[TowerTalk] MFJ226 / SARK110

[Robert Serfas]

I looked, briefly, at one at Dayton this year. Could not get the sales person at The booth interested in giving me a sales pitch! In any event, I think they should up size the unit to be a little more clumsy  finger, old eyes capable. A bit too tiny to be real practical. Then, maybe they can put a REAL rf connector on it. It does seem capable though, just too darn small. 

Bob / N8 PKN.

Sent from my iPad

On Jul 8, 2015, at 10:30 PM, "Richard (Rick) Karlquist" <richard at karlquist.com> wrote:

> 
> 
> On 7/8/2015 6:39 PM, Jim Brown wrote:
>> On Wed,7/8/2015 6:22 AM, Roger Parsons via TowerTalk wrote:
>>> I have a SARK110. It is beautiful!
>> 
>> Here's what I've been using for about 3 years.
>> 
>>  http://sdr-kits.net/VNWA3_Description.html
>> 
>> Note that it's a full Vector NETWORK Analyzer, and that it goes to 1.3
>> GHz! I have the 3E, which has a two-channel USB sound card. All the
>> 
>> 73, Jim K9YC.
> 
> I am not sure what Jim means by a "full" VNA.  There are a growing
> number of low cost analyzers that have the same architecture as
> this one, which combines a 1 port network analyzer with a 2nd  receiver
> port.  These devices can sort of measure S11 and S21, but do not
> offer full two port calibration with 12 term error correction like
> "real" network analyzers do.  Depending on what you are doing, these
> limited analyzers might make acceptable measurements.  Or they may
> have unexplained response ripples.
> 
> Specific to VNWA3, the output level is only -17 dBm.  This weak drive
> level is unlikely to do well when measuring 160 meter antennas in
> the presence of BCB QRM.  Again, this may or may not be an issue
> depending on your circumstances.
> 
> It goes to 1.3 GHz, but with reduced accuracy at high frequencies.
> 
> I don't like the axis scaling and labeling in the GUI.
> 
> The competition in this space seems weak compared to this model,
> so it may be best in class, but realize its limitations.
> 
> Rick N6RK
> 
> 
> 
> 
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