Dayton Hamvention 2008 Follow-Up Report No. 18 – VNA – Beyond SWR 7 - June - 2008
Posted by k9zw in Amateur Radio, K9ZW Just Rambled, K9ZW Learned.Tags: Array Solutions, K9ZW, K9ZW Just Rambled, TenTec, Vector Network Analyzer
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One of the items that very much caught my attention at Dayton was the new VNA (Vector Network Analyzer) units available at “shack-friendly” prices.
I’m not going to cover the use of a VNA, as there are web write-ups that explain it better than I ever could.
Wiki is a first stop: Vector Network Analyzer (VNA) - Measures both amplitude and phase properties
One of the advantages that struck me as most useful is the ability to “Move the Reference Plane.” What this allows is through a number of techniques the test equipment – the VNA – is excluded from the circuit or antenna being tested. This contrasts with usual metering techniques which tend in highly influence certain test results as part of the test process.
At least that is what was explained to me!
Two commercial products I have started looking at are: Array Solution’s VNA and TenTec’s VNA
Both are targeted price-wise decently and appear to be reasonably easy to use.
If you are using a VNA in addition or in replacement of an Antenna Analyzer, please tell me how it is working for you!
73
Steve
K9ZW
