Multimeter

Overview

A digital multimeter measures voltage, current and resistance, and most include a continuity beeper that makes cable and connector checking quick. It is the instrument you reach for before anything else, because a surprising number of station faults are simply a bad connection or a supply that is not delivering what it should.

A true-RMS meter is worth the extra cost when measuring AC, because it reads distorted waveforms correctly where an averaging meter does not. A category rating matters too: CAT III or better for anything connected to mains, because the rating describes the meter's ability to survive a transient without exploding in your hand.

Bands and modes

Band coverage

Modes

Safety note

Using it well

• Check the supply voltage at the radio terminals while transmitting, not just at rest.
• Use the continuity beeper to verify every connector after assembly.
• Measure resistance only on circuits that are powered down and discharged.
• Keep a spare fuse for the current ranges — they blow for a reason.