[TowerTalk] VNA

[Grant Saviers]

I have a collection, acquired over time and need and economics. First a 
noise bridge, then a couple of Auteks.  (yikes, how old am I?) Then the 
MFJ259, useful, but sold it since it overloaded with AM.  I had direct 
line of sight to 50kw 1MHz BCB 3 miles at my former QTH.  Not good, 1 
volt on the power lines.  Upgraded to a 4170, slight overload from the 
BCB but useful results and also much more capability.  Still have it, 
has a good GUI for TDR, but not self powered and needs a PC.  Then added 
a VNWA for two port measurements and it rarely leaves my workbench.  
Tuned/checked lots of filters.  Upgraded from v2 to v3 of VNWA.  A lab 
grade instrument at 10% of the cost.    Then for going on a DXpedition I 
bought a AA54, a solid instrument and rugged, although I had to tweak 
the case to allow a PL to seat fully on the SO.  The new model and QST 
review look very nice.  Then added a SARK for portability, the new ucode 
is a good improvement but it is a bit fragile at the connector.  Does 
everything a single port analyzer can do and is super portable but is 
tiny, so human factors might be an issue for some hams.  I took both 
SARK and AA54 on my last DXpeditions.  Used both. Left one behind when 
another station's analyzer got fried - easy to do in a multi QRO 
transmitter environment.  Everybody needs to QRT when measuring an 
antenna nearby.

Size, battery power, rugged, & no PC needed are first priorities for me 
in field antenna work.  For bench work, components, filters, etc. the 
VNWA is essential.  Portables with a computer connection and good TDR 
plot are a plus for checking feedlines before or after on the tower, the 
small screens don't hack it.

Also be aware that AFAIK, ALL mentioned can be overloaded and in one 
case we could only get consistent data transmitting at 5w with a K3 & 
SWR meter for some big antennas.  The ham analyzers don't have the front 
ends or processing technologies of an Agilent or a $80k Rhode and 
Schwarz (drool).

So that is my history and uses of them.  Several great choices for 
whatever your needs.  Not owned is the YouKits FG-01, but have used 
others and it works fine.

Grant KZ1W


On 10/30/2017 17:29 PM, Neal Sulmeyer wrote:
> ​My MFJ 259B is 25 years old and obsolete. Time for an upgrade.  I'm considering the AIM 4300 (updgrade to the AIM4170 recommended by ON4UN).
>
> I would like to hear some opinions on this device and others from my fellow TowerTalkers.
>
> Neal, K4EA
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