The first measurement tool I ever used is fittingly the DMM, the workhorse of Electrical Engineering. I got it when I was about 13 or 14 and have used it ever since. It’s gotten me through my BSEE, MSEE, and is still the keystone of my home lab.

It was actually part of a toolkit I received as a gift along with a soldering iron and a few DIY electronic kits (like a wireless microphone playable on our home stereo system). The kits had all the parts and instructions, the soldering iron let me put them together, and the DMM was the linchpin that let me get them working by finding my many mistakes. Though I first received it two decades ago, it’s still going strong (with a few 9V battery replacements).

After its initial use of finding all the bad solder joints on my first electronics kits, the DMM settled in as a security blanket during my Bachelors degree. Most of the projects I worked on at that time were group projects done in the electronics lab. But then it came roaring back into my life as a prized possession when my company paid for me to go back to school for my Masters degree. They paid tuition but didn’t give time off so it was a struggle to find time to go to campus. My home became my lab and my trusty DMM was right there waiting for me!

Due to life events, I took the maximum amount of time I was allowed to complete the graduate degree (7 years!). The last year was a mad dash to complete the Thesis project without overshooting the allowed timetable. I was burning the candle at both ends, working my job all day and the project all night. Thankfully, my co-workers were understanding and cut me some slack during this trying time. Also thankfully, I still had my soldering iron and DMM from so long ago, so I was able to work nights/mornings/weekends without making the commute to the campus and lab there. Without that benefit, I never would have finished the project, or my degree.

Working on that project at home had the benefit of showing me what I’m capable of with a home lab. If I could do University quality research then, I can still do it now! Currently, I’m in the process of fleshing out my bench with more standard equipment that I need. The next two main items I’m looking at are an adjustable power supply and O-scope.

Sadly, the soldering iron gave up the smoke two days before I finished. I had to go on a Sears run 10 minutes before they closed on a Sunday to replace it and continue working. The steadfast DMM stayed with me throughout though! It still sits on my desk in pride of place as I continue to slowly build up my bench.

The first measurement tool I ever used is fittingly the DMM, the workhorse of Electrical Engineering. I got it when I was about 13 or 14 and have used it ever since. It’s gotten me through my BSEE, MSEE, and is still the keystone of my home lab.

It was actually part of a toolkit I received as a gift along with a soldering iron and a few DIY electronic kits (like a wireless microphone playable on our home stereo system). The kits had all the parts and instructions, the soldering iron let me put them together, and the DMM was the linchpin that let me get them working by finding my many mistakes. Though I first received it two decades ago, it’s still going strong (with a few 9V battery replacements).

After its initial use of finding all the bad solder joints on my first electronics kits, the DMM settled in as a security blanket during my Bachelors degree. Most of the projects I worked on at that time were group projects done in the electronics lab. But then it came roaring back into my life as a prized possession when my company paid for me to go back to school for my Masters degree. They paid tuition but didn’t give time off so it was a struggle to find time to go to campus. My home became my lab and my trusty DMM was right there waiting for me!

Due to life events, I took the maximum amount of time I was allowed to complete the graduate degree (7 years!). The last year was a mad dash to complete the Thesis project without overshooting the allowed timetable. I was burning the candle at both ends, working my job all day and the project all night. Thankfully, my co-workers were understanding and cut me some slack during this trying time. Also thankfully, I still had my soldering iron and DMM from so long ago, so I was able to work nights/mornings/weekends without making the commute to the campus and lab there. Without that benefit, I never would have finished the project, or my degree.

Working on that project at home had the benefit of showing me what I’m capable of with a home lab. If I could do University quality research then, I can still do it now! Currently, I’m in the process of fleshing out my bench with more standard equipment that I need. The next two main items I’m looking at are an adjustable power supply and O-scope.

Sadly, the soldering iron gave up the smoke two days before I finished. I had to go on a Sears run 10 minutes before they closed on a Sunday to replace it and continue working. The steadfast DMM stayed with me throughout though! It still sits on my desk in pride of place as I continue to slowly build up my bench.