Micronta Analogue Multitesters/Multimeters
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- Опубліковано 5 вер 2024
- Here we delve into the world of the vintage Micronta meters sold by Tandy / Radio Shack. These meters were used and loved by many. I hope to do a followup video if I can get hold of the
Meters reviewed:
22-201 A
22-202 B (+ Archerkit equivalent)
22-203 B
22-204 (B/C)
22-210
22-211
22-212 / 22-7212
22-214 A
22-220 A
22-032 A
22-161 A
270-332 (lead kit)
2x Robin meters
Eagle International
Starco bakelite (faulty)
2x Sanwa bakelite
Meters wanted (any revision):
Micronta: 22-205
Micronta: 22-206
Micronta: 22-207
Micronta: 22-208
Micronta: 22-209
Micronta: 22-213
Micronta: 22-215
Micronta: 22-216
Micronta: 22-217
Micronta: 22-219
Any pre-1974 Micronta meters prior to the catalogue number revision.
Known Micronta meters:
(22 201) 1974 - 1992 (A/B/U) facelift / cat change 1993, 22 221
(22 202) 1974 - 1983 (A/B/U)
(22 203) 1974 - 1985 (A/B/C) formerly 22 260 1972 - 1974
(22 204) 1974 - 1986 (A/B/C)
(22 205) 1974 - 1975
(22 206) 1975 - 1977
(22 207) 1976 - 1979 (A)
(22 208) 1978 - 1979
(22 209) 1980 - 1981
(22 210) 1983 - 1987
(22 211) 1984 - 1998 (A)
(22 212) 1985 - 1993 facelift 1994 - 1996 / cat change 1997, 22 218
(22 213) 1993 - 1994
(22 214) 1988 - 1994 (A)
(22 215) 1995 - 1999
(22 216) 1995 - 1998
(22 217)
(22 218) 1997 - 1999 originally 22 212
(22 219)
(22 220) 1988 - 1994 (A)
(22 221) 1993 - 1999 originally 22 201
If you would like to contact, or support me in any way, a direct contact link can be found via my music website (feel free to buy some tunes while you're there too). My channel is not monetised, and all the items reviewed were bought individually from ebay out of my own funds.
lekproductions...
I miss the old Radio Scrap/Tandy battery of the month club. Never used to run out of batteries...
Nice collection and thanks for the trip down memory lane . In the mid 90s Radio shack closed down their warehouse in BARRIE Ontario they had a get rid of everything sale I filled the back of my Pathfinder with replacement parts and equipment for next to nothing . what a great day .
I have a Model 22-260, which you mention is the same as a 22-203, a 30,000 ohm/volt meter. The 260 is a Range Doubler with 46 ranges and 50K-25K VDC. A look back through the Radio Shack catalogs 1972 Version 2 and 1973 shows this model. The price went up from 24.95 to 27.95 in a year. The 1974 catalog has no 22-260, but Model 22-204 appears with similar specs and a slightly different dial/switch layout. What may be most interesting is the internals of the 22-260 are different than the meters you demonstrate. A robust switch assembly has rather crudely soldered, exposed internal diodes and resistors and no actual printed circuit board. It also lacks a 9V battery. Unfortunately, mine gave out in just the past year and no longer works properly - the (slow, large) meter pegs to the side opposite zero ohms when it's switched on. I plan to put in at least $25.00 of my time trying to fix it before I buy a Sanwa. Thanks for your video and good luck with your hobby.
That's really interesting info, thank you for sharing. I really need to get some of those eralier meters, they seem so rare in the UK though.
Don't see the Holy Grail of analog Microntas, 22-216 autoranging FET VOM. Almost all another models are in your collection. Splendid!
I searched ebay for about 2 years, finally gave up and released the video with all I could gather. If I can get hold of this and a few others missing from the collection, I'll make a part 2
The "output" was typically used to provide DC Isolation with tube circuits. It was the output of the vacumn tube connect via the "output" jack to provide AC coupling and DC blocking. Read on the AC scales.
A sweeping needle is much more elegant than a digital display.
The "OUTPUT" jack on the first meter (22-201A) is actually an input. There's a DC blocking capacitor in place (rated 600V). This is for measuring AC voltages in the presence of a DC bias. Black lead to COM, Red lead to OUTPUT, Range switch to an ACV position.
I still have this meter. As a young lad, I bought it for my Dad on his birthday. Long ago, in turn I inherited it from him. Analog meters are still handy.
Interesting that it got labelled "OUTPUT", definitely a handy feature though. I totally agree; analogues are very useful for visual feedback where accuracy isn't essential.
Thanks for the Memories! My First VOM also was a Micronta. With my Dad being a chiropractor, and my Mom a teacher, well it was the meter that I could afford. Very vaguely, I think it was about nine dollars US, to compare, Matchbox cars were fifty five cents, but i was getting tired of those by then in my life. The REMCO crystal radio and the Radio Shack meter changed EVERYTHING in my life! Much like the ad for St. Pauli Girl Beer ("You never forget your first girl.") That you never forget your first meter is ALSO a fact. And? When you are young and you use that meter for the first time, you think that you have "discovered" Ohm's Law! 😂 I'm not going further with the analogy...😂 But it makes the Maths TRUTH in your mind's eye, and thats IMPORTANT for students. Now sixty three years old, I have an electronics lab accumulated over a lifetime, and the specifications for DVM's, VNA's, Tiny SA's, and Oscilloscopes, both bench and handheld have entry level specifications at such small prices adjusting for inflation that we dreamed not of... All the Best! 73 DE W8LV BILL
I've heard of catalog numbers changing because of suppliers changing
My first multimeter was a Micronta 22-208, and I still have it. FET input, and very accurate yet. It’s in great shape, with the original box, leads, and manual. I bought it in 1977 or 1978. I have had several digital meters and a Simpson 260 over the years since then, but I keep coming back to the Shack when I occasionally need an analog meter.
Definitely keep hold of it, they seem to be quite hard to find. I was searching for one for a couple of years to include in this video, none anywhere. If I ever manage to find the missing meters from this video, I'll do a part two.
In addition to needle length, the speed of the movement is also related to its sensitivity. You'll note that the meters that you found were "impressively" fast were 2kΩ/V whereas the slow meters were 10kΩ/V or higher. A needle can move faster if you can put more current through the coil.
I have a 22-216 just like new, I do not have the manual for it. Do you if there is anywhere that I can download the manual?
I have a 22-152 in a roll-top box, with leads. Ever see one of these boxes?
I see now that the roll top box is from Simpson. But, it has the Micronta VOM inside.
If anyone is interested in purchasing, let me know.
by far worst accuracy, useless, static electricity affects reading... light year behind hioki, gossen metrawatt, simpson, triplett..
I totally agree, but these budget meters hold fond memories for many, myself included.
You're comparing very inexpensive hobby grade instruments against top of the line professional gear, a completely irrelevant comparison. A set of test leads for one of those meters probably cost more than some of these VOM's. My first meter was the tiny $7.95, 1kΩ/V meter, the absolute cheapest one they offered. It was perfectly fine for a budding electronics enthusiast. Back in the 70's there was still a lot of tube gear floating around. I started trying to fix radios at first then progressed into TV's. Nowadays, according to the internet I was suicidal using this cheap meter to measure 600V B+ lines, was never any issue with it (I wasn't an idiot, I always double checked which jacks my leads were plugged into). Even the crap accuracy was perfectly acceptable for service work. Even today folks think you should invest in high end HP's (always HP to me - F the Keysight rebranding), or Keithley's, the ultimate goal an HP 3458A just to play around with basic electronics. Realistically, very, very few folks need anything more than a basic 4-1/2 digit multimeter.
I love Microntas, I have one 22-208 and one 22-220a both are fet input multimeters.
My every day multimeter is a Fluke 87V.