what multimeters do u have
what multimeters do u have
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,968
Likes: 3
From: So Cal
Depends what you mean. I collect multimeters, what a strange hobby.
Most of mine are pre 70s analog VOM/multimeters and VTVMs. My oldest model so far is a Simpson 443, which I think is a pre WWII model. The Simpson factory guy doesn't have any record of that model since it is so old. It appears to be one of their early attempts to create what is now the model 260. The old 443 had a round meter and multiple plug sockets for various ranges, but a rotary switch for Ohms.
I also have a Triplett push button model, forget the #, that looks early 50s ish. Plus I have the first Simpson model 260(late 40s) which is significantly different from what we now see, but on quick look is clearly a 260. And I have the usual Triplet 630s and simpson 260/270 variations(plus a VTVM adapter for the 260/270). I really like my Triplett 310 with clamp on amp meter, how cute.
I also have several Radio Shack FET analog multimeters that are very good. Plus a RS old minitaure Triplet 630 look alike that I got back in 1970 when I first started tech school. I also have a couple RS digital multimeters that have given me good service.
Don't know why I am collecting these things other than they were always too expensive back when I seriously used them. Now that I only need them for hobby work, they are cheap used.
What a warped hobby, but I guess it is harmless.
Jim Henderson
Most of mine are pre 70s analog VOM/multimeters and VTVMs. My oldest model so far is a Simpson 443, which I think is a pre WWII model. The Simpson factory guy doesn't have any record of that model since it is so old. It appears to be one of their early attempts to create what is now the model 260. The old 443 had a round meter and multiple plug sockets for various ranges, but a rotary switch for Ohms.
I also have a Triplett push button model, forget the #, that looks early 50s ish. Plus I have the first Simpson model 260(late 40s) which is significantly different from what we now see, but on quick look is clearly a 260. And I have the usual Triplet 630s and simpson 260/270 variations(plus a VTVM adapter for the 260/270). I really like my Triplett 310 with clamp on amp meter, how cute.
I also have several Radio Shack FET analog multimeters that are very good. Plus a RS old minitaure Triplet 630 look alike that I got back in 1970 when I first started tech school. I also have a couple RS digital multimeters that have given me good service.
Don't know why I am collecting these things other than they were always too expensive back when I seriously used them. Now that I only need them for hobby work, they are cheap used.
What a warped hobby, but I guess it is harmless.
Jim Henderson
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 5,130
Likes: 8
From: Brea CA
Mostly use a Fluke 87 III but it depends on what's in the tool box at the time.
Hey Jim I have some old stuff too like a couple of old Simpson 260's, a RCA VTVM, a Fairchild 7050 multimeter with nixie tubes and some old Triplett stuff too but it's all stashed away. Why we hang on to this stuff; it was too expensive at the time to let it go now.
I still got an old IBM AT that I paid over 2K when new at the time.
Barry
Hey Jim I have some old stuff too like a couple of old Simpson 260's, a RCA VTVM, a Fairchild 7050 multimeter with nixie tubes and some old Triplett stuff too but it's all stashed away. Why we hang on to this stuff; it was too expensive at the time to let it go now.
I still got an old IBM AT that I paid over 2K when new at the time.Barry
Last edited by BB; May 26, 2004 at 10:50 AM.
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,417
Likes: 3
From: Durham, NC
I have a Fluke hand held DVM that is about 12 years old...
And.....
1) An Eico VTVM that I built from a kit over 30 years ago
2) Sencore tube tester (what is a tube????)
3) Sencore capacitance/inductance meter
4) Tektronix 576 curve tracer
5) Tektronix 2665 scope
6) B&K high voltage probe
7) B&K CRT tester
8) B&K single channel, triggered sweep, 10MHZ scope (also over 30 years old)
At work, I have an Advantest T3382 VLSI tester that sold new for $2.6M
And.....
1) An Eico VTVM that I built from a kit over 30 years ago
2) Sencore tube tester (what is a tube????)
3) Sencore capacitance/inductance meter
4) Tektronix 576 curve tracer
5) Tektronix 2665 scope
6) B&K high voltage probe
7) B&K CRT tester
8) B&K single channel, triggered sweep, 10MHZ scope (also over 30 years old)
At work, I have an Advantest T3382 VLSI tester that sold new for $2.6M
Last edited by Bob Ayers; May 26, 2004 at 11:00 AM.
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,968
Likes: 3
From: So Cal
My stuff mostly hangs out on my workbench, or my home office bookshelves, and a few at work. I like to clean them up, calibrate and display and sometimes use.
Did I mention I have an old US Navy contract 250volt supply that uses big vacuum tubes, looks like it was shipboard. Also bought a Lambda 400v multipule output supply with tubes that cost me $10 at Sandia base surplus sales. The supply catalog cost was over $400, mine was bought at something like 10 cents a pound and just needed a fuse.
I seem to be drifting into interest in vacuum tubes lately. Maybe I'll make use of some of the tube gear I have in the shop.
I seem to like playing with the old gear. New stuff is wonderful, but playing with old gear reminds me of my old days at tech school and also how things were even before my time. I was at the tail end of tubes and the beginning of ICs. Some of the methods used in old equipment is amazing and antiquated. My oldest Simpson has resistors that are wire wound around thimble sized forms. Guess we are spoiled by carbon film and chip resistors and such.
Think I'll go home and get zapped.
Jim Henderson
Did I mention I have an old US Navy contract 250volt supply that uses big vacuum tubes, looks like it was shipboard. Also bought a Lambda 400v multipule output supply with tubes that cost me $10 at Sandia base surplus sales. The supply catalog cost was over $400, mine was bought at something like 10 cents a pound and just needed a fuse.
I seem to be drifting into interest in vacuum tubes lately. Maybe I'll make use of some of the tube gear I have in the shop.
I seem to like playing with the old gear. New stuff is wonderful, but playing with old gear reminds me of my old days at tech school and also how things were even before my time. I was at the tail end of tubes and the beginning of ICs. Some of the methods used in old equipment is amazing and antiquated. My oldest Simpson has resistors that are wire wound around thimble sized forms. Guess we are spoiled by carbon film and chip resistors and such.
Think I'll go home and get zapped.
Jim Henderson
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Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,417
Likes: 3
From: Durham, NC
Originally Posted by jim henderson
My stuff mostly hangs out on my workbench, or my home office bookshelves, and a few at work. I like to clean them up, calibrate and display and sometimes use.
Did I mention I have an old US Navy contract 250volt supply that uses big vacuum tubes, looks like it was shipboard. Also bought a Lambda 400v multipule output supply with tubes that cost me $10 at Sandia base surplus sales. The supply catalog cost was over $400, mine was bought at something like 10 cents a pound and just needed a fuse.
I seem to be drifting into interest in vacuum tubes lately. Maybe I'll make use of some of the tube gear I have in the shop.
I seem to like playing with the old gear. New stuff is wonderful, but playing with old gear reminds me of my old days at tech school and also how things were even before my time. I was at the tail end of tubes and the beginning of ICs. Some of the methods used in old equipment is amazing and antiquated. My oldest Simpson has resistors that are wire wound around thimble sized forms. Guess we are spoiled by carbon film and chip resistors and such.
Think I'll go home and get zapped.
Jim Henderson
Did I mention I have an old US Navy contract 250volt supply that uses big vacuum tubes, looks like it was shipboard. Also bought a Lambda 400v multipule output supply with tubes that cost me $10 at Sandia base surplus sales. The supply catalog cost was over $400, mine was bought at something like 10 cents a pound and just needed a fuse.
I seem to be drifting into interest in vacuum tubes lately. Maybe I'll make use of some of the tube gear I have in the shop.
I seem to like playing with the old gear. New stuff is wonderful, but playing with old gear reminds me of my old days at tech school and also how things were even before my time. I was at the tail end of tubes and the beginning of ICs. Some of the methods used in old equipment is amazing and antiquated. My oldest Simpson has resistors that are wire wound around thimble sized forms. Guess we are spoiled by carbon film and chip resistors and such.
Think I'll go home and get zapped.
Jim Henderson
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Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,157
Likes: 1
From: Central Kali
I probably have a radio with the All American Five in it. I must have a couple of thousand vacuum tubes. I have a Fluke 3000 volt power supply. Does anyone remember the Fluke differential VTVM? 
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 4,821
Likes: 19
From: South Dakota
I have a DMM that I assembled by my-self from a kit (nothing more than a pile of componets, resistors, diodes, etc) in my high school electronics class.
I dont remember the name of it, but it was the best $50 I ever paid, it has saved me so many times.
I dont remember the name of it, but it was the best $50 I ever paid, it has saved me so many times.
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
Likes: 37
I have a box full of tubes that probably contains a few of those tubes. I also have a few old pieces of test equipment. I think I even have a home built digital VOM with nixie tubes for a display. I may have to drag it out and see if it works. I wish I had been able to keep the old tube tester that was in my father's store. I tested thousands of tubes on that thing. I think he sold it to a radio and TV repairman in town tho. I wish I had been able to get my hands on the old key machine also. I don't know how many old tube radios I burned up when the electrolytic caps went bad. I have tubes of IC's and several cabinets with drawers full of them, TTL, LS, S, and old CMOS and HCMOS parts. I have more computer parts sitting around tho. Someday I need to organize them and figure out what I have.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,236
Likes: 2
From: Vancouver Island
The workhorse is the Fluke 77, still has the original LCD display (fingers crossed). My first meter was Radio Shack 1000 ohm/volt analog, then a Radio Shack 43 range I built from a kit. LED and LCD 3.5 Fluke bench meters (with internal batteries). There's a pocket calculator style Rad Shack DMM around someplace.
Other gear:
Daetron digital capacitance meter (measures into the mF, tests zeners and BJTs, and it was made in Canada). Fluke frequency etc counter. HP200CD oscillator. HP330 distortion analyzer (needs fixing). General Radio 650 impedance bridge. General Radio high-resistance bridge (needs fixing). Meguro spectrum analyzer. Homemade frequency counter (used plans from Elrad magazine). Homemade function generator (eventually to be stuffed into same case as freq counter). Homebuilt IMP/MLS audio analyzer (PC-based instrument). Couple of homemade variable power supplies. Couple of RF signal generators. Telequipment dual-trace scope. Component analyzer (like a Huntron Tracker). Genrad audio power meter. Couple of logic probes and a pulser. High-voltage probe. Shunt (20A?) if I need to measure bigger currents.
Still collecting parts to build the Gameboy DSO (from plans in Elektor). Yep, it's a little cartridge that turns a Gameboy into a digital storage 'scope.
Other gear:
Daetron digital capacitance meter (measures into the mF, tests zeners and BJTs, and it was made in Canada). Fluke frequency etc counter. HP200CD oscillator. HP330 distortion analyzer (needs fixing). General Radio 650 impedance bridge. General Radio high-resistance bridge (needs fixing). Meguro spectrum analyzer. Homemade frequency counter (used plans from Elrad magazine). Homemade function generator (eventually to be stuffed into same case as freq counter). Homebuilt IMP/MLS audio analyzer (PC-based instrument). Couple of homemade variable power supplies. Couple of RF signal generators. Telequipment dual-trace scope. Component analyzer (like a Huntron Tracker). Genrad audio power meter. Couple of logic probes and a pulser. High-voltage probe. Shunt (20A?) if I need to measure bigger currents.
Still collecting parts to build the Gameboy DSO (from plans in Elektor). Yep, it's a little cartridge that turns a Gameboy into a digital storage 'scope.