Posted by
Don Wilhelm-3 on
Mar 14, 2007; 4:36pm
URL: http://elecraft.85.s1.nabble.com/Toroids-tp444595p444617.html
Larry,
A kit is a great idea! Avoid temptations for an instrument that tries to do
everything and ends up doing many things poorly.
I had hopes that the AMQRP Micro908 kit would be a better replacement for my
MFJ259, but alas, it is very inaccurate for impedances that vary much from
50 ohms resistive. IMHO, its bridge needs a total redesign to make it a
useful instrument.
Of course, the N2PK VNA should be a great instrument if I can ever get
around to completing it, but it is not a tool to use at the top of a tower -
it needs the computer attached to be useful.
73,
Don W3FPR
> -----Original Message-----
>
> I have the MFJ, Autek Vector Analyst and AEA CIA. Without question the
> most accurate is the AEA, but I usually grab the Autek because of its
> size. It also resolves sign of X. The tuning is touchy though, and the
> menus are a hassle. I hadn't thought of an antenna analyzer product,
> since the field is so crowded, but maybe there's a niche for a simple
> device, along the lines of the MFJ, but smaller and with better product
> build (ie, user built kit ;-) and battery life. Maybe also with the
> ability to determine sign of phase angle.
>
> Larry N8LP
>
>
>
> Craig D. Smith wrote:
> > I have a MFJ259B. Had to hold my nose to shell out the $250 or so for
> > something with that build quality and design flaws (size,
> battery system,
> > etc). That said, next to my transceiver, it is the piece of
> equipment I use
> > most often and it does do the job intended. I would feel naked
> without it.
> > Every ham should have one or something equivalent.
> >
> > The features and quality of ham equipment these days is astounding, but
> > strangely there, in my estimation, is no really good antenna
> analyzer on the
> > market. I think the MFJ is the best overall unit available,
> and that is a
> > sad statement. Most analyzers (see Eham reviews) score lower
> than the MFJ.
> > The Palstar gets good marks for size, quality, etc, but does not have an
> > analog meter which I think is an essential user interface for convenient
> > usage.
> >
> > So I agree with the comment some others have made - there is a
> big market
> > for a good antenna analyzer - especially with all the new ham
> licenses that
> > will be minted soon. My wish list includes: About half the
> physical size of
> > the MFJ, analog meter plus LCD display, decent battery life, frequency
> > coverage from 1.5 to 150 MHz, price about $250 or $200 for a
> kit. I don't
> > need automated plotting or computer interface. Either Elecraft or Larry
> > Phipps have the technical expertise and kitting experience to
> do a great job
> > with such a project. I hope they are listening!!
> >
> > 73 Craig AC0DS
>
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