I guess I need a new multimeter.

Get a Fluke.

Get a Fluke.

That may be the way I go. I went to Radioshack's site (I haven't been there for at least a year or more) and I don't know what's up with them anymore.  I found a Fluke on 'Zon for $129 that will do anything I need done.

Can't go wrong with Fluke. Mine are flawless, decades old.

I have been through several cheapo meters and when this last on got flaky after only a couple of years, I broke down and bought the Fluke. Bite the bullet. 

I’ve been using a Beckman for 40 + years. A used one can be had on EBAY for less than 50 bucks!

You could also have bad leads, by the way. 

I like Fluke but goodness they are expensive. Often on 20% off at Amazon during holidays. 

check  local pawn shops you may find a use fluke in there for cheep. also military auctions etc. 

You could also have bad leads, by the way. 

Thanks, @erik_squires  , I got to thinking about the "bias jack/plug leads" but not about the meter leads.  That actually sounds more likely than the meter intermittently not working on only DC mA doesn't it.   I know I have some spare meter leads some place, but I bet you are referring to the bias jack leads . . . and as I think about it, I am thinking that seems more likely.  The actual part of the bias plug/jack that inserts into the amp omhs out good with that same meter.

. . . what I had been thinking was that when turned to mA it automatically defaults to DC mA and maybe when I use the mode button to switch to DC mA that, although it says it is in DC, it is not always actually switching to DC?