Here's my list of essentials --
-- Harbor Freight $2.99 DVM (OK to substitute a $299 Fluke 179 DVM) OK to have several
-- MFJ-269 antenna analyzer (OK to substitute an MFJ-259)
-- VTVM -- whatever's working, from the swapfest
-- dual-channel 100 MHz analog 'scope, your choice
-- AADE LC-2 cap/inductance meter
-- RF power meter that's not subject to easy tampering, like a Bird 43
-- el cheapo RF power meter like a CB tester, Realistic 3-meter is my preferred choice
-- signal generator good to your max freq of interest, HP8640B recommended, with 1024 MHz option
-- another signal generator, BA or GR is OK
-- audio signal generator, HB is fine
-- freq counter good to your max freq of interest, at least 6 digits, NOT some cheap piece of junk
-- ESR tester, Chinese junk is OK
-- big isolation transformer and big variac, minimum 5 amp
-- homemade DC load capable of sinking at least 20 amps (a bunch of car headlights works FB) with a current meter
-- RF dummy load, more than one, pwr good to your max HF output and another one good to your max freq
-- probes and test leads as required for all the equipment
-- coaxial interconnects as required for all equipment using coax connectors
-- 30 or 40 dB coaxial tap good to at least 1 GHz
-- big-a$$ DC power supplies at (nominal) 13.8VDC, 28VDC, 48VDC
-- metered variable DC supply, 0 - 35VDC or thereabouts
-- big-@$$ handful of clip leads, more than you can count
One piece I've also found useful is one of Kent Britain's log-periodic microwave PCB antennas on a length of microwave-suitable coax, for use as a signal sniffer.
And ... a shipping scale, so you can weigh your junk before you take it to the post office.
Add to that, I have a couple of spectrum analyzers, but I don't consider those to be essential, just "nice to have."
73
Jim N6OTQ
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