[TowerTalk] Antenna Analyzers

[Richard (Rick) Karlquist]

On 12/5/2018 7:21 AM, Wes Stewart wrote:

> 2) Short of an HP-8510, 8753 or 3577 the gold standard for hobbyist use 
> IMHO is the SDR-Kits, DG8SAQ designed VNWA. 
> (https://www.sdr-kits.net/introducing-DG8SAQ-VNWA3) This is also a 
> two-port vector analyzer. The VNWA software is *very* powerful, with a 
> commensurate learning curve, and is well supported by the author Dr.Tom 
> Baier as well as some very knowledgeable users.  A bit difficult to 
> operate in the field because it's tethered to a computer, but I have 
> done it.  This is a lab grade instrument. Uses SMA connectors.

I would somewhat argue about the software being very powerful.
Especially compared the the HP analyzers you mentioned.  It
is not even close in terms of user productivity.  For example,
AFAIK, there is no command to set the center frequency to the
marker frequency.  The user would have to make a note of the
marker frequency and then manually enter the new center
frequency.  Just one of many limitations.  The user is also expected
to set the multiplication factors for RF and LO depending on the
measurement frequency.  This is very poorly documented.

It is not clear if you can do full 2 port calibration.  This
is probably covered under the learning curve comment.  If it
is possible, it isn't obvious or straightforward.

It is good that the VNWA is well supported but the HP analyzers you
cited are intuitively obvious to use and don't require any
support in most cases.

(I have owned a VNWA for a few years).

Rick N6RK