[Towertalk] Antenna analysers

[Jim Hill]

eHam.net http://www.eham.net/reviews/products/31  has some other thoughts 
that might help you decide which analyzer to purchase.  I don't own either, 
so can't comment personally.  Another (but much more expensive) source is 
AEA.  You might want to check the on-line manuals for the CIA and VIA at 
http://www.aea-wireless.com/via.htm  Tolerances are worse than you might 
realize, but at least you know where you stand.

Another approach is to purchase an antenna analyzer and then look for a RF 
impedance bridge like the General Radio 916 or 1606 (hope the model numbers 
are correct; they are from memory).  They probably will be at least 50 
years old, but are made from quality passive parts.  They are totally 
unsuitable for use on a tower, so you would need to use a feed line and 
Smith chart.  If you are interesting in building one (no kidding...)  I 
have some construction information that was written by a Hughes engineer 
many years ago, that appears to be well researched and tested.  Main 
problems would be fabricating aluminum shield boxes and finding the 
variable capacitor.  I started to build it, and then found a 916 bridge.  I 
could loan you the document for review and reproduction.  Loan is 
contingent on me being able to find it.
73's Jim


At 11:49 PM 7/19/2002 -0400, you wrote:
>Hi;
>
>As I am still going back and forth between MFJ269 and VA-1 when
>contemplating my next ant. anal. purchase, here are some questions to
>those of you who know the answers... .
>I am posting those questions here as I tend not to rely too heavily on
>whatever I hear from the selling party... .
>ttp://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk