I have four DMMs and four or five VOMs. If you need digital readability or high input resistance a DMM is good. I won't bother with one to make resistance checks and the like when my K3 comes. I'd have to go look for one of my DMMs. A couple of the VOMs are within reach. Of course I may be biased, I was the one guy who was troubleshooting a circuit with a VOM and a screwdriver while my counterparts were using an oscilloscope, VTVM (DMM), and several other fancy boxes. I had usually found the trouble with my unit before they got all their stuff set up and calibrated.
Dave W5DHM On Nov 21, 2007 2:04 PM, DOUGLAS ZWIEBEL <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > 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 > _______________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Post to: [email protected] > 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 > _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [email protected] 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
