[Test-Equipment] "possessed'" VOM(s)

[k4pf at juno.com]

> Ron N4UE bonddaleena at aol.com wrote
> Hi Bill. No, there are NO active devices in it. The thing is basically a small pcb with a wiper and some sm resistors. TOO simple. The X10, X100 and X1K ranges are fine. I have a 1K resistor I use to check it.
>I found this problem 'by accident' when checking a 75 Ohm pot for my antenna rotor. I understand using the 1X range will show the slightest resistance in the Banana connectors / cables, etc. However, before connecting ANY resistor, the meter shows Inf. When ANY resistor is connected on the X1 range, it shows ZERO resistance.
<snip>

Hi, Ron

I would look vary carefully at the VOM rotary switch contacts
associated with the RX1 scale.  If the switch is as small as you imply,
probably some of the metal has been vaporized.  The meter movement
is not damaged, because over-current protection diodes 
are probably present. With that RX1 resistor shorted out, 
the next time you attempted to zero your Ohmmeter set to RX1, 
you put all the current the AA cell can put out 
through the switch contacts.

73, 
Ed Knobloch