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

[Jim Wiley]

Another meter that deserves serious consideration  is the 
Hewlett-Packard 427A multimeter.  An analog instrument, with an 
excellent mirror-scale meter, 10-megohm input impedance, and all the 
basic functions of a VTVM - except it is a solid-state unit.  Often 
available for $100 or so in good condition.  Probably more than a person 
wants to pay for casual use, but if you are among those who are in this 
hobby to stay, an excellent choice.  Obviously, it has no digital 
readout, but it can be paired with a digital meter for the best of both 
worlds.  Just my opinion, of course, but everyone who sees mine 
invariably reacts with "Wow! I want one!".  


- Jim, KL7CC



Carl-km1h wrote:
>
> 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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