I'm looking at this as an EM support function. First responders depend on radios. And we have all seen many trivial repairs that required significant diagnostic tools but took no time to execute. Certainly, for typical Field Day ops a DMM and antenna analyzer are pretty much it. Though TDR would be useful.
After dragging my feet for many years, I finally bought a very fine suite of HP and Tek kit. Then the nanoVNA and tinySA appeared. So the "Field Day Bench" is just rationalization of new toys.
I'm not currently licensed. I have been twice as a novice, but let the 2nd one lapse because I couldn't afford a radio or the T&M kit to build one.
My primary interest is the technology. I find it truly magical. Doing basic undergrad level RF design was previously impossible on ones own without T&M access. Owning the kit was unthinkable. Now it's a reasonable investment in acquiring skills.
Have Fun!
Reg
On Thursday, July 22, 2021, 05:02:13 PM CDT, Peter Ayearst <ve3poa@...> wrote:
Hi Reg,
That's quite a list. For Field day I figured a dmm and an antenna analyzer was about all I would need. If I needed more test gear to get my setup going for FD I'd turn to socializing. :)
Having said that,? as my homebrew career developed,? there were a couple of test gear that I bought that was like turning the lights on.
The scope was the 1st? major piece of gear that opened the world of rf and immediately became indispensable. A good signal generator was a welcome addition but things really opened up when I purchased a Spectrum Analyzer.?
Being able to measure things made the hb experience even more enjoyable.? Couldn't do without the scope or SA? now.
Next challenge was to develop good measurement techniques and be able to interpret properly.?
Lots of fun.
73, Peter?
ve3poa?
