Heathkit Model IM-4180 FM Deviation Meter




I have a Heathkit Model IM-4180 FM Deviation Meter. This instrument was sold by Heathkit in the 1970's and will run on internal rechargeable batteries or an external power supply. The instrument will receive FM signals from 25 to 1,000 MHz using an internal harmonic mixer. The tuner has 6 scales for reading the receive frequency. The scales for the most part are calibrated for the fundamental and 2nd harmonic of the oscillator, but I discovered the 3rd harmonic is sometimes more sensitivive especially for the FM broadcast band. However, the scale is not calibrated for the 3rd harmonic to receive FM broadcast. The receiver is reasonably sensitive.

There are four pushbuttons for setting the deviation range of the meter that range from 2 to 75 kHz that shouold be suitable for measuring deviation of most any transmitter, including FM broadcast. There are two de-emphasis pushbuttons - 750 and 75 us.

The instrument also includes an FM detector and audio amplifier with a variable audio gain control and sufficient power to drive a speaker with good volume and tone. There is also an oscilloscope output for looking at the audio.

When I purchased my instrument at a hamfest (amateur radio convention), the power supply was missing. I purchased a "wall wart", attached a proper miniature plug, and it works fine with the external power supply. The instrument with my power supply is shown below.



The battery holder for the internal batteries is inside, but part of the holer contact portion of the holder had broken. I secured it so it would not short out. The unit works fine. Below is a picture of the rear of the instrument.