Heathkit Test Equipment: VOM's

Heathkit IM−17 Utility Solid−State Voltmeter - RF Cafe

When preparing this webpage from the 1982 Heathkit Christmas catalog, I decided it was a good excuse to clean and re-calibrate my personal IM−17 Utility Solid−State Voltmeter (left). It is still in good-as-new condition. The accuracy and precision is very good, with consistent meter readings when changing scales. By the time this catalog came out, the IM−17 had been redesignated the IM−5217 and included a transistor and diode testing function (but still no ammeter function). The 8.4 V mercury battery used in the IM−17 was replaced with a 9 V transistor radio battery (two of them, actually), and retained the one C-cell. The $39.95 price in 1982 is the equivalent of $106.39 in 2020 (per the BLS Inflation Calculator). That was a lot of money to spend in the day, especially since my earnings as an electronics technician freshly out of the USAF was around $16k/year. Below are a couple of the voltmeter products available from Heathkit in 1982.

The extremely versatile Heathkit IM-521S VTVM features seven DC voltage, rms and peak-to-peak AC voltage and resistance ranges. Ideal for use with solid-state and digital equipment.

You can measure: 0-1500 volts DC and rms volts AC, 0.4 to 4000 peak-to-peak volts AC and 1 ohm to 100 megohms of resistance. Offers ±3% DC accuracy and ±5% AC accuracy; precision network resistors (with 1% accuracy) for reliable, precise resistance measurements.

Wide 25 Hz 10 1 MHz, ± 1 dB frequency response! Allows you to conduct a wide variety of AC measurements. A large, 4.5" color-coded 200 μA meter movement and scale makes delicate readings a snap.

In addition 10 its practicality, you save by building it yourself the easy Heathkit way! The step-by-step manual shows you how. Uses 120/240 VAC, 50/60 Hz power and one 1.5 VDC "C" cell (not included). Measures 7 3/8" x 4 11/16 W x 4 1/4" D (18.75 x 11.91 x 10.8 cm).

IM-5218 Specifications: Meter Scales: DC and AC (rms) Voltage: 0-1.5, 15, 50, 150, 500, 1500 V full scale. AC (p-p) Voltage: 0.4, 14, 40, 140, 1400, 4000 V full scale. Resistance: 10 ohm center scale x1, x10. x100, x1000, x10k, x1 Meg. Input Resistance: 11 megohms. 1 megohm in probe.

Always ready for service: The IM-5228 is a professional looking, bench-type version of the popular IM-5218 VTVM. In addition to features found on the IM-5218, the IM-5228 also ensures ease of use with all calibration controls centrally located on the front panel. You can measure 0-1500 rms VAC/VDC and 0.1 ohm to 1000 megohms. ±3% DC voltage accuracy, ±5% AC voltage accuracy. Requires one 1.5 VDC "C" cell, not supplied. Operates on 120/240 VAC, 50-60 Hz. Rugged, handsome cabinet measures a compact 5" H x 12 11/16" W x 4 3/4" D (12.7 x 33.23 x 12.07 cm).

Heathkit catalogs can be found at World Radio History and Heathkit Catalogs.

Heathkit manuals can be downloaded for free here.

These are the kits for which I have photos:

Heathkit IM−104 Solid-State Voltmeter

Heathkit HW-5400 SSB HF Transceiver

Heathkit HM−1002 RF Power Meter

My Heathkit IM−17 Multimeter

My Heathkit ET−3100 Design Experimenter

Heathkit GR−48 AM/FM Table Radio Kit

Heathkit DG−140 Two-Station Intercom Kit

Heathkit HD−1481 Remote Coax Switch

Heathkit AR-1250 Stereo Receiver

Heathkit GD−1380 Video Game Pong

Heathkit IG−5257 TV Post-Marker / Sweep Generator

Heathkit SA−2060A Deluxe Antenna Tuner

Heathkit IM−2400 Hand-Held 512 MHz Frequency Counter

Heathkit IM−2420 Benchtop 512 MHz Frequency Counter

Heathkit HW-8 QRP Transceiver

Heathkit HW-9 QRP Transceiver

Heathkit CR−1 AM Crystal Radio Receiver

Heathkit HW−99 Novice CW Transceiver

Heathkit SA−5010 uMatic Morse Code Keyer

Heathkit GD−1114 Intercom Speaker System

PKW-4, Wired Replacement Probe for IM-5218 or IM-5228 VTVMs, Shpg. wt. 1 lb. 14.95

IM-5228 Specifications: DC Voltage: Input Resistance: 11 Megohms (1 Megohm in probe) on all ranges. Circuit: Balanced bridge (push-pull) using twin triodes. AC Voltage: Frequency Response: 25 Hz - 1 MHz, ± dB (800 ohm source, referred to 60 Hz). Input Resistance and Capacitance: 1 megohm shunted by 40 pF, measured at input terminals 1200 pF at probe tip).

Easy-to use: All controls and jacks on the Heathkit IM-4180 are located right on the front panel for easy access. You can select from four deviation modulation ranges just by pressing a pushbutton. Ranges available for use are from 2 to 75 Hz. Lock in UHF FM signals with the convenient coarse and fine tuning controls. Measures peak FM deviation between 25 and 1000 MHz. An 8 ohm jack allows you to connect a speaker or a pair of headphones. Controls are provided to allow you to select the appropriate de-emphasis for audio signals. Easy to read meter. 5" H x 10.31" W x 7.19" D. Requires ten 1.5 VDC "AA" cells (carbon-zinc, alkaline or nickel-cadmium - not included) or the optional IMA-4180-1 Battery Charger-Eliminator below.

Swiveling Telescopic Antenna. Monitor transmitter/generator performance without physical connection to the IM-4180.

Perfect for in-field use by car buffs. campers, boaters, others: Four voltage and resistance ranges make the Heathkit IM-5217 Portable VOM ideal for making all common measurements. It's easy to build and easy to use. Measures 0-500 Volts AC or DC (function switch allows measurement of AC and DC without changing test lead connections) and 1 ohm-1 megohm. High input impedance avoids circuit loading. Wide frequency response for audio measurements. Checking semiconductors is a breeze with a special 1.5 Volt ohmmeter. Requires two 9 VDC cells and one 1.5 VDC "C" cell (not included). Attractive, durable carry-along cabinet measures 5 3/8" H x 9 3/8" W x 9" D (13.67 x 23.83 x 22.86 cm).

• Measures up to 199.9 mF with +0.2"10 basic accuracy, automatically selects proper measuring range $157.95

• Built-in polarized "Kelvin" test sockets for more accurate capacitance measurements

The compact IT-2250 measures capacitance from 0 pF to 199.9 mF. Measuring all types of capacitors (mica, glass, paper, polystyrene, mylar, electrolytic, air-gap, ceramic and others), an auto-ranging feature automatically selects the correct range of measurement from a choice of ten ranges. The capacitance measurement is then shown on its 3 1/2-digit LCD. Four LEOs indicate unit of measurement (pF, nF, μF or mf).

"Kelvin" terminal design permits measurement directly at the capacitor leads to minimize error. And a special zero control allows for the elimination of stray capacitance in the instrument.

For measuring electrolytic and other capacitors with a low operating voltage, the IT-2250 supplies a low test voltage (superimposed on a low bias voltage). A remote cable lets you test capacitors that can't be connected directly.

Another key feature of the IT-2250 is its ability to detect a leaky capacitor. A nomogram is provided so you can translate the readings you obtain, using the two separate leakage switches, into approximate values of shunt or internal capacitor leakage resistance.

Protection from excessive current is provided by clamp diodes and a 1/4 Amp fuse when the IT-2250 is turned on, and by a 2.2 ohm, 2 Watt resistor across the input jacks when the instrument is turned off.

Heathkit Test Equipment - VOM'sChristmas 1982 Catalog

Heathkit Test Equipment - VOM's
Christmas 1982 Catalog