#60: Two budget multimeters from the 1970s and 1980s

[@peterscott2662]

My Dad bought me that meter in the 1980's, and I have been using it ever since. Still does most of what I need.

[@GEORGE-jf2vz]

I had one of those radio shack meters back in 1983. a good meter at the time. Auto-ranging was new then.

[@robbo6460]

Any chance you uploaded the manual anywhere or can send me a clear picture of the schematic diagram of the RCA. It's as close to my Shop Special as I can find. Thank you.

[@robbyxp1]

Lovely video and well presented as always. Thanks. That RCA sure looks like the Tandy/RS one I bought about 1976, its slightly different but I wonder if they had a common ancestry and manufacturing.

[@ianbutler1983]

We all seem to like fancy gear, but those 2 meters would probably do all a person of my ability would ever need today. Thanks for the video.

[@WorldPowerLabs]

I bought one of the Micronta meters new in 1991. I still use it to this day. It's no longer my only meter, but I grab it almost as often as I do my Fluke.

[@alfredneumann4692]

Addon to the RCA-Meter: These meters are for horicontal use, nor vertical use.

[@jameslucas6589]

I was just going to recommend his video; I would honestly be scared to death to try balance the needle, unless I was a 20year old woman with very delicate fine fingers and I am surely not. Rather right or wrong, I have always felt Radio was the K-Mart of electronics. Poor management and not providing high quality products (ever) gave way to bankruptcy. Sears paved the way for junk. RCA, well what can you say, you can't fix stupid. Your penchant for meters and mine are similar. I love the RCA WV-98A, 87-A, for the point to point wiring. More over the Hickok 209A is awesome with it big huge meter. My all time favorite VTVM is assuredly the HP410c. Modern DMM is the Aligent OLED U-1253B. It's an outstanding meter. I wish though I had a bench meter as you; Keatley 2000 would do nicely. Thanks for the videos. Do some VTVM repairs. They are often too simple.by others. A really difficult child like a WV-98A or C would be awesome.

[@radiophysicsandelectronics6923]

Thanks for your comments! I do not disagree with you about RadioShack, and yet it represented a mode of entry into electronics as an interest, hobby, and career. Also agree about voltmeters. Thank you for the suggestion of a VTVM repair. Suggestions for future videos are helpful.

[@wolfgangrichter6088]

Having a specified position to be used and changing its zero point if it is not used as it is meant to be is usual for meters with D'Arsonal movements. I don't know even a single accurate one that would not prescribe its usage position. This is not a feature of cheap meters only. The most accurate analog meter I own has an accuracy of 0.1% and it has to be used horizontally. It even has to be oriented pointing northwards, otherwise the magnetic field of the earth would spoil its accuracy.

[@robertcalkjr.8325]

Interesting. I love my BK-Precision 114A VOM, but anytime I need to measure mains I only trust my Fluke.

[@migsvensurfing6310]

Electricity was apparently not as dangerous back then 😁