[Elecraft] Antenna Analyzers

[Don Brown]

Hi

I was not going to jump in on this but it seems everyone has an opinion so 
here are my experiences. I have a MFJ-259B, a Autek VA1 and a Autek RF5. The 
first 259B I got did not work (no RF out) I sent it back and the replacement 
has been fine for about 3 years. I use it fairly often and I like the analog 
meters as well as the digital readout. It is a little hard on batteries but 
I installed a set of NiMH rechargeable batteries and it has solved the 
problem. Just remember to recharge them with the included AC power supply. 
There is an internal switch that will allow them to charge from the AC 
adapter. I have the 259B in the soft protective case so it is not easy to 
remove the batteries. I just keep them installed inside and charge them in 
the instrument.

When I got the VA1 and RF5 the VA1 had an intermittent problem and frankly I 
also ran into a non responsive customer service department. I finally 
decided to fix it myself and it turned out a large number of solder joints 
inside were never soldered or soldered poorly. After going over the boards 
and repairing the soldering it has worked properly. I did not have any 
problems with the RF-5. Electronically the design is good but I was a little 
disappointed with the mechanical design and the front panel could be done a 
bit better. For what its worth they do the job and are small, light and run 
quite a while on a 9 volt battery.

I find if I am working on a HF antenna I will usually grab the 259B as it is 
easier to use and read than the VA1. For VHF the RF-5 is my choice. It has a 
function that will automatically find the lowest SWR or lowest impedance 
with the press of a button. If the VA1 had this I may change my opinion 
about it and prefer it over the 259B

Don Brown
KD5NDB