Good morning, and thank you for your time. I like the size of the RigExpert devices. I have a MFJ 259 and several HP VNA's; but none of those will hang on a belt, especially the HP's, which are a pair of three-unit rackmount monsters! 73 KI6DCB
I have the AA-55 Zoom model of analyzer, and it worked really well for me when I set up my own HF ham radio station for the first time this past weekend. 73 VE7NDE
Thanks Jim! I also have the RigExpert AA-35 and really like it. You are showing me features that I didn't understand, so I am really looking forward to your additional videos explaining how to better utilize this device. Thanks again!
Hi Jim, great to see you back in the saddle. I have the Rig Expert AA 55 Zoom and I love it. Great addition to the radio room. Hang in there, 73. Rick KB3NG Vero Beach, Florida.
This is rather eye-opening! I've made a few bad decisions in the past by not understanding this! Glad that you are breaking this out for us, nobody else is!!!
I have the same one. One thing to watch for is battery voltage. It needs the full 3v. Rechargeable batteries only work for a short period as the voltage is too low. I also had a brand new battery a bit low on voltage that stopped it working. It's a great tool though. Saves a lot of time.
Good to see another video, Jim. I have an AA-35 and found it easy to operate, but not sure of some of the results so I am very pleased you are covering these things. Thanks!
Thank you Jim. I own the AA-30 Zoom that I bought about 8.minths ago. I love it and continue to learn how to use it, especially since it has been helpful in showing me I had loose contacts or connectors from time to time. Some like smaller screens, but I love the nice big color display that is easy to photograph & see changes in the antenna behavior as I make adjustments. It has been instrumental in my antenna education where now I can learn nearly instant results. Whenever I do a POTA activation it is the first tool I grab before I power up the radio! Cheers, Davey - KU9L
Well done on another excellent video. Strangely enough I was trying to convey the same thing to someone locally that the SWR dip and resonance are not the same thing. I will send him a link to your video. 73 from the UK.
Love my AA-35 zoom. I would love to see an in depth explanation of the All Params feature that you touched on. I don't think that kind of explanation exists. Not so much of RL is return loss or R is this X is that but an indepth study of what the numbers mean and how they all interact with each other. I have very little idea what I am looking at on that selection.
Thank you for that clarification regarding the less SWR and the resonance frequency. I suppose that many of us would like to know WHY there is this differnece between the two frequencies. 73 de SV1SLB
The resonance is by definition where the reactance is zero. Have a look at Smith charts and how the impedances are the vector sum of reactance and resistance. Sorry for my poor explanation , 73
n @g0fvt Thank you foe the explanation. Still I do not know why there is this differnce between the two frequencies. Why hte lowest SWR do not appear where the reactance is zero.
@@batfalcononyoutube it is down to the vectors, of the reactive and resistive components. Take a simple quarterwave vertical fed against perfect ground. At resonance it should be in the region of 35 ohms resistive. With an SWR of 50/35, ie about 1.4 . By increasing the length slightly the reactance and resistance moves the point around the Smiths chart and you can improve the SWR. Bear in mind the cable length (even if lossless) can rotate the reactance. If you want to experiment a quarterwave cut for 70cm on a biscuit tin or similar and a NanoVNA (or other analyser) would let you see the effect yourself. I will probably be flamed for this but in practice most of us cut our HF antennas to get the SWR dip in about the middle section of the band we are operating on.
@@g0fvt Thank you for your answer. Since I already have the NanoVNA, I already have done some tests with my antennas. Unfortunatelly I was not able to find out how the VNA shows the resonance frequency. Searching the RUclips, I didn't find any relative video. In fact there is too much cofusion and misleading videos, claiming that the lowest SWR appear on the resonance frequency.
@@batfalcononyoutube the NanoVNA can do the job fine, a lot of misinformed people do think that the SWR dip is resonance. In my other example I cited a 35 ohm antenna which would give an SWR of about 1.4 in a 50 ohm system. Making the whip slightly longer would raise the resistive part of the impedance but also make the antenna impedance reactive. The SWR might improve. I would recommend connecting your NanoVNA to a computer with NanoVNA saver, it presents the information in a clearer format than the tiny screen. By looking at the plots for SWR, and reactive and resistive components you will see how reactive impedance changes polarity either side of resonance. (Resonance is the zero reactance point). Have a look at W2AEW's channel, he covers a lot of RF topics very well. Jim is absolutely correct here.
Good information Jim, but a little confusing. Now that I know that they are two different things, is it better to tune for resonant frequency, or lowest SWR when tuning an antenna? I was thinking the lower SWR reading would be better for less strain on the finals of the rig. On the other hand, wouldn't there be less loss if the antenna were tuned to be resonant? Is the antenna truly "tuned" without having both measurements matching? I have the AA-230 Zoom/Bluetooth model.
Thanks JIm . It astounds me as relatively new ham how many people actually dont understand resonance . I just built a 2 element yagi for 14.185 . tuned it with a hair pin match at 30 feet . raised it a further 18 feet and it now looks shorter by 50 khz where 48.9 ohms is presented . Didn`t intentionally change anything in the raising process which required removing the elements from the boom but i must have or the ground reactance was reduced which prompts the question . how much ground reactance did i compensate for when initially tuning the thing ? The reactance value now all be it minor is inductive at 14.185 . I use a nano vna though not a rig expert .
You could have pointed out why. Its because, The minimum SWR is where the impedance match to the feedline is best. Not the resonate frequency of the antenna.
I thought that was clear in the video. That R plus some reactance matched the feedline with an almost 1:1. The lowest SWR was something link 1.2:1. Thanks, Jim W6LG
Great video Jim. I have the AA-55 and the Stick 500, and they are great tools. I am also constantly amazed at how many people do not understand the difference between low SWR (Simply a result of impedance matching) and resonance, which is defined as that where the load is purely resistive, with no reactance. i.e. Z=R+j0.
Can you set it to beep in real time so you can hear when it’s at the lowest SWR while you’re adjusting the antenna and the meter is at the far end of the cable at the transceiver?
Yes. I wish it had been on sale at the time I bought. From my hospital type bed in the bedroom,, I recovering froom infecttions and neutropenia and the first stages of Leukemia. 73, Jim
Aa 35 zoom is junk i bought one of these and it promptly lost all its programing ,comes up with blank screen,is a 300 dollar paperweight,save your money
THANKS SIR IT IS AN HONOR TO SEE YOU THANKS FOR THE CORDIAL INFORMATION GREETINGS 73
Jim I have the aa55 and I love it. Enjoy your utube channel. 004.Ironman in Alabama 73s. Keep on keeping on.
Thanks Jim for being you. Keep on keeping on. 004.Ironman in Alabama 73s.
Great to see you back. I always learn something from your videos. You make us all better operators.
4:45 is spot on. Very good info for all to remember. Thank you Jim for your outstanding work. 73
Good morning, and thank you for your time. I like the size of the RigExpert devices. I have a MFJ 259 and several HP VNA's; but none of those will hang on a belt, especially the HP's, which are a pair of three-unit rackmount monsters!
73
KI6DCB
Thanks Jim, your explanations are very helpful.
Glad you like them! 73, Jim
Thanks for this educational video
hey Jim! Good to see you doing well! Kp4gr
Thanks Jim, I always learn something new each time....73.
god blessed u tnx ur support
I have the AA-55 Zoom model of analyzer, and it worked really well for me when I set up my own HF ham radio station for the first time this past weekend.
73 VE7NDE
Thanks Jim! I also have the RigExpert AA-35 and really like it. You are showing me features that I didn't understand, so I am really looking forward to your additional videos explaining how to better utilize this device. Thanks again!
I will do more today about some really neat features that are extremely useful. Thanks William 73, Jim
Thanks Jim, I'm definetly looking forward to them!!!
Thanks for the explanation, Jim, I'm glad to know you're in your radio room.
I bought the AA-54 back in 2013 and it's been a great investment. 👍
Definitely looking forward to the next video before pulling the trigger
Hi Jim, great to see you back in the saddle. I have the Rig Expert AA 55 Zoom and I love it. Great addition to the radio room. Hang in there, 73. Rick KB3NG Vero Beach, Florida.
Thanks Rick. I finished recording and editing then slept for about 4 hours. The process is fatiguing. Thanks again, Jim
Thanks, you Rick. Glad that you like it too. 73, Jim
This is rather eye-opening! I've made a few bad decisions in the past by not understanding this! Glad that you are breaking this out for us, nobody else is!!!
Great video I have a A-55 Zoom and love it. I was reluctant at first to buy it because of the price but so happy I did.
Great to hear that Rick. 73, Jim W6LG
Jim, I cannot believe it! I was just looking at buyng an AA-230 and you posted this video 3 hours ago - this is a sign!
The propagation layers and ground plane agree. This is your sign to dent the credit card for your “hobby” again.
@@Aimsport-video the trigger has been pulled!
Good to hear from you Jim. Looks like a very useful instrument. God Bless and hang in there.
I bought the AA2000 Zoom a year ago. What an amazing tool! I found a defective balun in one of my antennas.
Thanks for sharing. Their products are truly amazing. Thanks Eric. 73 Jim
I have the same one. One thing to watch for is battery voltage. It needs the full 3v. Rechargeable batteries only work for a short period as the voltage is too low. I also had a brand new battery a bit low on voltage that stopped it working. It's a great tool though. Saves a lot of time.
Always great to hear from you Gordon! 73, Jim W6LG
Excellent tool to have. Thanks for the video! Looking forward to your next video on this tool!
Thank you Jim. In my shopping cart. Prayers your way from northern Idaho
Dave K7ZDP
I too have this same model, it helped my build (modify) my OCF horizontal antenna. Thank you Jimmy
Good to see another video, Jim. I have an AA-35 and found it easy to operate, but not sure of some of the results so I am very pleased you are covering these things. Thanks!
Good to see you Jim,your last video on “splattering “ was timely because it seems on HF a lot stations are guilty.Ai6lz. 73
Thanks Jim
Good Morning & happy Sunday Elmer Jim 💯🙋♂
Morning from CA. Nice to hear from you. I must leave for the hospital in an hour. I need to get ready. 73, Jim
Thank you Jim. I own the AA-30 Zoom that I bought about 8.minths ago. I love it and continue to learn how to use it, especially since it has been helpful in showing me I had loose contacts or connectors from time to time. Some like smaller screens, but I love the nice big color display that is easy to photograph & see changes in the antenna behavior as I make adjustments. It has been instrumental in my antenna education where now I can learn nearly instant results. Whenever I do a POTA activation it is the first tool I grab before I power up the radio! Cheers, Davey - KU9L
Thanks Davey. I agree with all you wrote. 73, Jim W6LG
very nice
Well done on another excellent video. Strangely enough I was trying to convey the same thing to someone locally that the SWR dip and resonance are not the same thing. I will send him a link to your video. 73 from the UK.
Interesting stuff..
Hello Jim thanks for another useful video.
Very welcome, 73 Jim
Love my AA-35 zoom. I would love to see an in depth explanation of the All Params feature that you touched on. I don't think that kind of explanation exists. Not so much of RL is return loss or R is this X is that but an indepth study of what the numbers mean and how they all interact with each other. I have very little idea what I am looking at on that selection.
Picked mine up on sale at R&L Electronics.
Thank you for that clarification regarding the less SWR and the resonance frequency. I suppose that many of us would like to know WHY there is this differnece between the two frequencies. 73 de SV1SLB
The resonance is by definition where the reactance is zero. Have a look at Smith charts and how the impedances are the vector sum of reactance and resistance. Sorry for my poor explanation , 73
n @g0fvt Thank you foe the explanation. Still I do not know why there is this differnce between the two frequencies. Why hte lowest SWR do not appear where the reactance is zero.
@@batfalcononyoutube it is down to the vectors, of the reactive and resistive components. Take a simple quarterwave vertical fed against perfect ground. At resonance it should be in the region of 35 ohms resistive. With an SWR of 50/35, ie about 1.4 . By increasing the length slightly the reactance and resistance moves the point around the Smiths chart and you can improve the SWR.
Bear in mind the cable length (even if lossless) can rotate the reactance.
If you want to experiment a quarterwave cut for 70cm on a biscuit tin or similar and a NanoVNA (or other analyser) would let you see the effect yourself.
I will probably be flamed for this but in practice most of us cut our HF antennas to get the SWR dip in about the middle section of the band we are operating on.
@@g0fvt Thank you for your answer. Since I already have the NanoVNA, I already have done some tests with my antennas. Unfortunatelly I was not able to find out how the VNA shows the resonance frequency. Searching the RUclips, I didn't find any relative video. In fact there is too much cofusion and misleading videos, claiming that the lowest SWR appear on the resonance frequency.
@@batfalcononyoutube the NanoVNA can do the job fine, a lot of misinformed people do think that the SWR dip is resonance. In my other example I cited a 35 ohm antenna which would give an SWR of about 1.4 in a 50 ohm system. Making the whip slightly longer would raise the resistive part of the impedance but also make the antenna impedance reactive. The SWR might improve. I would recommend connecting your NanoVNA to a computer with NanoVNA saver, it presents the information in a clearer format than the tiny screen. By looking at the plots for SWR, and reactive and resistive components you will see how reactive impedance changes polarity either side of resonance. (Resonance is the zero reactance point). Have a look at W2AEW's channel, he covers a lot of RF topics very well. Jim is absolutely correct here.
Awesome as always - Glad to see you!
Well done sir.
Good information Jim, but a little confusing. Now that I know that they are two different things, is it better to tune for resonant frequency, or lowest SWR when tuning an antenna? I was thinking the lower SWR reading would be better for less strain on the finals of the rig. On the other hand, wouldn't there be less loss if the antenna were tuned to be resonant? Is the antenna truly "tuned" without having both measurements matching? I have the AA-230 Zoom/Bluetooth model.
I love these!!
Thanks Jim
Thanks JIm . It astounds me as relatively new ham how many people actually dont understand resonance . I just built a 2 element yagi for 14.185 . tuned it with a hair pin match at 30 feet . raised it a further 18 feet and it now looks shorter by 50 khz where 48.9 ohms is presented . Didn`t intentionally change anything in the raising process which required removing the elements from the boom but i must have or the ground reactance was reduced which prompts the question . how much ground reactance did i compensate for when initially tuning the thing ? The reactance value now all be it minor is inductive at 14.185 . I use a nano vna though not a rig expert .
So is the transmitted signal more effective at the resonant frequency or at the low SWR point? Thanks JIM!!!
You could have pointed out why.
Its because, The minimum SWR is where the impedance match to the feedline is best. Not the resonate frequency of the antenna.
I thought that was clear in the video. That R plus some reactance matched the feedline with an almost 1:1. The lowest SWR was something link 1.2:1. Thanks, Jim W6LG
Got one, on sale, too! Really like it. I only hope the Ukranians making all the Rig Expert gear are safe and sound. Be safe, Jim. 73. WW5MB
Again. Jim, your explanations have provided me more knowledge & thoughts. 73vAlan KZ6B
Hey Jim. Always learn something from your vids. MUCH tnx ! You mentioned using a shorting PL-259 cap - where did you come by that ?? Tnx again !!
Was Jim able to answer your question? I’d like to find out more about the benefit of using this cap and where I can acquire one.
Great video Jim. I have the AA-55 and the Stick 500, and they are great tools. I am also constantly amazed at how many people do not understand the difference between low SWR (Simply a result of impedance matching) and resonance, which is defined as that where the load is purely resistive, with no reactance. i.e. Z=R+j0.
this tool looks smoother than the clumsy nanovna
Can you set it to beep in real time so you can hear when it’s at the lowest SWR while you’re adjusting the antenna and the meter is at the far end of the cable at the transceiver?
Would it be worth the extra price to get the 2 meter band analyzer and 440?
For many, that would be the better choice. I opted for the least expensive one because I am just an HF person. You are right. 73, Jim W6LG
@@ham-radio Thank you for informative videos. 73
Thanks Jim W6LG
Wow for little more shoul d get 55 has multi sweep.
Yes. I wish it had been on sale at the time I bought. From my hospital type bed in the bedroom,, I recovering froom infecttions and neutropenia and the first stages of Leukemia. 73, Jim
What do you think about GMRS in addition to our hobby?
Overall, probably a god think. Maybe we can convert them to a ham radio license. 73, Jim
They have a three year warranty through dxengineering.
YOU ALLOW BREAKS ON 7480 MHZ...??????
\
ESCUSE ME 7490 MHZ...???
Aa 35 zoom is junk i bought one of these and it promptly lost all its programing ,comes up with blank screen,is a 300 dollar paperweight,save your money
They will replace it under warranty