[Antennas] AG6K Tuner Balun and AEA CIA-HF comments

[Sandy and Kees Talen]

The AG6K tuner coax choke balun has some unique profiles. 
Looks like 3rd harmonic resonance is present in addition to 
the natural resonance of the coax coil around 5-6Mhz. It looks 
OK on 160m and great on 80m and 40m. The higher frequency 
choke effect varies ...good on 15m, bad on 20m and 10m 
(especially 10m). I think that points out why coax choke baluns 
are great for 20m-10m tribander beams. Natural resonance 
is between 20m and 10m (around 18-20Mhz for the one I 
measured), the harmonics are outside the "use range" and the 
"use range" is relatively narrow. In my opinion the AG6K coax 
choke balun is not good for ALL the HF frequencies, without 
some changes, because the harmonics are inside the "use range"
(giving false implications ...great on 40m, pretty good on 15m
....should be good on 20m ....wrong), attempted very wide "use 
range", and it's choke capability is pretty poor on 10m.

The AEA Antenna Analyzer is a really great tool for hams. The 
capabilities and flexibility for measuring complex impedance, 
SWR, line loss, and many input parameters such as setting 
sweep width, center frequency, and graph scaling are surprising. 
It will also graphically display data on it's small LCD screen. 
You can easily overlook some of the shortcomings like having 
to hold the "ON" switch down for 1+ seconds, a somewhat short 
battery life, AND not showing phase angle sign correctly (and 
differently between the data box and the "D" screen). When the 
maximum impedance of 999.9 ohms is reached the reactance 
apparently goes to 304 ohms and the phase angle goes to +/-18 
degrees .... but you are using it outside it's range. The output 
can be further enhanced by getting the "VIA Director" software 
program which offers excellent flexibility for storing and making 
charts for comparison purposes. AND the phase angle sign 
generated is more reliable. I would not get one of these units 
without the software. 

All in all, this is NOT a Vector Impedance meter but it comes
close for what I want to do .....and "close" counts in horseshoes,
hand grenades, and hobbies.
 
73  Kees K5BCQ