charge of the electronics component market, now.

Bruce, KK4IKO

Thanks guys.  I guess I won't be giving away the CB anytime soon. 

We make an annual summer vacation trip from NC to upstate NY (800 miles), and being able to check on things along the way, especially construction tie ups in Pennsylvania, would be helpful. 

I agree about the 2m activity, especially in the middle of a work day...I too use the repeater software and only made a couple of connections on our trip this year, and both were guys traveling to or from work (early and late).  Mamma won't let me put anything in her new car that requires hole drilling, or extensive work, and besides, she would like a CB because she knows how to use one.

73

Bruce, KK4IKO 

Addendum to my above post.

The part 78 I referred to, is actually Publication 78.  I talked to a tax attorney and a tax accountant, and neither could say what the exact purpose of that Pub. 78 is, or, that they even heard of it.  It is possible that if a tax-exempt organization shows less than a certain amount of income, it won't be on the list.  I'm not able to confirm that right now.

The e-postcard shown by KE4DRN is a short tax return form that tax-exempt organizations can use if their claimed income is less than $25,000. 

My own thought is this:  if a charitable entity is not listed on Pub. 78, or is not in the BBB database, I'm not donating to them, unless I happen to know them personally.

If there are any of you out there who have experience in 501c(3) tax matters, please feel free to enlighten us.

Bruce, KK4IKO

I'm retired, so I had the time to do some research on WB2JKJ, here's what I found, or rather didn't find.

While the EIN is apparently valid for tax purposes, the organization is NOT listed on the IRS Part 78 database, which was updated a week ago. I searched by name, location, and EIN for the entire state of New York. (over 40,000 entries).  It makes me wonder if the tax exemptions he issues are LEGAL.

Likewise, the Better Business Bureau has NO listing, either: and THEY checked by organization name, phone number and mailing address.

You can make up your own mind, but it would appear that there is considerable flying below the radar going on here.  

Having said that, I believe the organization is real, and may actually be doing something worthwhile, but I can think of only 1 reason why it's not listed with the IRS as a valid charity.

Bruce, KK4IKO

The BBB has a rating system for charities, and one of the criteria for a good charity is how much of the received income actually goes to do the work listed.  It's strange he's not on their rather extensive list, but his website is rather loud and in your face.  I guess the IRS is too busy to investigate this guy.

Bruce, KK4IKO

S-meter accuracy and speed?  It's all relative, and does it really matter one way or the other?  All I need to know is that the signal strength is sufficient to hear the other guy easily.  If he's over-modulating, you will politely let him know so he can change something.  The same applies if you can barely hear him, or you need to adjust something.  If an S-meter wasn't there, I wouldn't miss it.

I have one of those Nakamichi cassette decks.  Very fine equipment.  The VU meter is important for recording to get maximum strength and clarity without distortion, but that's all.  Using headphones for monitoring will tell you if there's significant distortion.

Bruce, KK4IKO

I think the reporting on this case is more alarmist than factual.  The link is to the US Supreme Court blog on this case.  The several links on the blog show the actual briefs which we can read for ourselves, before we get all up in arms based on the interpretations of others (media).  I'm of the opinion that this involves copyright law and will be interpreted by the court as such.  A similar case "Costco vs. Omega," which was found in favor of the defendant, might have had a much larger effect on resellers of goods under the First Sale doctrine.

http://www.scotusblog.com/case-files/cases/kirtsaeng-v-john-wiley-sons-inc/

Happy reading!'

Bruce, KK4IKO

I realize this is a ham site, but since many of you are still active on CB as well, I was wondering about something.

I'm running VHF in my regular ham mobile unit.  I would like to have some form of external communications on my new car as well, and was thinking about using the perfectly good CB setup I had in one of my company cars.  Tiny radio, mag mount antenna, so I don't have to drill any holes.

My question is this...is there enough CB still out there to make the setup worthwhile, or should I give it to some teenager for his car?

Bruce, KK4IKO, formerly KBO02454 on CB

I never found that folks were unwilling to talk if they were on the air. but being polite and waiting for a break to say your call sign is important.

The first time I got my new license on the air (last May), I was tuning through the VHF band when I stumbled upon several folks ragchewing.  I listened until there was a break, gave my callsign, and found I was covered up with people wanting to chat.  I explained I was a newbie, so they were patient with me.  I asked where they calling from, and discovered I was on a repeater 80 miles from my location.  I was located at 5500' with a clear shot in that direction.  I figured a first contact might be easier from a high vantage point.  Interestingly, the local repeater, 3 miles away and higher still, was as silent as a tomb.

I live in the mountains of western North Carolina, so hooking into the various repeaters can be a challenge, sometimes.  A half mile change in location, or a few hundred feet elevation makes all the difference.

In a couple weeks, I'm taking part with my local club in a Race Net.  It's a 16 mile mini marathon (all uphill).  It will be an interesting experience.

Bruce, KK4IKO

Thanks for everyone's help.

I've decided the only practical solution which meets all my requirements will be connecting to the battery through a Timer/Switch, such as the AP03.  I didn't realize such a device existed before looking at Alan's web site, and checking out Powerwerx.  I may not be an electrical newbie (45 years as an industrial electrician), but I admit to being and amateur radio newbie.

As an aside, I believe that in my case, the cigarette lighter fuse is just that, because that fuse had been blown by a faulty lighter unit, and stayed blown for several months before installing the radio...everything else in the vehicle still worked, including the separate 12V accessory outlet.

Bruce, KK4IKO