Antenna analyzers
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I have no problems with the MFJ unit I used to borrow!. I
have ordered the model which covers up to 450 MHz.. The Palstart ZM-30 is a commercial partial implementation of the NJQRP groups Micro908 in AA908 configuration (which I also have) and it covers up to 30 MHz. The difference is the MFJ is 'fixed' as an analyzer and the Micro908 can also be software re-configured as an Audio DSP unit, a stand alone PSK31 unit (coming) and a few others.. BUT -- it is a kit... and I like it :-) Dave KK7SS >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. _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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The Palstar unit is based on a design developed by AmQrp, its AA-908
based on the Micro 908 platform. The Micro908 is more flexible than the Palstar, but the antenna analyzer circuitry is similar. There is a substantial reflector community for the Micro908 and the designers monitor the reflector and are quick to respond. The reflector archives also have some discussion of the Palstar unit since it is a derivative of the Micro908. AmQrp releases the Micro908 as a kit as soon as they can put together enough to issue. I believe there are about 300 micro908 units in existence. I have a later micro908 and it functions quite well. I also use it as a DSP with my KX-1 (It uses the same dsp board as in the K2 dsp filter.) It is a scanning antenna analyzer and there is free software that allows you to control the unit from a computer or a Palm PDA. In both cases, the scans are plotted on the computer or the PDA. You can get more details on the Micro908 at the www.amqrp.org. I think they are currently sold out, but an email would get you a reply as to when they could be available. Note: the kit is virtually all surface mount components, many very, very small. So if you don't like handling surface mount, then you should pass or have someone build it for you. Howard Ashcraft, W1WF -----Original Message----- From: Larry Phipps [mailto:[hidden email]] Sent: Thursday, April 14, 2005 9:51 PM Cc: [hidden email] Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Antenna Analyzers In addition to my professional bench gear, I have an MFJ, Autek and AEA CIA Analyst. I use all but the Autek and AEA regularly and find they each have a purpose. When I want a to do a quick check of resistance, reactance, SWR or return loss on the bench I grab the AEA... especially if I want a quick plot to go with it (using the included software and serial connection). It is a bit too slow and definitely too heavy to carry up the tower though. The Autek is the one I always grab when going up the tower because it is fast and small. It is also quite accurate. The tuning is a bit touchy as mentioned in the article, but I find it a quite useful tool. I don't hate the MFJ, I just like the others better. I have heard a lot of horror stories about MFJ, but the few things I have work as advertised. My units may just be good ones, while others may not be as good. For better or worse, QST tends to rate the products by the performance of the tested unit, not anecdotal evidence or feedback from the field. Larry N8LP 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 > > > _______________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Post to: [hidden email] > You must be a subscriber to post to the list. > Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm > Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com > > _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by Dave G.
On Fri, 15 Apr 2005 07:20:03 -0700, Dave G. wrote:
>I have no problems with the MFJ unit I used to borrow!. When getting back into ham radio several years ago and stocking up on RF test gear, I was quite reluctant to buy "mighty fine junk" in the form of an antenna analyzer. However, one of my 2-way radio buddies owns one and loves it, there are several in my ham club, and so last summer I bought a 259B used, but like new, at a hamfest. I downloaded and used Tom Rauch's (W8JI) alignment procedure. I also have access to a friend's CIA-HF, which I have used extensively. Its graphical display is QUITE helpful, and is worth the extra money over the MFJ. If your interest is building, tuning, and tweaking antennas, the MFJ is a lot of tool for the money. And none of those friends I've mentioned have had problems with them, nor have I. Jim Brown K9YC _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by Dave G.
Jim:
Yes, I'd like to have a CIA-HF. However, the company that made them got bought out. As far as I know, they are no longer being manufactured. Once in a very rare while you can find one on eBay, but they are very difficult to find. 73, Steve AA4AK >I also have access to a friend's CIA-HF, which I have used >extensively. Its graphical display is QUITE helpful, and is worth >the extra money over the MFJ. _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by Dave G.
I had the analog MFJ-209 for a number of years without any problems and
bought the later MFJ-259B with digital readout two years back. Also have the AEA SWR-121VU for VHF/UHF antenna tests. No complaints with any of these analyzers as they have worked faultlessly since purchase. The surplus MFJ-209 was sold the same evening it was advertised at the local radio club. A point to remember with antenna analyzers built for the ham market, is mostly that they will not work in areas of high RF field strength such as at communications sites. Have to resort to the old faithful Bird Thruline or other professional test equipment to get anywhere in these cases. Can also occur at contest sites where multiple stations are in use. Like a lot of ham gear these antenna analyzers are built to a price otherwise they would not sell. I doubt very much if more than a few affluent hams would be willing to pay the price demanded for new professional test equipment. Prices in the USA for ready built ham gear are low in any case compared what we have to pay in the UK. The Robber Barrons here have an exclusive grip on our market which appears to be in some cases supported by the manufacturers. The normal ploy seems to be to rub out the $ sign and replace it with the £ sign, a 155% mark up at present exchange rates when local taxes are removed. Have even seen some cheaper items of MFJ that cost more numerically in £ than in US$ on the market here. Importing the items from the USA seems to be hindered by inflated shipping charges. Thankfully, Elecraft at least leave it open to the buyer which shipping method is used, so allowing costs to be minimised. Bob, G3VVT _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by Stephen W. Kercel
> Yes, I'd like to have a CIA-HF. However, the company that made them
> got bought out. As far as I know, they are no longer being > manufactured. I don't know wether the CIA-HF has been discontinued, but similar units are still being built: http://www.garant-funk.com/frames.html http://www.aeatechnology.com/html/product.htm An Elecraft kit would almost always be better... ;-) 73 de toby _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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Toby:
The Garant-Funk site has lots of information, but it does not look like they sell over the Web. The AEA site has the CIA-HF, but also does not sell over the Web. Their Web site suggests contacting their sales rep which further suggests to me that they sell in bulk to retailers. I might give them a call on Monday. 73, Steve AA4AK At 07:56 AM 4/17/2005 +0200, you wrote: >>Yes, I'd like to have a CIA-HF. However, the company that made them got >>bought out. As far as I know, they are no longer being manufactured. > >I don't know wether the CIA-HF has been discontinued, but similar units >are still being built: > >http://www.garant-funk.com/frames.html >http://www.aeatechnology.com/html/product.htm > >An Elecraft kit would almost always be better... ;-) > > >73 de toby > >_______________________________________________ >Elecraft mailing list >Post to: [hidden email] >You must be a subscriber to post to the list. >Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): >http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > >Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm >Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by Dave G.
Toby:
Actually, your suggestion that Elecraft develop an antenna analyzer as a kit sounds like a good idea. The AA-908 apparently sold 500 copies on a subscription basis; my naive impression (I'm an engineer and not an expert in assessing markets) suggests to me that there is a ham market for such a kit. 73, Steve AA4AK At 07:56 AM 4/17/2005 +0200, you wrote: >>Yes, I'd like to have a CIA-HF. However, the company that made them got >>bought out. As far as I know, they are no longer being manufactured. > >I don't know wether the CIA-HF has been discontinued, but similar units >are still being built: > >http://www.garant-funk.com/frames.html >http://www.aeatechnology.com/html/product.htm > >An Elecraft kit would almost always be better... ;-) > > >73 de toby > >_______________________________________________ >Elecraft mailing list >Post to: [hidden email] >You must be a subscriber to post to the list. >Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): >http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > >Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm >Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by Stephen W. Kercel
On Sun, 17 Apr 2005 09:29:47 -0400, Stephen W. Kercel wrote:
>The Garant-Funk site has lots of information, but it does not look like >they sell over the Web. >The AEA site has the CIA-HF, but also does not sell over the Web. Their Web >site suggests contacting their sales rep which further suggests to me that >they sell in bulk to retailers. I might give them a call on Monday. Burghardt is a dealer for current AEA analyzer products, and you can see them listed, with prices on their website. My experience, and that of my friends, with Burghardt is that they are a very good citizen in the ham world. Jim Brown K9YC _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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Jim:
Thanks. I've never dealt with Burghardt, but I've heard many good things about them. 73, Steve At 09:16 AM 4/17/2005 -0500, you wrote: >On Sun, 17 Apr 2005 09:29:47 -0400, Stephen W. Kercel wrote: > > >The Garant-Funk site has lots of information, but it does not look like > >they sell over the Web. > > >The AEA site has the CIA-HF, but also does not sell over the Web. Their Web > >site suggests contacting their sales rep which further suggests to me that > >they sell in bulk to retailers. I might give them a call on Monday. > >Burghardt is a dealer for current AEA analyzer products, and you can see them >listed, with prices on their website. My experience, and that of my >friends, with >Burghardt is that they are a very good citizen in the ham world. > >Jim Brown K9YC > > >_______________________________________________ >Elecraft mailing list >Post to: [hidden email] >You must be a subscriber to post to the list. >Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > >Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm >Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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