First, congrats on taking your first step into radio repair! There are some very specific tools that will make complex radio repairs easy.
First, you must have an understanding of what you are working on. Knowledge is often the difference between a fixed and a dead radio. If you don’t know what the problem is, it is hard to fix it.
Start by reviewing the hazards you are working on. Will you be dealing with high voltages? Any voltages? You should be aware of the risks of working on electrical equipment. Vintage equipment will have extra hazards because of the common designs of the era and the high voltages of the vacuum tubes.
OTVARC and any of its club members can not be held responsible for your actions. Only you can ensure your own safety.
The next bit of knowledge you need is electrical knowledge. Are you familiar with the components you will be looking at?
If you are working on a radio, you should get a schematic. Most schematics are found online. They can be found standalone or may be in the user manual. If you are working on vintage receivers (1920’s-1960s), try using the Rider’s Perpetual Troubleshooters Manual here: https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Rider-Manual.htm – Just use the Index to find your radio model.
If you are looking for a schematic for radios and test equipment, try the Boat Anchor Manual Archive – BAMA: https://bama.edebris.com/
The first tool you should have is a digital multimeter. Fluke is the gold standard, but it can be quite spendy. They can be found used for a fair price. There are several other good brands that I won’t list here. Just do your research on them, and make sure they have these features:
A/C Voltage, amps
D/C Voltage, amps
Continuity
Resistance
Rugged case (to prevent breaking from being dropped)
High input impedance (for testing sensitive RF circuits)
CAT II safety rated – CAT III for work with amplifiers
Other nice-to-have features, but not needed
Capacitance
Mini osiliscope display
Temp tester
Large backlit display
Higher resolution is better
The next tool you should have is a soldering station. Most soldering irons will do, but I recommend a pencil style for radio work. A higher-wattage soldering gun may be more helpful for thicker wires. If you plan on working with surface-mount component circuits, you may want to consider SMD tools like a heat rework station and a fine soldering iron tip. You may also want to an inexpensive solder sucker, or some desoldering copper braid.
Features Need to Have
Stand or base to rest when not using
Fire extinguisher – better to have it and never need to use it
Fume hood/Fume extractor
Clamps/holders/helping hands to wires or circuit boards
Heat-resistant tweezers
Heat resistant pliars
Small flush cutters
Flux
Extra wire
Nice to have Features
Adjustable temperature
Changable tips
Higher wattage for soldering coax ends and large wire
Other Necessary Items
Dummy Load
RF watt Meter
Antenna Analyzer
Plastic/ceramic tuning screwdriver
13.8V DC Power supply – Enough wattage to test 100W radios
Optional Items
Osciliscope
RF signal generator + Step attenuators
Variable Power Supply
Audio dummy load (Or high wattage low ohm resistor 4, 8, or 16 ohm)
Frequency Counter
RF Signal Generator
Basic toolbox items (pliers, screwdrivers, wrenches, sockets
Wire strippers
Analog Multi Meter (for RF Measurements)
Signal Tracer
Antenna Analyzer – Good for troubleshooting antennas
Alligator clips, RF jumpers, power cables, other cables, and wires
Tube tester
Audio signal generator