[CQ-Contest] Antenna Analyzer Expert

[David Gilbert]

I don't claim to be an expert, but I own an HF-CIA, a nanoVNA, and a 
FA-VA5.  I have used all three extensively over the years.  The HF-CIA 
woks fine but is large and a bit clunky.  The nanoVNA is amazing for its 
size and cost.

The one I always use now, though, is the FA-VA5.  It has a larger 
screen, buttons with a decent menu system, good accuracy, and a 
reasonable cost.  I wouldn't have bought the others if I had the FA-VA5 
first.

Just my two cents worth.

73,
Dave   AB7E



On 2/5/2023 10:57 PM, Barry Jacobson wrote:
> Hi, I need advice on getting one of the antenna analyzers on the market. I
> have an 80 meter dipole fed with ladder line from an MFJ 989D tuner. I
> seldom use 10 meters, but tried to go on the 10-10 phone contest today.
> Would not tune in that segment of band. Tuner instructions say most
> commonly need to shorten feedline by 1/8 wavelength at band that won't
> tune. Before cutting line and possibly messing up other bands that work
> fine, I would like to know exactly where I stand on each band. I could use
> a device that will tell me exact length of line currently, and what effect
> shortening will have on all other bands, and whether the new impedances
> will be within range of capability of tuner. I don't mind learning complex
> impedances and Smith charts if necessary, but want to do it systematically.
> Don't know if devices out there do this for you. Some possibilities I have
> heard of are NanoVNA, Rigexpert, MFJ antenna analyzer. I don't know if I
> should go on EZNEC. The last 15 feet of each end of dipole droop
> vertically, but don't think that's the main problem.
>
> There is a whole page of devices. Don't know where to begin.
>
> https://www.eham.net/reviews/view-category?id=31
>
> Any advice from an expert greatly appreciated.
>
> 73,
>
> Barry
>
> --
> Barry Jacobson
> WA2VIU
> bdj at alum.mit.edu
> @bdj_phd
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