*muppet alert* How do I use my multimeter?

[matthew@xxxxxxx]

Having put in quite a long run of coax from node zero (garage) to the
loft as the downlink from the aerial, I noticed that about 12" from
the ceiling of the garage it has gone a bit floppy.

Suspecting the coax may have broken inside (bugger!) I've gone out
and bought a cheapo multimeter.

I've stripped the end in the loft, and twisted the braided screen
around the solid core. Back in the garage, the options on my meter
are 2000k, 200k, 20k, 2000 or 200 ohms. I guess the plan is to set
the meter to one of those, touch one prong on the core and one on the
screen and look at the value displayed.

Trouble is I have no idea what I'm looking for. I don't know what
values will tell me the cable is broken and what values will tell me
im ok. I also have no idea what OHMs to set the meter to. Assuming
the cable isn't broken, is there some way I can test the strength of
signal ie. how much loss there is over the run? I'm reckoning on four
runs of coax from the loft to the garage and it's CT100 cable but if
the losses are too great I'll have to get some CT125.

Any help and advice gratefully listened to!

Yours muppetationally

matt

(ps. I promise one day I will contribute something worthwhile to this
group rather than just ask questions all the time!!!)




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Automated Home UK
http://www.automatedhome.co.uk
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