That has never happened here.  I've used leads from an old Radio Shack 
multi meter, and also a pair of test leads I picked up  online for a 
buck.  Probably 2 years of semi regular  use this way  and no chattering.

73, Steve  KW3A

On 10/4/2011 5:23 PM, T. Joseph Carter wrote:
> I found that you CAN plug a standard lead into the socket, but if you
> do so it starts chattering away and you can't shut it up.
>
> That's no good, so I do intend at some point to actually make proper
> replacement leads for the thing.  I know what to use for a connector,
> I just need to figure out what size.  I think 4mm O.D., and possibly
> 2.1mm I.D., but I'm not sure yet.
>
> Joseph - KF7QZC
>
>
> On Tue, Oct 04, 2011 at 09:07:47AM -0400, Steve Forst wrote:
>> I've replaced the leads on my Nextec meter with standard test leads with
>> banana plugs that I had laying around.   The  original leads had some
>> sort of plastic skirt at he end where you plug into the unit, but I
>> don't think they serve any real purpose. Without the button  on the end
>> of the original lead, I just use  a lead with an alligator clip on the
>> end  and push the button on the unit.
>>
>> It was obvious from day 1 that the button on the  lead was the weak
>> link,  but i guess that's life.
>>
>> 73, Steve KW3A
>>
>> On 10/4/2011 7:24 AM, T. Joseph Carter wrote:
>>> If you've still got one of the Omega models (and I suggest using it
>>> proudly despite the company's refusal to consider that a blind person
>>> ought to be considered competent to safely use their product!), it
>>> too uses a slightly custom set of test leads.  I saw Lloyd
>>> Rasmussen's at the NFB national convention, and its switch had worn
>>> out.
>>>
>>> You can replace that meter's leads with standard leads using a 4mm
>>> banana plug.  The other connector is just a basic TS plug (I don't
>>> recall if it was a 25mm or 35mm) whose two contacts connect a switch,
>>> so it should be easily replaced as well.
>>>
>>> Replacing the custom test leads on the NFB/MPJA/TheSource/Nexxtech
>>> meter is more challenging.  I've not yet experimented with it.
>>>
>>> Display issues in either meter would require more significant repairs
>>> most likely, and I wouldn't know where to begin for either, not
>>> having schematics nor any idea where to source parts.
>>>
>>> Joseph - KF7QZC
>>>
>>>
>>> On Tue, Oct 04, 2011 at 05:07:31AM -0600, Gerry Leary wrote:
>>>> The only two things that ever happen to those meters is the display quits
>>>> and the button to tell it to talk quits.  You can fix the button, but I
>>>> don't know if you can fix the display.  The National Federation of the blind
>>>> independence market sells some talking volt meters.
>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>> From: "Bob - KA5ETA"<[log in to unmask]>
>>>> To:<[log in to unmask]>
>>>> Sent: Monday, October 03, 2011 8:32 PM
>>>> Subject: talking v. o.m.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> A while back there was a company talked about that was selling a talking
>>>>> volt meter.  At the time my old radio shack meter was in good shape so I
>>>>> did
>>>>> not keep the information, guess what, the old meter went out on me and now
>>>>> I
>>>>> am looking for the information.  Does anyone still have the address for
>>>>> the
>>>>> talking meter?
>>>
>>>
>>>
>
>
>