About the best intro into the MFJ-259/269 series analyzer yet! The old adage "don't start in the middle, start in the beginning" applied here while so many simply don't do that. The "club" I listen to spend most of their time bragging they completely miss the educational aspect unless it's something that is new to themselves. Thank you Randy K7AGE.
I always remark how helpful Radio Hams are! They're happy to share with the rest of us their knowledge, and in doing so, introduce new people to the hobby. Great video Randy,! Thank you Sir!
Thank you for your excellent video/explanation of using an antenna analyzer. You have shown me that the MFJ analyzers may not do as much for you as something like the SARK 110, but it costs a lot less, and is actually a lot easier to use. Too many features, and it takes longer to read the manual and understand just how to use the tool. The MFJ-259C (or 269C) seems to have just the right amount of features to make it easy to use as well as extremely useful.
thank you sir,,, you are MY online Elmer now..ive learned more in three months than I have in a long time time with mine here...also,, just (today) got mfj 269 aanalyzer..I love it and you taught me all I need to know for now.
This is a great video. I am a newbie (KM4IAW) and I just purchased a MFJ259C. Would love to see you posting more video on other functions of this antenna analyzer.
Well Randy, that was the "perfect" explanation of an antenna analyzer in action; short, sweet, and to-the-point. I am slightly biased, as that's the way I tune my tuner prior to actual transmission. Tune the tuner with the "MJF" and tune the transmitter into a dummy load. Connect transmitter to antenna and we're good to go. Thanks a lot. Great audio and video quality too. 73.
Thank you for explaining CLEARLY the use of the MFJ Antenna Analyzer. I am about to build a vertical fan dipole and this is very helpful. 73's de KD4MAN
Thanks for the video. I'm a new general licensee (yesterday) and I'm still trying to figure out how all of the different test equipment works in the real world. Your video was definitely helpful, and gave me an easy "ahh ha" moment that helped me understand this.
Hi Randy! I too am a very new operator! Your videos and instructionals are as important as some of the test equipment I have accumulated. You really have the talent of a natural teacher. Please keep up the great work and thank you!! 73! KA0RSN
Great Video Randy, I echo the comment that I would like to see a series on the other functions that the analyzer can perform. Also you may want to point out that there is a difference ( I believe) in measuring SWR with an antenna laying on the ground, verses measuring it in the air ( or vertical in your example). 73, thanks for your dedication to the hobby
+Scott Johnston Yes, there is difference in the antenna laying on the ground, 5 feet above the ground and probably where it will end up hanging. Best to test in the finial installation place. You may have to lower and raise it several times! Part of the fun.
Thank you Randy! Picked up this antenna analizer while I was in Florida, hanging out with a bunch of ham buddies. 73's brother, and thanks again! KB2QZK
Great topic and easily accessible demo! For those that want more depth -the Alanta Radio Club You Tube page has an excellent series of videos featuring Martin F Jue himself covering all aspects of operation the MFJ Antenna Analyzers. These things are what made grid dip oscillators a bit redundant. They are sort of a GDO married to an RF bridge. But even with this, I still use my GDO sometimes. Can't have too much test equipment.
Also I just purchased a MFJ259C to check the resonant frequencies on what appears to be some bootleg Motorola logo rubber duck HT antennas that I got for a homeowners watch group that are used on the (no license MURS band). The antennas had the correct Motorola part number and Bat wing logo and font on the Motorola markings on the antennas, but they were obviously about an inch or more shorter than another Motorola rubber duck I had and the insulator in the bottom SMA connector was not the same color. I also ordered an SMA to PL259 adapter for the test. Wish me luck, Cliff 73
At Field Day 2016, we were at the rural home QTH of one of our club members and we experienced some of the extraneous RF as mentioned at 2:55 but it took us a while to trace. It turned out to be the underground dog fence that was pumping erratic RF into the analyzer, making it practically useless since the coax was lying on the ground for many feet not far away. Once we put the antenna tuner inline, that isolated the analyzer and we could tune the G5RV to any frequency we wanted and it worked like a champ, but as it was, we could not take a "barefoot" reading just to see how the antenna was on its own.
K7AGE Thanks, Randy. It was fun scratching our heads and finally figuring it out. Next time we will wind the coax into a makeshift choke at the feed point to see if that will keep the noise away.
Another great informative video Randy. Always get something from your videos.Plan to order a 259C. I have a MFJ 209 and don't like it one bit.73 Bill AB9QU
Thanks Randy. I have been using an assortment of analyzers, just for fun. Your reminder to short the antenna first is good info that I had forgotten. No damage yet, but want to prevent any. Also keeping a lab note book is great advice. We hams sometimes get too hurried and forget the basics. If you don't remember where you have been how do you know where you are or if you are making progress. Dave K8WPE
There is someone that is always a “buzz kill”. What makes you think he doesn’t own a Rig Expert. His video was on an MFJ-269. Why don’t YOU do a video on the Rig Expert that is just as informative and well done as the one he was put together on the MFJ-269? You’re welcome! WB4TOP
Hi Randy, I know hams do not like to venture into CB Radio. But I will use CB for this example question. I am a tech class ham and I have question that is probably best left to an RF engineer, but I will hope you can answer it. Can reflected power be an unreliable issue in some instances? I am referring to IF the MFJ ANTENNA ANALYZER shows a (CB antenna mirror mount installation for instance) to be resonant on 27.085 CB channel 19 on a tractor trailer mirror mount installation (when the antenna is vertical). But the VSWR meter shows high on reflected power on a VSWR Meter. We see these antennas tilted forward like a bull would have its head tilted down on these mirrors all the time. This would put the field strength forward signal toward the ground. I assume that this is done because the CB shops VSWR meters are getting reflected power back from the high sleepers and the higher trailers. Would it hypothetically better to tune a mirror mount antenna installation of this type with the analyzer and leave the antenna vertical (for better forward gain), OR would there theoretically or actually be a real reflected power issue that could damage a radios RF output section. In other words I think I am asking if the VSWR meter is an actual reflected power reading or a possibly false reading. I guess I probably sound stupid, but I am trying to learn a little about RF Theory. 73 Cliff
Are you working on a Kenworth truck, fiberglass cab doesn’t help with ground plane, I hate trying to tune antenna’s on them! Don’t have any solutions yet! Any other truck with metal cabs aren’t a problem.
Thank you. I have two used vertical HF antennas that I am testing and they both did not show a resonate frequency, new installation for me. I think they are both bad. I will be replacing one and rechecking. My father was a ham radio operator W5OQA in Grove Okla. He hand made his QSL cards, do you have one. He is a silent key now and I would like to have on of his cards.
Randy, do you think it's best to always assume that lowest SWR is equal to resonance? Or, should we be looking for some combination of things such as a reasonably low SWR but X=0 and 50 ohms? Or, something else? Thank you.
Hi! I would like to bring to your attention the NanoVNA Vector Network Analyzer. It does exactly what your graphic is showing. At 50 dollars. These MFJs cost a fortune.
I have a NanoVNA, but this is besides the point I think (as it does the same thing, just plots automatically). Should this measurement be performed at the antenna feed point high up and not at the shack when cutting the antenna to length? To take the feedline coax out of the equation when tuning the antenna?
H Randy, Thanks for a very informative video. My aerial is a doublet (in the loft) with a 450 ohm ladder line feeder. Can I still use an analyser with it? If so, how do I connect it?
okay thanks once again , so I have learned that there is a difference between an SWR meter and an SWR analyzer..... That explains the price differences. thanks again
Both meters have their place. The SWR meter is good, as you will always see what is going on when you are transmitting. The analyzer is more useful for testing and tuning an antenna.
What does it mean when your VSWR is lowest but the impedance is near 60 ohms? The RG-8X is brand new but every monopole mobile antenna is around 60 ohms.
Randy, thanks for the video. I was just confused by your wording. I think you meant that to get the antenna resonate on 7.2Mhz you have to make it 'shorter'. But you kept saying 'shortening it'. Which makes me think of an electrical short and not making the antenna smaller in length. Is that what you meant?
I have the 259D I have not used it yet I am wonder how to use it to help me tune my imax-2000 but I am confused because my radio puts out 300 watts and the higher the watts are the higher the SWR goes so I can't figure out how to check this. any help would be appreciated greatly Thank you.
SWR is a ratio between forward and reflected power. There are no units (watts, volt, or amps) associated with SWR. You should have the same SWR with low or high power. You tune the antenna for low SWR, and the transmitter will be happy.
You set forward Full Scale Deflection whilst switched to VSWR. Does that mean that the push button over rides theVSWR/200watts/200 watts selector switch? Thanks for the video. 73
The SWR meter needs to be set for full scale in the SWR Forward position. Then when you switch to SWR Reverse, the meter will show SWR, not power. To measure power, switch the meter into the Power mode. On the Drake pushing in the Cal knob places the meter into Forward, release for SWR. Thanks for watching, Randy
@@K7AGE Ah that's the answer. When you set fsd on the Drake, it was still in the VSWR position and it caught my eye but your explanation of the button makes it all clear. When I got started we had no coax available. We tuned the PA anode current for minimum dip & then loaded it until the specified current was reached. This was usually by tapping the end fed wire, up the taps on the Antenna coil of the matching unit..Before MY time they tapped up from the earthy end of the TANK coil...Some actually put a DC blocking cap in there..Some! Then Pi tank matched PA's end-fed wires, making life a lot easier but no coax feed. Never heard of swr until centre fed dipoles used 75Ω TV coax,. Built my 1st SWR bridge for 75 Ω. I cussed a bit when my 1st commercial had plate and load with a 50Ω output! Thanks Randy
The G5RV comes with a matching section, which is where the coax attaches to. This is where you connect the analyzer, not up high at the horizontal wires.
okay so im looking for the best way to set a Wilson 5000 i may have to trim it but i would like to get the wave a flat match on the 27 mghz band im looking at possibly buying this analyzer it does cover the 27 mghz band correct ? i want to make sure i buy the correct model
Randy, say someone finds some old, random antenna at a garage sale or some place and they have no way to know which band or frequency the antenna is meant to be used on. Can these analyzers automatically tell you a resonant frequency for the randomly found antenna?
You said at one point that this analyzer can go outside of the amateur bands, which caught my attention. How about the area between 230 and about 400MHz? The specifications make it appear that you can only use amateur bands, which seems sort of silly.
Their website says MFJ-269C covers 530KHz to 230 MHz and 415 to 470 MHz -- an MFJ-269C exclusive! Includes all the features of MFJ-259C, the world’s most popular SWR Analyzer plus much more! Looks like a dead zone between 230 & 415.
K7AGE Thanks. That's what I was afraid of. I'll just have to settle for a directional coupler, spectrum analyzer and signal generator. So cumbersome by comparison.
HI Randy!... I used my mfj269 analyzer to tune a home made 5/8 for 2m as an experiment. I can tune perfectly the antenna, but as soon I take it 10 ft on the mast the swr gets crazy and the antenna is useless.... Have you any clue whats happening?... tanks! I don't know what to do
Hi, my hunch is that the antenna is coupling to the surrounding when it is down low. You will have to make adjustment low where you can reach it, then raise it higher to check the SWR, I would think having the antenna on a 10 foot pole in the clear away from everything would be good for testing and adjustment.
thank you for your answer Randy!... do you agree saying that 5/8 antenna in general (been unbalanced) are somehow unstable and more sensitive to the surroundings than, lets say a 1/4 ground plane?.... in this regard I made a small and simple wire quarter wave for 2m and as I remember didn't change much the swr when put in the 10 foot pole.... or maybe Im wrong in my perception and there is no difference, and both are sensitive?? what's your opinion Randy? one lesson learn for me is that doesn't matter how much efford is needed to take the antenna up and down from the pole a thousand times is better than trying to tune it low ground an then taking it up.... what do you think? thanks !
Well, a 5/8 antenna typically has a coil at the bottom to provide some matching, since the antenna is not 50 ohms impedence. If you don't have a matching section, then you will probably be seeing some strange reactions.
Hi Randy, I was wondering if you could tell me what the trick is to knowing whether the antennna is too long or not long enough based on what the analyzer says? OR if you have a video that already explains this, would you kindly point me in its direction? Thank you sir. I appreciate all you do for the Ham community. 73, de KD7SJT
Earl Gray If the resonant point (lowest SWR) is too low, that means your wire antenna is too long and needs to be shortened. If the resonant point is too high, the wire antenna is too short and needs to be lengthened. As Randy hinted at in his video, as long as your SWR is below 2.0 at the frequency of interest you're fine.
I found one of these, someone left batteries in it for many years, the battery tray is ruined I will need to get a new one, I noticed it does have an power cord connection and inside I seen a jumper, is it possible to put rechargeable batteries and it will charge them? also since I have to replace the tray, couldn't I just use a 9v battery?
+teknowil I don't know if a 9V battery would be able to supply enough current to power the analyzer. Try it. I don't use internal batteries, since I don't use the analyzer all that often. I power my analyzer from an external 12V battery and a power cable.
+K7AGE A 9 volt won't last worth a darn in the analyzer, nor is it likely to work very well either.. I have been repairing radio, TVs, stereos, appliances, transmitters, receivers, transceivers, but mostly guitars, guitar amplifiers, & music stuff. I finally went & passed 2 out of 3 tests and have my General license now. Here is battery tray for 8 AAs, which may or may not fit. They also have a flat tray that holds 8 AAs. For argument sake, 6 AAs will run a guitar distortion stomp box for years, compared to a month or two with a 9 volt battery. I'll address the link to the gentleman who ask. Muchos 73s KI7AQJ
+teknowil Try this...www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/item/bh-38/8aa-cell-battery-holder-w/9v-battery-snaps/1.html or this, www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/item/bh-448/8-aa-cell-battery-holder-w/9v-snaps/1.html or this...www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10001_10001_105478_-1 A 9 volt won't work very well at all.
+Seth B That flat tray I put this link to: www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/item/bh-448/8-aa-cell-battery-holder-w/9v-snaps/1.html It fits my MFJ 269. 73 KI7AQJ
Do some people call it residence? I know it is resonance. So what about using the impedance negative or positive to effect a match with caps and coils?
I may have mis spoke. Coils and caps could be used to help tune the antenna. I think that may narrow the bandwidth. That is beyond my antenna matching theory. Thanks,.
Thanks Randy , picked up a 249 in beautiful condx. @ the Willkes Barre Pa hamfest today for 30 $ ( estate sk ) and is perfect for what I do … best 73 de ka3fad
Randy another excellent,informative and educational video do you like 40 Meters or do you have another HF band of choice you enjoy or is CW your favorite mode of operation all together?73's.Tony Ridlen KC9QVE Kokomo,Indiana
Well, that depends. If something looks wrong, check your antenna against previous measurements. Large contest stations will perform full antenna system checks a couple times each year before the major contests.
Thanks Randy. I learned lots. I finally pushed that subscribe button. Will you shorten this dipole the same way you shortened the 10 meter dipole you made? Thanks again. 73 KE0OAP
Jon Berry Yes it does. Poor SWR would reduce the amount of signal available. You probably would not notice this reduction. We want SWR to be low to get as much power as possible to the antenna. And, we don't want to blow up our transmitter operating into high SWR. Most transmitters will sense high SWR and shut down.
Good video, there is another video where a guy is using the same meter to tune jumpers and antenna leeds , it's interesting but beyond my understanding.
Really nice video! So sad that these antenna analyzers are so expensive. Well, the whole hobby is.. But it would be nice if something could be cheap at least =D hehe
You're right! This hobby can cost you a small fortune. But there are alternatives. For example uBitx transceiver, NanoVNA Antenna analyzer... We can go "budget" if we have to.
Ciaran Mc manus: There are lots of CB videos here: ua-cam.com/channels/KgZOmPB_cAPkJtBRPLIlkw.html CB club / forum here: charlietangodxgroup.forumotion.com/
Rules of presentation to a broad audience. First time you use an abbreviation SWR, also say the whole name, ONCE. I’m a ME not an EE so I’m basically stupid. There I said it. Inductance leads current in a AC circuit, right? I don’t know what that means. My son is an EE.. HE enjoys playing with me like a cat with a half dead mouse and I paid for his education.
hi randy.. i have been following some of your video since 2010. i passed my malaysian exam since 2012. i just recently got my callsign this july2017. i havent been on the air yet. never theless your video really inspired me in transmitting to iss and other satelite using vhf etc. i am keen on building antennas. not many people have the antenna analyser.. i am opt for other solutions. since our currency is depreciating... buying in USD is no the way... this hobby is having less DX. keep the good work and i hope to have more contact via emails. more people be in contact using phone software ie whatsapp. cheers
Only this kind of topik need to know for every HAM, and especially, need to be learned in the HAM Licenses courses! Thank a lot, and "73"!
About the best intro into the MFJ-259/269 series analyzer yet! The old adage "don't start in the middle, start in the beginning" applied here while so many simply don't do that. The "club" I listen to spend most of their time bragging they completely miss the educational aspect unless it's something that is new to themselves. Thank you Randy K7AGE.
Thanks
I always remark how helpful Radio Hams are! They're happy to share with the rest of us their knowledge, and in doing so, introduce new people to the hobby.
Great video Randy,! Thank you Sir!
Nice job on the video, short, simple, and concise with great audio.
Thank you for your excellent video/explanation of using an antenna analyzer. You have shown me that the MFJ analyzers may not do as much for you as something like the SARK 110, but it costs a lot less, and is actually a lot easier to use. Too many features, and it takes longer to read the manual and understand just how to use the tool. The MFJ-259C (or 269C) seems to have just the right amount of features to make it easy to use as well as extremely useful.
thank you sir,,, you are MY online Elmer now..ive learned more in three months than I have in a long time time with mine here...also,, just (today) got mfj 269 aanalyzer..I love it and you taught me all I need to know for now.
Have fun with the analyzer. It is a nice piece of test equipment to have
This is a great video. I am a newbie (KM4IAW) and I just purchased a MFJ259C. Would love to see you posting more video on other functions of this antenna analyzer.
Thanks Randy. This video is very good for new hams. Appreciate your efforts to share the information
Thanks for the comment
Well Randy, that was the "perfect" explanation of an antenna analyzer in action; short, sweet, and to-the-point. I am slightly biased, as that's the way I tune my tuner prior to actual transmission. Tune the tuner with the "MJF" and tune the transmitter into a dummy load. Connect transmitter to antenna and we're good to go. Thanks a lot. Great audio and video quality too. 73.
Thanks
Thanks for the help Randy. Just where I need to be, the basics. You explained it well.
Thank you for explaining CLEARLY the use of the MFJ Antenna Analyzer. I am about to build a vertical fan dipole and this is very helpful. 73's de KD4MAN
Glad to hear that this video helped you. Have fun building.
Such a delightful man to listen to..
Would love to see a video on what the differences are between the different MFJ antenna analyzer's 259/269 ABCD etc etc to many choices out there
There are many. I have sold my 269
Thanks for the video. I'm a new general licensee (yesterday) and I'm still trying to figure out how all of the different test equipment works in the real world. Your video was definitely helpful, and gave me an easy "ahh ha" moment that helped me understand this.
Awesome vid on AA uses. Randy thanks for creating/posting 73, Hamp
Thank You Randy for a Very Educational Video. I am a New HAM and enjoyed watching this Video.
Hi Randy! I too am a very new operator! Your videos and instructionals are as important as some of the test equipment I have accumulated. You really have the talent of a natural teacher. Please keep up the great work and thank you!! 73! KA0RSN
Thanks Randy. I have your video saved. Some of my friends look only at the SWR and not the Impedance. The impedance is way off and not close to 50ohm.
Great Video Randy, I echo the comment that I would like to see a series on the other functions that the analyzer can perform. Also you may want to point out that there is a difference ( I believe) in measuring SWR with an antenna laying on the ground, verses measuring it in the air ( or vertical in your example). 73, thanks for your dedication to the hobby
+Scott Johnston Yes, there is difference in the antenna laying on the ground, 5 feet above the ground and probably where it will end up hanging. Best to test in the finial installation place. You may have to lower and raise it several times! Part of the fun.
Thank you Randy! Picked up this antenna analizer while I was in Florida, hanging out with a bunch of ham buddies. 73's brother, and thanks again! KB2QZK
Superb video for the new ham and nicely explained. Thank you sir. 73s from the UK.
What a great tool. I have one of these and I want to get the best use out of it. Thanks Randy. Great tutorial on this.
Great topic and easily accessible demo! For those that want more depth -the Alanta Radio Club You Tube page has an excellent series of videos featuring Martin F Jue himself covering all aspects of operation the MFJ Antenna Analyzers. These things are what made grid dip oscillators a bit redundant. They are sort of a GDO married to an RF bridge. But even with this, I still use my GDO sometimes. Can't have too much test equipment.
Also I just purchased a MFJ259C to check the resonant frequencies on what appears to be some bootleg Motorola logo rubber duck HT antennas that I got for a homeowners watch group that are used on the (no license MURS band). The antennas had the correct Motorola part number and Bat wing logo and font on the Motorola markings on the antennas, but they were obviously about an inch or more shorter than another Motorola rubber duck I had and the insulator in the bottom SMA connector was not the same color. I also ordered an SMA to PL259 adapter for the test. Wish me luck, Cliff 73
Thanks for posting! I'm new to amateur radio so I assume at some point I'll get an "ah-ha!" moment when all of this will make sense. :-)
Great information.........Thank you...... Lots of good pointers.......
At Field Day 2016, we were at the rural home QTH of one of our club members and we experienced some of the extraneous RF as mentioned at 2:55 but it took us a while to trace. It turned out to be the underground dog fence that was pumping erratic RF into the analyzer, making it practically useless since the coax was lying on the ground for many feet not far away. Once we put the antenna tuner inline, that isolated the analyzer and we could tune the G5RV to any frequency we wanted and it worked like a champ, but as it was, we could not take a "barefoot" reading just to see how the antenna was on its own.
A dog fence, interesting. Glad that you got things to work. That is all part of the fun, figuring things out.
K7AGE Thanks, Randy. It was fun scratching our heads and finally figuring it out. Next time we will wind the coax into a makeshift choke at the feed point to see if that will keep the noise away.
Very nicely done. Thanks.
Thanks for your time. Great tutorial Randy!
Great video. Thanks. I am new to this and your videos are very helpful!
Hi dear Randy!Thanks for the video.You really have the talent of a natural teacher! Leo.UR3iF.
Just picked one of these up used, glad I did. Thanks for the video, very informative KI5TKD, 73s
Have now subscribed to your channel. Thank you.
Another great informative video Randy. Always get something from your videos.Plan to order a 259C. I have a MFJ 209 and don't like it one bit.73 Bill AB9QU
Thanks Randy. I have been using an assortment of analyzers, just for fun. Your reminder to short the antenna first is good info that I had forgotten. No damage yet, but want to prevent any. Also keeping a lab note book is great advice. We hams sometimes get too hurried and forget the basics. If you don't remember where you have been how do you know where you are or if you are making progress.
Dave K8WPE
Thanks for the comment and for watching.
Get a Rig Expert Analyzer. So much more advanced and many more options. I believe they are competitive with MFJ and the batteries last forever.
There is someone that is always a “buzz kill”. What makes you think he doesn’t own a Rig Expert. His video was on an MFJ-269. Why don’t YOU do a video on the Rig Expert that is just as informative and well done as the one he was put together on the MFJ-269? You’re welcome! WB4TOP
Hi Randy, I know hams do not like to venture into CB Radio. But I will use CB for this example question. I am a tech class ham and I have question that is probably best left to an RF engineer, but I will hope you can answer it. Can reflected power be an unreliable issue in some instances? I am referring to IF the MFJ ANTENNA ANALYZER shows a (CB antenna mirror mount installation for instance) to be resonant on 27.085 CB channel 19 on a tractor trailer mirror mount installation (when the antenna is vertical). But the VSWR meter shows high on reflected power on a VSWR Meter. We see these antennas tilted forward like a bull would have its head tilted down on these mirrors all the time. This would put the field strength forward signal toward the ground. I assume that this is done because the CB shops VSWR meters are getting reflected power back from the high sleepers and the higher trailers. Would it hypothetically better to tune a mirror mount antenna installation of this type with the analyzer and leave the antenna vertical (for better forward gain), OR would there theoretically or actually be a real reflected power issue that could damage a radios RF output section. In other words I think I am asking if the VSWR meter is an actual reflected power reading or a possibly false reading. I guess I probably sound stupid, but I am trying to learn a little about RF Theory. 73 Cliff
Are you working on a Kenworth truck, fiberglass cab doesn’t help with ground plane, I hate trying to tune antenna’s on them! Don’t have any solutions yet! Any other truck with metal cabs aren’t a problem.
I appreciate and enjoy all your videos!
This subject seems like a "must-do" in order to operate properly within the Amateur Radio Bands?
Thank You!
Nicely done!
Next, a grid dip meter.
I just bought a 259 and wasn't sure how to use it. Can you cover how to measure capacitance, and the freq counter?
Very good video explaining the antenna analyzer. 73's from WP4YN.
Mahalo for the info Randy, Aloha
Thank you. I have two used vertical HF antennas that I am testing and they both did not show a resonate frequency, new installation for me. I think they are both bad. I will be replacing one and rechecking. My father was a ham radio operator W5OQA in Grove Okla. He hand made his QSL cards, do you have one. He is a silent key now and I would like to have on of his cards.
I checked my cards, and I don't have one from your dad. What band(s) is the vertical for?
Nice video Randy! Thank You
Randy, do you think it's best to always assume that lowest SWR is equal to resonance? Or, should we be looking for some combination of things such as a reasonably low SWR but X=0 and 50 ohms? Or, something else? Thank you.
Hi! I would like to bring to your attention the NanoVNA Vector Network Analyzer. It does exactly what your graphic is showing. At 50 dollars. These MFJs cost a fortune.
I have a NanoVNA, but this is besides the point I think (as it does the same thing, just plots automatically). Should this measurement be performed at the antenna feed point high up and not at the shack when cutting the antenna to length? To take the feedline coax out of the equation when tuning the antenna?
Informative as usual,
Tks Randy
H Randy, Thanks for a very informative video. My aerial is a doublet (in the loft) with a 450 ohm ladder line feeder. Can I still use an analyser with it? If so, how do I connect it?
okay thanks once again , so I have learned that there is a difference between an SWR meter and an SWR analyzer..... That explains the price differences. thanks again
Both meters have their place. The SWR meter is good, as you will always see what is going on when you are transmitting. The analyzer is more useful for testing and tuning an antenna.
Great video Randy, thanks for sharing! 73!
Thanks for the good videos. What does the Xs number represent?
What does it mean when your VSWR is lowest but the impedance is near 60 ohms? The RG-8X is brand new but every monopole mobile antenna is around 60 ohms.
Randy, thanks for the video. I was just confused by your wording. I think you meant that to get the antenna resonate on 7.2Mhz you have to make it 'shorter'. But you kept saying 'shortening it'. Which makes me think of an electrical short and not making the antenna smaller in length. Is that what you meant?
I have an mfj 269 and it's awesome mfj has a new antenna analyzer and this model even uses aa batteries I think
I have the 259D I have not used it yet I am wonder how to use it to help me tune my imax-2000 but I am confused because my radio puts out 300 watts and the higher the watts are the higher the SWR goes so I can't figure out how to check this. any help would be appreciated greatly Thank you.
SWR is a ratio between forward and reflected power. There are no units (watts, volt, or amps) associated with SWR. You should have the same SWR with low or high power. You tune the antenna for low SWR, and the transmitter will be happy.
can you damage the device if you forget to connect your antenna. because its basically an transmitter.
You set forward Full Scale Deflection whilst switched to VSWR.
Does that mean that the push button over rides theVSWR/200watts/200 watts selector switch?
Thanks for the video. 73
The SWR meter needs to be set for full scale in the SWR Forward position. Then when you switch to SWR Reverse, the meter will show SWR, not power. To measure power, switch the meter into the Power mode. On the Drake pushing in the Cal knob places the meter into Forward, release for SWR. Thanks for watching, Randy
@@K7AGE
Ah that's the answer. When you set fsd on the Drake, it was still in the VSWR position and it caught my eye but your explanation of the button makes it all clear.
When I got started we had no coax available. We tuned the PA anode current for minimum dip & then loaded it until the specified current was reached.
This was usually by tapping the end fed wire, up the taps on the Antenna coil of the matching unit..Before MY time they tapped up from the earthy end of the TANK coil...Some actually put a DC blocking cap in there..Some!
Then Pi tank matched PA's end-fed wires, making life a lot easier but no coax feed. Never heard of swr until centre fed dipoles used 75Ω TV coax,. Built my 1st SWR bridge for 75 Ω.
I cussed a bit when my 1st commercial had plate and load with a 50Ω output!
Thanks Randy
Randy,
Great video. Thanks! How would I use the MFJ unit to tune my 204' G5RV, with the feed-point up on a 40' fiberglass mast?
The G5RV comes with a matching section, which is where the coax attaches to. This is where you connect the analyzer, not up high at the horizontal wires.
Cheers for the video randy.
okay so im looking for the best way to set a Wilson 5000 i may have to trim it but i would like to get the wave a flat match on the 27 mghz band im looking at possibly buying this analyzer it does cover the 27 mghz band correct ? i want to make sure i buy the correct model
Nice job. Thanks.
Randy, say someone finds some old, random antenna at a garage sale or some place and they have no way to know which band or frequency the antenna is meant to be used on. Can these analyzers automatically tell you a resonant frequency for the randomly found antenna?
You said at one point that this analyzer can go outside of the amateur bands, which caught my attention. How about the area between 230 and about 400MHz? The specifications make it appear that you can only use amateur bands, which seems sort of silly.
Their website says MFJ-269C covers 530KHz to 230 MHz and 415 to 470 MHz -- an MFJ-269C exclusive! Includes all the features of MFJ-259C, the world’s most popular SWR Analyzer plus much more! Looks like a dead zone between 230 & 415.
K7AGE Thanks. That's what I was afraid of. I'll just have to settle for a directional coupler, spectrum analyzer and signal generator. So cumbersome by comparison.
Very interesting video, thanks
Please can you do a video and explaining the Rs and Xs readings
What do you mean "short the center to ground before connecting coax?" How do we do that please?
touch it to the case, stick it down to the ground, short the pins....
thanks
An antenna analyzer does actually transmit signals, but they are extremely-low-power signals, on the order of microwatts.
HI Randy!... I used my mfj269 analyzer to tune a home made 5/8 for 2m as an experiment. I can tune perfectly the antenna, but as soon I take it 10 ft on the mast the swr gets crazy and the antenna is useless.... Have you any clue whats happening?... tanks! I don't know what to do
Hi, my hunch is that the antenna is coupling to the surrounding when it is down low. You will have to make adjustment low where you can reach it, then raise it higher to check the SWR, I would think having the antenna on a 10 foot pole in the clear away from everything would be good for testing and adjustment.
thank you for your answer Randy!... do you agree saying that 5/8 antenna in general (been unbalanced) are somehow unstable and more sensitive to the surroundings than, lets say a 1/4 ground plane?.... in this regard I made a small and simple wire quarter wave for 2m and as I remember didn't change much the swr when put in the 10 foot pole.... or maybe Im wrong in my perception and there is no difference, and both are sensitive?? what's your opinion Randy? one lesson learn for me is that doesn't matter how much efford is needed to take the antenna up and down from the pole a thousand times is better than trying to tune it low ground an then taking it up.... what do you think? thanks !
Well, a 5/8 antenna typically has a coil at the bottom to provide some matching, since the antenna is not 50 ohms impedence. If you don't have a matching section, then you will probably be seeing some strange reactions.
Hi Randy, when you say shorten your antenna: do you mean height?
✝️💫
Hi Randy, I was wondering if you could tell me what the trick is to knowing whether the antennna is too long or not long enough based on what the analyzer says? OR if you have a video that already explains this, would you kindly point me in its direction? Thank you sir. I appreciate all you do for the Ham community. 73, de KD7SJT
Earl Gray If the resonant point (lowest SWR) is too low, that means your wire antenna is too long and needs to be shortened. If the resonant point is too high, the wire antenna is too short and needs to be lengthened. As Randy hinted at in his video, as long as your SWR is below 2.0 at the frequency of interest you're fine.
I found one of these, someone left batteries in it for many years, the battery tray is ruined I will need to get a new one, I noticed it does have an power cord connection and inside I seen a jumper, is it possible to put rechargeable batteries and it will charge them? also since I have to replace the tray, couldn't I just use a 9v battery?
+teknowil I don't know if a 9V battery would be able to supply enough current to power the analyzer. Try it. I don't use internal batteries, since I don't use the analyzer all that often. I power my analyzer from an external 12V battery and a power cable.
+K7AGE A 9 volt won't last worth a darn in the analyzer, nor is it likely to work very well either.. I have been repairing radio, TVs, stereos, appliances, transmitters, receivers, transceivers, but mostly guitars, guitar amplifiers, & music stuff. I finally went & passed 2 out of 3 tests and have my General license now. Here is battery tray for 8 AAs, which may or may not fit. They also have a flat tray that holds 8 AAs. For argument sake, 6 AAs will run a guitar distortion stomp box for years, compared to a month or two with a 9 volt battery. I'll address the link to the gentleman who ask. Muchos 73s KI7AQJ
+teknowil Try this...www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/item/bh-38/8aa-cell-battery-holder-w/9v-battery-snaps/1.html or this, www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/item/bh-448/8-aa-cell-battery-holder-w/9v-snaps/1.html or this...www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10001_10001_105478_-1 A 9 volt won't work very well at all.
+Seth B That flat tray I put this link to: www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/item/bh-448/8-aa-cell-battery-holder-w/9v-snaps/1.html It fits my MFJ 269. 73 KI7AQJ
Do some people call it residence? I know it is resonance. So what about using the impedance negative or positive to effect a match with caps and coils?
I may have mis spoke. Coils and caps could be used to help tune the antenna. I think that may narrow the bandwidth. That is beyond my antenna matching theory. Thanks,.
Shouldn't the measurements be made at the base of the antenna, as close to the feed point as possible and not from the shack to get an accurate read?
thank you for your work sir.
Thanks Randy , picked up a 249 in beautiful condx. @ the Willkes Barre Pa hamfest today for 30 $ ( estate sk ) and is perfect for what I do … best 73 de ka3fad
Randy another excellent,informative and educational video do you like 40 Meters or do you have another HF band of choice you enjoy or is CW your favorite mode of operation all together?73's.Tony Ridlen KC9QVE Kokomo,Indiana
+Tony Ridlen 40 is a good band too. No CW operation here. Voice and digital modes.
Great video
I have a question, if you have a dip how do you know if its the antenne and not the lengte of the cable ?
73 .. Ger
Cappeltje you could first check the coax by placing a know 50 ohm load at the far end.
Fine work.. thank you!
How often should we check the antenna analyzer???
Well, that depends. If something looks wrong, check your antenna against previous measurements. Large contest stations will perform full antenna system checks a couple times each year before the major contests.
Thanx.
Thanks Randy. I learned lots. I finally pushed that subscribe button. Will you shorten this dipole the same way you shortened the 10 meter dipole you made? Thanks again.
73
KE0OAP
Thanks so much Randy!!
I'm a total noob at Ham Radio. I mostly listen into stations. Is swr important to transmitting only or does it effect receiving too?
Jon Berry Yes it does. Poor SWR would reduce the amount of signal available. You probably would not notice this reduction. We want SWR to be low to get as much power as possible to the antenna. And, we don't want to blow up our transmitter operating into high SWR. Most transmitters will sense high SWR and shut down.
Good video, there is another video where a guy is using the same meter to tune jumpers and antenna leeds , it's interesting but beyond my understanding.
Really nice video! So sad that these antenna analyzers are so expensive. Well, the whole hobby is.. But it would be nice if something could be cheap at least =D hehe
You're right! This hobby can cost you a small fortune. But there are alternatives. For example uBitx transceiver, NanoVNA Antenna analyzer... We can go "budget" if we have to.
Hard to find videos for operators on CB I find you ham guys to Technical
Ciaran Mc manus: There are lots of CB videos here:
ua-cam.com/channels/KgZOmPB_cAPkJtBRPLIlkw.html
CB club / forum here:
charlietangodxgroup.forumotion.com/
excellent, thank you!
Thank you
Rules of presentation to a broad audience. First time you use an abbreviation SWR, also say the whole name, ONCE. I’m a ME not an EE so I’m basically stupid. There I said it. Inductance leads current in a AC circuit, right? I don’t know what that means. My son is an EE.. HE enjoys playing with me like a cat with a half dead mouse and I paid for his education.
good point
I always enjoy your videos - would like to see you do one on an antenna analzer on a all band antenna. K5ROC
How do you go about getting "X" to zero?
An X value of zero means full resonance. You do that by attaining an electrical length in your antenna's radiator of one half of a wavelength.
hello randy, nice video. cheers. azhar
Thanks
hi randy.. i have been following some of your video since 2010. i passed my malaysian exam since 2012. i just recently got my callsign this july2017. i havent been on the air yet. never theless your video really inspired me in transmitting to iss and other satelite using vhf etc. i am keen on building antennas. not many people have the antenna analyser.. i am opt for other solutions. since our currency is depreciating... buying in USD is no the way... this hobby is having less DX. keep the good work and i hope to have more contact via emails. more people be in contact using phone software ie whatsapp. cheers
thanks
Very good video! Many thanks!
73
KI5KET
Very well done. Thank you!. Now if I only understood "matching"... 73 de KD2HHU
I’m not a Ham operator CB operator I’m thinking of buying an Analyser
Very well done👍 73 KV5P
Thank you finally someone said keep a notebook OMG kg6mn
Thanks for posting!
John
KC5NGX