When you refer to your 95% use, and then refer to your S21 measurements on the
bench, can you describe your approach to measuring CMC impedance, say of a CMC
choke connected between TX and antenna?
Thanks!
Ed McCann
AG6CX
Sent from my iPhone
On Dec 5, 2018, at 3:47 PM, Paul Christensen <w9ac@arrl.net> wrote:
>> "The VNWA is a nice unit but it's WAY WAY WAY to delicate for serious field
>> work. The newest variation with the micro USB is a step back because that
>> connector is far more fragile than the old hunk-square type A USB connector.
>> Guys who use them "all the time" in the field are apparently much more
>> disciplined than I am. The other issue is that it requires a computer to
>> work. So it's workable on the ground, but if you have to go up the tower,
>> then it's a problem. And the software is a long way from intuitive - but it
>> does work fine once you figure out how to use it. The myVNA software used
>> with the N2PK requires virtually zero learning curve. I love the GUI and
>> the N2PK but this is even more non-portable in that my N2PK requires a
>> parallel port to drive it as well as the computer. So it's attracted to the
>> bench and never goes for a field trip."
>
> My $0.02. I own the USB version of the N2PK VNA and as Jeff points out, the
> myVNA GUI from G8KBB is very intuitive. I have tried the VNWA GUI with the
> N2PK but found that setup is more complicated and graphics quality isn't
> nearly as good as myVNA.
>
> I used to lug around a tablet PC and gel-cell when making field measurements
> with my N2PK VNA, but now use RigExpert 230 and 55 Zoom models in the field.
> They've worked very well in high AM BC fields, display graphics is good, and
> the batteries seem to last forever. Probably 95% of what I need in the field
> can be accomplished with either RigExpert single-port CIA rather than 2-port
> VNA measurements. Most of my S21 measurements are done on the workbench.
>
> Another excellent VNA is the Array Solutions VNA2180. For detailed S11 and
> S21, I like it as much as the N2PK and graphics quality is excellent with
> W5BIG's software. All the analyzers mentioned have a HF or VHF frequency
> limit but I rarely need measurements beyond VHF.
>
> Paul, W9AC
>
>
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