It’s Christmas Season once again and George and Jeremy are back to discuss gift ideas for your workbench!  This week, we’re joined by previous guests Nick KN6NK, Rod VA3ON, and Smitty KR6ZY.  This discussion will give inspire you with plenty of tools, test equipment, supplies, and stocking stuffers to add to your holiday workbench wishlist!

Twitter Workbench Picture Thread - https://twitter.com/smittyhalibut/status/931740952690958336

Double Cross Antenna - http://w7dbo.net/MARTES_Double_Cross_Antenna.pdf

Mount Panavise Jr. to an Arm!  - https://twitter.com/CyberQueenMara/status/931560219125063680

Hand Tools

• Weller ML100 Magna-Lite Micro Torch $10
  https://www.amazon.com/Weller-ML100-Magna-Lite-Micro-Refillable/dp/B000KL2CGO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1510007582&sr=8-1&keywords=weller+torch
• Hakko CHP 170 Diagonal Micro Cutters $6 - https://smile.amazon.com/Hakko-CHP-170-Stand-off-Construction-21-Degree/dp/B076M3ZHBV/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1510971882&sr=1-1&keywords=chp170
• Stainless tweezers (curved, straight) $25 each, or super cheap set ($9)
• Slotted head ceramic driver/adjustment set ($14) - for tweaking trimpots without shorting stuff out
• iFixit 64-bit screwdriver kit ($30)
• Hakko flush cutters ($5)
• PowerPole crimper ($50)
• Wiha System 4 Precision Modular screwdrivers https://www.wihatools.com/tech-tools/system-4-precision
• Knipex mini Pliers set Of two  with Parallel jaws Knipex Tools 00 20 72 V01 Mini Pliers in Belt Pouch, Red, 2-Piece

Soldering Tools and Accessories

• Aoyue soldering iron and  hot air rework station $150 http://www.aoyue.eu/aoyue-int899a-smd-rework-hot-air-soldering-station-with-turbine-engine.html
• Entry Level Hot Air Rework $75 - http://www.newark.com/tenma/21-11424/temperature-controlled-hot-air/dp/25AC4940
• Aven Circuit Board Holder $12 - https://www.amazon.com/Aven-17010-Adjustable-Circuit-Holder/dp/B00Q2TTQEE/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1510976355&sr=8-3&keywords=board+holder
• PanaVise Jr $27 -  https://www.amazon.com/PanaVise-Model-201-Junior-Miniature/dp/B000B61D22
• MetCal Soldering PS2E $175 USED - https://www.ebay.com/itm/222692052462
• MetCal Soldering MX500 $250 - https://www.ebay.com/itm/272921431841
• How the MetCal works - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9Wmqc9O24w
• WES-51 or FX-888 soldering iron ($100)
• TS100 portable iron (requires external DC power) ($50-$80) Hackaday review  Video review
• Hot-air reflow station ($60)
• Controleo toaster reflow controller ($109)
• Tiny desk fan ($20) and solder fume extractor ($25-$50)
• Solder reel stand ($10-$20)
• Ceramic floor tile (12”x12” or larger), $1-$2

Workbench Accessories

• Pluggable USB Microscope $35 - https://www.amazon.com/Plugable-Microscope-Flexible-Observation-Magnification/dp/B00XNYXQHE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1510971418&sr=8-1&keywords=plugable+microscope
• Stereo microscope ($190) with 5x/10x, 10x/15x, or 10x/20x
• Prusa i3 MK3 3D Printer $999 Assembled - https://shop.prusa3d.com/en/17-3d-printers
• CNC router ($400+)
• MillRight CNC Router Kits - https://www.millrightcnc.com/
• Laser cutter ($500ish)

Storage and Organization

• Organization/storage tool rack  $11
• Global Industrial storage boxes (~$30-$70 per 100 boxes, mine are 4”W x 12”D x 4.5”H)
• Lift-N-Lok tool box (seem to not be available anymore)
• Veto Pro Pac Tool bag https://www.vetopropac.com/product/tech-mct
• Mechanics tool drawers (with organizers and Ptouch labels for the OCD crowd)
• DYMO LabelManager 160 Label Maker $15 - https://www.amazon.com/DYMO-LabelManager-Handheld-Label-1790415/dp/B005X9VZ70/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1511114832&sr=8-3&keywords=label+maker
• AKRO MILS - https://akro-mils.com/
• AKRO-MILS Small Parts Bins $30 - https://www.amazon.com/Akro-Mils-10164-Plastic-Storage-Hardware/dp/B000LDH3JC/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1511115094&sr=8-3&keywords=akro+mils
• AKRO-MILS Mixed Parts Bins $30 - https://www.amazon.com/Akro-Mils-10144-20-Inch-16-Inch-Hardware/dp/B003P2UOCO/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1511115094&sr=8-4&keywords=akro+mils
• AKRO-MILS Large Parts Bins $30 - https://www.amazon.com/Akro-Mils-10124-Plastic-Hardware-6-5-Inch/dp/B003TV3NL0/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1511115094&sr=8-5&keywords=akro+mils

Consumables and Supplies

• Bag of powerpole connectors - 10 pairs for $9.99 free shipping
  https://www.ebay.com/itm/ANDERSON-POWERPOLE-Sermos-AC-DC-Connectors-30-Amp-10-Pair/192363652204?hash=item2cc9c4646c:g:ZvAAAOSwTM5YxtBX
• Hatchbox 3D Printing Filament - https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=hatchbox
• Box o’ Resistors!  $7 - https://www.amazon.com/Cutequeen-750-Values-Resistor-25pcs/dp/B016NXK6QK/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1510972481&sr=8-3&keywords=resistors
• USB Cables!  Especially Anker Powerline for anything that is doing power
• RF Adapters (You use one for a project, and it lives with that project forever.)
• Snap-on RF Chokes
• Wire for signals hookup, power transmission
• RF Coax Cable - LMR400, LMR240, LMR195, etc
• Lifetime supply of 63/37 solder ($33) (get a smaller spool of thicker solder if doing power connectors
• Solder braid - https://www.amazon.com/NTE-Electronics-SW02-10-No-Clean-Solder/dp/B0195UVWJ8/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1511115385&sr=8-3&keywords=solder+braid
• Heatshrink tubing
• Glue-lined heatshrink ($12)
• SMD practice board ($1)

Test and Measurement Equipment

• Elecraft XG3 Signal Generator( Sweep Gen, Beacon CW and RTTY, Foxhunt Tx) - http://www.elecraft.com/XG3/xg3.htm
• Digilent Analog Discovery II  $279 (www.digilent.com / www.digikey.com ) http://store.digilentinc.com/digital-discovery-portable-logic-analyzer-and-digital-pattern-generator/
• Airspy HF+/Airspy R2/Airspy Mini $99-$199 - https://v3.airspy.us/
• Siglent SDS-1202X-E Oscilloscope - http://www.saelig.com/product/sds1202x-e.htm
• Non-contact thermometer ($19)
• Non-contact voltage probe ($19)
• Socket tester ($9)
• Component tester ($15)
• LC meter ($25)
• Frequency counter ($17)
• Bus Pirate ($28)
• 8ch 24MHz logic analyzer, works with Sigrok ($14)
• Saleae mixed-signal analyzers, ($110-$600)
• Rigol DS1054Z Oscilloscope ($400)
• Bench Power Supply - Generic unit, many options, $50-$100, may need to swap pots out for 10-turn
• Bench Power Supply eez-h24005, $400, but unknown when next manufacturing run
• Bench Power Supply Rigol (1-channel $300, 3-channel $475)
• Bench Power Supply Siglent (basic 3ch $270, or fancy 3ch $370)
• Spectrum analyzer - SSA3021X, ($1600) SDR dongle ($21), noise source ($12), directional coupler
• Fluke Mulitmeters - 87V $370 - https://www.amazon.com/Fluke-FLUKE-87-V-Digital-Multimeter/dp/B00T3LZLFG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1511115922&sr=8-1&keywords=fluke+87v
• EEVBlog Bryman 235 Digital Multimeter $125 - https://www.amazon.com/EEVblog-BM235-Brymen-Multimeter/dp/B01JZ1ADCO/ref=sr_1_1?s=industrial&ie=UTF8&qid=1511115964&sr=1-1&keywords=eevblog
• Siglent SDM3000 Series Benchtop Multimeters - http://www.saelig.com/category/siglent-dmm.htm?Screen=CTGY&Category_code=siglent-sdm-multimeters

​Stocking Stuffers

• Wago 221 Lever-Nut Assortment Pocket Pack $19.95
  https://www.amazon.com/Wago-Lever-Nut-Assortment-Pocket-Pack/dp/B01N0LRTXZ/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1510008024&sr=1-1&keywords=WAGO+WIRE+NUTS&dpID=41fWIAdO%252BDL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=src
• Airspy Mini $99 - https://v3.airspy.us/product/a-airspy-mini/
• QRP Labs CW QCX Transceiver - https://www.qrp-labs.com/qcx.html
• BITX40 40M QRP SSB Transceiver - http://www.hfsigs.com/
• Assorted jumper wires ($8)
• Breadboard + jumper wire kit ($12)
• Breadboard power supply ($6, 3-pack $8, 6-pack $11)
• FTDI USB/TTL adapter: 3.3v, 5v ($15) (avoid eBay, lots of FTDI counterfeits)
• Lady ada toolkit $100 https://www.adafruit.com/product/136
• Leatherman Squirt electricians edition (ES4)  $32
• Allen wrench handles (Lee Valley Tools) http://www.leevalley.com/us/wood/page.aspx?p=75480&cat=1,70373,70375. $15
• Membership for a Makerspace https://spaces.makerspace.com/directory/

George and Jeremy enjoy a fireside chat about shopping for your Workbench and Shack.

Antenna Analyzer Project Information - http://hamradio360.com/community/partsmaterials-list/build-project-parts-listlinks/

Everything Ham Radio Podcast  - http://www.everythinghamradio.com/

QSO Today Podcast -  http://www.qsotoday.com/podcasts/4z1ug

Holiday project - 3D Printed Trees - http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:197668https://www.youmagine.com/designs/christmas-tree-with-space-for-led-light#activity

New PackTenna linked dipole feedpoint prototype board arrived - http://www.packtenna.com

Tools

• Time to progressively upgrade!
• Powerwerx - https://powerwerx.com
• Powerpole crimper - https://powerwerx.com/crimping-tools
• Irwin Automatic Wire Stripper - https://www.amazon.com/IRWIN-VISE-GRIP-Self-Adjusting-Stripper-2078300/dp/B000OQ21CA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1479526683&sr=8-1&keywords=irwin+wire+stripping+tool
• Lighted magnifying loop
• Soldering Iron - Hakko FX-888D - http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/HAKKO-FX888D-23BY-/94-1275
• Good wire cutters such as Xcelite - http://electronics.mcmelectronics.com/search?cataf=&view=list&w=xcelite+cutter&x=0&y=0
• Upgrade all of your hand tools to Xcelite! - http://www.mcmelectronics.com/search.aspx?M=01001245
• Digital caliper w/ CR2032 Battery - $40-$50 - https://www.amazon.com/iGaging-ABSOLUTE-Digital-Electronic-Caliper/dp/B00KDUD67G/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1479735338&sr=8-7&keywords=digital%2Bcaliper&th=1

Digital Multi Meters

• Tenma 72-7780 - $60 - http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/72-7780
• EEVBlog Brymen - $135? - https://www.eevblog.com/product/bm235-multimeter/

Lab Power Supply

• Rigol DP711 30V, 5A $300 - https://www.rigolna.com/products/dc-power-supplies/dp700/
• Tenma 72-8345A 36V, 3A - $150 - http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/72-8345A
• Tenma 72-8350A 20V 5A - $160 - http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/72-8350A#review

Test equipment

• Digilent Analog Discovery II - http://store.digilentinc.com/analog-discovery-2-100msps-usb-oscilloscope-logic-analyzer-and-variable-power-supply/
• Rigol scope $400  Rigol DS1054Z Digital Oscilloscope 50 Mhz DSO 4 Channels -http://www.tequipment.net/Rigol/DS1054Z/Digital-Oscilloscopes/?Source=googleshopping&gclid=CjwKEAiA6rrBBRDsrLGM4uTPkWASJADnWZQ48jklPQOV8YJ4GQNF5VuTGsVrW-jmDSOai1nCShefXRoCLeHw_wcB

RF

• Spectrum Analyzer - Rigol spectrum analyzer Rigol DSA815-TG 9kHz to 1.5GHz with preamplifier and tracking generator - $1500 - http://www.tequipment.net/RigolDSA815-TG.html?v=0
• Rigol DSA705 100kHz to 500MHz Spectrum Analyzer - $700 - http://www.tequipment.net/Rigol/DSA705/Spectrum-Analyzers/?v=0
• Bird 43 Power Meter and Slugs - $400- ??? - http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/meters/1739.html
• Diamond Antenna Dual Band Power/SWR Meters - http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/meters/2315.html
• RigExpert AA-54 Antenna Analyzer - http://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=H0-011715

Kits

• HamRadio 360 Workbench Antenna analyzer
• WinKeyer USB - www.hamcrafters.com  $75
• http://www.hfsigs.com/  BITX Kit radio   $45
• NanoKeyer - K3NG Arduino based CW Keyer https://nanokeyer.wordpress.com/nanokeyer-info/https://blog.radioartisan.com/arduino-cw-keyer/ ~$40
• Elecraft DL1 20W Dummy Load Kit - http://www.elecraft.com/mini_module_kits/mini_modules.htm#dl1
• Elecraft W1 140 Watt Meter/SWR Bridge 160M-10M $99 - http://www.elecraft.com/mini_module_kits/mini_modules.htm
• Emtech Z Match antenna tuner - https://steadynet.com/emtech/
• BITX 40M QRP Kit - http://www.hfsigs.com

Books

• Make Electronics - Learning through Discovery:  https://www.amazon.com/Make-Electronics-Learning-Through-Discovery/dp/1680450263/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1479528305&sr=1-1&keywords=make+electronics+2nd+edition
• ARRL Antenna Book
• ARRL Handbook - http://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=H0-015330
• Arduino Projects for Amateur Radio:  https://www.amazon.com/Arduino-Projects-Amateur-Radio-Purdum/dp/0071834052
• The Art of Electronics 3rd Edition - https://www.amazon.com/Art-Electronics-Paul-Horowitz/dp/0521809266/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1479528234&sr=1-2&keywords=electronics+3rd+edition
• Arduino for Ham Radio https://www.amazon.com/Arduino-Ham-Radio-Electronics-Microcontroller/dp/1625950160/ref=pd_sim_14_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=BYWTZHEQZ91JW7KKFH0Q

Parts

• Coax connectors and adapters (N, UHF, BNC, SMA)
• Audio connectors and adapters
• Well stocked nut and screw selection - #4, #6, #8 screws, washers, nuts
• Ebay 347pc NUT BOLT SCREW AND WASHER ASSORTMENT KIT SET $5.99
• Parts bins to put it all in
• DC, Hookup Wire
• Coax

Free Stuff!

• CadSoft Eagle - https://cadsoft.io
• Autodesk Fusion 360 - http://www.autodesk.com/products/fusion-360/overview
• SolderSmoke Podcast - http://www.soldersmoke.com
• ARRL - The Doctor is In Podcast - http://www.arrl.org/doctor
• The AMP HOUR Podcast - http://theamphour.com
• https://archive.org/details/73-magazine
• The MagPi - Official Raspberry Pi Magazine https://www.raspberrypi.org/magpi/
• 3D Printing Today Podcast - http://threedprintingtoday.libsyn.com

RF Poster:  https://www.flickr.com/photos/llnl/9403051123/sizes/l/

Places to go for cool stuff

• MCM Electronics - http://www.mcmelectronics.com/
• Adafruit - http://www.adafruit.com/
• Seeedstudio  - https://www.seeedstudio.com
• Sparkfun - https://www.sparkfun.com
• Banggood - http://www.banggood.com
• DealExtreme - http://www.dx.com
• Ebay - http://www.ebay.com/
• Digikey - http://www.digikey.com/
• Newark - http://www.newark.com
• Mouser - http://www.mouser.com
• Jameco - http://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/StoreCatalogDisplay?storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&langId=-1
• Anchor electronics - http://anchor-electronics.com
• Pimoroni - https://shop.pimoroni.com
• TEquipment.net - http://www.tequipment.net​