0312 antenna analyzers
Contents
1. Requires 3 6 V lithium batteries type 14500 Yes Yes No 8 Yes Yes Yes 2 Yes No No cee UHF N No Yes N No No Yes UHF Yes 100 Yes BNC No No March 2012 1 The steady output level makes it a natural for use as an accurate signal generator for receiver alignment The addition of a cali brated step attenuator would result in a test instrument that could be used for sensitivity measurement When testing the receiver portion of a transceiver be sure to disable the transmitter to heed Comet s warning about applying RF power to the unit While we didn t test this analyzer as a dummy load I can almost guarantee it won t make it The impedance meter can also be used to measure the reactance of a capacitor or inductor as long as you know which it is Change the frequency until you have the meter in an easy to read region and you will know the reactance at that frequency Use the appropriate reactance formula and you will know the value of the capacitor or inductor Documentation The CAA 500 comes with a clearly written four page Instruction Manual that includes specifications identification of each connec tor and control and a short discussion of how to use it There are also some frequently asked questions FAQ that may be helpful While not a lot of information is provided the operation of the analyzer will be intuitive to most amateurs who knew they wanted to buy one Manufacturer NCG Companies 15036 Si2. 0 44 mW 3 5 dBm to 50 Q at 144 MHz 0 59 mW 2 3 dBm to 50 Q at 440 MHz 165 mA at 13 8 V dc external power 167 mA at 9 V de internal batteries MFJ 266 Antenna Analyzer Frequency range 1 5 71 85 185 300 490 MHz SWR measurable range 1 0 9 9 1 Impedance range Not specified Impedance accuracy Not specified Output power 1 6 mW 2 dBm load not specified Power requirements 10 8 13 V dc maximum current not specified Size HWD 6 8 x 4 x 3 2 inches including protrusions weight 1 3 Ib 1 52 71 7 85 185 248 530 MHz As specified 5 200 Q See Table 2 2 3 mW 3 6 dBm into 50 Q at 14 MHz 1 6 mW 2 0 dBm into 50 Q at 144 MHz 0 8 mW 0 7 dBm into 50 Q at 440 MHz Analyzer mode backlight on 152 mA backlight off 126 mA field strength mode backlight off 41 mA all at 12 V dc 2 March 2012 control layout Features include the capabil ity to measure not only SWR but also the magnitude of impedance as well as the rectangular resistive and reactive values The two line LCD simultaneously displays the frequency tuning band complex impedance magnitude of impedance and SWR no need to change settings it s all there Note that while a plus sign is shown with the reactive component they describe it as a place holder You will need to determine the actual sign by other means such as changing the frequency slightly and noting the direction of reactan
3. not a lot bigger than a pack of cigarettes if I remember them correctly It is also the least expensive of this group although it does require an optional battery pack to be self contained It measures SWR and magnitude of impedance from 1 to 60 MHz showing the numerical result of each at the chosen center frequency along with a display of the swept frequency results all on a small but readable color display screen The FG O1 is very easy to operate There is a single knob that by default sets the center FG 01 160mhz Antenna Analprer cert Kits 6 March 2012 Bottom Line This unit shares the measurement capabilities of the Comet but has a digital rather than analog display and adds the handy sweep function The frequency stability and accuracy are notable It is easy to operate easy to carry compact and does what it does quite nicely frequency of the analysis this is also the frequency to which the numerical data applies The tuning is over a single continu ous band with the tuning step size set from 1 MHz to 1 kHz in four steps The steps are selected by pushing the knob for 1 second The digit that will be changed flashes and the digit can be changed by turning the knob while holding it in Once the step size is selected the tuning will be at that step size until you change it After it is set up the way you want it pushing down the knob for 1 second will save your settings for the next time
4. 509 3 5 MHz 50 Q 50 j0 Q 49 8 j0 2Q0 480 50 j0 Q 1 1 SWR 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 1 14 MHz 509 50 j0 Q 49 8 1 19 480 50 j0 Q 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 1 28 MHz 50 Q 50 0 0 Q 49 84 2 2 Q 48 Q 50 j0 Q 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 1 50 MHz 509 49 j0 Q 49 7 j40Q2 480 50 j0 Q 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 4 1 1 0 1 144MHz 500 49 j0 Q 50 j0 Q 1 0 1 1 0 1 223MHz 480 50 j0 Q leleh 440 MHz 500 50 j0 Q 1 1 1 dei 5Q 3 5MHz 44 3 Q 5 04042 40 5 1 j0 0 Q 10 1 SWR gt 9 9 1 9 9 1 8 5 1 14 MHz 2 j4 Q 5 14 1 7 Q 40 5 1 j0 2 Q gt 9 9 1 9 9 1 8 5 1 28 MHz 34 4 Q 5 14 3 4 Q 60 5 1 j0 4 Q gt 9 9 1 9 8 1 8 7 1 50 MHz 6 j0 Q 5 14 5 8 Q 119 SAFO O T 9 7 1 8 2 1 144MHz 34 9 Q 5 2 j1 9 Q gt 9 9 1 440 MHz gt 9 9 1 259 3 5 MHz 250 25 j0 Q 25 14 j 0 1Q 230 25 1 j0 Q 2 1 SWR 1 8 1 2 0 1 2 0 1 1 9 1 14 MHz 25 Q 234 12 Q 25 14 0 7Q 240 25 1 0 2 Q 1 8 1 2225 2 0 1 1 9 1 28MHz 26 244 100 25 24 13Q 240 25 1 j0 4 Q 1 8 1 2 1 1 2 0 1 2 0 1 50 MHz 260 26 j0 Q 25 24 2 40Q 250 25 14 0 7 Q 1 8 1 1 8 1 2 0 1 1 9 1 144MHz 240 264100 25 2 j2 0 Q 1 7 1 2 0 1 223MHz 320 E51 440 MHz 400 1 9 1 Gleb 100 Q 3 5 MHz 1100 g5 F190 99 6 j1 7 Q 98 Q 100 j0 2 Q 2 1 SWR 1 9 1 2 0 1 2 0 1 2 0 1 14 MHz 1109 90 339 99 04 8 8Q2 980 100 j0 9 Q 1 9 1 2 1 1 2 0 1 2 0 1 28 MHz
5. Mult a 414450 kHz H200kH HE 28 300kHz HZ FO200kHz W T 10 000 kHz Figure 6 Multi frequency SWR plot with relative bar graph display The five frequencies can be anywhere within the meter s range very handy for adjusting multiband antennas especially if they interact The major functions are similar to the AA 54 s all manner of impedance related data can be displayed SWR Z and R jX with sign of X see Figure 7 The frequency limits can be set from the PC to display any portion of the range up to 54 MHz wide By moving the curser with the mouse all the details can be shown at any selected frequency A rather dramatic departure from the typical antenna analyzer is a time domain reflec March 2012 5 eee ee ee CFF Sako ow Figure 7 Antennascope view of the SWR of an antenna over the entire range Note that European amateur bands are highlighted Another view provides R Z and X The range can be reduced for more detail over a band for example Smith chart views are also provided tometer TDR function This sends a pulse down the line and graphically displays the reflected pulse from any discontinuity along the line The discontinuity could be an antenna at the end of the line but of even more interest are any discontinuities between the source and the antenna likely indicating a cable fault While the default display goes out to a distance of 900 meters probably
6. more useful for a telephone company than the typical amateur operator it can be reduced to show closer indications as shown in Figure 8 In this view it has been changed to use US metrics This feature is something usually found in much more expensive instruments and has the potential to be a great diagnostic tool waveform Documentation The AA S4 is provided with a 22 page User s Manual also available on their website if you want to look it over before you buy The manual does a good job of describing the basic functions of the device In addition the last eight pages are devoted to using the AA 54 in various applications This section starts with antennas but moves Youkits FG 01 SWR Impedance Analyzer Frequency range 1 60 MHz As specified SWR measurable range Not specified 1 0 9 0 1 Impedance range Not specified 5 350 Q Impedance accuracy Not specified See Table 2 Output power 32 mW max 15 dBm Power requirements 400 mA at 10 12 8 V dc through measuring characteristics of cables lumped inductors and capacitors and trans formers Use as an RF signal generator is also described with some cautions as to The AA 54 also comes with an 11 page Software Manual that describes how to load and run the programs discussed previously While LCD2Clip is very simple to use AntScope offers many features and adjust ments I had no trouble installing running or using the supplied software a much smoother
7. 10 MHz we found the frequency accuracy to be within 800 Hz of the displayed frequency quite appropriate for its 1 kHz resolution expand ing to be within 6 5 kHz at 54 MHz It also stayed on frequency exhibiting virtually no drift throughout our testing The total output level was 12 3 dBm 0 1 dBm over the entire operation range although there was March 2012 3 high harmonic and spurious content in the output The measured output level of just the desired signal ranged from 12 3 dBm at 100 kHz to 11 5 dBm at 10 MHz From 15 to 30 MHz it ranges from 1 5 to 2 5 dBm while from 35 to 54 MHz it is in the 2 0 to 2 5 dBm range This did not seem to cause any problems with impedance measure ments perhaps due to internal processing but could make for confusion if the AA 54 is used as a signal generator Operator interaction is provided through a custom key pad and monochrome LCD screen A single UHF connector on the top goes to the test sample and a socket for a USB cable is provided for connection to a PC if desired For most functions the PC is not necessary Note that the AA 54 is pow ered via the USB port when connected The AA 54 is menu driven see Figure 1 and can provide bar type graphs or numeri cal SWR or Z data at one or more frequen cies It can also provide swept frequency data In operation I found the bar graphs best for making adjustments since the display updates rapidly while the swept dat
8. experience than during the AA 200 review thanks RigExpert Manufacturer Rig Expert Ukraine Ltd www rigexpert com Available from Array Solutions 2611 North Beltline Rd Suite 109 Sunnyvale TX 75182 tel 214 954 7140 www arraysolutions com or Rig Expert Canada www rigexpert net CHARGE anit 36 mW 15 5 dBm into 50 Q at 14 MHz 23 mW 13 6 dBm into 50 Q at 50 MHz 398 mA at 12 8 V dc external power 379 mA at 12 4 V dc internal batteries Size HWD 4 4 x 2 3 x 2 2 inches including protrusions weight 13 5 oz with internal battery pa mh p a err bA ake E sef Esa j MEL Figure 8 Antennascope in time domain reflectometer TDR mode The TDR provides a radar like view of cable discontinuities along the line Here you see the 280 foot run of 0 82 relative velocity coax to the W1ZR 80 meter ground plane antenna The early blips are the pulse partially reflecting from the impedance bumps going through my bypassed linear amplifier and antenna tuner At almost three divisions about 80 feet out the pulse encounters my dc grounded lightning arrestor at the entrance panel and then 200 feet of coax to the antenna The details are shown by mousing the cursor to the discontinuity Had there been a break short or other cable problem this would show you exactly where it was YOUKITS FG 01 ANTENNA ANALYZER The Youkits FG 01 analyzer is the most compact of the bunch
9. or COUNTER as indicated in the table next to the buttons While the VHF 85 185 MHz in their definition and UHF 300 490 MHz ranges are tuned in one band each the HF range 1 5 65 MHz is covered in six bands selected by the UP and DOWN buttons identified as BAND MODE SELECT in the unit s center Once you select the range you tune the frequency using the TUNE knob The TUNE knob is part of a 10 turn assembly that permits fine adjustment but it is tricky to set the exact frequency you want especially on the higher bands Interestingly on the HF bands turning the knob clockwise decreases the frequency while on the VHF and UHF bands it works the other way Note that all US amateur bands from 160 meters to 70 cm are covered except 222 MHz Even though the specifications and band switch allowed for a gap from 65 to 85 MHz our unit covered up to 72 MHz nicely extending through the UK 4 meter band 70 70 5 MHz Power Requirements A somewhat surprising external power requirement is worth noting The manual states that the external dc supply plugged into a front panel coaxial jack needs to be between 10 8 and 12 5 V and offers a warn ing that it can t be higher than 13 V without load Since most amateur station de power supplies deliver 13 8 V or more this may be a problem for some applications unless special care is taken The manual also notes that the usual rechargeable 1 2 V NiCd cells will not provide enough volt
10. x 3 8 x 1 5 inches including protrusions weight 14 oz with batteries 1 5 54 MHz usable range As specified As specified See Table 2 17 mW 12 3 dBm see text 50 1 5 54 MHz Measurement mode 244 mA backlight on 169 mA backlight off standby 60 mA backlight off all at 3 V de Bottom Line The AA 54 is a very competent accu rate and easy to use analyzer providing single or multi frequency pointed or plotted SWR and impedance data on a useful LCD display In the shack or lab it can also provide more advanced features while connected to a PC using the supplied software the RigExpert website www rigexpert com While the AA 200 included a padded case and rechargeable batteries the AA 54 is supplied with neither part of the reduced price The first difference you would encounter between using the AA 54 and the other units in this review is that instead of a tuning knob to select frequency there is a keypad This is a mixed blessing it takes a bit longer to fine tune frequencies but the frequency you get is the one you actually want and it stays put until you change it In addition if you re not sure exactly what frequency you want to check you can perform a sweep function to look at the SWR or impedance over a wide range of frequencies and then zero in on the frequency that needs the most attention On the Bench Our AA 54 showed remarkable frequency accuracy and setability At
11. you power it up I found the color display easy to see with one exception It was sometimes difficult for me to decide which of the two plots was which since the colors don t seem that far apart Fortunately the manufacturer seems to have anticipated this If you hold the TUNING knob in while you switch the unit on it will just plot the SWR the most useful information for most applications The impedance is still shown in the numerical data portion of the display The other aspects of the display are easy to use It simultaneously displays the center frequency sweep width SWR impedance magnitude no information on the complex impedance as with the Comet and battery voltage The battery display turns red if the voltage drops below 9 5 V and the SWR changes to red for an SWR of greater than 3 1 On the Bench The detailed lab measurements reflect a very competent instrument In addition it was noted that the frequency stayed unchanged once set Of course many of the others were quite stable over the frequency range of the FG 01 as well The spectral purity was the best we saw Antenna Analyzers If you own a tablet or smartphone with the appropriate application scan this QR Code to see a video overview of the Elecraft KPA500 amplifier You can also watch this video on your computer by going http youtu be iHEHqRazv g Documentation The unit is supplied with a five page instruc tion pamphlet that covers the basic o
12. 1 4 0 1 50 MHz 2100 132 100 Q 164 2 j83 40 1950 199 16 Q 3 7 1 4 3 1 4 2 1 4 0 1 144 MHz 1750 72 939 189 j45 Q 4 1 1 4 3 1 223 MHz 1250 4 8 1 440 MHz 170 Q 4 1 1 3 8 1 1000 Q 3 5 MHz 883 184 Q 998 33 Q 20 1 SWR 18 7 1 14 MHz 505 j471 Q 981 j127 Q 18 6 1 28 MHz 202 j471 Q 935 j230 Q 50 MHz 53 270 Q 825 373 Q 50 60 Q 3 5 MHz 709 34 390 49 0 4610 830 50 47 Q 2 62 1 SWR 2 5 1 2 6 1 25 2 5 1 14 MHz 75 Q 33 610 45 5 150 890 48 62 Q 2 8 1 3 5 1 2 8 1 2 7 1 28 MHz 70 36 450 458 4690 780 51 48 Q 2 5 1 2 8 1 2 6 1 2 4 1 50 j509 3 5 MHz 80 9 654 54Q 52 04 50 Q 920 52 50 Q 2 62 1 SWR 2 6 1 2 6 1 2 6 1 2 5 1 14 MHz 75 Q 514 51Q 55 84 4810Q 920 534 48 Q 2 5 1 3 0 1 2 4 1 2 5 1 28 MHz 90 QO 544j 59Q 72 24 49 0Q 1000 65 519 2 5 1 2 9 1 2 4 1 2 5 1 1The SWR loads constructed in the ARRL Lab were measured on an Agilent 4291B Impedance Analyzer by ARRL Technical Advisor John Grebenkemper KI6WX An HP 11593A precision termination was used for the 50 tests This termination has a wide frequency range fain menu we D Settings HB Sean Sw O Help B Stan ks B Set freq E Show SWR BSetrange Gite Multiswk AFC mode B Show all Figure 1 Main menu screen of AA 54 The disc sets up two programs LCD2Clip which brings screen shots from the AA 54 s display di
13. 105 9 89 33 Q 97 0 j16 89 980 100 j1 8 Q 1 9 1 2AE 2 0 1 210 1 50 MHz 100 Q 90 j27 Q 92 04 28 6Q 950 CES 1 9 1 2 0 1 2 1 1 1 9 1 144MHz 920 74 j1Q 99 j8 9 Q 2 1 1 2 1 1 223MHz 800 2 4 1 440 MHz 90Q 2 0 1 2 1 1 has to cycle through the interacting bands multiple times to get them all right With the AA 54 you can observe the effects on five bands while you make adjustments The AA 54 includes a memory capability so that you can store up to 100 display screens As you store each you are prompted to tag them with an ID to make sorting them out later easier They can also be shifted to a PC great for as built or as adjusted records for later comparison to see degradation occurring or to confirm it hasn t Computer Connection The AA 54 comes with a CD that includes two auxiliary programs described below The software manual indicates that it can be installed in a PC running Windows 2000 2003 XP Vista or 7 as well as Mac OS version 10 6 recommended I tried it on Windows XP and Windows 7 machines at my location and each ran successfully LELI Impedance and SWR Measurements continued 200 2 3 5 MHz 2250 160 949 197 8 1 7Q 2050 201 1 2 Q 4 1 SWR 3 8 1 4 4 1 4 0 1 4 0 1 14 MHz 2250 149 107 Q 195 0 26 10Q 2050 201 4 8 Q 3 8 1 4 6 1 4 0 1 4 0 1 28 MHz 220 Q 144 104 187 5 60 3Q 2050 200 9 4 Q 3 8 1 4 5 1 4 0
14. Product Review Mark J Wilson KLRO kLro arrl org A Look at Four Antenna Analyzers Reviewed by Joel R Hallas W1ZR Technical Editor QST wlzr arrl org We ve looked at antenna analyzers along with other antenna measurement equipment many times in the past and we will continue to as new gear becomes available This is a very popular category all active amateurs must deal with antennas and an antenna analyzer can make it much easier to find out what s happening with them A number of devices can be used to charac terize antenna systems including the SWR metering capability in many HF transceivers What sets an antenna analyzer apart from SWR and power meters is that the analyzer contains its own signal source Having its own low level signal source allows measure ments outside of amateur bands often helpful during antenna development without risk of causing harmful interference These analyzers are compact and self contained They include internal power sources allow ing their use on the roof or at the top of a tower Two of the units reviewed here the MFJ and RigExpert are updates to analyzers in exist For example see J Hallas W1ZR Product Review Two More Antenna System Measurement Devices QST Aug 2008 pp 43 47 and Product Review A Look at Some High End Antenna Analyzers QST May 2005 pp 65 69 QST Product Reviews are available to ARRL members online at www arrl org product r
15. a is most useful for a summary of results across a band following adjustment or repair In the Field Standing wave ratio SWR is the meat and potatoes of such a device Set for a single frequency the LCD display shows a nice to tune with calibrated bar graph a large font SWR readout to three digits and the selected frequency lest you forget See Figure 2 Selecting SHOW ALL on the menu provides the details of the impedance being measured This provides the measurement frequency the SWR and also your choice of a series or parallel equivalent model of R and X including sign and even the calculated equivalent capacitance or inductance value See Figure 3 This is much more useful data than just SWR if you wish to design a network to match the load for example Graphing Modes A plot of SWR Figure 4 or R jX Figure 5 versus frequency can be easily arranged again in either series or parallel equivalent model Unlike many devices the sign of the reactance is shown as well as its value MultiSWR Mode A nice feature of all these units except the AA 30 is that data on multiple distinct frequencies can be observed simultaneously This can be very useful while making adjustments on multiband antennas In this case the display shows the frequency and a relative bar graph for each frequency Figure 6 or the actual numerical SWR value Without this feature one often 4 March 2012 LELI CG Impedance and SWR Measurements
16. age for opera tion Earlier units could operate from 11 to 18 V Documentation The MFJ 266 comes with a 20 page instruc tion manual that includes not only instruc tions but application notes on how to perform the many tasks that this analyzer can accom plish The instructions are well written clear and will be needed to be able to make best use of the unit and all its capabilities Manufacturer MFJ Enterprises PO Box 494 Mississippi State MS 39762 tel 800 647 1800 www mfjenterprises com RIGEXPERT AA 54 ANTENNA ANALYZER The AA 54 is very different from the other analyzers in this report although there is a large functional overlap It is similar to the AA 200 that we reviewed in August 2008 and which is still available The AA 54 is part of a family of analyzers that cover different frequency ranges the upper limit of each identified in the numerical portion of the model designator Now included in the series are the AA 30 54 200 230 230PRO 500 and 520 As you might expect the price increases as do the features as you move up the list They are described and compared on Rig Expert AA 54 HF Antenna Analyzer Frequency range 0 1 54 MHz SWR measurable range 1 1 10 1 Impedance range 0 1000 Q Impedance accuracy Not specified Output power 20 mW 13 dBm 50 Q load Power requirements Two 1 5 V alkaline AA batteries two 1 2 V NiMH AA batteries or external power via USB port Size HWD 8 5
17. cale cross needle analog meter There are two coaxial connec tors provided a UHF SO 239 type for the lower six bands and a Type N socket for 225 to 500 MHz The unit can be powered by six internal AA size alkaline batteries or an external 8 to 16 V dc power supply via a coaxial power connector A power cable with matching plug and pigtail leads is provided as is a handy wrist strap On the Bench We found that the unit had excellent fre quency accuracy within a few Hz along with easy setability especially on the lower bands On the 225 to 500 MHz range it was difficult to set it within 50 kHz but that shouldn t be a problem for most antenna work in that range The frequency stability had similar results It was quite steady in the lower ranges but we observed drift of 250 kHz during 5 minutes at 440 MHz The frequency counter on the unit follows the drift so you know the actual frequency as it moves The frequency counter has two positions SLOW and FAST set by a front panel button In the FAST position which easily follows tuning at least on the lower bands the coun ter resolution is 1 kHz In the SLOW position it reads to 100 Hz dropping the hundreds of megahertz digit on the higher bands 1 53 259 Comet CAA 500 420 273 508 1 6 1 5 71 MFJ 266 320 85 185 1 9 9 300 490 RigExpert AA 54 320 0 1 54 1 10 Youkits FG 01 249 1 60 1 9 Type N for top frequency range only Type N to UHF adapter provided
18. ce change Very useful features beyond the comprehen sive SWR functionality mentioned above include the use of the 266 as a frequency counter By selecting the appropriate buttons of the BAND button set and the DOWN button s E Baa ae 4 MANUY EF BERI ANTIN iE after power up you enter frequency counter mode In addition to the observed frequency the display shows the relative strength of the signal This can be useful to identify a strong received signal that could interfere with antenna measurements By pressing the UP button at power on the 266 will measure capacitance directly in picofarads Similarly pressing the DOWN button at power on switches to inductance measurement mode both very handy features calculator not required Again you need to know which type inductance or capacitance it is to get the correct answer Setting Up the MFJ 266 When the 266 is powered up the display prompts you once you know the code to tell it what you want starting with the BAND MODE SELECT buttons If you press both the UP and DOWN buttons immediately on power up it will turn on the backlight the default is BACKLIGHT OFF to conserve battery power The available dc voltage is shown along with an indication that you should push UP to select frequency counter mode or DOWN to select antenna analyzer mode Frequency is selected from the eight bands by first using the A and B buttons to select HF VHF UHF
19. erra Bonita Ln Chino CA 91710 tel 800 962 2611 fax 909 393 6136 www cometantenna com MFJ 266 HF VHF UHF ANTENNA ANALYZER MFJ arguably offers the widest selection of antenna analyzers known to man They have models covering a wide price and capability range starting with their entry level HF analog tuning SWR only metering unit at under 100 and ranging up to the MFJ 269PRO HF VHF UHF multifunction digital display meter in the 400 range A look at our Product Review archive www arrl org product review will find reviews of a number of representative models The MFJ 266 falls near the higher end of the product line It includes many features of the MFJ 269 at a lower price and in an entirely new more compact envelope with a different Bottom Line The MFJ 266 can serve as the Swiss Army Knife in your Amateur Radio tool kit Either by itself or with available options it can perform many functions to keep your antennas and station equipment at peak performance Comet CAA 500 SWR Impedance Analyzer Frequency range 1 5 500 MHz SWR measurable range 1 0 00 Impedance range 12 5 300 Q Impedance accuracy Not specified Output power 0 mW 0 dBm max load not specified Power requirements 8 16 V lt 180 mA Size HWD 7 5 x 3 6 x 2 5 inches weight 1 75 Ib 1 532 259 4 and 273 4 508 MHz As specified numerical indication to 6 1 As specified See Table 2 0 5 mW 3 dBm into 50 Q at 14 MHz
20. eview LEL Antenna Analyzer Feature Comparison Analyze these ing product lines while the Comet and Ten Tec are new entries Although they are similar at first glance significant differences among the units provide clear choices depending on your interests COMET CAA 500 STANDING WAVE ANALYZER Comet a longtime antenna and accessory manufacturer has joined the antenna ana lyzer marketplace with the CAA 500 This unit measures SWR and magnitude of impedance across the widest frequency range of the units in this test Our unit covered 1 53 to 508 MHz in seven overlapping ranges except for a gap from 259 4 to 273 4 MHz While the manufacturer indicates that the unit can measure SWR from 1 1 to infin ity there are no numbers above 6 1 so readings above 6 1 are indications but not quite measurements in our view The frequency is adjusted using a thumb wheel knob that can be tuned by the same hand that holds the unit very convenient if you are also hanging onto a tower or ladder for example The frequency is indi Bottom Line This is an easy unit to like Within the limits noted it is easy to set and easy to read while making antenna or tuner adjustments It doesn t offer all the measurement capabilities and other functionality of some of the other units but it does what it does quite nicely cated on a seven digit frequency counter while the SWR and impedance magnitude are shown on a large two s
21. pera tional details along with many caution notices The instructions seem to assume that if you buy one you already know why you wanted it and what you can do with it The instructions are available on the Ten Tec website for a preview One caution relates to power sources You are cautioned that the AA size battery holder provided is only for 3 6 V lithium cells rather than the usual 1 5 V alkaline cells It also notes that if an external supply is used it must provide 10 to 12 8 V de so it is not compatible with most 13 8 V dc home station systems Manufacturer Youkits www youkits com Sold in the US by Ten Tec 1185 Dolly Parton Parkway Sevierville TN 37862 tel 800 833 7373 www tentec com
22. rectly into the PC push F and 6 simultaneously on the AA 54 keypad at which point you can make screen shots to save the screen with your favorite photo program or Windows Paint That is how Figures through 6 were obtained for this review The other program is a more interesting tool for many applications AntScope shows SWE measurement kal kHz 4 2f sw 1 is 345 WE Figure 2 Calibrated bar graph display in single frequency mode The bars respond almost as quickly as an analog meter making them appropriate for antenna tuner or adjusting the controls of an antenna tuner for minimum SWR results on a full size PC screen rather than on a copy of the AA 54 s small native display This allows viewing results in more detail but it does take a few moments to display and transfer data This program operates with the AA 54 in PC mode so all definition and operation take place from the PC Show all 44112 kH SWR 414 Senes model 12 55 7 0 RP 5280 B 17 7 2 C B37 pF Figure 3 Screen shot of SHOW ALL display in series equivalent mode A parallel equivalent circuit model may also be selected Note that the sign of the reactance is provided along with the equivalent capacitance at the selected frequency Figure 4 Plot of SWR versus frequency Rx 2550 500 kHz Figure 5 Plot of R jX versus frequency Note that the sign of the reactance is shown
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