[Elecraft] K3: am I missing something re: DMM

[DOUGLAS ZWIEBEL]

Hi all, especially those who have assembled a K3 already (Eric, Wayne,
and the Elecraft FTers invited to answer as well):

Okay...so here I am in the K3 queue, getting ready.  I have picked up
an ESD mat and wrist strap, some new Phillips (those I have were
pretty beat up), and now I'm bothering several of the usuals on the
reflector for advice (again) about a DMM.

Having this week off, I was catching up with some old
acquaintances....including the guy who taught me the morse code back
in 1965 (we were class-mates).

I asked him about "specs" for a DMM for the K3 and he asked, "well,
what do you need to measure on the K3?"  Pretty logical question ...
like a DUH moment for me.

So I just finished scanning the assembly manual (and the KPA manual).
I found just 6 times where a "measurement" is called for using a
multimeter (all found in the assembly manual, none in the KPA manual).
 And all six are just resistance checks (2 on page 32, 1 on page 41, 3
on page 42).  So tell me why I should spend more than $10 for a DMM to
do this?  Will my 30 year old RS VOM "do the job?"

Lots of thoughtful folks have been advising me on this and I am sure
that they have insight that I do not, suggesting more "upscale"
(barely) models costing $40 to $70.  My "morse tutor" from 42 years
ago (who is an EE + Masters, etc.) before I got back to him about
"what" is being measured, recommended a Fluke and even gave me a model
number (costing $136).  Is any of this necessary?  I have been advised
about the usefulness of the "bar graph," but would this be helpful for
the K3?

I also scanned the manuals for the word MEASURE (and hence also
MEASUREMENT) and found no additional hits.

So....being a classic ham and O.F cheapskate, what do I really need to
get the job done?  If we are only talking resistance measurements (not
adjustments), what is really needed?

OR....is there something hidden in the manuals that my SCAN missed?

Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

de Doug KR2Q