Editor’s Note: For September, our Word of the Day column will be focusing on new products that have become available since the 2020 DX Engineering catalog came out.
At the top of our list are three powerful and versatile new antenna analyzers from RigExpert: the AA-650ZOOM (0.1-650 MHz), AA-1500ZOOM (0.1-1,500 MHz), and AA-2000ZOOM (0.1-2,000 MHz). Anyone who has ever taken a RigExpert analyzer into the field for the first time pretty much echoes these sentiments: How did I ever survive without you? and Where have you been all my life? So if you hear a Ham whispering these words of endearment at the next Field Day, you’ll know why. Such is the power of a good antenna analyzer!
Among their many functions, RigExpert Antenna Analyzers (powered by standard AA batteries or a 5V USB port) are essential tools for antenna building, accurate tuning, troubleshooting, and repairs. Their graphic display of various parameters over a wide frequency range simplifies and speeds up antenna adjustments, providing more time to enjoy time on the air. Since 2003, hobbyists and professionals have relied on these handheld dynamos for a range of functions, including:
- Measuring the capacitance or inductance of reactive loads
- Checking coax cable assemblies
- Tuning an antenna to resonance
- Antenna SWR and impedance measurements
Connecting to a PC allows users to benefit from even more functions. Other features include multilingual menus and help screens, 320 × 240 color TFT display, and waterproof keypad. RigExpert ZOOM models have all the benefits of other analyzers with the bonus of allowing users to zoom in on displays for clearer analysis of graphic points.
These latest models add to the list of trusted ZOOM analyzers carried by DX Engineering: AA-35ZOOM (0.06-35 MHz), AA-55ZOOM (0.06-55 MHz), AA-55ZOOM-BT (Bluetooth version), AA-230ZOOM (0.1-230 MHz), and AA-230ZOOMBT (Bluetooth version). To keep your new analyzers safe in all kinds of weather, you can select from NANUK case/analyzer combos from DX Engineering, featuring perfectly-sized cases with sectioned foam to snugly fit your chosen model.
Also new from RigExpert is the lightweight Stick 230 Antenna Analyzer, which provides accurate measurements for 25 through 600-ohm systems, plus integrated Bluetooth technology and USB connection to a PC—all in an amazingly compact (7.3″ x 1.6″ x 1.3″) package.
See all RigExpert Antenna Analyzers, digital interfaces, digital mode interface bundles, interface cables, analyzer project boards, and more at DXEngineering.com.
What do Hams think?
Five Stars (AA-55ZOOM): Easy to use. Clear color display. Nice easy to grip form function for holding in one hand while adjusting something with the other hand. Software you can download to view saved results and graphs on a PC.
