While reading this thread I noticed someone mentioned "where do I get a receiver with a meter" I'm paraphrasing but I use old low frequency marine direction finders. They have excellent receivers with sensitivity controls and a strength meter. Another advantage is the built in direction finder on the top with 360 degree markings which allows you to see where yours or others signals are coming from or to "null" out interference. Very handy units! Used marine stores sometimes have them for 10-20 bucks (ebay probably closer to 75-80). Now if you are tuning your antenna and you are very close to it, sometimes the signal is to strong for even the sensitivity control to get the needle off of the peg, so tune the signal off to the side a little ( these are wonderful analogue units not crappy digital) until the needle drops into the middle of the dial or so. An additional advantage to these receivers is that they usually tune to 3 or 4 megs so you can check the relative strength of your second harmonic. With low price, built in battery operation, analogue tuning, strength meter, sensitivity control, direction finding, second harmonic receiving and a handle on the side, what more could you ask for in a part 15 tester?
Very hard to find, but thanks for the idea ... I appreciate the reply.
There are just no places like that around here. I think I recall a big junk marine supply with lots of gear in Seattle, but that's at least an entire day to deal with from here + fuel + food + ferry fare. etc. IOW, it will cost me close to $100 just to get down there and return, whether or not I find anything. If I had that extra time and $$ I'd just order a FSM off the internet, wouldn't need to go anyway.
There are several on ebay right now. Checking completed listings one sold for 9.95 and another for 56.00. I use the coastal navigator rdf, it's excellent.
Where are you looking? I only see one Ratheon, no listing of bands, current bid @ $24.95