[Elecraft] DMM advice?

[Hisashi T Fujinaka]

Just a quick note here. I got a real cheap DMM for "free" wih my
soldering iron with way too few digits to be of use. However, I bought a
"mini" dmm when I was in Japan that is still my favorite when I can find
it. Most of my measurements (and repairs, I've found) are things like,
"Is there power?" or, "Is there continuity?"

I bought a Metex on sale off of Radio Shack's web site for $20 that I
really like. It's one that is rebadged for Radio Shack and is sold for
$70 or so usually. Unfortunately, Radio Shack's web site doesn't seem to
have as much neat stuff as it used to.

Oh, and I have a Fluke as well. Turns out that most of my recent fooling
around doesn't require something as nice.

Just remember: a cheap DMM is so much nicer than having no DMM.

On Sun, 22 Jan 2006, Don Wilhelm wrote:

> Louis,
>
> I picked up an ESCORT EDM-163 at Dayton several years ago (new) at a good
> price (about $65) for the features it offered - Handheld, Auto power off,
> auto-ranging with manual override, bargraph display as well as digital,
> current measurement to 10 Amps and down to 200 uA, diode forward voltage
> test, etc.  This 3 1/2 digit meter has served me well.  The settling time
> for the readings is not as fast as some more expensive meters but is
> adequate for me for general use.  At my workbench I have a Kiethley
> instruments DMM that is faster, and when I get around to repairing it, I
> have a Fluke 8800 that is really fast and shows a lot more digits, but I
> can't carry those around just anywhere.
>
> You will find most DMMs are adequately accurate for ham use - even the $4.99
> ones at Harbor Freight Tools, but they are rather slow about settling down
> to the real reading and they are manual range switched.  The big difference
> in DMM performance is in the speed of response - make your own compromises
> on that issue after deciding which feaures you want and need - the price you
> pay will depend on your choices.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
>> -----Original Message-----
>>
>> Have been lurking here for a while soaking up some wisdom in
>> anticipation of
>> receipt of my K2.  As I lost all of my tools etc. in Katrina, I'm in the
>> process of "re-stocking," including a new digital multimeter.  I've poked
>> around on the net some, but the choices are truly bewildering.  If anyone
>> could offer a suggestion for a unit with a good price-performance
>> ratio, I'd
>> certainly appreciate it.
>>
>>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Post to: Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
> Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
> Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
>

-- 
Hisashi T Fujinaka - htodd at twofifty.com
BSEE(6/86) + BSChem(3/95) + BAEnglish(8/95) + MSCS(8/03) + $2.50 = latte