Elecraft

Antenna Analyzer

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Ronnie Hull

Antenna Analyzer

just a quick question for the collective group here. I have built up my KX-2 travel kit. The first week of november I took it with me to a cabin I leased outside of Gatlinburg, TN for some portable operating when I wasn’t up in the mountains hiking. I took m y Super Antenna MP-1 plus the parts to throw up a full wave loop for 40M. I did throw the loop up, and it out performed the MP-1 by kudo’s. But it struck me that it might be nice to add a small antenna analyzer to my kit.
I don’t need a big full size MFJ, which I do have. But something small. Any experience here y’all?

thanks in advance for your answers

Ronnie W5SUM
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stengrevics

Re: Antenna Analyzer

The RigExpert line is small.

73,

John
WA1EAZ

> On Dec 1, 2017, at 7:49 AM, <[hidden email]> <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> just a quick question for the collective group here. I have built up my KX-2 travel kit. The first week of november I took it with me to a cabin I leased outside of Gatlinburg, TN for some portable operating when I wasn’t up in the mountains hiking. I took m y Super Antenna MP-1 plus the parts to throw up a full wave loop for 40M. I did throw the loop up, and it out performed the MP-1 by kudo’s. But it struck me that it might be nice to add a small antenna analyzer to my kit.
> I don’t need a big full size MFJ, which I do have. But something small. Any experience here y’all?
>
> thanks in advance for your answers
>
> Ronnie W5SUM
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
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NK7Z

Re: Antenna Analyzer

The AA series from Rigexpert is also very lightweight...

73s and thanks,
Dave
NK7Z
http://www.nk7z.net

On 12/01/2017 04:53 AM, John Stengrevics wrote:

> The RigExpert line is small.
>
> 73,
>
> John
> WA1EAZ
>
>> On Dec 1, 2017, at 7:49 AM, <[hidden email]> <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>
>> just a quick question for the collective group here. I have built up my KX-2 travel kit. The first week of november I took it with me to a cabin I leased outside of Gatlinburg, TN for some portable operating when I wasn’t up in the mountains hiking. I took m y Super Antenna MP-1 plus the parts to throw up a full wave loop for 40M. I did throw the loop up, and it out performed the MP-1 by kudo’s. But it struck me that it might be nice to add a small antenna analyzer to my kit.
>> I don’t need a big full size MFJ, which I do have. But something small. Any experience here y’all?
>>
>> thanks in advance for your answers
>>
>> Ronnie W5SUM
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>>
>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>> Message delivered to [hidden email]
>
> ______________________________________________________________
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>
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>

John Oppenheimer

Re: Antenna Analyzer

The SARK 110 is very small with many features:

http://www.sark110.com/

John KN5L
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Michael Walker

Re: Antenna Analyzer

I would have to agree. the Rigexpert AA series.

Well made, drop proof and stand alone.

Mike va3mw

On Fri, Dec 1, 2017 at 8:23 AM, John Oppenheimer <[hidden email]> wrote:

> The SARK 110 is very small with many features:
>
> http://www.sark110.com/
>
> John KN5L
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
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> Message delivered to [hidden email]
>

Jim Sheldon

Re: Antenna Analyzer

In reply to this post by NK7Z

I was introduced to the SARK-110 several years ago and besides being an
excellent antenna analyzer, it had one feature that nobody else had
(when I bought the SARK) and that is called a "Time Domain
Reflectometer". This allows you to find breaks, impedance bumps and
other anomalies in cable runs.

During my 20 years in the Army, I was introduced to a hugely expensive
HP-140A oscilloscope with a TDR plug in. We used it to find cuts in our
buried coax where the local people were digging it up for the copper
(back in 1967). From that point on, I always wanted a TDR but they were
way too expensive (even used) for a poor ham to even consider until I
was introduced to the SARK by a good friend at the "OzarkCon" QRP
convention. It paid for itself quickly by finding where a gopher (or
mole) had chewed mostly through some buried coax I had going to a
vertical in the back yard. The SARK's TDR pinpointed the break within a
foot and it was probably more accurate than that as my measurements when
following the cable were somewhat sloppy.

It also makes a pretty decent signal generator as well, can be
calibrated against WWV with not too much effort, but the minimum signal
you can output is 50 microvolts (S9) so a good external step attenuator
is needed along with double shielded cables to minimize feedthrough of
the SARK's output signal. Oh yes, I did mention, it's an excellent
antanna analyzer as well and it will do Smith Chart plots and other
stuff too. You can control it with a computer via USB too.

No financial interest in the company, just a very happy user.

Jim - W0EB

------ Original Message ------
From: "John Oppenheimer" <[hidden email]>
To: [hidden email]
Sent: 12/1/2017 7:23:20 AM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Antenna Analyzer

>The SARK 110 is very small with many features:
>
>http://www.sark110.com/
>
>John KN5L
>______________________________________________________________
>Elecraft mailing list
>Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
>This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>Message delivered to [hidden email]

Bob N3MNT

Re: Antenna Analyzer

In reply to this post by stengrevics

I have had good luck with this one. Very small and works well.
https://youkits.com/products/youkits-fg-01-1-72mhz-antenna-analyser

--
Sent from: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/
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NK7Z

Re: Antenna Analyzer

In reply to this post by Michael Walker

Having a graph of the entire band is so helpful, The AA series make for
a single button test... You adjust, then hit the go button. You then
see exactly what happened to your SWR dip. Did it go too far, not far
enough, etc.

Others, you have to fuss with knobs to find the dip, then remember the
last reading... Seems like a small item, but it is massively helpful
when tuning up an antenna. Takes me 20 minutes to tune a 6BTV now. For
an example of charts the AA series puts to computers see a short blog
post I did on tuning up a 6BTV at:

http://nk7z.net/notes-on-tuning-a-6btv/

73s and thanks,
Dave
NK7Z
http://www.nk7z.net

On 12/01/2017 05:25 AM, Michael Walker wrote:

> I would have to agree. the Rigexpert AA series.
>
> Well made, drop proof and stand alone.
>
> Mike va3mw
>
>
> On Fri, Dec 1, 2017 at 8:23 AM, John Oppenheimer <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
>> The SARK 110 is very small with many features:
>>
>> http://www.sark110.com/
>>
>> John KN5L
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>>
>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>> Message delivered to [hidden email]
>>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
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> Message delivered to [hidden email]
>

Mike Cox

Re: Antenna Analyzer

In reply to this post by Ronnie Hull

These were very useful devices from "back in the day". I see a couple
available on ebay by searching for "Palomar noise bridge"

Mike, AB9V

On 12/1/2017 7:49 AM, [hidden email] wrote:

> just a quick question for the collective group here. I have built up my KX-2 travel kit. The first week of november I took it with me to a cabin I leased outside of Gatlinburg, TN for some portable operating when I wasn’t up in the mountains hiking. I took m y Super Antenna MP-1 plus the parts to throw up a full wave loop for 40M. I did throw the loop up, and it out performed the MP-1 by kudo’s. But it struck me that it might be nice to add a small antenna analyzer to my kit.
> I don’t need a big full size MFJ, which I do have. But something small. Any experience here y’all?
>
> thanks in advance for your answers
>
> Ronnie W5SUM
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]

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Igor Sokolov-2

Re: Antenna Analyzer

In reply to this post by John Oppenheimer

+1

73, Igor UA9CDC

01.12.2017 18:23, John Oppenheimer пишет:

George Thornton

Re: Antenna Analyzer

In reply to this post by Jim Sheldon

The Time Domain Reflectometer (TDR) is a hugely important feature, and is now available with other brands, including some of the RigExpert models.

I do a lot of field work with both HF and VHF/UHF. In my experience most of the problems I have encountered have been traced to cable defects of one kind or another. The TDR function allows you to quickly and reliably test the integrity of cabling, allowing you to identify the exact location of the defect.

I am partial to the RigExpert models, which have been reliable and accurate, and very easy and intuitive to use.

My only quarrel with RigExpert is that they do not offer water resistant sealed cases. These can get damaged in a wet environment.

T-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email] [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Jim Sheldon
Sent: Friday, December 1, 2017 5:39 AM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Antenna Analyzer

I was introduced to the SARK-110 several years ago and besides being an excellent antenna analyzer, it had one feature that nobody else had (when I bought the SARK) and that is called a "Time Domain Reflectometer". This allows you to find breaks, impedance bumps and other anomalies in cable runs.

During my 20 years in the Army, I was introduced to a hugely expensive HP-140A oscilloscope with a TDR plug in. We used it to find cuts in our buried coax where the local people were digging it up for the copper (back in 1967). From that point on, I always wanted a TDR but they were way too expensive (even used) for a poor ham to even consider until I was introduced to the SARK by a good friend at the "OzarkCon" QRP convention. It paid for itself quickly by finding where a gopher (or
mole) had chewed mostly through some buried coax I had going to a vertical in the back yard. The SARK's TDR pinpointed the break within a foot and it was probably more accurate than that as my measurements when following the cable were somewhat sloppy.

It also makes a pretty decent signal generator as well, can be calibrated against WWV with not too much effort, but the minimum signal you can output is 50 microvolts (S9) so a good external step attenuator is needed along with double shielded cables to minimize feedthrough of
the SARK's output signal. Oh yes, I did mention, it's an excellent
antanna analyzer as well and it will do Smith Chart plots and other stuff too. You can control it with a computer via USB too.

No financial interest in the company, just a very happy user.

Jim - W0EB

------ Original Message ------
From: "John Oppenheimer" <[hidden email]>
To: [hidden email]
Sent: 12/1/2017 7:23:20 AM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Antenna Analyzer

>The SARK 110 is very small with many features:
>
>http://www.sark110.com/
>
>John KN5L
>______________________________________________________________
>Elecraft mailing list
>Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
>This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email
>list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [hidden email]

______________________________________________________________
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Ronnie Hull

Re: Antenna Analyzer

Yes SMALL and PORTABLE is what I am interested in. I never wanted a TDR. Rig experts are fine analyzes but out of the league of what I want which is something to toss in my "go" bag

Ronnie W5SUM

Sent from my iPhone

> On Dec 1, 2017, at 11:19 AM, George Thornton <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> The Time Domain Reflectometer (TDR) is a hugely important feature, and is now available with other brands, including some of the RigExpert models.
>
> I do a lot of field work with both HF and VHF/UHF. In my experience most of the problems I have encountered have been traced to cable defects of one kind or another. The TDR function allows you to quickly and reliably test the integrity of cabling, allowing you to identify the exact location of the defect.
>
> I am partial to the RigExpert models, which have been reliable and accurate, and very easy and intuitive to use.
>
> My only quarrel with RigExpert is that they do not offer water resistant sealed cases. These can get damaged in a wet environment.
>
>
>
> T-----Original Message-----
> From: [hidden email] [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Jim Sheldon
> Sent: Friday, December 1, 2017 5:39 AM
> To: [hidden email]
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Antenna Analyzer
>
> I was introduced to the SARK-110 several years ago and besides being an excellent antenna analyzer, it had one feature that nobody else had (when I bought the SARK) and that is called a "Time Domain Reflectometer". This allows you to find breaks, impedance bumps and other anomalies in cable runs.
>
> During my 20 years in the Army, I was introduced to a hugely expensive HP-140A oscilloscope with a TDR plug in. We used it to find cuts in our buried coax where the local people were digging it up for the copper (back in 1967). From that point on, I always wanted a TDR but they were way too expensive (even used) for a poor ham to even consider until I was introduced to the SARK by a good friend at the "OzarkCon" QRP convention. It paid for itself quickly by finding where a gopher (or
> mole) had chewed mostly through some buried coax I had going to a vertical in the back yard. The SARK's TDR pinpointed the break within a foot and it was probably more accurate than that as my measurements when following the cable were somewhat sloppy.
>
> It also makes a pretty decent signal generator as well, can be calibrated against WWV with not too much effort, but the minimum signal you can output is 50 microvolts (S9) so a good external step attenuator is needed along with double shielded cables to minimize feedthrough of
> the SARK's output signal. Oh yes, I did mention, it's an excellent
> antanna analyzer as well and it will do Smith Chart plots and other stuff too. You can control it with a computer via USB too.
>
> No financial interest in the company, just a very happy user.
>
> Jim - W0EB
>
> ------ Original Message ------
> From: "John Oppenheimer" <[hidden email]>
> To: [hidden email]
> Sent: 12/1/2017 7:23:20 AM
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Antenna Analyzer
>
>> The SARK 110 is very small with many features:
>>
>> http://www.sark110.com/
>>
>> John KN5L
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>>
>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email
>> list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [hidden email]
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [hidden email]
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]

Michael Walker

Re: Antenna Analyzer

In reply to this post by George Thornton

The RigExpert AA-1400 fits perfectly in a $40 Pelican 1200 case.

I have mine, charger, batteries, etc in a nice Red 1200.

I would post a pic, but you can't on this reflector.

Mike va3mw

On Fri, Dec 1, 2017 at 12:19 PM, George Thornton <
[hidden email]> wrote:

> The Time Domain Reflectometer (TDR) is a hugely important feature, and is
> now available with other brands, including some of the RigExpert models.
>
> I do a lot of field work with both HF and VHF/UHF. In my experience most
> of the problems I have encountered have been traced to cable defects of one
> kind or another. The TDR function allows you to quickly and reliably test
> the integrity of cabling, allowing you to identify the exact location of
> the defect.
>
> I am partial to the RigExpert models, which have been reliable and
> accurate, and very easy and intuitive to use.
>
> My only quarrel with RigExpert is that they do not offer water resistant
> sealed cases. These can get damaged in a wet environment.

Michael Walker

Re: Antenna Analyzer

In reply to this post by Ronnie Hull

Hi Ronnie

The TDR is a must have. Once you start sweeping all your feedlines you
will know they are not as good as you might have thought. :)

Twice I tossed an entire roll of heliax and twice 2 unique runs of RG213.

If anyone has feedlines older than 10 years, you might want to consider the
investment.

Mike va3mw

On Fri, Dec 1, 2017 at 12:31 PM, Ronnie Hull <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Yes SMALL and PORTABLE is what I am interested in. I never wanted a TDR.
> Rig experts are fine analyzes but out of the league of what I want which is
> something to toss in my "go" bag
>
> Ronnie W5SUM
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> > On Dec 1, 2017, at 11:19 AM, George Thornton <
> [hidden email]> wrote:
> >
> > The Time Domain Reflectometer (TDR) is a hugely important feature, and
> is now available with other brands, including some of the RigExpert models.
> >
> > I do a lot of field work with both HF and VHF/UHF. In my experience
> most of the problems I have encountered have been traced to cable defects
> of one kind or another. The TDR function allows you to quickly and
> reliably test the integrity of cabling, allowing you to identify the exact
> location of the defect.
> >
> > I am partial to the RigExpert models, which have been reliable and
> accurate, and very easy and intuitive to use.
> >
> > My only quarrel with RigExpert is that they do not offer water resistant
> sealed cases. These can get damaged in a wet environment.
> >
> >
> >
> > T-----Original Message-----
> > From: [hidden email] [mailto:elecraft-bounces@
> mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Jim Sheldon
> > Sent: Friday, December 1, 2017 5:39 AM
> > To: [hidden email]
> > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Antenna Analyzer
> >
> > I was introduced to the SARK-110 several years ago and besides being an
> excellent antenna analyzer, it had one feature that nobody else had (when I
> bought the SARK) and that is called a "Time Domain Reflectometer". This
> allows you to find breaks, impedance bumps and other anomalies in cable
> runs.
> >
> > During my 20 years in the Army, I was introduced to a hugely expensive
> HP-140A oscilloscope with a TDR plug in. We used it to find cuts in our
> buried coax where the local people were digging it up for the copper (back
> in 1967). From that point on, I always wanted a TDR but they were way too
> expensive (even used) for a poor ham to even consider until I was
> introduced to the SARK by a good friend at the "OzarkCon" QRP convention.
> It paid for itself quickly by finding where a gopher (or
> > mole) had chewed mostly through some buried coax I had going to a
> vertical in the back yard. The SARK's TDR pinpointed the break within a
> foot and it was probably more accurate than that as my measurements when
> following the cable were somewhat sloppy.
> >
> > It also makes a pretty decent signal generator as well, can be
> calibrated against WWV with not too much effort, but the minimum signal you
> can output is 50 microvolts (S9) so a good external step attenuator is
> needed along with double shielded cables to minimize feedthrough of
> > the SARK's output signal. Oh yes, I did mention, it's an excellent
> > antanna analyzer as well and it will do Smith Chart plots and other
> stuff too. You can control it with a computer via USB too.
> >
> > No financial interest in the company, just a very happy user.
> >
> > Jim - W0EB
> >
> > ------ Original Message ------
> > From: "John Oppenheimer" <[hidden email]>
> > To: [hidden email]
> > Sent: 12/1/2017 7:23:20 AM
> > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Antenna Analyzer
> >
> >> The SARK 110 is very small with many features:
> >>
> >> http://www.sark110.com/
> >>
> >> John KN5L
> >> ______________________________________________________________
> >> Elecraft mailing list
> >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> >> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
> >>
> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email
> >> list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [hidden email]
> >
> > ______________________________________________________________
> > Elecraft mailing list
> > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> > Post: mailto:[hidden email]
> >
> > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]
> > ______________________________________________________________
> > Elecraft mailing list
> > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> > Post: mailto:[hidden email]
> >
> > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> > Message delivered to [hidden email]
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]
>

Mike Furrey

Re: Antenna Analyzer

In reply to this post by Michael Walker

I have had the Comet analyzer for a year. Although a bit pricey for the number of functions, what it does, it does very well and is a very solid, well built, and easy to use device. With that said, I will add a VNA unit to my arsenal of analyzers soon.

It sure would not hurt my feeling to see what what Elecraft could do in the analyzer department!
73, Mike WA5POK

On Friday, December 1, 2017 12:35 PM, Michael Walker <[hidden email]> wrote:

The RigExpert AA-1400 fits perfectly in a $40 Pelican 1200 case.

I have mine, charger, batteries, etc in a nice Red 1200.

I would post a pic, but you can't on this reflector.

Mike va3mw

On Fri, Dec 1, 2017 at 12:19 PM, George Thornton <
[hidden email]> wrote:

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Jim Brown-10

Re: Antenna Analyzer

In reply to this post by Ronnie Hull

On 12/1/2017 4:49 AM, [hidden email] wrote:
> But it struck me that it might be nice to add a small antenna analyzer to my kit.

Why must every perceived problem be resolved by buying something? All
Elecraft rigs, including the KX2, have an indicator for SWR that the rig
sees. Resonance can be clearly seen by moving up and down the band to
find it.

SWR is NOT an indicator of how well an antenna works, and antennas don't
necessarily have to be resonant to work well! That depends on how we use
the fundamentals of how antennas work. Especially when using improvised
wire antennas with little or no feedline, the only thing that matters
beyond the fundamental properties of the antenna is whether the rig can
match it.

I'd be far more likely to drag along more "stuff" with which to rig
improvised antennas in whatever surroundings I find myself, and to study
the ARRL Handbook and Antenna Book to understand those fundamentals.

73, Jim K9YC

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Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT-2

Re: Antenna Analyzer

Because new toys are always exciting?

On 12/1/2017 11:09 AM, Jim Brown wrote:
> Why must every perceived problem be resolved by buying something?
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Grant Youngman-2

Re: Antenna Analyzer

In reply to this post by Ronnie Hull

Hi, Ronnie …

There are a bezillion to choose from — big, small, graphical, TDR, need a computer or pad, etc, as others have pointed out.

Another one you might consider is the iP30z (or iP60z) retailed through Buddipole. They’re a bit pricey compared to some options, but they have the advantage of being small enough to squeeze into virtually any bag or a shirt pocket, lightweight (7 oz) and do everything you need in the field — SWR, |Z|. All the advanced features that have been mentioned are good to have now and then, but if you’re looking for small and imminently packable for a hike into a noise free park or a walk to the beach, as I was, it’s a good choice. Quick, easy, simple — and you don’t have to pack the manual to figure it out :-)

Grant NQ5T
K3 #2091, KX3 #8342

> On Dec 1, 2017, at 7:49 AM, [hidden email] wrote:
>
> just a quick question for the collective group here. I have built up my KX-2 travel kit. The first week of november I took it with me to a cabin I leased outside of Gatlinburg, TN for some portable operating when I wasn’t up in the mountains hiking. I took m y Super Antenna MP-1 plus the parts to throw up a full wave loop for 40M. I did throw the loop up, and it out performed the MP-1 by kudo’s. But it struck me that it might be nice to add a small antenna analyzer to my kit.
> I don’t need a big full size MFJ, which I do have. But something small. Any experience here y’all?
>
> thanks in advance for your answers
>
> Ronnie W5SUM
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Bob McGraw - K4TAX

Re: Antenna Analyzer

In reply to this post by Jim Brown-10

I find that Jim's thoughts and findings are similar to mine. SWR is
really not a good indication of how well an antenna works. One of my
coax lines has a 1:1 SWR from 160M through 6M. It doesn't receive well
nor transmit well. It' has a dummy load on the distant end.

Along the same line, I have a home brew variable L network consisting of
a tapped inductor, about 24 taps, and a 500 pf variable capacitor. I
find it will match about anything that is hung on one end. If it
doesn't match, simply turn it around and most likely a suitable match
will be found. In all cases, my random wire is not a resonant antenna
but a length of wire tossed over a tree limb. With this, the SWR
indication on the radio is all that's needed.

73

Bob, K4TAX

On 12/1/2017 1:09 PM, Jim Brown wrote:

> On 12/1/2017 4:49 AM, [hidden email] wrote:
>> But it struck me that it might be nice to add a small antenna
>> analyzer to my kit.
>
> Why must every perceived problem be resolved by buying something? All
> Elecraft rigs, including the KX2, have an indicator for SWR that the
> rig sees. Resonance can be clearly seen by moving up and down the band
> to find it.
>
> SWR is NOT an indicator of how well an antenna works, and antennas
> don't necessarily have to be resonant to work well! That depends on
> how we use the fundamentals of how antennas work. Especially when
> using improvised wire antennas with little or no feedline, the only
> thing that matters beyond the fundamental properties of the antenna is
> whether the rig can match it.
>
> I'd be far more likely to drag along more "stuff" with which to rig
> improvised antennas in whatever surroundings I find myself, and to
> study the ARRL Handbook and Antenna Book to understand those
> fundamentals.
>
> 73, Jim K9YC
>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]
>