John:

Order the multi-meter directly from Omega themselves.  If you order it from
Anne Morris Enterprises, you will have to pay $350, instead of $250, for
what seems to be the same meter.

The omega web site is www.omega.com.

Their phone number is:  (888)  826-6342.

I ordered mine directly over the phone.

As for making the probes easier to use, can you explain how you attached the
allegator clips to them safely.  I think that if I at least had an allegator
clip on the negative ground lead, readings would be easier to take.

Thanks, John.

Best 73 from Tom Behler: KB8TYJ



----- Original Message -----
From: "John Miller" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, March 05, 2005 10:26 PM
Subject: Re: some preliminary thoughts on the Omega HHM1/HHm2 talking
multi-meter


> Where can we get one of those?  also,  they make cables with an alabaster
> clip on each end, or you could make one for that matter, would that help?
> clip 1 end to a probe and the other end to what you're testing, freeing up
a
> hand, I have a couple of them here for my many projects I get in to.
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Tom Behler" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Saturday, March 05, 2005 9:59 PM
> Subject: some preliminary thoughts on the Omega HHM1/HHm2 talking
> multi-meter
>
>
> Hi, all.
>
> Believe it or not, it's been two weeks since I received my new Omega HHm
> talking multi-meter, but just got to it today, since my mid-term grading
> crunch is now over.
>
> Here are some brief observations:
>
> The meter is a very well-constructed and rugged unit.  It can run off
either
> a 9-volt battery, or an AC wallwart adapter.  The meter reads both AC and
DC
> voltage, plus AC and DC amperage.  It also reads ohms.  The meter also has
a
> temperature read-out, with thermal couplers to read the temp in either
> fahrenheit or centigrade.  You can even take two different temperature
> readings and compare them to one another if you'd like.
>
> The speech is very clear, and there's even a volume level switch to make
the
> voice louder or softer to suit your needs.
>
> The meter speaks all functions, whether accessed from the function knob on
> the side of the unit, or the function buttons on the face of the unit.
>
> The only thing I'm a bit disappointed with  is that the meter probes are
> rather short, and are merely straight probes, which means you have to try
to
> place them on the terminals of the voltage source, while simultaneously
> pushing the read-out button on the positive probe.  This almost seems to
> require three hands at times.  In fact, if anyone has any suggestions as
to
> how I might readily hook small allegator clips to the probes for easier
use,
> please let me know.  This might be a case where I'm missing an obvious
> solution to a minor problem.  I know the old ratshack meter had an
allegator
> clip on the negative or ground lead, which really did come in handy
> sometimes.
>
> In short, my overall impressions about this meter are quite favorable, and
I
> think it's well worth the $249 I paid.  I'd recommend that if anyone has
the
> interest and the money to purchase one, you might do so soon, since I was
> getting hints from the folks at Omega that demand has been lower than they
> had expected.
>
> My XYL has just about finished scanning the manual for the meter.  Once I
> have the chance to review it, I'll let everyone know.  I'll also send it
to
> Handihams, and Icanworkthisthing.com.
>
> Best 73 from Tom Behler: KB8TYJ
>