[TowerTalk] Testing Antennas

[Ford Peterson]

I have been using the Autek VA-1.  It's a cheaper unit ($210) and really
does the trick around here.  It's limited to 34mHz so if low VHF is an
issue, this would be a bad choice.

What I like about it is that it is small (about like a pack of cigarettes)
and runs for hours on 9volts.  It gives true R +/-j measurements along with
SWR, Z etc.  Measures C and L at frequency, etc.  It also has a nifty
feature that I have test and does in fact work.  You measure the 1/4
wavelength of line between you and the antenna, latch it into a memory, and
measure R & +/-j at the antenna--but from the other end of the feedline.
That has saved me countless trips up this tower (for this aging body, that's
a big feature!)

That'll cost ya exactly  $0.02

Ford-N0OQW
ford@cmgate.com




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