Antenna Analysers

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Antenna Analysers

• Bryan, G8DKK

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Whats in a Name?

• You might expect antenna analysers to measure
  antenna pattern as well as VSWR
• In general - they dont!
• They measure VSWR in all its guises of real and
  sometimes imaginary parts
• VSWR, Reflection coefficient (magnitude phase),
  Return Loss (dB), Impedance Z R jX

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Antenna Measuring

• Before buying an antenna analyser consider what
  you do with antennas
• Buy an antenna, erect it and assume its right
• Buy an antenna, erect it then check/adjust it
• Construct an antenna and assume its right
• Build or buy and fiddle with it to optimise it
  for frequency or bands or bandwidth
• Construct an antenna then measure and calculate
  matching components (per band)

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Antenna Analysers

• Parameters that might influence choice
• Standalone or work with PC
• Frequency
• Range, Stability, Resolution, Accuracy, Sweep
• Display
• Display size resolution, Pixel resolution,
• Available measurement parameters
• VSWR, Return loss, Z, R, X, sign of X, phase, TDR
• Size, Weight, Cost

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Types of Antenna Analyser

• There are many ways to group these analysers
• By type or method of display
• By measurement capability
• Frequency Range

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Types of Antenna Analyser 2

• Measurement Capability
• VSWR only SWR Indicators
• VSWR, Z, R X but not sign of X
• VSWR, Z, R X with sign, Phase, Smith Chart (and
  often TDR) these are known as one-port Vector
  Network Analysers (VNA)
• 2-Port VNA - As one port plus loss measurement

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Types of Antenna Analyser 3

• Type of Display
• Analogue Meter
• Text only LCD (LED)
• Graphical LCD (LCD size) Rectangular (X-Y) and
  polar (Smith Chart) displays
• PC screen
• Frequency Range Stability
• L-C Oscillator, manual tuning
• Synthesised
• Frequency range affects price

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Antenna Analysers
VSWR Indicators
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MFJ-207
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YouKits FG-01
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MFJ-259C
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Analysers Calibration

• Analysers with pre-calibration
• Most of the following analysers are provided with
  an in-built, full frequency range calibration
• Why Calibrate?
• Improve accuracy drift with time temperature,
  cal over narrow sweep width
• Calibrate at the end of a cable
• Calibration parts required
• Short, Open, Load 50O in same connector as
  analyser or cable

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Palstar ZM30
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MFJ-226 (Times Technology)
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Times Tech (HK) T100
VHF/UHF
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RigExpert AA-54
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RigExpert AA-230 zoom
UU9JDR
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RigExpert AA-600
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MyDel Sark 110
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Analysers with 2 Ports

• These analysers usually operate via a PC
• Measure all parameters like a 1-port plus
  insertion loss. Cal at end of cable as standard
• They have an additional receiver port that can be
  included in the calibration process
• There is no internally stored calibration so
  calibration is essential as is a set of
  calibration parts (Short, Open, Load).
• Calibrations usually stored in the PC as files
• Not recommended as a first analyser

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VNWA 3 (SDR-Kits)
DG8SAQ
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mRS MiniVNA Tiny
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Price Comparison
Model Connector Max Frequency Price
MFJ-207 SO239 30MHz 99
REU AA-30 SO239 30MHz 190
YouKits FG01 SO239 72MHz 240
MFJ-259C SO239 230MHz 250
REU AA-54 SO239 54MHz 280
MFJ-226 N 230MHz 330
SARK 110 MCX SMA 200MHz 330
ZM30 BNC 30MHz 367
miniVNA Tiny SMA 3000MHz 380
VNWA3 SMA 1300MHz 407
REU AA-230 Z N 230MHz 427
REU AA-600 N 600MHz 470
REU AA-1400 N 1400MHz 900
       
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Summary

• If you decide to buy an Antenna Analyser
• Decide what it will do for you
• Is it worth 300 for once a year use?
• Are you able to borrow a unit?
• Match the frequency range to your requirements
• Choose a unit that will best match with your
  intended use

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Websites

• Here are some useful websites
• www.mfjenterprises.com
• www.rigexpert.com (recommended reading)
• www.mixw.co.uk (KMK)
• www.sark110.com
• www.sdr-kits.co.uk
• www.miniradiosolutions.com
• www.timestechnology.com.hk
• www.arraysolutions.com