Jake:
You might consider the AIM-4170 Antenna Analyzer from Array Solutions.
It is (to my knowledge) the only reasonably priced antenna analyzer that
provides correctly signed reactance (X) in an impedance measurement
(R+/-jX). This is a very important difference when it comes to needing to
tune or match something.
The software that comes with it can turn the X into Capacitance or
Inductance values as appropriate. More importantly, it directly measures
IMPEDANCE of the circuit under test, as opposed to other "antenna analyzers"
that only measure VSWR or reflection coefficient. Once the impedance of the
shunt feed (or trap or other circuit) is known, you to easily calculate an
appropriate matching network, or whatever.
It was designed by W5BIG, and the article describing it and how to make one
is in the Nov, 2006 QST. Links to that article and more are at the AS
webpage:
http://www.arraysolutions.com/Products/AIM4170.htm#top%20of%20page
>From the circuit shown, you can see there is a lot more to it than a simple
bridge or directional coupler device.
Bob, W5LT
-----Original Message-----
From: jacobsen_5@msn.com [mailto:jacobsen_5@msn.com]
Sent: Thursday, April 05, 2007 2:57 PM
To: towertalk
Subject: [TowerTalk] Cap/Inductance meter
Has anyone any info on capacitance/inductance meters? A google search turned
up a PROTEK CL200. I can't seem to find any reviews on it or any others.
Would seem that it would greatly speed up antenna set up for home brewers.
You could use a variable broadcast type cap to set up a shunt feed for a
tower or trap, read it with meter, and then substitute fixed doorknobs. The
same with coils. Just a thought. (Few and far between at my age)
73
K9WN Jake
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