100%.
I have a $10k (when new) Anritsu, and a Copper Mountain R-60 (because I
worked in the telecom industry). The R-60 is cool because it's tiny,
with just 1 RF and 1 USB port. It's basically always calibrated at it's
RF port, so instead of an RF test jumper you use a USB jumper from the
DUT to a laptop (which powers and runs the R-60). Even the best RF test
jumpers get flaky with lots of use.
I have a 100' *active* USB cable that gets the R-60 to where I need it,
usually.
However.... 99% of the time when working on my HF antennas, I use my
AA-55. It just gets the job done, quickly, no fuss. Never have to refer
to a manual.
-Steve K8LX
On 02/11/26 10:21 PM, Jeff Blaine wrote:
I have an AA-55 as well as the 230 Mhz version and I prefer the > AA-55. It's bigger and is rugged as hell. I would much recommend >
that to a guy wanting something he could use for most applications > out
in the field. Would not recommend a classic VNA simply due to > all the
setup nonsense. The AA-55 has "the right number of knobs" - > where
these nano VNA have a thousand settings. Given you can do an > OSL on
the end of the Rig Expert, it's my go-to unit for antenna > work. > >
73/jeff/ac0c alpha-charlie-zero-charlie www.ac0c.com > > On 2/11/2026
7:23 PM, vk3od--- via TowerTalk wrote: >> The older Rig Expert AA-55 is
good HF unit that has SOL >> calibration at the end of the cable. Most
of the Rig Expert >> analyzers have this option. The AA-55 has a higher
output power >> and can help fight interference when making
measurements. HF and 6 >> meters only. >> >> I own one and it has been
reliable. The only complaint is that the >> screen is hard to read
outdoors in bright sunlight. They do have >> small units with screens
that you can read in direct sunlight. I >> prefer something with a
larger screen. If they release a unit with >> a large screen that can be
read in direct sunlight with high >> output power I would get one. >> >>
The only feature that it does not have is the ability to save >>
multiple calibrations for different cables in the standalone unit. >> I
generally do this with my VNWA where I can save different >> calibration
profiles thats easy to understand and recall. >> >> I also have a FA-VA4
and it is great general purpose unit with a >> wider frequency range. It
can also be used the VNWA software for >> control. I dont own a FA-VA6.
>> >> As for the NanoVna, the recommneded store to buy from is the >>
Zeenko store on Aliexpress. There may be others that sell the >> genuine
item that is not a crap clone. >> >> https://www.zeenko.tech/ >> >> Good
luck with your acquisition. >> >> 73 VK3OD >> >> >>
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