AA 230 zoom

[@1polonium210]

Many thanks for the video! I've been cruising around youtube, looking for instructional videos, and yours is the best I have found.

[@dmkaeding]

With a TDR you can also put a deliberate "fault" such as a short at the end of a known length of cable and see what could be happening between. Based on where you see the real fault and the deliberate fault, you could save a lot of time and energy narrowing down the trouble.

[@johnastrello]

Just got my AA-230. YOU are a life saver. Thank you!

[@tombauer7330]

Barry, thanks for the review. Quick and fast. Great style. Am ready to pull the trigger on an AA-230. Your vid helped a lot toward confirming that this is the analyzer for me.

[@barrykery1175]

I am glad my video helped. It's really a good unit. I hope you enjoy your''s. Barry

[@kevhaworth5313]

Barry, thanks for all your help on QRZ with the AA230. Love the 'Meat and Potatoes' analogy! Subscribed, Kev M0TNX

[@ephektz]

I enjoy and appreciate your candid and straight forward style. Thanks for the new video!

[@revbikerbigd8664]

Just a aa230 zoom and thank you for making this video, I hope you make more using it on different antennas etc.... Not a lot of hands on videos out there. Im trying to tune my hustler 5 BTV antenna, having a hard time. 🙏

[@RigExpert_Ukraine]

Barry, thank you for the video!

[@mikes6844]

Great vid, a bit jealous as I only have the AA-30 but for the price it really does a decent job. What is really separating RigExpert from the rest is the new free downloadable software that interfaces via USB and or Bluetooth (check the models). The s/w is really good and what’s more it’s available for both Mac OSX and Windows. For me it’s the OSX version and just wish more manufacturers would join the 21st century. Thanks again. 👍🏻 73 de M0AZE Mike

[@barrykery1175]

I first borrowed an AA-54 and liked it. Rig Expert really makes some great antenna analyzers. I also own the AA-600. The only downside of the 230 Zoom is its battery life. Barry

[@davidarwood6838]

As always. Great video Barry!

[@nickbaker9746]

Great review Barry. Very informative. Thank you. 73

[@barrykery1175]

Thank you. I hope you found the video useful. Barry

[@kimparkin5254]

Great introduction to the AA230 Zoom. I am at the point of purchasing an analyser from Rig Expert. Choosing between a AA230 Zoom or a AA600 remains my current dilemma. I work HF 99.9% of the time. With this being said, given your knowledge and experience, which of the two analysers would you choose to purchase if you were limited to owning only one?

[@barrykery1175]

You asked the wrong person, "I have both !" Hi Hi What I like about the AA-600 is it uses size AA batteries and I use Nickel Zinc rechargeable batteries. Those batteries charge to 1.5 volts. The AA230 Zoom uses size AAA batteries and they don't last long. You have to use Alkaline batteries to get the 1.5 volts. If you use rechargeable AAA batteries, now your voltage starts out at only 1.2 volts. Putting the battery issue aside, the AA-230 Zoom is the best choice. One main reason is the sampling points and the Open Short Load calibration. The AA 600 has only 80 sampling points whereas the Zoom has a user choice of 50 to 500 sampling points. When you use OSL calibration on the 600, once you change either frequency or range, you loose the OSL. On the zoom, it does not do that. So be fully honest, the zoom does a much better job. If you are in the filed and are worried about battery life, either take an extra set with you or get one of those USB batteries people use with cell phones. Connect it to the zoom with a USB cable and now that battery powers both the 600 or the zoom. Good luck, Barry......KU3X/QRP

[@kimparkin5254]

@@barrykery1175 Hi Barry, Thank you for replying Barry. It sounds like the AA230 is the way to go for me. Re the batteries: I have a range of AA and AAA NiMH batteries that I use at home. They all charge to 1.2V not 1.5V. I will go to Battery World and see what is available and let you know. Cheers....Kim VK2BZW 73

[@buzzsah]

Vary well put, easy to understand.

[@gregmihran8616]

Excellent video Barry, thanks! Question for you and/or community: at 18:25 you made a comment which really caught my attention about SWR . I have a 40M end-fed antenna that also gives me good SWR readings (~2.0) on 80M and 160M. I can receive reasonably well on those bands but have had less luck transmitting with this antenna. Have I fooled myself into thinking this is good SWR when, in fact, I have high impedance/transmission line values? Is there a good explanation of this somewhere? 73s Greg KJ6ER

[@barrykery1175]

Thank you.

[@G0USL]

Very good tutorial, One other thing, When sweeping swr curve, If you press F then start it you get a continuous sweep. I used that to calibrate my atu on my 50metre loop. Very handy 73 de GØUSL

[@barrykery1175]

Good idea. I tried to cover as much as I could think of. Can't do it all. Hi Hi Glad you enjoyed the video. Barry, KU3X

[@G0USL]

@@barrykery1175 There is a helluva lot in those analysers. Makes me wonder how we managed without them!!

[@barrykery1175]

​@@G0USL When I became a ham, you had two tools to use, other than an SWR meter. One was a grid dip oscillator and the other was a noise bridge. Now look what we have ! Simply amazing !

[@Jed-q2q]

Excellant, thank you!

[@buzzsah]

I bought the 230 2 years ago, works great, and buy it again. Now, a few days ago I tried to turn it on in battery mode, fully charged copper tops and would not turn on. I then tried plugging it in with a USB, and it powered right up. I then unplugged the USB and the unit stayed on and shows full batteries. I turn it off and try to start it again using the batteries and will not start. I will only start using USB, but then I can unplug it and it will stay on until I turn it off. Did I turn something in the setup on/off?

[@stevemetts6206]

GR8 video on AA-230. Thanks for taking the time to educate us, 73 W3DWJ

[@revbikerbigd8664]

Anyone having a turn off problem after doing a scan? I have to wait for it to dim before button will turn it off or wait for auto off . Also problem with USB cable, wouldn't turn on unless removing and reinstalling the batteries, reset??

[@johnstrunck2242]

I have learned so much since I started using the 230. However, you have elevated that mark much higher sir. Gotta subscribe! 73 es gud DX de kc5ngx

[@marksafford1395]

Have you done any videos on making stubs ? What is your opinion on 1/4 ~ vrs 1/2~ stubs for jumpers ? Fixing to set up my mobile and I have an RigExpert 55 zoom and would like to get this correct. Thanks !

[@russozard2626]

Great info Barry many thanks 73

[@huallacanes100]

Where did you the short and open loads? Thanks

[@BadHorsie2]

Where can you purchase the open load short standards?

[@barrykery1175]

Very good question. My first set was purchased from a guy in the UK who was selling them to go along with my SARK 110. I don't know if he is still making them? Don't remember his call sign? You can get them from Mouser.com. If you noticed, I use an N to BNC adapter on my Zoom and it's always on the unit. I then carry adapters to go from BNC to whatever I need. For my OSL's, I use a BNC to SMA and my SMA's are from Mouser and they are Open, Short and Load. Here's the 50 ohm: www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Amphenol-RF/132360/?qs=sGAEpiMZZMvkloRJ4SuqXuLVgwQXDW1k58OMTbQUIq8%3D Here's the short: www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Amphenol/132331/?qs=%2Fha2pyFaduhQeOQmk2zvk1q8Qh5SAZNV0L5QRtKaTwU%3D I could not find the open, but just order an SMA connector, put the pin in and then, from the back of the connector, drop a dab of glue in it. Barry, KU3X

[@BadHorsie2]

Barry Kery Thanks for the information. 73s

[@paulsharp5473]

Very informative video. You got a noisy pen there.

[@bjarkem.christensen2052]

Great demo. From where did you get those calibaration BNC's (open, short, load) ? Are they generic or something made for the instrument? thanks in advance OZ2BMC

[@barrykery1175]

Thank you for your kind words. I made the ones you see in the video. But you can get them at Mouser.com www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Amphenol-RF/132360/?qs=sGAEpiMZZMvkloRJ4SuqXuLVgwQXDW1k58OMTbQUIq8%3D www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Amphenol/132331/?qs=%2Fha2pyFaduhQeOQmk2zvk1q8Qh5SAZNV0L5QRtKaTwU%3D The above are SMA so you'll need an adapter. Making your own using BNC's is super easy. Most of the time I let the N to BNC adapter on the unit and all of my jumper cables have a BNC on both ends and then I use adapters on the one end to make my connection to whatever is to be tested. Barry, KU3X

[@K6TJO]

awesome overview. I would like YOUR overview of the remaining features. I like how you teach. 73 de K6TJO

[@barrykery1175]

Thank you, Barry...KU3X

[@paulhastings3109]

Tnxs I just got the 35 zoom

[@elwyncarrol3883]

So if you measure the Swr of the antenna. If you add jumpers in your system does it change you swr

[@barrykery1175]

I don't totally understand your question? But, if your antenna is 50 ohms and the J = 0, then adding random lengths of 50 ohm coax does not change your SWR. If your antenna is not 50 ohms and / or your antenna is not resonant (J= not zero) then the readings you get back at the shack end of the coax will not be the same as at the antenna. In this case, if your coax is in fact 1/2 wavelengths long at a given frequency, then what you read at the antenna is the same as it is at the shack end of your coax. Confused? By using OSL calibration, you cancel out the transmission line and what you would read at the antenna is not the same as you read at the shack end of your coax, providing you did in fact run OSL calibration. Barry, KU3X

[@harryei8hvb942]

These are nice meters but let down by very poor battery life, it uses 4 x AAA batteries, RigExpert would have been better to use AA size batteries in this model, and accept the bigger footprint. at radioaficion.com/cms/aa-230-zoom-rigexpert/ they quote 4hrs continuous use, I'd love to know what batteries their using, I get a max of 1hr from a fresh set of AAA's

[@barrykery1175]

You got an hour? Oh My, you got more than I did. Hi Hi I am sorry to say that I have to agree with you. I would have sooner had a bigger foot print so I could use AA size batteries. Better yet, how about two each 18650's ? Barry, KU3X

[@voushu1]

Gracias por el video muy ilustrativo, nuevamente gracias. LU6OA

[@skiphorni]

Where did you get your OSL connectors. I am 99.7 percent HF. So need SO239 connectors. Thx. Skip, W5UTW

[@barrykery1175]

Skip, You can get a 50 SMA terminator on Ebay, where I got mine. www.ebay.com/itm/DYNAWAVE-SMA-MALE-TERMINATOR-50-OHM-0-18-GHZ-1-WATT-QUANTITY-5-PCS/221040216367?hash=item337706092f:g:uq0AAOxyVVJSBs7f I always leave my N to BNC adaptor on my Zoom and adapt from there. I then use a BNC to SMA adaptor for the 50 ohm load. I took two new BNC's and shorted one of them and the other I left blank. Once you put the center pin in the blank connector, you'll need to put a drop of glue on the inside of the connector so the pin does not work its way back up. Or you can pack it with paper. If you build what I did, you can easily cover up to 230 mhz. You can make the same thing out of PL 259's if you like. Get three 150 ohm metal film 1/8 watt resistors. You can twist one end of the paralled resistors together and solder them to the center pin of the connector. The other ends.....pull them through one hole each on the shell of the connector. Use a new unused connector for the open and just solder a short on another new connector. Those will be good for up to 54 mhz. They just came out with a firmware update. They added a 250 point sampling selection. I keep mine on that selection all of the time. Hope that helps you out. Barry, KU3X

[@boxingday11]

Cheers Barry, very informative . 73 carl g0lka.

[@51nw]

i have a question the company didn't answer for me via email and the manual doesn't talk about. in the menu you can adjust the coax velocity factor number for making lengths, stubs etc. do you need to set the velocity factor number to match the coax for general antenna swr, reactance, impedance readings to be correct? hope this makes sense.

[@barrykery1175]

It does make sense. No, you do not have to. You can have any VF setting for checking antennas. Barry, KU3X

[@bobkozlarekwa2sqq59]

Great video WA2SQQ

[@robmccance]

Informative video Barry, thanks. You ever use or try the cable impedance measurement feature? Wonder how that procedure goes and how accurate it is. Thanks Rob www.N4GA.com

[@barrykery1175]

Tnx fer ur kind words. Yes, I do test some of my home brew parallel feeders and the Zoom does a good job. I've tested home brew parallel feeders with the MFJ 259B, SARK 110, AA-600 and the Zoom. All gave pretty much the same results. I still have the AA-600 and the SARK 110, but my 230 Zoom is not my, "Go To" antenna analyzer. It does a great job. Barry, KU3X