[Elecraft] Antenna Analyzers

[Stephen W. Kercel]

Charles:

Thanks for your message. I did not take it as a flame.

However, speaking of fire, before I lay out hundreds of dollars for such a 
widget, I'd like to make a prudent effort not to get burned.

The record with both MFJ and Autek appears to be a mixed bag. I've heard 
both good stories and bad. However, as some of the other posts to this 
thread indicate, even among Elecrafters, not everybody seems to have had as 
good luck as you have had with these two manufacturers.

73,

Steve


At 08:09 AM 4/15/2005 -0400, you wrote:
>Steve,
>
>I take issue with your statement that both the MFJ-269 and the Autek VA1 
>are "apparently junk."  I have the Autek and the MFJ-259B, the model 
>without UHF, and both are quality although inexpensive instruments.  I 
>have used the VA1 for approximately 3 years and the MFJ for 2 years and I 
>have never had any problem with either.  I have found the MFJ to be good 
>on battery usage, as is the Autek.  I recommend both to an average ham who 
>doesn't need laboratory precision and has the need for the occasional use 
>of an antenna analyzer.  In fact the readings obtained by the ARRL Lab 
>show amazing accuracy for such relatively inexpensive units.  If you don't 
>need the sign of the complex impedance, the less expensive Autek RF1 is 
>fine.  I had one of those too, but I needed the functions of the more 
>expensive VA1.
>
>I have no knowledge o the Palstar.
>
>This is not a flame, but an attempt to set the record straight.
>
>At 12:31 AM 4/15/2005, Stephen W. Kercel wrote:
>>There is an interesting piece in the May 2005 QST. It has product reviews 
>>on four different antenna analyzers.
>>
>>Two that were included are the MFJ-269 and the Autek VA-1. I have heard 
>>endless horror stories from many hams about both, abysmal quality 
>>control, virtually useless tech support and so on. None of these 
>>negatives are mentioned in the QST product review.
>>
>>There is also a new product favorably mentioned in the review, the 
>>Palstar ZM-30. Since the MFJ and the Autek are apparently both junk, 
>>despite being favorably reviewed in this article, I'm not sure whether I 
>>can trust the product review on the Palstar.
>>
>>Anybody have any experience with it? Is it any good?
>>
>>73,
>>
>>Steve Kercel
>>AA4AK
>>
>>
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>
>73,  Chas,  W1CG