Looks nice for the price, but some questions to ask:
1) Is it really a VNA? Or is it a Complex Impedance Analyzer (CIA)? I
don¹t see mention of a second port for full S parameter testing (e.g., S21
transmission);
2 Given it¹s maximum -10 dBm output level how well does it perform on 160m
in the presence of strong AM broadcast stations especially over-resonated
antennas where one would sweep through the upper BC band? The Array
Solutions 4170 has a similar output level but it¹s software does a good
job of discriminating against high levels of interference;
3) Z range. It appears to be limited to 1K-ohm. What is the accuracy
over a range of complex Z values? For many of us, 1K is marginal.
For a USD $380 device, I would not expect it to perform anywhere near the
VNA2180. The VNA2180 has an adjustable +7 dBm output level, is capable
of full S-poarameter testing, and remains reasonably accurate overt its
specified frequency range to 5K-ohm. It may be more ³usebale' than the
VNA2180, but certainly not as powerful. It¹s probably more relevant to
compare the SARK with one of the RigExpert handheld CIAs. At least they
appear to be in the same performance/price class.
Paul, W9AC
-----Original Message-----
From: K7LXC--- via TowerTalk
Sent: Wednesday, December 10, 2014 14:23
To: towertalk@contesting.com
Subject: [TowerTalk] New antenna analyzer from SteppIR
Howdy, TowerTalkians --
I attended a meeting of the Western Washington DX Club last night and
the presentation was a new product from the guys at SteppIR, a local
company. It's a real nifty antenna analyzer that is small enough to put
in
a
shirt pocket but has lots of features. The basic unit is the SARK 110 which
until now has not been available in the US. SteppIR will feature the
nomenclature of VNA 110 (Vector Network Analyzer). They're positioning it
as
better
than an MFJ and much more usable than the Array Solutions VNA 2180 which
requires a PC to drive it.
It'll do the usual antenna functions and also includes a TDR (Time
Domain Reflectometer) which is invaluable for feedline problems. It has a
USB
port and is completely computer compatible. The price will be around $380
and I don't know when it'll become available.
Cheers,
Steve K7LXC
TOWER TECH
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
TowerTalk mailing list
TowerTalk@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
TowerTalk mailing list
TowerTalk@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
TowerTalk mailing list
TowerTalk@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
|