Rigexpert Antenna Analyzers Comparison, Choosing The Right Analyzer For Your Ham Radio Antenna

[@Q1745]

I have had the AA-35 zoom model for some time, it’s what I could afford at the time and I love it! I haven’t felt the need for anything more. Great rundown on what i think are fantastic analyzers!

[@joejoslyn9745]

I also worked in the commercial communications business. You are correct! They use antennas tuned to the exact frequency. However, In the ham radio world, No one, i mean no one has time, money and the space to install antennas for every frequency, nor do they have time to change them out every time they want to tune to a different band or frequency. You cant compare the two, they are two different animals. That is exactly why the radio companies install tuners on most radios.

[@johnwest7993]

I just use my $50 NanoVNA. It tells me MORE than an antenna analyzer ever will. Sure it does SWR. But it also tells me return loss and exact reactance. It measures from 50 kHz up to well over a GHz. It measures inductors and capacitors, analyzes crystal filters, generates frequencies, on and on. The NanoVNA hooks up to my laptop, and does even more. It can save all sorts of stuff and give me print-outs. And the user groups and firmware upgrades are excellent, and totally free. An antenna analyzer is an expensive dead-end, a dinosaur of technology. But what do I know? I've only been into radio since 1960.

[@mikepowell5488]

I watched your rigexpert series last week. I bought the 1500 Friday due to your review, love it. My swr wasn't bad but now it will be better. Thanks

[@Scif64]

My Rigexpert AA-55 Zoom is one of the best items I have purchased. 73

[@kbell101]

If they could just sort out the Bluetooth option. Several of us paid extra for the option and it flat doesn't work. They claim to be able to fix it with software, but the fixes they've put out thus far are not ready for prime-time. . They need to fix this now. It's been long enough.

[@daledervin3672]

I bought a Stick-230, and it does more than I understand. I contacted RigExpert if they had any tutorials, and I was sent a link to a third-party book with little empathy. I wish they would be more like other contemporary companies that produce instructional videos highlighting features for their own products.

[@reidlanham2011]

On Tuesday I just received my AA-55 Zoom from Gigaparts! Can't wait to start learning how to use a proper analyzer. 73, K8JLW

[@eknaap8800]

Using the AA-35 Zoom for a few years now. All I need really. 👌 Greetings from the Netherlands, PD0PSX.

[@DeltaWhiskeyBravo13579]

Thanks Eric. Nice intro on the RigExpert analyzers. No argument from me on a resonant or not antenna. Every time I'd choose resonant.

[@denelson83]

I just ordered one of these RigExpert analyzers from Radioworld. I chose the AA-55 Zoom model, as my experimenting in antennas will primarily be on HF, and maybe a little bit of 6 metres. 2m and 70cm are pretty much covered for me in that regard, and from my perspective, HF is where I feel the most ham radio action can be found. Our local 2m/70cm repeaters have hardly any activity on them. 9:02 - The 1.2 GHz band is actually 23 cm, not 13 cm. 73 VE7NDE

[@rickbattle5706]

AA 55 Zoom rocks. Love it. If you like playing with antennas you need a RigExpert to get the most out of your antenna. KB3NG.

[@soctnights]

I purchased the RigExpert 1500 Zoom JAN/21. The connector is a Type N - Female. I suggest purchasing a calibration kit, OPEN-SHORT-50 ohm, that are Type N - Male connectors. You will likely need a Type N male to SO-239 adapter to receive PL- 259 connectors. If you plan on checking your HT's antennas you will likely need Type N - male to SMA male and female adapters. Your equipment and your friend's will dictate what adapters you need. 73, W1RKB

[@TheNoCodeTech]

Have to agree with you about resonate antennas. Love my rig expert.

[@PH2LB]

Started with a own build for HF. Bought a RigExpert AA-54 because I started to work on 6m , Upgraded to a AA-600 because I started to work on 70cm and higher. The AA-2000 ZOOM is perfect for all high frequency stuff like LoRaWAN, 23cm, mobile phone etc. But I'm waiting for a version which go up to 13cm (QO-100 any one) ;-)

[@Ben-rj7xs]

I learned long ago that the antenna is the key in getting out and receiving.. You can have a $10.000 radio, and if you don't have a properly tuned antenna the radio can't do it's job.. When it comes to antenna, and coax I but the best there is.. To me the antenna is the most important part of your setup..

[@raymondmartin6737]

Thanks 😊 for this overview of the Rig Expert Analyzers. I just saw your review of the AA-35, which I enjoyed 😉 too. I look forward to if you will review the RE AA-55, which as I told you on the other video, I just purchased today from Gigaparts, because it also includes 6 M. Thanks 😊. 73 de W2CH Ray.

[@ChiefMade]

Just received my 35 Zoom, looking forward to the video on it. I have been using a nano vna h4, and they are great and have their place for sure.

[@Andy2e0ree]

Great one Eric great tools to have in the shack de 2e0ree

[@MrAlphacallsign]

For the price the STICK PRO , and don’t worry about a small screen I use Bluetooth and you I can see it better on my iPhone 13 pro screen of the iPhone

[@toddschutter6535]

A "tuner" or more correctly called, a transmatch, doesn't tune anything. It presents a 50 ohm, or close to it, load to your radio so it puts out full power. Another point to consider, since your rig has a 50 ohm connection, and your coax is 50 (or 52) ohms, the mismatch is at the feedpoint of your antenna. That is the ideal place for a transmatch.

[@buzzsah]

I bought their 230Z a few years back, I like but should have bought the 600 at the time.

[@AH2EJ]

Love my Stick Pro and your videos keep up the great videos Eric! 73's Shane AH2EJ

[@Ei2iP]

Nano VNA for €40, works a treat, connects to pc for plots and more... Lots of them available of the on Amazon. If you can't use a Nano VNA, you are in the wrong hobby..

[@markharrison1160]

Tell me about it after you're 40+ trying to read the little screen

[@andrewhamop6665]

@@markharrison1160 Exactly, I don't get why one person can say what's right or wrong about the hobby. Sure, those little things are a blessing in disguise if you can't afford a rig expert analyzer, but let's face it. They're very much Chinese and the software shows that, you need one with a larger screen or large buttons.

[@rst5nn]

@@markharrison1160 There is NanoVNA-F with bigger screen.

[@kbell101]

I own both and when I'm playing at home I use the NanoVNA. When I go to the field, I always bring the RigExpert.

[@markharrison1160]

@@rst5nn Give it time and you'll understand what I am talking about.

[@Gravelbomber]

I'm really happy with my AA-600. I looked at a lot of a UHF capable analyzers, before deciding on the RigExpert.

[@off-trailseeking3965]

Informative video! I wish the discount code still worked and I would spring for a AA-650

[@HamRadioConcepts]

It does. Look at the description there is a link on all rigexperts

[@KU9L]

I tend to use xtal controlled homebrew QRPp kits but still, an SWR meter doesn't tell the whole story. Even when I use a purpose-built EFHW tuner the bandwidth is only 10-15Khz typically if tuned on my transmit frequency. My Super Tuna II+ has VXO tuning a couple Khz each way, but even my 2-watts can be heard tuning up on a crowded band when either using n SWR meter or adjusting the variable capacitors on the tuner to dim the L.E.D. to get as close to my xmit frequency as possible. I was going to get a NanoVNA, but the horror stories of fake or non-authorized poorly performing clones ruin all of the fun, plus they tend to be very hard to use for a beginner that just wants to read a quick study guide to start using it. Once I saw M0SZT using the Rig Expert I said to myself, that is the kind of display and quick, reliable results I want. Can I afford it? For the price of a well-built QRP transceiver I can have a friend for life it appears. I build very simple antennas, but Ununs and 3-band verticals with toroids all need tuning and I am sitting here with a bunch of built antenna kits not tuned yet because it is such a pain to tune them with just a VSWR meter. With them, I might be able to pre-tune my Hendrix QRP EFHW tuner to my crystal freq or my Speader Wire dipole which doesn't have any coax in the traditional sense, but it is a cheap emergency single-band antenna that will get the job done if you trim it to length first. Now I have to pick my model ... more research! Thanks for the primer! 73 es 72, Davey - KU9L

[@rogerp5816]

I love my AA230-Zoom. The only issue I've found is it's a little hard on batteries.

[@EnuffsEnuff318]

What are the extra features of the Zoom?

[@toddschutter6535]

Blue Tooth connectivity

[@benramler3277]

What would you suggest for having an analyzer to do to look antennas from 160M - 1.2Ghz?

[@HamRadioConcepts]

I have the Rigexpert aa2000 zoom, DC to 2ghz... And use the code in my link for 5% off

[@jorgezuni2818]

Is there a way for Tunning a duplexer with rig expert ?

[@turtlekoff1]

Up early Eric or up late? Great video as always. BTW....nice studio !

[@georgemiller282]

This is a topic on my mind lately. New ham here. Is a tuner/analyzer needed on 70cm/440 UHF/VHF?

[@Westside-videos]

What Rig expert is the best for 11 meters like CB radio antenna

[@BoboAthanassion]

Why haven't you mentioned the AA-55 in this video? Are they discontinuing the 55?

[@modex20]

Can you do a demo of one of the zoom models running the smith chart in continuous mode while adjusting an antenna tuner on the fly?

[@kevinkc3onohelijeepworld953]

Eric ? Has your buddies ftdx10 gotten frozen in the insert sd card and update firmware screen ? Mine keeps locking up

[@ka2ynttodd674]

So... What do we need to do for the give-away?... :-D They don't want them all back? Do they?

[@thomasmacher9070]

Hello, what is the difference between an AA-600 and an AA650 zoom? Is it just the 50 MHZ more or are there more functions available? If there are more functions / features, can you please explain them? How do you rate the performance of the mobile app and the Windows app? Greetings, Thomas / DL3NAR

[@Homer19521]

How do I get service for my AA-230Zoom? I have emailed the US/Canada office several times and no answer. I have also emailed the Ukraine office and no answer. My RigExpert needs service and I can't get ant response from Rigexpert.

[@clems6989]

Sirry, I just dont get the "stick" analyzers. "I dont get it big Dan".

[@jfranke3]

What are you doing up at 3:30 in the morning?

[@HamRadioConcepts]

This is what a YouTUber has to do after work all day.....Why are YOU up?

[@qutips33]

AA-600 RIGEXPERT is a good analyzer but this is $ 1000 in Norway

[@Atomshamradio]

I cannot get my antennas resonate I know how to call HRC👍⚛

[@dave_n8pu]

Around 5:00 minute-ish, You will always have a few hams that think/act like if you don't do amateur radio like I do, then you aren't a real ham. I will only say (because I'm thinking a lot more) we don't need those types in the hobby.

[@macgyver5108]

"Perfect" SWR really doesn't mean jack squat other than you're not going to fry your radio, a DUMMY load has flawless SWR but it doesn't resonate worth a dang either! That's where an analyzer of some sort comes into play.

[@jimmeeGray]

No comment.

[@markstephenson5358]

I use sark 100 it connects to pc

[@wild-radio7373]

Thank you. I could never afford to do a comparison revew like this!! 🤜🏻👍🤛🏻❤❤❤

[@tittiger]

KZbin is censoring this info: I just received a rig expert 500 yesterday and have an ungodly number of problems with it and no way to really contact anyone for help except an email in ukraine. When you finally locate the manual it's in a font size smaller than anything I've ever seen in my life when you print it out, the software doesn't work on any of the three computers that I have and it screwed up the booting on two of them. When you change velocity factor in the settings it's not reflected when you go to take the measurement. The manual does not include any instructions on the functions on the second screen. To top it all off there's really no f****** help at all from the rig expert company for any of these problems they sell it to you and then tell you to go to hell.

[@tittiger]

I just received a rig expert 500 yesterday and have an ungodly number of problems with it and no way to really contact anyone for help except an email in ukraine. When you finally locate the manual it's in a font size smaller than anything I've ever seen in my life when you print it out, the software doesn't work on any of the three computers that I have and it screwed up the booting on two of them. When you change velocity factor in the settings it's not reflected when you go to take the measurement. The manual does not include any instructions on the functions on the second screen. To top it all off there's really no f****** help at all from the rig expert company for any of these problems they sell it to you and then tell you to go to hell.

[@yungerallenelectricalcontr6415]

Do you have Instagram?

[@Commander_Bunny]

"How do you make resonant antennas without a antenna analyzer"...you don't_... Hey Mr. Smarty pants, people have been talking on resonant antennas long before those things were around...Just saying..

[@HamRadioConcepts]

You're my hero

[@Commander_Bunny]

@@HamRadioConcepts Great YZI, so can I borrow that when you are not using it?....I am good in the book....