I think a decent scope is vital. Go through the handbooks for the stuff you think you will be working on and see what sort of measurements are required. That will tell you what instruments you will need. I can suggest some I think are helpful but most of my stuff is very old. I do think a good analog VOM like a Triplet 630 is extremely useful. I also have a Hewlett-Packard 410-B. This is useful because of its extremely high input resistance. The 410-C and -hp- 412 also have very high input resistance. This is useful for looking at AVC and similar circuits. There are many older signal generators but one of the best is the -hp-606-B The A version is also good but the B has an added buffer stage which reduces incidental FM quite a lot. Both generators can be modulated to 100% with low distortion and have well calibrated output levels. A lot of old -hp- and General Radio gear has the same advantage as boatanchor radios, that is, they are pretty easy to repair and bring back to new performance. Depending on what you want to do there are other older instruments that can be useful although they may seem exotic, for instance the Boonton or -hp- 260 Q-Meter. This will make measurements that nothing else will. Avoid the older 160 meter.
A decent spectrum analyzer is also quite useful but even the older -hp- analyzers are quite expensive.
-----Original Message-----
>From: k4tfj <timothy.f.johnston@gmail.com>
>Sent: Aug 28, 2013 9:01 AM
>To: Amateur-repairs@yahoogroups.com
>Subject: [Amateur-repairs] In search of the basic test equipment for workbench.
>
>I haven't had a functioning workbench in 20+ years.
>But now, with an empty nest and rooms available, the bench will be born soon, but as with all newborns, it will be naked, with the exception of a couple DMM's and a MFJ-259B antenna analyzer.
>
>The DMM's are fairly basic, but one has frequency measurement to 10MHz and a capacitance function. The 259B has a frequency counter function as well as inductance, capacitance and the ability to generate un-modulated RF signals. I also have a DSI 5600A counter waiting to be repaired (just a bad 7805, I think). That being the current state of my test equipment.
>
>My intent is to be able to perform basic alignments and testing of my current radio gear, and a little experimentation and restorations. Rigs/radios include Conar 400/500, Kenwood TS-520s, Alinco DX-70T, assorted VHF mobiles and handhelds. Up for restoration currently is a Zenith 11S474 Receiver and a Hammurland SP-600-11 Receiver.
>
>Budget is $200-$300 a month, to locate and purchase affordable test equipment.
>
>My first instinctive thought is "I need an O'scope!!" and a VOM/VTVM capable of 3kvdc+.
>Any comments and recommendations on these?
>
>What other gear would you recommend and in what priority?
>
>
>TJ, K4TFJ
>
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