Dale Parfitt wrote:
I'm looking at purchasing an MFJ269 antenna analyser and keen to hear
experience of others in this group regarding this or similar analysers.
Appears to be ideal if it is as good as MFJ claim.


Hi Peter,

I can highly recommend the Rigexpert AA-200A:
http://www.rigexpert.com/index?s=aa200

Unlike the MFJ unit, this is a full vector analyzer. You can also save
plots and then transfer them to your computer for archiving. The lates
firmware allows measurements at both 50 Ohms and 75 Ohms and I believe
one can now also move the reference plane to the end of the coax.
Batteries last forever, it's about 1/4th the weight, can display data in
both graphical and tabular format.
I've owned the MFJ, Autek, AEA and Timewave- the AA-200A blows them all
away. Oh yeah, the signal source is synthesized and can make a very nice
signal generator that is rock stable.

Dale W4OP

Except that it looks like the RigExpert has an untuned detector, just like
the others. The schematic SUBVHF6.pdf shows a couple of RF switches and a
AD8307 log detector. The PLL synthesizers are up at 1+ GHz, so maybe
there's a filter and mixer somewhere else. I couldn't find a block
diagram.

Hi Jim,
I'm way up in the NC mountains, so I cannot speak regarding the AA-200A
front end.
I know when I lived in West Palm FL, the MFJ was totally wiped out by a
nearby AM broadcast station.

Yah, on the low bands I sometimes have problems with a local AM station.
It's probably endemic to most analyzers.

My thoughts on the MFJ line of analyzers is that within their
limitations, they are very good. I bought one and it just works fine for
me. The original one I bought had a problem at around 10-11 months. I
think that someone was messing with it in a high RF environment without
the dummy load on the RF connector. Somehow got a major dose of RF. Sent
it back to MFJ,and the replacement works just great. I don't loan it out
any more.

My biggest con is that it uses a lot of AA cells, no big deal. I'd buy
another one in a minute if needed.

My new loaner is an older MFJ SWR bridge - since that is what most
people are worried about anyhow.

- 73 de Mike N3LI -

Michael Coslo wrote:
My biggest con is that it uses a lot of AA cells, ...

I solved that problem with a Velcro'ed gel cell.
--
73, Cecil, IEEE, OOTC, http://www.w5dxp.com

My biggest con is that it uses a lot of AA cells, ...
I solved that problem with a Velcro'ed gel cell.

I don't know about the '269, but the '259 practically GOBBLED batteries!
I currently use an Autek VA-1 and have been reasonably happy with it.

--Myron A. Calhoun, W0PBV.
Five boxes preserve our freedoms: soap, ballot, witness, jury, and cartridge