[Boatanchors] Novice questions on buying a suitable meter for boatanchor work

[Carl-km1h]

You might want to check out the Fluke 27/FM which is the recently surplused military model. Very rugged, auto ranging and True RMS. 

Takes any of the standard Fluke HV probes. 



For a tube type VTVM I use a Hickok 209A; love that big meter. 



Carl 

KM1H 



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


From: "R. Dennis Gibbs" <R390A at verizon.net> 
To: boatanchors at mailman.qth.net 
Sent: Friday, May 18, 2012 5:25:23 PM 
Subject: [Boatanchors] Novice questions on buying a suitable meter for        boatanchor work 

All, 

  

My last analog volt-ohms-milliamp meter (VOM) has finally died.  It's been 
over 30 years since I purchased a test meter, and they have certainly 
changed a lot in that time! 

  

I'm looking (hoping?) to spend less than $200.  I have no real idea *what* 
to buy, or if I can even buy anything decent in that price range.  I have my 
eye on a Fluke 115 DMM.  I can get it from Digikey for about $167.95.  In 
addition to volts, ohms, and current, it also measures capacitance, which I 
figure will be useful.  My novice questions are: 

  

1)      IS this a reasonable choice for boatanchor work? 

2)      What about input impedance for sensitive circuits?  I remember they 
used to rate analog VOMs at up to about 100K ohms per volt, and VTVMs at 
around 2 Megohms per volt, with the latter being more suitable for taking 
measurements without affecting operation of the circuit under test.  But, I 
see no ratings like this on the DMMs I've been looking at.  Is this no 
longer an issue with DMMs?  Can this be used much like the old VTVMs were 
used? 

3)      One of the things I loved about the old analog meters is it was 
great for "Peaking" circuits when doing alignments.  With digital readout, I 
suspect it will be harder to do this.  Is there anything about the new DMMs 
that make it easier to use in this fashion? 

  

I'm hoping to make a quick purchase on this, as I can't continue with my 
projects until I have a usable meter!  I don't really have time to search 
for a vintage meter that would be suitable. 

  

Any suggestions? 

  

Thanks, 

  

Dennis 

R390A at verizon.net 

  

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