[TowerTalk] VNA Antenna Analyzer

[Jim Brown]

Anyone considering a VNA owes it to themselves to look at the VNWA 3e, 
designed by a German EE prof and built by some hams in the UK. It is, in 
several ways, superior to the Array Solutions products and at half the 
cost.  I paid $769 three years ago, including calibration kit, 
inexpensive case, and shipping to my home in W6.  It's also well 
supported by a Yahoo group that is monitored both by DG8SAQ, the 
designer and software/firmware author and the UK hams who build it.

http://sdr-kits.net/VNWA3_Description.html

The cables and cal kit are SMA; I mostly use the VNWA with UHF 
connectors to measure systems and antennas at HF. I've accumulated a 
variety of connector adapters from ham flea markets, and made my own UHF 
short and open that are plenty good enough for HF measurements. The key 
is to make the distance between short and open as nearly equal as 
possible. Distance to the 50 ohm load doesn't matter much.

When buying adapters, by all means try to avoid the shiny un-branded 
stuff sold for a few bucks each. I try to buy either Amphenol branded 
parts or those stamped with mil-spec numbers.

Obviously, greater precision of calibration is needed if you're 
measuring at UHF. The VNWA goes to 500 MHz full spec, reduced spec to 
1.3 GHz.

73, Jim K9YC

On Fri,10/30/2015 5:21 AM, Michael Tope wrote:
> Wayne, you might check with Array Solutions. They list the following 
> accessories in the price list under the AIM-4300 Analyzer:
>
> AS-PLS-U    Standard Calibration load set  PL259 up to 1 GHz $50.00
> AS-PLS-N    Standard Calibration Load Set Type-N up to 1 GHz $60.00
>
> http://www.arraysolutions.com/pricelist.htm
>
> I am assuming since they call it a "set" that it includes an open, 
> short, and load, but you would need to confirm that with them.
>
> 73, Mike W4EF...........
>
> On 10/29/2015 5:00 PM, Wayne Kline wrote:
>> Fellow TT'ers
>>      I bought a  VNA type antenna analyzer .  Just scratching the 
>> surface to it' s capabilities.  One thing I know I need to build a 
>> set OSL Open Short Load
>> termination calibrator fittings.   Spent some time on Google SMA  
>> homebrew   are easy to find... ( f I had bought a SARK 100 which  has 
>> an SMA connector I would be golden )    But  I  need info for an   
>> UHF  or  N connector .
>>        Not wanting to reinvent the wheel   anybody  have info on  
>> such animals ?
>>       Wayne  W3EA
>>
>
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