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

[Garey Barrell]

Jim -

Yes, the 427A is a very nice meter.  The battery is still available for about $45, but there is room 
for several 'AA' cell holders if you need battery power.

Watch high humidity storage, as I think this is one of the products with individually printed meter 
scales, and they will de-laminate, destroying the meter.

Mine is still on the bench, but I usually end up using the Heathkit IM-13 with the bigger meter!  
(Old eyes)

73, Garey - K4OAH
Glen Allen, VA

Drake 2-B, 2-C/2-NT, 4-A, 4-B, C-Line
and TR-4/C Service Supplement CDs
<www.k4oah.com>


Jim Wiley wrote:
> 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.
>>
>>