[TowerTalk] FA-VA5 question

[Michael Tope]

You can save raw impedance data to memory on the FA-VA5 while using it 
standalone in the field and then download it later to the VNWA software. 
The one frustrating limitation of using the unit standalone is that you 
are limited to 101 frequency points per memory register (IIRC, the unit 
has 10 memory registers). For typical antenna impedance measurements, 
that is fine, but for TDR measurements, it can limit resolution. You can 
get around this somewhat by saving sub-segments to different memory 
registers and then combining them after download. In theory this would 
allow you to achieve the equivalent of saving 1010 frequency points 
while using the unit standalone.

73, Mike W4EF....................

On 11/5/2021 10:21 AM, Wes wrote:
> Since you don't want to read any manuals, this is probably a moot 
> point, but the VNWA software has TDR provisions.  Whether you can get 
> enough data out of the FA-VA5 or not isn't clear to me without reading 
> the manual.  I too have better things to do at the moment. :-)
>
> Wes  N7WS
>
>
>
> On 11/5/2021 9:35 AM, Dave Sublette wrote:
>> I have one of these which I use to check SWR and measure component 
>> values.
>> I love it.  I know it is capable of doing more.  I just haven't had a 
>> need
>> to use it any other way.  What I am wondering is, will the thing act 
>> as a
>> TDR?
>>
>> I have a 200 foot run of half inch Superflex cable buried in a PVC pipe.
>> Thanks to a recent lightning strike, It measures shorted at one end 
>> of the
>> run and open at the other.  If I could get some Idea where the 
>> problem is,
>> perhaps I could dig it up and repair it without trying to pull and 
>> replace
>> it.  A fault like this implies to me that there is a clean break 
>> somewhere
>> and a short somewhere else. With a TDR, I could find the break and 
>> repair
>> it, then find the short.
>>
>> Any other thoughts?  Sure would be nice if I could get this repaired 
>> before
>> winter sets in.
>>
>> Thanks & 73,
>>
>> Dave, K4TO
>>
>> ps -- I know there is a manual for this.  Please don't suggest that I 
>> read
>> it.  I have nine pieces of equipment to repair and I am up to my ears in
>> alligators!
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