[Test-Equipment] HP VTVM?

[Richard Knoppow]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Brian Burns" <brian at lessonsinlutherie.com>
To: "'Discussion of Electronic Test Equipment'" 
<test-equipment at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Friday, March 28, 2014 6:23 PM
Subject: [Test-Equipment] HP VTVM?


> Hello All,
>
>
>
> Over the years I've had a couple of HP VTVM's, and liked 
> them. They both
> eventually began blowing fuses and became non functional. 
> They were both
> above my pay grade to try to repair, so I hunted up an HP 
> test equipment
> forum, since misplaced, and traded them off.
>
>
>
> I'm once again in need of a VTVM, and am wondering if I 
> should be content
> with a Heath or Eico that I can maintain myself, or go 
> looking for an HP.
>
>
>
> All suggestions greatly appreciated!
>
>
>
> Cheers,
>
>
>
> Brian Burns
>
>
    I wonder what models these were. Very often when a piece 
of equipment begins to blow fuses its the filter capacitors. 
These are not that expensive to replace. In general -hp- 
gear is pretty reliable. If the problem is filter caps you 
will likely have no trouble for decades once they are 
replaced with modern ones. The 410-B and 410-C are 
outstanding meters for combination purposes, that is, they 
have DC, ohms, and AC up to over 1Ghz. The also have 
extremely high input resistance.  If you want a vacuum tube 
VTVM (will it sort of has to be if its really a VTvm) 
another good one is the General Radio 1800A and B. These are 
the same other than the B has a polarity reversing switch, a 
convenience but nothing more. These measure DC volts and AC 
up to about 1Ghz but have no ohmmeter.  If you want some 
other type of meter such as a sensitive AC meter my advice 
is to look for the solid state versions of the 400 series. 
The tube versions can be good meters but only the last of 
them.


--
Richard Knoppow
Los Angeles
WB6KBL
dickburk at ix.netcom.com