Do You Need An Antenna Analyzer?? Mailbag Monday #39

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[@MrTommy001]

I've only been a General for about three months (it's 4/12/24 right now) and into HF for the same time. Total newbie. I decided early on I "wanted" an antenna analyzer. I hemmed and hawed between one of the RIG Expert units and the Comet Mark II. I finally decided on the Comet for simple ease of use, even though it was more costly than most Rig Experts. I love this thing and it has helped me fix problems on my newly erected 10m wire antenna. Actually, the major problem was my poor PL259 connector construction skills (or lack thereof - ha). I've since used this analyzer to check SWR's on several old CB magnetic mounts (retired trucker) and an old 2m mag mount. Amazing to see that these antennas are actually resonant! Thanks for your matter-of-fact easy to understand videos, and the honest humor you inject. I could probably sit down with you over a cocktail and a stogie and feel totally comfortable. You never 'talk down'.

[@kd5you1]

I found that an antenna analyzer is an invaluable tool, and it has made antenna building a whole lot easier. I use a Rig Experts AA-35 Zoom, and when I make inverted V antennas I make them longer than necessary. I then use the antenna analyzer to gauge how much wire I need to cut off of each end to get my antenna to a specific resonant frequency. I can also see if my antennas are resonant on other ham bands. While making antennas, it saves me from having to transmit on a high SWR. 73 KD5YOU

[@imarunner2]

I really like how you addressed this question! I didn't "need" an antenna analyzer until I used a NanoVNA.

[@hamradiotube]

I bought a NanoVNA, opened it up, hated it so much that after 10 minutes I gave it away to a friend.

[@zs1ml-mariuslubbe505]

@@hamradiotube You should use nanovna saver software with it. Makes it very easy to use.

[@hamradiotube]

@@zs1ml-mariuslubbe505 No thanks. I'm good with the RigExpert and everything it's capable of. Including the phone and computer software.

[@mikesimpson6757]

I have a kit just like this. Absolutely essential kit.

[@M0RMY]

Came here from the Premiere!! Well done Mike.

[@randyab9go188]

Do we need an antenna analyzer? Hams for years and years didn't need one or have one but they are nice. The only thing I can add is I have experience with loop antennas and the rig experts sample along with other digital antenna analyzers. Sampling analyzers do not work well with the extremely narrow banded loop antennas. Usually what happens is the null is between two samples and it looks like there is no dip in the SWR. If you have an old analog antenna analyzer such as with sold by MFJ in the past such as the 259 series the 207, 247 and others the dip in SWR is readily visible when you manually scan the frequencies of interest.

[@princearthur4946]

Excelent presentation!

[@jasonodette8607]

Thanks again for the knowledge helping other Hams mike. I feel it's a must !

[@hamradiotube]

You bet!

[@Frankh77]

I like buying Amphenol silver plated adapters, used is Ok, too. Can find "lots" of big assortments for low cost (relatively) and fill in the missing ones with one-off used sales. Then, use Silver jewelry cleaning solution to remove the oxidation (buy one, don't use your wife's too often!)

[@jamesgeorge1709]

What did we do before analyzers we used noise bridges and SWR meters and it worked fine.

[@RandomWire107]

After putting it off for years and trying all the nano shenaniganalyzers and sark sheit I bit the bullet and bought a Rig Expert. Should have done that day one.

[@johnwest7993]

A NanoVNA does everything an antenna analyzer does, plus far more. That, a multimeter, a TinySA, and a handful of homebrew accessories are a very inexpensive way to to do nearly every sort of measurement in ham radio.

[@franciscolopez3229]

Brfore, I was kinda in and out if I should buy an antenna analyzer but then I came across someone selling his 269 which was in very good shape and was selling it for very good deal. So I thought, what the heck, since I'm building my own antennas I might as well grab the opportunity. And man, I sure did made the right decision. It may not be as high tech as the other brands, but it gets the job done a lot easier for me now and I can share it with others.

[@W9HJBill]

Now we can watch the video!

[@K3JRZOnTheAir]

Get adapters from American Radio Supply. Great place! 73

[@pieterdutoit9642]

for mike and me a Analyzer is a must have

[@RowanHawkins]

I haven't yet watched the video yet but I can say that you do want an antenna analyzer or you want to buy radios over and over and over again.

[@AD6DMDennis]

Does anyone "need" anything in ham radio, probably not. But we WANT ALL THE THINGS.

[@hamradiotube]

Yes we sure do!

[@RicSpivey]

Works fine after the premier! YT did Mike dirty

[@kyoshivp]

I'm also new to ham radio. I opted to start with a NanoVNA. For me, it's "good enough for now" and saved me some money on the off chance I didn't like this whole ham radio thing. I'll probably upgrade some time next year, though, to something else....likely an RE.

[@davep6977]

I've been a ham since the 70's and my Nano VNA is the handiest tool I've got. Once you get into all it's features, you'll see what. I love the graphic representation. I can ck an antenna to see how it perform mono or multi band. It can ck coax. I supposed you settled for IC-7610 as a starter rig

[@johnwest7993]

An 'antenna analyzer' is not an upgrade from a NanoVNA. A NanoVNA does far more than an antenna analyzer. You did well to get one.

[@AA0Z]

Right angle adapters with square elbows tend to be better quality.

[@cavdvr99]

Maybe re-watching this video now, it won't buffer!

[@Thomas-ZET]

And yes the stick pro has an app for your phone that works good

[@hamradiotube]

Heck yeah it does. And the computer too.

[@n9oqu]

I like L-com adapters.

[@DagonNaxos]

You COULD use your radio as an antenna analyzer IF its MARS modded. Not that I'd recommend such things...ahem...or so I've heard, from unspecified sources...allegedly. Analyzers are awesome. I have a Comet CA500 Mk 2 and it's an indispensable piece of kit. Those Stick Pros are awesome, too. I want one just for the computer interface capabilities. I also have an NanoVNA and, with a bit of fiddlin', you can use obe of those to do antenna work, too. Lots of good options!

[@n9oqu]

Check out the Youkits analyzer. It's a sweet piece of kit.

[@n9oqu]

The least expensive tuners are the manual ones. MFJ and others can be found everywhere!

[@jamesw6529]

This kit can be found a little cheaper at Ham Radio Outlet

[@ryanki5tfb364]

Thanks Mike

[@hamradiotube]

You bet!

[@CRJ02]

Rigexpert AA-650 the real deal

[@eblast105]

Maybe use a little less power next time Mike.. 100w to sweep SWR is a tad over the top. Just my 2c.. Love the Vids keep them coming. Merry Xmas

[@hamradiotube]

Go big or go home.

[@1chrisandangie]

a man has needs

[@anduril328]

Check out the nanoVNA

[@hamradiotube]

Tried one. Hated it. Gave it away 10 minutes later. Not for me.

[@kevinkc3onohelijeepworld953]

Of course you do need a antenna analyzer 😉 the nano vna can do much more but isn’t a windows based device. You will be required to calibrate every use with a nano vna. The rig expert is much nicer with a few bells and whistles.

[@hamradiotube]

I hate the NanoVNA.

[@kevinkc3onohelijeepworld953]

@@hamradiotube sum people do I think those are just the point and click type who are better off with the rig exp. The vna can do so much more with a a/b port test compare filters balun, the vna can be very helpful if you know how to use them ☺️little more time calibrating 😉

[@hamradiotube]

@@kevinkc3onohelijeepworld953 I don't have patience for them. They're too finicky.

[@yt5bos]

@@hamradiotube But they cost 10 times less than the devices you listed, for some people price is the reason to get one or another. Also, NanoVNA works great (I compared the results with a RigExpert device) as long as you calibrate it before use. The software for NanoVNA displays a lot of numerical data and also their visual representation in forms of graphs, charts etc.

[@hamradiotube]

@@yt5bos it’s not always about money. I don’t like them. You’re not going to convince me otherwise.

[@mewrongway]

Mike, Does a Bear Sh^t in the woods? 🐻

[@hamradiotube]

Honesly I've never seen one, but I'm told they do.

[@mewrongway]

@@hamradiotube 😂

[@chrisb3989]

Sure you can get bye with a reasonable swr meter but do yourself a favour and get an analyser.

[@edwardmathes4559]

Live chat and nobody's chatting?