W4RT , antenna analyzer ?

[KD0CAC]

I'm a relatively new ham , about 1 1/2 yrs. , just passed the general .
I have been looking at antenna analyzers & tuner's , lots to choose from , I came across W4RTs web site , and looked at the software defined analyzer , have been looking for reviews , talked to people in my area , few new about and the few that did , did not like the idea of having to have to carry a laptop around [ more bulk than the average analyzer ] , but it seems to offer a lot of capabilities .
So has anyone played with this unit , would like to know more from those that have more experience with these .
Thanks

W4RT Electronics Ham Radio Accessories (http://www.w4rt.com/)

[W1GUH]

I'm a relatively new ham , about 1 1/2 yrs. , just passed the general .
I have been looking at antenna analyzers & tuner's , lots to choose from , I came across W4RTs web site , and looked at the software defined analyzer , have been looking for reviews , talked to people in my area , few new about and the few that did , did not like the idea of having to have to carry a laptop around [ more bulk than the average analyzer ] , but it seems to offer a lot of capabilities .
So has anyone played with this unit , would like to know more from those that have more experience with these .
Thanks

W4RT Electronics Ham Radio Accessories (http://www.w4rt.com/)

Hi! From the lack of response it looks like nobody here has used one, either. When I looked at the description at the website, it looks like a mighty powerful unit that'll probaby tell you everything you ever wanted to know about your antennas/feedlines, but were afraid to ask! ;) The thing is, it comes with a pretty hefty price tag, $398.99 plus a computer vs. $289.95 for the MFJ-259B. It's true that the W4RT has nominally wider frequency coverage, 0.1 to 180 MHz vs 1.8 to 170Mhz, but I wouldn't think the extra coverage is all that useful. Plus, as you said, you've got to lug a computer along for it to be useful. Unless...and this sounds cool...you use the "RS232 optional socket for Pocket PC`s or Remote Displays". That plus a pocket PC could be a pretty awesome portable instrument. Or, as the site says, you do

"It is possible to use the miniVNA together with a Bluetooth adaptor, using the miniVNA's internal RS-232 serial interface. Both the Bluetooth adaptor and the miniVNA must be supplied, in this case, with power from an external source (e.g. battery). The computer must have a Bluetooth interface. This enables remote measurements, for example, right at the base of an antenna."

Trouble is, those make the price premium even more "premium."

OTOH, the MFJ analyzer is very well liked, I LOVE mine, & while it won't make pretty plots like the 'RT unit, it does make it easy to sweep whatever frequency range you want to while watching the display & meter. The only real downside there is the dice roll of getting a "semi-kit" from MFJ, something I don't particularly worry about. Plus, when I got mine about a year ago, it worked perfectly out of the box.

Whatever you decide on, you'll love the convenience of an analyzer. Takes a LOT of the pain (well, trial and error, and since it's ham stuff, it's FUN, right?) out of gettting your antenna set up.

Welcome and have fun!

[KL7AJ]

Hi! From the lack of response it looks like nobody here has used one, either. When I looked at the description at the website, it looks like a mighty powerful unit that'll probaby tell you everything you ever wanted to know about your antennas/feedlines, but were afraid to ask! ;) The thing is, it comes with a pretty hefty price tag, $398.99 plus a computer vs. $289.95 for the MFJ-259B. It's true that the W4RT has nominally wider frequency coverage, 0.1 to 180 MHz vs 1.8 to 170Mhz, but I wouldn't think the extra coverage is all that useful. Plus, as you said, you've got to lug a computer along for it to be useful. Unless...and this sounds cool...you use the "RS232 optional socket for Pocket PC`s or Remote Displays". That plus a pocket PC could be a pretty awesome portable instrument. Or, as the site says, you do

"It is possible to use the miniVNA together with a Bluetooth adaptor, using the miniVNA's internal RS-232 serial interface. Both the Bluetooth adaptor and the miniVNA must be supplied, in this case, with power from an external source (e.g. battery). The computer must have a Bluetooth interface. This enables remote measurements, for example, right at the base of an antenna."

Trouble is, those make the price premium even more "premium."

OTOH, the MFJ analyzer is very well liked, I LOVE mine, & while it won't make pretty plots like the 'RT unit, it does make it easy to sweep whatever frequency range you want to while watching the display & meter. The only real downside there is the dice roll of getting a "semi-kit" from MFJ, something I don't particularly worry about. Plus, when I got mine about a year ago, it worked perfectly out of the box.

Whatever you decide on, you'll love the convenience of an analyzer. Takes a LOT of the pain (well, trial and error, and since it's ham stuff, it's FUN, right?) out of gettting your antenna set up.

Welcome and have fun!


That's about as cheap a vector network analyzer as you're gonna get. Probably a bit of overkill for the casual user, but I'd consider one for my lab.

Certainly more accessible than a $45,000 HP version!


Eric

[KD0CAC]

I've heard some local reply's , over the radio , about the only ones have been carrying the extra laptop up a tower , mostly from those that haven't gone up a tower yet .
In my mind [ haven't put up much in the way of antennas yet ] , but would figure that using two way radios with some one on the ground relaying info for adjustments .
As far as the extra expense , I do do not see any , most hams have computers .
I have been supprized at the lack of response and reviews on multiple ham sites .
I am looking at using a metal pole barn as part of an antenna , but having some instruments to look at what effect the metal from the pole barn [ antenna above using barn as ground plane , ect. ] .
Then in a mobile , I have an aluminum latter rack , that I thought about isolating from the rest of the topper , and looking at where it resonates , and what a tuner can do with it .
Thanks for any info / ideas .

[N4OGW]

I'm a relatively new ham , about 1 1/2 yrs. , just passed the general .
I have been looking at antenna analyzers & tuner's , lots to choose from , I came across W4RTs web site , and looked at the software defined analyzer , have been looking for reviews , talked to people in my area , few new about and the few that did , did not like the idea of having to have to carry a laptop around [ more bulk than the average analyzer ] , but it seems to offer a lot of capabilities .
So has anyone played with this unit , would like to know more from those that have more experience with these .
Thanks

W4RT Electronics Ham Radio Accessories (http://www.w4rt.com/)

I don't have one, but there are a bunch of reviews of it on Eham.

Tor
N4OGW

[KL7AJ]

I've heard some local reply's , over the radio , about the only ones have been carrying the extra laptop up a tower , mostly from those that haven't gone up a tower yet .
In my mind [ haven't put up much in the way of antennas yet ] , but would figure that using two way radios with some one on the ground relaying info for adjustments .
As far as the extra expense , I do do not see any , most hams have computers .
I have been supprized at the lack of response and reviews on multiple ham sites .
I am looking at using a metal pole barn as part of an antenna , but having some instruments to look at what effect the metal from the pole barn [ antenna above using barn as ground plane , ect. ] .
Then in a mobile , I have an aluminum latter rack , that I thought about isolating from the rest of the topper , and looking at where it resonates , and what a tuner can do with it .
Thanks for any info / ideas .


I was being a little facetious in my first post. There is a calibration procedure for a network analyzer that allows you to use it at the end of any length of coax. It still involves climbing the tower, but not with a computer...just a termination resistor and a short. :)

I think a lot of people could really benefit from using a network analyzer...it gives you a LOT of insight about transmission lines and R.F. in general. This entry level device would be a great "must have" for every electronics class.

Eric

[KD0CAC]

I don't have one, but there are a bunch of reviews of it on Eham.

Tor
N4OGW

Could you give a link , I've been there , used several variations of antenna analyzer & W4RT ect. , and it didn't come up ?

[KD0CAC]

I was being a little facetious in my first post. There is a calibration procedure for a network analyzer that allows you to use it at the end of any length of coax. It still involves climbing the tower, but not with a computer...just a termination resistor and a short. :)

I think a lot of people could really benefit from using a network analyzer...it gives you a LOT of insight about transmission lines and R.F. in general. This entry level device would be a great "must have" for every electronics class.

Eric

You are using an extra/different term in the thread " network " , could you give me the relevance of that as compared to antenna analyzer , I am missing something , thanks ?

[KL7AJ]

You are using an extra/different term in the thread " network " , could you give me the relevance of that as compared to antenna analyzer , I am missing something , thanks ?

Howdy:
The W4RT magic box, along with the right software, allows you to plot a Smith Chart of any load impedance. It functions similarly to an antenna analyzer, but is a lot more detailed. You don't just get numbers for a single frequency, but can do wide range plots. With the proper calibration you can measure the impedance of an antenna remotely, from the input end of the transmission line, and a lot more.

For more info, you might want to look up Vector Network Analyzers on the web. Warning....once you try one, you'll want one. :)
eric

[KV1M]

Take a look at Thomas Baier DG8SAQ's VNWA:
http://www.sdr-kits.net/VNWA/VNWA_Description.html

If you are handy with a kit you can go from 1kHz to 500MHz with usability up to 1.3GHz for about $200 bucks US.

[N4OGW]

Could you give a link , I've been there , used several variations of antenna analyzer & W4RT ect. , and it didn't come up ?

Go to the Eham reviews page. Type "minivna" in the search box.

Tor
N4OGW

[KD0CAC]

Thanks for the info so far / search refining .
Other options .
Nothing still at E-Ham for W4RT's analyzer , but others there , so far .
Just more interest in having one more tool .

[KI6HLD]

There was a review of the W4RT and another VNA (sorry, I don't remember which one) in QST about 6 months ago. Both reviews were pretty favorable. Unfortunately, seems the ARRL website is down right now.

[KD0CAC]

Never smoked cigarettes , never addicted to any thing .
But I have had a serious tool jones for ever , these look like they need to be in my tool box .

[ZL3GSL]

A VNA is much much much much better than an "antenna analyzer".

I want one.

There are a number of designs by amateurs. As the DDS chips improve, they will get even better. I think the upper frequency is now 1300 MHz. Some are kits; there's one amateur design built commercially.

I've seen one connected to a laptop computer using a Bluetooth interface. That means the VNA could be at the feedpoint of an antenna and the laptop inside the shack. Nice.

[KV1M]

A VNA is much much much much better than an "antenna analyzer".

I want one.

There are a number of designs by amateurs. As the DDS chips improve, they will get even better. I think the upper frequency is now 1300 MHz. Some are kits; there's one amateur design built commercially.

I've seen one connected to a laptop computer using a Bluetooth interface. That means the VNA could be at the feedpoint of an antenna and the laptop inside the shack. Nice.

Hey, that is pretty slick!
I'd bet any of the VNA's being talked about here could be retrofitted by a resourceful ham for such a setup.
Hmmm, I spy a new project on the horizon... :)