Whether this meter detect FM Radio frequencies (88MHz-108MHz)? I wonder which frequency this meter will show near a FM Radio. There will be 4 to 5 FM radio stations (frequencies) active at a time. Can i use this device reliably to detect RF output of low power FM transmitters?
I think it could not be used as a frequency sniffer or to detect low power transmission without putting some serious RF amplifier in front of it. They do have some handheld scanners that will lock on to the strongest transmission. If you were close, say a yard, to a low power transmission it would be stronger than high power transmissions that were further away.
I haven't yet, but that was my intent. The easiest way but not the best is to hitch it to the antenna. When you transmit you will know the exact frequency. It would be better to find the point inside that you could get a read out without transmitting. I think you could get that information from the company
I have a question. Does this FC works with audio signals generated by function generator ? I have connect mine to a function generator and it doesn't read. I think that only reads RF signals. Can you confirm ?Thanks.
No i did not. Ham radio has been on the back burner. A small wire rapped around the antenna would give an accurate transmission frequency. My unit has an offset so it would probably be less complicated to use two units. The receiver frequency would require a knowledge of were it should be coupled. Since this kits come with extensive assembly, test, and alignment information it probably would not be too hard to determine the correct point to couple it. It is currently packed away.
I got one of these to measure tank circuit frequency of small induction heaters, those in the 1000 watt to 2500 watt range. But I don't know how to connect it to a the induction heater. I tried making a 3 or 4 turn loop antenna, but that didn't work. Assuming that the actual input needed by the meter must be down in the microvolt range, i then make a 10:1 voltage divider and capacitively coupled it to a 5 volt oscillator. Still no luck. What should I be doing?
This confuses me. I don’t think an induction heater would have emission of radio waves to be measured. I think this is going to only work with radio transmitters.
@@m005kennedy I just got in from the shop after some more testing. By the way, these particular "ZVS" induction heaters work in the range of about 40 KHz to about 120 KHz. Their work coils (air wound inductors) run at powers up to about 50 amps at 48 volts, so they do, indeed radiate. I finally got some readings on the frequency meter using a 9 turn work coil as a "receiver", but never any values below 1.000 Mega Hertz. That got me wondering if the product description is what misled me. It says something like "1 ~ 500 MHz". I took that to mean 1 Hz to 500 MHz. Apparently they meant "1 MEGA Hz as the low end. I guess I will have to keep looking for a cheap frequency counter that can work in the range I need. I just calculated a bunch of harmonics for the coil I have on the induction heater right now. I will go back out there and see if some of the range of readings I get match any of those harmonics. Keeps me out of the bar, as they say. But thank you for the video. It helped me to find with an input conditioning strategy.
Hi, just to ask if this item could be used to test a key fob. Thinking about to use it in the workshop to diagnose any car brand remote control. Thanks!
@@m005kennedy most car brands work between 200-600mhz. Related to the antenna? Just a wire as your example or something more specific? I saw some detectors like yours that work between 10-1000mhz. Thanks
I think a wire bout close or wrapped around it once would be all that is needed. You would basically be checking for a single or not. It would be easy to see the display jump to the frequency once a button is pushed. Just be sure of the specs of the unit you buy so it will cover those frequencies.
Hello, how can I measure directly, for example, when I want to measure an oscillator frequency with the plj-1601-c? Also do I need to set up an intermediate circuit?
These are kinda dodgy, bought one but I was junk, display was too contrasted which I fixed with a variable resistor. Unfortunately unit died a couple of days after that. Never could get it on frequency with test equipment directly linked. I did find that you could adjust the received frequency from the trim cap on the back of the unit, never got to within 500Khz of test frequency.
These things are so inexpensive! What I cannot understand is how I can order something for under five bucks, shipping include, and I couldn’t even mail the same part from East cost of the US to the West for that in shipping?? Makes me think China own a majority share in the USPS!
I don't think putting X-watts in a direct connection would have a good outcome. The frequency isn't going to change - it doesn't change traveling to the receiver or repeater - what makes you think it will change?
No, they do not transmit in such a way that a direct connection or 3 inches would make any difference. If so they wouldn't work very well - There could be a couple hertz change over a great distance - - or a doppler shift if the transmitter / receiver are moving - but neither of which apply.
don't connect direct from your radio to the counter. You will likely burn up the counter.
That is very cool! I'm totally going to buy one. That's also a very nice Yaesu
Whether this meter detect FM Radio frequencies (88MHz-108MHz)?
I wonder which frequency this meter will show near a FM Radio. There will be 4 to 5 FM radio stations (frequencies) active at a time.
Can i use this device reliably to detect RF output of low power FM transmitters?
I think it could not be used as a frequency sniffer or to detect low power transmission without putting some serious RF amplifier in front of it. They do have some handheld scanners that will lock on to the strongest transmission. If you were close, say a yard, to a low power transmission it would be stronger than high power transmissions that were further away.
If you dont have a sma connector? cut the wire in exact wave lengt! its come to help,,, cold regards from sweden,,,hehe snowing now
Hey Mike did you ever hook the counter with the QRP rig? I'm thinking of doing that also with a OHR 100a QRP rig.
I haven't yet, but that was my intent. The easiest way but not the best is to hitch it to the antenna. When you transmit you will know the exact frequency. It would be better to find the point inside that you could get a read out without transmitting. I think you could get that information from the company
I have a question. Does this FC works with audio signals generated by function generator ? I have connect mine to a function generator and it doesn't read. I think that only reads RF signals. Can you confirm ?Thanks.
I can't be sure. Does the function generator produce a radio signal?
My counter works conected to signal generator with a sinus outpout of 1Mhz and above.
Did you ever install it in your QRP radio? If so, how does it perform? Do you have a video (and schematic!) you can share?!
No i did not. Ham radio has been on the back burner. A small wire rapped around the antenna would give an accurate transmission frequency. My unit has an offset so it would probably be less complicated to use two units. The receiver frequency would require a knowledge of were it should be coupled. Since this kits come with extensive assembly, test, and alignment information it probably would not be too hard to determine the correct point to couple it. It is currently packed away.
I got one of these to measure tank circuit frequency of small induction heaters, those in the 1000 watt to 2500 watt range. But I don't know how to connect it to a the induction heater. I tried making a 3 or 4 turn loop antenna, but that didn't work. Assuming that the actual input needed by the meter must be down in the microvolt range, i then make a 10:1 voltage divider and capacitively coupled it to a 5 volt oscillator. Still no luck. What should I be doing?
This confuses me. I don’t think an induction heater would have emission of radio waves to be measured. I think this is going to only work with radio transmitters.
@@m005kennedy I just got in from the shop after some more testing. By the way, these particular "ZVS" induction heaters work in the range of about 40 KHz to about 120 KHz. Their work coils (air wound inductors) run at powers up to about 50 amps at 48 volts, so they do, indeed radiate. I finally got some readings on the frequency meter using a 9 turn work coil as a "receiver", but never any values below 1.000 Mega Hertz. That got me wondering if the product description is what misled me. It says something like "1 ~ 500 MHz". I took that to mean 1 Hz to 500 MHz. Apparently they meant "1 MEGA Hz as the low end. I guess I will have to keep looking for a cheap frequency counter that can work in the range I need. I just calculated a bunch of harmonics for the coil I have on the induction heater right now. I will go back out there and see if some of the range of readings I get match any of those harmonics. Keeps me out of the bar, as they say.
But thank you for the video. It helped me to find with an input conditioning strategy.
You obviously know more about it than I do. I was just surprised these units worked do well displaying the exact frequency of my two meter ham radio.
Hi, just to ask if this item could be used to test a key fob. Thinking about to use it in the workshop to diagnose any car brand remote control. Thanks!
Do you know what frequency fobs run on?
@@m005kennedy most car brands work between 200-600mhz. Related to the antenna? Just a wire as your example or something more specific? I saw some detectors like yours that work between 10-1000mhz. Thanks
I think a wire bout close or wrapped around it once would be all that is needed. You would basically be checking for a single or not. It would be easy to see the display jump to the frequency once a button is pushed. Just be sure of the specs of the unit you buy so it will cover those frequencies.
It's a very good meter I use it with a mfj-207 antenna analyser/swr meter.
Nice!
cheep "bug sniffer"?
I don’t know. You might need different type of antenna and signal amplifier
Hello, how can I measure directly, for example, when I want to measure an oscillator frequency with the plj-1601-c? Also do I need to set up an intermediate circuit?
Sorry, but I am unable to answer your question.
These are kinda dodgy, bought one but I was junk, display was too contrasted which I fixed with a variable resistor. Unfortunately unit died a couple of days after that. Never could get it on frequency with test equipment directly linked. I did find that you could adjust the received frequency from the trim cap on the back of the unit, never got to within 500Khz of test frequency.
The one I had works and is easily read. The display didn’t video well. Maybe a quality control problem?
Probably it was a 2016 unit from the QA sicker inside the unit, I have another on order. Will post.
These things are so inexpensive! What I cannot understand is how I can order something for under five bucks, shipping include, and I couldn’t even mail the same part from East cost of the US to the West for that in shipping?? Makes me think China own a majority share in the USPS!
Right!?
Did you order a new car one or ask for a replacement?
I don't think putting X-watts in a direct connection would have a good outcome. The frequency isn't going to change - it doesn't change traveling to the receiver or repeater - what makes you think it will change?
Transmitters often have an intermediate frequency that is different from the actual frequency it transmits on,
No, they do not transmit in such a way that a direct connection or 3 inches would make any difference. If so they wouldn't work very well - There could be a couple hertz change over a great distance - - or a doppler shift if the transmitter / receiver are moving - but neither of which apply.