[OFARC] antenna analyzers

[Stephen Flowers]

Ralph,

Good evening.  My nanoVNA was purchased back in December 2019 for $55, 
now it runs $60, and I've enjoyed using it since.  I calibrate it with a 
3 point calibration routine when I want to get accurate 
SWR/Z/Phase/Smith-Chart readings ( 
https://ofarc.org/documents/presentations/nanoVNA_presentationv1.pdf ).  
However, when I just want to find the approximate SWR value at the 
minima of the cal curve in a particular band right after putting up an 
antenna, I may forego the cal routine and just use the default/old values.

That works well for me since my IC 7300 analyzes & tunes any antenna 
w/SWR<1:3.  My Xiegu G-90 also has a built-in analyzer and tunes a wet 
noodle so it'll definitely tune the antenna at the nanoVNA frequency 
minima.

I've seen the standard analyzers: MFJ, RigExpert, Comet, in the HRO 
website and their prices range from $268 - $406.  So, not cheap.

Haven't used any of these analyzers but I saw the MFJ used recently and 
it's probably faster to use than the nanoVNA.  Having said that, for me 
the nanoVNA is more than sufficient for my antenna tuning projects.

Hope that helps!

73,

Stephen (W2WF)


On 11/8/2021 5:38 PM, ralph phillips 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
>
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>
>
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