[Boatanchors] need multimeter advice

Jim Wilhite w5jo at brightok.net
Tue Sep 1 19:13:16 EDT 2009


Agreed, especially for tuning for peak and the like.  but if you 
must have something that is rated at 10-20 K ohms per volt, the 260 
won't do it.  Many people sing the praises of name brand meters.  If 
you will just look at the accuracy of all of them, you might settle 
for something a bit cheaper.

What counts is accuracy, reliability and cost.  Everyone knows Fluke 
is reliable, but I have a 77 that blows the input fuse every time I 
load the 350 watt transmitter on 160 meters if it is turned on but 
not connected to anything.  The last time I had it repaired at 
Fluke, they replaced the input fuse and charged me $90.00.  That is 
a bit much.

So compare brands and choose for the application.  If you are going 
to work on high impedance circuits you will he something other than 
a 260.

Jim/W5JO

----- Original Message ----- 

> That's why us 'ole timers like the analog scale of real good VOM
> 260 - 630 etc.
> Have found even the cheap DVMs avail at RadioShack do a darn good 
> job if you
> need digits.  Even have some you can hook to a PC.
>
> Rod
> KØEQH
>
>
> -----Original Message-----

> Fluke 8840A/AF. I have a few! Love the bright blue VFD. Also love 
> the GPIB,
> very useful.  One thing I don't love is after taking a voltage 
> measurement,
> the display doesn't go back to zero volts when you disconnect the 
> probes.
> Apparently the input is so high impedance that the charge remains 
> on the
> instrument. You have to short the probes to get zero again. I am 
> told this
> is a feature. But for my use, not so useful. Aside from that I 
> really like
> it! Has offset capability, and you can adjust the speed at which 
> it takes
> measurements (1/sec 10/sec, 100/sec) and other neat features.
>
> 73 Eugene W2HX



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