Seasoned operators will tell you that an antenna analyzer is one of the most important performance-enhancing items to take along with you for ARRL Field Day. If you haven’t added one to your arsenal of testing gear, it’s an upgrade that should be high on your list as Field Day approaches.
Mark, K8MSH, highlights their many uses and practicality for Field Day ops in his excellent article, Proper Use of Antenna Analyzers for Ham Radio Operators:
“As a lightweight, self-contained unit, the analyzer has a built-in low-power signal generator which allows testing beyond the edges of the amateur radio bands and doesn’t interfere with other stations on the air. With measurement and display systems combined into a small package, plus built-in battery power, they’re perfect for use in the field.”
The Hams at DX Engineering—active operators with more than 1,000+ years of combined experience—have been successfully using antenna analyzers for years. If you’re new to antenna analyzer shopping, they can help you choose the model that’s best suited for your setup and budget. The great news is that DX Engineering carries a wide range of Field Day-friendly antenna analyzers and accessories that will become essential year-round tools long after Field Day is over.
These versatile workhorses perform a variety of functions, including measuring the capacitance or inductance of reactive loads, checking coaxial cable assemblies, tuning an antenna to resonance, and performing antenna SWR and impedance measurements. (Read this article on How to Test Coaxial Cable for details on one of their many uses.)
You’ll find an excellent selection of antenna analyzers at DXEngineering.com. Here are a few options:
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RigExpert Antenna Analyzers
RigExpert has been producing and refining their popular antenna analyzers since 2003. The devices are available in a range of frequency coverage and prices.
Choose from the AA-35ZOOM (0.06 to 35 MHz—shown below), AA-55ZOOM (0.06 to 55 MHz), AA-650ZOOM (0.1 to 650 MHz), AA-1500ZOOM (0.1 to 1,500 MHz), and the AA-2000ZOOM (0.1 to 2,000 MHz) models featuring bright LCD screens that provide graphic illustrations of SWR, impedance, return loss and more; the ability to connect with a PC or Mac for further functionality; and a zoom-in function to get a closer look at graphic points.
What do Hams Say About the RigExpert AA-35ZOOM Antenna Analyzer?
Five Stars: “I now concur with everyone who says one of these is an “indispensable” essential for any station. I set up my first HF station and a multiband trap dipole, tuner, and digital SWR/wattmeter. I ran for a month and then finally bought this as I struggled to understand an issue tuning up on 80M. I connected this to my antenna and PC and boy did I learn a lot in a hurry! Although I was making QSOs on multiple bands and my SWR meter generally gave readings in the “acceptable” range, within five minutes of powering up this RigExpert I discovered that my antenna’s resonance points were below the CW portions of nearly every band. Very easy to learn and use for basic functions, and very necessary for optimizing the locating, orientation, and length of dipoles (and I’m sure many other antenna types).”
Adam, DX Engineering customer
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RigExpert Bluetooth Antenna Analyzer Models
Models AA-230ZOOMBT (0.1 to 230 MHz) and AA-3000ZOOM (0.1 to 3,000 MHz) come with built-in Bluetooth wireless communications that enable you to work with a Bluetooth-equipped smartphone, tablet, or laptop. The AA-3000ZOOM model also features a large 800 x 480 pixel color TFT display with BlanView® technology, which enables the display to create high contrast and crisp images even when sunlight hits its surface directly.
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Small & Mighty “Stick” Antenna Analyzers
RigExpert “Stick” antenna analyzers with integrated Bluetooth technology offer similar functionality but in a lighter, more compact package for easier transport in the field (7.3″ x 1.6″ x 1.3″; 6.5 ounces).
DX Engineering carries these stick models:
- STICK-PRO (0.1 to 600 MHz)
- STICK-230 (100 kHz to 230 MHz)
- STICK-500 (100 kHz to 500 MHz)
- STICK-XPRO (0.1 to 1,000 MHz, shown below)
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Add more functionality to your RigExpert antenna analyzer with a DX Engineering OSL (Open-Short-Load) Calibration Set that allows the measurement reference plane of AA-55ZOOM and higher analyzers to be moved to the far end of the transmission line for accurate measurement of any antenna in its proper operating location.
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Also available is Comet’s popular CAA-500MARKII Antenna Analyzer (1.8 to 500 MHz), featuring a cross-needle analog function and full-color TFT LCD that shows SWR and total impedance with R and X values.
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For easy transport in the field, consider an analyzer/case combo that pairs a RigExpert or Comet antenna analyzer with a NANUK case in your choice of colors.
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Also check out mini vector network analyzers from Chelegance and WiMo available at DXEngineering.com. Below is the Chelegance JNCRadio 3G Portable Vector Network Analyzer, which features 50 kHz to 3 GHz coverage. The unit can be used for measuring SWR, impedance, reactance, phase, delay, and Q factor of RF circuits, filters, duplexers, amplifier strip lines, cables and antennas, and many other applications. It displays in linear, polar, and Smith Chart plots.
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Since Field Day preparation never stops, visit DXEngineering.com today for everything you’ll need for a successful weekend, including coaxial cables, solar panels, and much more.
