RigExpert Stick 230 Antenna Analyzer Review & Operation - Ham Radio Q&A

I recently purchased a RigExpert Stick 230 antenna analyzer and have been using it for about a month as part of my ham radio field kit. The Stick, as Rigexpert describes it, is a small, handy, and powerful vector network analyzer designed for measuring the most useful parameter of cable and antenna system in the range of 100 khz to 230 mhz.
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[@anxanywhere]

Thanks a lot for this review. About the inconsistency display, here is how I see it… In a single mode, we are focus on frequency there is an obvious number, so + and - to increase/decrease the number (freq.) makes sense. On multé mode, we are trading a graph and here moving the cursor with < and > makes sense… just way of not being annoyed by that 😅

[@sagebrother]

Very useful review and well delivered. Thanks for taking the time to do this for the community.

[@MrC-Hacking]

Just decided to pick one up. Thanks for another video!

[@N4KRX]

Thanks Michael! Good review. I have been curious about the Stick 230 and you covered most everything I wanted to know. I like small gear that does a big job so, this little analyzer may be ideal for me. Stay well!

[@brianrose2487]

Great review Michael and thank you for the link. Take care

[@Winstonsdad1956]

Bought the RigExpert 230 and used it with my ham stick 40M antenna. Very happy to adjust the antenna using the 230 and make the antenna work for a change. Thanks for the review.

[@gsansoucie]

Wow, great video. Came here from your comment in the POTA FB group thread asking about the Stick. You just convinced me. Field use is what I was thinking about for this and this review gave me a great overview of the good and bad. Thanks.

[@LeeMooreIII]

The comment “if I were choosing my first antenna analyzer, I’d go with the AA-230” is just the kind of feedback I was looking for. I am just getting started in HF (been a Tech since 2005 and finally testing this weekend for General). My primary interest in HAM is QRP and field operations like POTA and SOTA to combine with my cycling and bike-packing excursions, which is what drew my attention to this compact design. I want an analyzer specifically because I want to learn to build functional portable antennas; it seems I am already very talented at building non-functional ones. I am currently waiting for my KX2 to ship. Thanks for doing such a thorough review on this product. 73

[@stevebbdotcom]

What a brilliant review - I had been wondering about the AA-230Zoom but it is quite pricey so I searched for a review on the Stick 230 as a comparison. Your review was absolutely spot on, really well delivered and totally impartial - cannot get any better. Best wishes, Steve G4KIV

[@tseckwr3783]

Thanks for the review. One of the pluses I observe is the high contrast display.

[@MrJimmy440]

I just received mine today and am very happy with it. I’m just getting into POTA , inspired by you. Thank you for all your videos I definitely appreciate them here in NJ. KD2WPA

[@joereeser3810]

Thanks for the review. Well done

[@RigExpert_Ukraine]

Awesome video, Michael!

[@leeharrell67]

Used mine for the fist time today on a POTA activation. I am happy to see that the screen flicker is normal; I thought for sure, I was going to have to return this one. Overall, I agree with your assessment and am happy with it. Thanks again for another excellent video - you helped me figure out a few things I didn't know how to do.

[@EuropaChronicles]

Great review...sold!

[@jmills6397]

I'm a bit late to this party, but I just wanted to say that your review confirms what I suspected: this will be a good tool for working portable using my soon-to-be-delivered Wolf River Coils Mega Mini TIA kit. I don't have the ability (at the moment) to put up any good antennas at my home qth, so portable/mobile operations are my thing right now. Thanks for the review!

[@seanl6340]

Awesome! Glad to have the Patreon page. Signed up!

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

Thank you so much for your support. I appreciate it.

[@jdsnapp]

I just bought this and I have a lot to learn but I'm really liking it. Size is just right. Rechargable battery is awesome as well.I dont have to be concerned about battery leakage. Thanks for review. I did have to improve the dust covers but that wasnt a big feal. 73

[@wayneskiba1237]

Michael, thank you for sharing the review as I am thinking of purchasing the rig expert for my radio shack and back pack for portable use.

[@expert244]

I have an AA-600 but just ordered the Stick due to size/weight. I didn't think I would need an analyzer in the field but after operating in the field, you really do to be efficient.

[@jdsnapp]

After watching you're video you convinced me so I pulled the trigger. As you I also wanted something smaller. I found a really good deal on Ebay so thats the reason for purchase as I believe they are overpriced a most vendors. 73 ....Antenna up!

[@krsdjdjcrs1]

Great review thank you

[@BrassStrad]

Michael, I found your review of the Rigexpert Stick 230 very informative & helpful. Based on your review, I purchased it & it is everything you said it was & at a decent price point I might add. I especially like that I can pair it with my iPhone or laptop. It makes short work of tuning my Wolf River SB 1000 TIA. Thanks for your help! Richard

[@hamradio1017]

I need an analyzer and I've been debating on the stick. Sounds like it's worth it.

[@k4adz]

Went ahead and grabbed one $250 on sale today, your review helped me as always to narrow down the search.

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

That's a good price.

[@k4adz]

I couldn't pass it up, seems there were several vendors having rig expert wars on prices the zoom 55 was same but I went for the portability w a bit less options.

[@Chungustav]

Thanks for the view. I absolutely have multifunction buttons. I also prefer analog instruments. Guess I'll be sticking with my MFJs

[@jimedwards9310]

mine is at my door as I type. :P. I have 4 days off work this week to learn the features and settings Thanks for the good video.

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

You'll enjoy it. I still love mine and use it with almost every portable operation.

[@kd2kub]

i'm really looking forward to this video. I purchased one from HRO serial number 379 and it was delivered to me with a fully drained battery and crushed retail packaging. the unit was undamaged. Little did I know it has intermittent bluetooth connectivity issues. It's going to DX Engineering for warranty work tomorrow. I also did a youtube video on my issues.

[@richardsaunders3082]

I just got serial #17 from HRO Salem NH, last week. It was severely behind in software version... updated from RigExpert site and Bluetooth connection problems resolved... also figured out how to load Android AntScope App on my 10” Kindle... now I have great, big screen, portable solution

[@kd2kub]

@@richardsaunders3082 Agree, I also updated it but still have issues. i would love to see if you have connection issues

[@sv4rin]

You Sir...Thank you very much !!!! 73 de SV4RIN

[@sparky5860]

Great review....Thank you....73

[@wyattswayoflife]

Michael, I appreciate what you are doing. On a mission to expire future him, radio operators if it wasn't for you and your channel I would be lost I'm in the middle of studying for ham radio I hear you making antennas I would love to purchase a few of them in the future now do the difference meters antenna have to be a certain height in the air is 500 Feet in the air that much

[@jacksontodd79]

This a good product for a mobil cb antenna swr adjustment

[@jimbrown4135]

I just bought the Stick Pro. Has all the features of the 230 Zoom and goes up to 600 MHz. Costs about $100 more than the 230 stick but seems worth it.

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

If I didn't already have an AA-600 that I use for VHF/UHF antennas, I'd go with the Stick Pro too.

[@1411271]

Thank you for this lucid explanation. I bought one last year and was appalled to see that no in-depth instructions were available from RigExpert. I called their customer service number and instead of help, I got a Nasty lecture from them after telling them where I bought it because that company is not an" Official Outlet" for their products, and therefore they will not help me, nor will they honor any Warrantee. I did save some money, but nowhere did I see on any website that the Warrantee was Void if not purchased from an "Official Business." It's an adequate Analyzer, but I would rather have a MFJ-259C as I will not be taking it up a tower. I will no longer do business with Rig Expert. By the way, the Ant Scope doesn't work with my Android phone, and although when connected with a C type USB connector, (which barley fits) and shows that it's charging, the Antscope on my Windows 11 PC says it is not connected. Bluetooth also doesn't work on my PC or my Android S9.I give up. I'm going to my MFJ like I should have.

[@jacksontodd79]

Bought this product. Can you dumb it down on how to use it to make adjustments to tune a cb antenna please.

[@uns3cur3]

I just got the tan version and no matter what computer I connect it to via USB it is not seen. My windows 10 laptop throws an "device has malfunctioned" error when I plug it. Bluetooth isnt working either. So far only moderately impressed.

[@la3dna]

Can you please tell us if your model has the USB-C or the Micro USB connector. Thanks for you presentation for this analyzer, very nice production 🙂

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

Mine is USB-C

[@chrisb3989]

Can I use this to measure coax loss?

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

No, The Stick 230 does not have the Time Domain Reflectometer (TDR) function that measures coax loss.

[@Choppus13]

Will it work on 11 meter band? Aka cb radio antennas?

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

Yes it will.

[@vincentcimino1963]

Thanks for the video, how well does it hold a charge? Does it take long to charge?…thanks

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

It uses a standard 18650 LiPO4 battery and charges via a 5v USB C connection. It holds a charge for a very long time, the last time I charged mine was about 3 months ago and have used it more than a dozen times since. It still is about 75% charged. I haven't fully depleted the battery, so every few months I usually plug it in top the unit off, which maybe takes an hour or so.

[@vincentcimino1963]

@@KB9VBRAntennas great, thanks and my order was placed

[@marcinmichigan2772]

Michael, does the stick have auto shutoff after some finite time?

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

Yes it does. I forget how long, but it will shut off after a few minutes of non use.

[@robpal67]

just bought a stick 230. Do I need to calibrate it before use?

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

Nope. No calibration is necessary

[@nr3rful]

Good review....to bad, for me , its price is way out of line for something i would use a half dozen times.

[@Jiminico]

Question abt sweep function… I understand it sweeps and then gives the results. But, can it also give you real time results, (whether on a graph or just numbers listed,) like a nano vna?? If not, do any of the Rig Experts do real time? Out in the field I ran across a few situations where a single sweep looked good, but in reality with real time, funny things were happening intermittently and it gave me the opportunity to chase down the issues to correct.

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

Yes, the stick 230 will give you a realtime SWR reading. When you put it in the Single mode, it will constantly read the SWR to allow you watch the change over time. (today's video that drops this afternoon shows that function in action). Also in the Ham mode, you can toggle the graph to give you a static sweep, or a constant refreshing sweep.

[@Jiminico]

@@KB9VBRAntennas thank you and I’ll be looking out for that video dropping soon

[@forgetyourlife]

I see very little benefit over the 55 or 230 at that price. Especially the AA-230 which is alot smaller than the 55.

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

If I was looking to buy my first meter and was comparing the AA-230 and the Stick, I'd buy the AA-230.

[@MrTonyd1954]

Can the internal battery be replaced if needed?

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

Yes it can. The analyzer uses a standard sized lithium battery.

[@dustoff499]

An important consideration. Batteries go bad or useful life ends and without a standard battery size it would worthless to me.

[@drdiesel1]

Please don't skip the TDR function overview, haven't seen anyone dive into that functionality yet.

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

I'll have to so an update. There was a firmware update to the meter that added functionality after I produced the video.

[@500VulcanRider]

only thing i don't like is that it doesn't cover 70cm

[@tonylelieveld7868]

A nifty antenna analyzer for sure. However, why do you call it a “Vector Network Analyze? A VNA is a two port analyzer that, in addition to test single port devices like antennas, can also test two port devices such as RF cavities, filters, duplexes etc. Tony VE3DWI.

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

I call it a vector network analyzer as that's how Rigexpert describes it.

[@tonylelieveld7868]

I see. Maybe they sell more by calling it a VNA. Others like it are more appropriately called “Vector Antenna Analyzers”. But… it is what it is 👍. Thanks for your reply.

[@sammiller6631]

@@tonylelieveld7868 No, a VNA can have any number of ports. One port VNAs like the RigExpert Stick make S11 reflection measurements which is what antennas need. There's 2-port 1-path VNAs that can measure S11 and S12 parameters but you have unhook and flip the DUT to get all the measurements. 2-port 2-path VNAs can flip the ports inside the VNA without needing to swap cables. It's not the number of ports that makes an VNA but the type of measurements it can do on the DUT.

[@sammiller6631]

@@KB9VBRAntennas RigExpert is correct. The Stick 230 is a VNA. One port VNAs are still VNAs.

[@sammiller6631]

@@tonylelieveld7868 Saying a one port VNA is not a VNA is like saying a QRP radio like a IC-705 or KX-2 isn't a radio because it's not a contest rig like the K3S. Both 1-port and 2-port VNAs do the exact same S11 measurement to the antenna.

[@ricsanders69]

Ah no.

[@kylefreemason]

Too expensive for an out of date display unit. The nano vna price point and accuracy makes units like this irrelevant.

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

Not sure about that. Have you actually used a NanoVNA in the field in bright sun. The eInk display makes a big difference.

[@kylefreemason]

@@KB9VBRAntennas Yes. I use the nano attached to my cell phone.

[@dustoff499]

I disagree about the display being out of date. Those displays work great and for what it is intended for it and size it was a great choice.

[@sammiller6631]

@@kylefreemason There's no original NanoVNA any longer. They're all clones and rapidly increasing in price. The accuracy varies wildly depending which clone you buy. There's no manual and many NanoVNAs don't ever get firmware updates. They take your money and run.

[@sammiller6631]

@@kylefreemason The eInk is better at saving battery life. The big screen NanoVNA is a battery hog.

[@andrewgardner7104]

Too many adverts, unsubscribe .

[@bradskis81]

There was not a single ad in this video. It's KZbin, not the creator. Don't give a bad review for a a video and his channel when it's YT pushing all the ads.

[@dustoff499]

Complain to KZbin. Good luck with that.

[@brian.7966]

don't talk so fast I can`t keep up with you.

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

The nice thing is that you pause and rewind if you miss anything.

[@Hrtgfzvgugfsdjkjkjlönbvx]

Great Video! After watching your Video, i order one for the portable use! 73 de HB9HZH

[@wolfgangfisch8160]

Scheiße,wieder nur in Englisch

[@41jreyes1]

ucrying prouduct

[@turtlecreek4633]

73! w3rrm

[@vernonbruce3722]

thank you for this video. i purchased on and couldn't figure it out. this video got me going. de KI4PRX 73