Hello Folks
There are a couple of thing I would recommend. The first and one of the most useful if you are restoring old equipment is an ESR meter. partially failed caps will cause all sorts of strange things to happen and the ESR meter is the best way I have yet found to find them. I also live by the idea that If it's over thirty years old, just go ahead and replace the electrolytic caps. Even if they haven't failed, It's likely they will in the not too distant future. If it's something you plan on keeping it, spend the extra money for long life 105 degree caps.
The other thing I use on my bench all the time is a good wide coverage receiver. I keep an ICOM PCR1000 on the bench. When dealing with a radio the first thing I do is lay a wire across the chassis and hook it up to the PCR. I then scan and I can hear the different IF oscillators. This lets get a feel for the basic lay of the land.
I also keep an old programmable scanner on the bench. Its a dual conversion receiver with IFs of 10.7 MHz and 455 KHZ. the oscillator for the first IF is 10.7 under the frequency of interest. It's pretty stable. If I'm working on a two meter radio, All I need do is program in the frequency 10.7 MHZ over the frequency the radio is set to and Voila! instant test signal. You would be surprised how much signal leaks out.
I don't know that you need a VOM rated for 3KV. They are few and far between. What I think you would serve your purpose would be a high voltage probe set. These typically have a voltage divider built in so you can use them with a regular VOM. Most standard probes aren't rated for anything over 1kv as well.
These are on the cheap and dirty side of things but, that's OK so long as it works.
I hope this helps
Archie N8OBM
--- In Amateur-repairs@yahoogroups.com, "k4tfj" <timothy.f.johnston@...> wrote:
>
> 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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