Well, I'm getting fed up with certain things, and it's time to take matters quite literally into my own hands, again.
The issue this time? Testing DMX.
Mind you, I'm not talking getting down to the packet level, but rather "hey, is it even there". There are several DIY schematics to build your own using a low cost 3 or 5 pin canon-type XLR male connector.
It seems that this is an ideal DIY project. Likewise, there are also some phantom power testers as well, and only more expensive because there are more components.
I think as professionals(or wanna be's), we owe it to ourselves to have a toolkit of sorts. These testers I talk about are small enough to fit in a pocket or even get mounted on a keychain. They are cheap enough to get lost and not really have to miss them. In my case, both are essential items as I do professional sound.
Or, what about the alternates? We can buy expensive testers to do the same things. But, do we really need those? Some of us do, yes. But not all of us do.
Check into it. "build your own DMX tester" and "bright eyes" for a phantom power tester. NO< these are NOT interchangable items, but it's unlikely you'll damage either by using the wrong one. Good stuff.
Have fun. Because, if you don'y DIY, then you might run unto a scenario where you're gonna GFY.
HAND
Damn, I'm talking in TLA's again.
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