Rick,
I have the Comet CAA-500 Mark II. It covers 1.8-500MHz, so can be used for all
antennas that I use. It is simple to operate and has both traditional
cross-needle analog and digital readouts, including graphs. It is my go-to
analyzer, and I take it with me when I need to measure any antenna.
The RigExpert AA-650 Zoom will likely be the next analyzer I purchase. While
about $150 more than the Comet, it yields much more information and is easy to
use. it also has a Smith chart that can display dynamic, on-the-fly results.
I know of no other instrument that has this capability, including my NanoVNA-F.
Hope this helps.
73, Keith NM5G
On Monday, November 8, 2021, 07:33:06 PM CST, Rick Wannall via BVARC
<[email protected]> wrote:
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Sorry. Got in late, missed who makes that “nano vna”. Can you tell me that
please?
Thanks
Rick Wannall
KG5ITH
From: BVARC <[email protected]> On Behalf Of John Mechura via BVARC
Sent: Monday, November 8, 2021 18:34
To: BRAZOS VALLEY AMATEUR RADIO CLUB <[email protected]>
Cc: John Mechura <[email protected]>; Christopher Boone
<[email protected]>; [email protected]; ralph phillips
<[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [BVARC] antenna analyzers
Greetings,
I use my nano vna on a weekly basis for my hf antenna.
I have had it for about a year or so.
Connected to the antenna wiring right where it goes into my radio, I diddle my
antenna tuner as necessary and many times achieve 1.04 : 1 or less reflected,
as shown on the graph of the nano vna.
I have never calibrated it, by the way.
If I had it to do over again I would make sure to get one with a case. Mine
seems fragile without it.
My observations,
John, KI5HOC
On Mon, Nov 8, 2021 at 5:44 PM Christopher Boone via BVARC <[email protected]>
wrote:
I bought a Mini VNA for ~150. Works great. They show it as 100k thru 1300MHz
but the RF out quits at around 600MHz.
I've swept cavities, checked HF and VHF/UHF antennas. Love it. I could use it
to align an AM broadcast directional array!! No need to lug a heavy OMB around.
Does Smith charts!
The multi SWR and wide scan comes in handy. Trying to identify an unknown
antenna at the top of a tower with 500ft of Heliax?? This makes it a breeze if
all is good. Built in TDR shows if feedline is ok as well
Chris
WB5ITT
On Mon, Nov 8, 2021, 5:38 PM ralph phillips via BVARC <[email protected]> wrote:
I have seen some very nice antenna analyzers from Comet and RigExpert. They
cost anywhere from $200 to $600 depending on the model.
I have used some of them and they do a good job. Apparently they are ready to
use out of the package…no calibration routine needed.
Then there are small units called VNAs that cost $50 to $200. They seem
impressive for the small size and do everything the big ones do. It appears
some of them require a special calibration kit and need to be checked every
time they are turned on.
I want an analyzer for building antennas from HF through UHF. A bonus would be
a function to check band pass filters (some VNAs seem to include this function).
What is your experience and recommendations on the options?
Ralph
KE5HDF
Sent from Mail for Windows
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