Every ham should have a multimeter and know how to use it. Multimeter use is a practical skill not only for ham radio but also around the house for general power and wiring work. I'm upgrading my test bench and considering whether to invest in a quality DMM or stick with my old analog VOM.

Two basic types of multimeters are used in amateur radio work: Analog and digital. Old-school analog meters feature a needle which moves over a reference scale and require visual interpretation of the value. These work well for a few applications such as when the signal being monitored is changing, as the moving needle highlights the change.

For general troubleshooting of modern solid-state rigs, what are the advantages of each type? You can trace many station problems to those signals and settings, often without using any test equipment more sophisticated than a voltmeter.

For modern rigs, digital is usually better for precision measurements and has better input impedance. However, I keep both - the analog is excellent for peaking adjustments and watching voltage fluctuations during keying. There are a few safety considerations to note when using a multimeter - the leads should be rated for at least the voltage being measured.

I prefer my Fluke 77 DMM for most work, but there's something to be said for analog meters when troubleshooting RF issues. Most consumer grade digital multi-meters (DMMs) can only measure up to 500 volts then display an error, or stop working altogether. If you work on tube gear, consider a VTVM too.

Common scenarios are testing batteries, locating blown fuses, verifying DC and AC power supply voltages, and checking cables for undesired opens or shorts. For kit or DIY circuit builds it is also useful to verify resistor values and test active circuit voltages. A decent auto-ranging DMM covers 95% of what you need as a newcomer.