Antenna Tester

[ste6168]

I am really not sure this belongs in the tool forum, or what… but this is a multifaceted question.

First, I work on boats. Get a decent amount of calls that relate to VHFs, not transmitting or receiving well, typically the complaint is both. I have a Shakespeare SWR tester, but honestly don’t really fully understand the tests nor results. 90% of the time, I find the PL259 connector was not done properly, I solder a new one on and the problem is resolved.

All that said, I like to have the best tools, and the knowledge behind them… I have done some <very basic> research on this, and seems people recommend old analog multimeters (Bird 43 and Simpson 260) for antenna testing, truth be told, I don’t really understand how….

Anyone here have experience with this? Can recommend a tool or two, and possibly some further guidance? Price of tester, within reason, is not an object. I plan to have and use the tool in business for 10+ years.

 

[Kscardsfan]

I am really not sure this belongs in the tool forum, or what… but this is a multifaceted question.

First, I work on boats. Get a decent amount of calls that relate to VHFs, not transmitting or receiving well, typically the complaint is both. I have a Shakespeare SWR tester, but honestly don’t really fully understand the tests nor results. 90% of the time, I find the PL259 connector was not done properly, I solder a new one on and the problem is resolved.

All that said, I like to have the best tools, and the knowledge behind them… I have done some <very basic> research on this, and seems people recommend old analog multimeters (Bird 43 and Simpson 260) for antenna testing, truth be told, I don’t really understand how….

Anyone here have experience with this? Can recommend a tool or two, and possibly some further guidance? Price of tester, within reason, is not an object. I plan to have and use the tool in business for 10+ years.

You need to find your local Ham radio club and get in with those guys. They live to deal with stuff like this and will geek out over the smallest details. I love having those guys to talk to about radio comms since I don't have the drive to push into it that hard like they do.

 

[ste6168]

You need to find your local Ham radio club and get in with those guys. They live to deal with stuff like this and will geek out over the smallest details. I love having those guys to talk to about radio comms since I don't have the drive to push into it that hard like they do.

That’s a great idea! I don’t really care to dive into it toooo much, but I also want to have the right tool(s) and when talking to a customer, actually be able to give an answer as to WHY the new end made their radio work, or why they need/should replace their antenna. I try to run my business as honest and fair as possible, hate not having a great answer other than “well, I am not sure what it means, but when this tester shows 3 SWR it usually means it’s the connector.” - 90% of the time, it wasn’t even soldered on halfway correctly, so my halfway educated guess solves the problem.

 

[cvairwerks]

What you are looking for is an antenna analyzer. A Bird 43 is a watt meter that can do both forward and reflected power, at various frequencies and power levels based on the installed slug.

There are various brands and capabilities for analyzers, and a decent place to start looking is Ham Radio Outlet. If you are going to cover the full range for marine radio, you’ll need both VHF high and HF capability.

 

[dogdog]

Not ham but eBay have them for about $100 to $200

Maybe less now*

Just search antenna analyzer or VNA network analyzer and choose the ones that covers your frequency. There is a Swiss electronics guy that have a really good tutorial covering how to use them.

Have to remember the name, he does a lot of arduino and raspberry pi stuff and esp8266.

 

[ste6168]

Not ham but eBay have them for about $100 to $200

The Bird 43s? Cheap price to pay for a good tester… Beyond that though, I need the knowledge to know what I am testing and to understand the why.

I may bid on a few of them. Then the question is why would I need a Simpson 260, I hear they still have some benefit over DMM. I grew up (still growing up) in digital times.

 

[dogdog]

The Bird 43s? Cheap price to pay for a good tester… Beyond that though, I need the knowledge to know what I am testing and to understand the why.

I may bid on a few of them. Then the question is why would I need a Simpson 260, I hear they still have some benefit over DMM. I grew up (still growing up) in digital times.

I think there are newer and cheaper stuff now

 

[dogdog]

https://m.youtube.com/c/AndreasSpiess/search?query=Vna

This guys channel I liked.

As far as understanding these hocus pocus stuff

I think the thing is called antenna smith chart. Have to get to a computer to remember the right name. Few other guys have an hour long explanation on it. But really good explanation. You will have to under stand that if you wanted to go into transmission stuff.

 

[dogdog]

Also you should invest in a good ratcheting crimp tool for the specific antenna connectors your are working on. Pl-259 or type n or bnc or sma i think all these higher frequency stuff are crimped and not soldered and cable size specific.

 

[cvairwerks]

Simpson 260, depending on series, is an excellent all around meter for your toolbox. DMM’s are great where you need to know numbers, with a resolution in the 1 to 3 digits behind the decimal point, or need a holding function. When you are simply looking for ballpark voltages, larger current or continuity, the 260 is way faster than a DMM.

As to crimpers, it depends on the particular version of the connector. For ease of mind, when you buy Pl or SO-239 or BNC’s, go for Amphenol or other well know suppliers and not the cheap Asian ****. Also, get a real, quality solder station for your soldering needs, such as a Weller or Hakko, or other well known brand. Nothing worse than trying to use a low quality station that won’t hold a stable tip temp.

 

[anndel]

As a ham operator which many of them have and use, I run a Rig Expert which tells you VSWR, cable faults and distance from you to the fault amongst other things. Some water may have gotten into the connector and/or cable. There's no hams in Morehead City but about 163 operators and a bunch of clubs in Beaufort, NC.