I'm not even going into debate that MFJ seems to be a cheap (but expensive) chinese "thing" that could have cost a lot less if it wasn't for MFJ having manufacturer deal only with them. Seems like it's 50-50 chance you get a good product that you don't have to re-solder yourself. Again , this is not based on my own experience, just reading a lot from actual users. This is not MFJ bashing post , but I'd rather support Ukrainians that make superb product in this case.
 
We're talking about $300 price difference here. It's really nothing for the essential tool anyone who is dealing with antennas and building their own AND if one intends to stay in the hobby. People spend $300 on any junk over few months not even noticing it.

You're right, I intend to have fun, that's why I'm careful where I spend my money, thanks for your input as well, much appreciated.

This was exactly the whole point of this thread, to hear from people about the usage of the analyzers. I had a feeling 440MHz may not need that much attention as other bands, especially HF. But what do I know, no experience to back it up. $100 is not that big of a difference, but there are other features on AA-230 PRO that people find useful and AA-520 doesn't have.
As far as MFJ, after reading many many reviews and opinions, I'd rather stay away and spend more money on real quality gadget that will last a looong time.

Sorry, I drive Subaru :-)
Well, looks like AA-520 might be the winner here for me. Thanks for the input.

I know I know... :-)
What's the advantage of the other settings for different impedance in AA-230 PRO ?

1. That's exactly why I posted my question, I'm a new ham and don't know many yet, so I can't answer this question. But judging from your reply, I guess not too many.
2. Yes I do want to use UHF in the future.

Now, since you answered, thank you btw., I'll throw in another point. Looking at a comparison table of both analyzers, AA-520 will work only with 50 ohms reference impedance for SWR measurement, where AA-230 PRO will work with 25, 50, 75, 100 Ohm. Is it something I should be concerned about?

I'm looking into buying Antenna analyzer and after extensive research I decided to go with RigExpert toys. It's a lot of money, but it's a solid quality product as far as I can tell from the reviews. Besides, I only want to make this purchase once.
So, the only thing I can't decide on is WHICH ONE.  I narrowed my search down to AA-230 PRO and AA-520. They are about the same price , AA-520 includes UHF as well. AA-230PRO goes "only" up to 230 MHz, but it has a TDR (Time Domain Reflectometer)mode, ideal for locating cable faults.
I'm a new ham and I'd like to get an opinion from people that use analyzers. How much desirable is it to have 70cm band coverage on an analyzer? I do use 70 cm frequencies once in a while but I'm getting out there with my ground plane antenna I made for 2m just fine.
I'm starting to experiment with HF and building some antennas, but that will be covered just fine with both analyzers.
Any ideas and inputs to help me decide?
Thank you,
Tom, KJ6PVR

Ok, I was able to get to 3:1 on 7.175 MHz. But looking at the whole range between 7.0 and 7.3, SWR travels from 1:1 (at 7.0) all the way to 8 or 9:1 at 7.3 MHz.  That's just too much range isn't it?  If I'm able to get it nice and low on 7.0, I should be able to shift that SWR to 7.2 or so.

I thought there might be. I couldn't find any CPVC at Home depot so I bought PVC. Where can I find CPVC though ? I'd like to compare diameters of the same size. Is CPVC more sturdy than PVC ?

Thank you very much, these are all very good pointers and I'll definitely try it out.
You're right, joining a local club and getting some hands on help and advices would be the best, it's just not working for me right now time-wise.
I'll post results when I try it.
One thing I suspect might be a problem is that I used PVC pipes instead of CPVC recomended. Now, I'm not sure there is a difference in diameter but to get 39 and 36 turns, I had to add some inches to the wire length  on both coils. That might have thrown the result off. I'm just guessing here. I guess the best would be to contact author of these instructions and ask directly.

Maybe next thing I try as well will be taking my rig, battery and antenna out in the open and see if that helps. At least I'll now how much interference I have from all the "junk" on my balcony.

Hello All,
I just assembled my first HF antenna and it's a home-brew version of the very
popular Buddipole. I followed these instructions:
http://www.w2swr.com/pdf/homebrew-buddipole.pdf

I'll be using it with my new Kenwood TS-590s rig. Yesterday night I tried to
connect it first time but I couldn't get SWR better than 6 or 7:1, pretty bad.
I'm not sure what I' doing wrong, I'm a new HAM and this is my first HF rig and
first antenna.
What I was doing is trying to tune it first on 40m, with full coils (no tapping).
I tried to move whips in and out many times and I couldn't get any better
results.
My buddipole is on my balcony which is about 20ft from the ground to the
antenna. I also have a satellite dish on the same balcony and 2 solar panels,
both are close to the antenna. Could that be an issue? Or is it my tunning?
Any help would be much appreciated.
Tom,
KJ6PVR

I don't own this radio, but if you look at the manual (that you can download from Icom website) you can read this:
Split frequency operation allows you to transmit and receive
on two different frequencies in the same band. The split frequency
operation is performed using 2 frequencies, one in
VFO A and one in B.

So seems to me that cross-band monitoring is not happening here, but I could be wrong. You might get lucky and some actual owners of this HT will show up for help.

I'm very very close on pulling the trigger on TS-590s. I started this thread with IC-7000 and TS-480, but I might just add a few more hundred bucks and get something that will stay with me for a long time. After reading reviews I changed my mind on learning curve as well. Seems like it will be easier to learn on a radio with "more buttons" on its face than going through deeper menu. I went to look at it to HRO store and it's not that big either. A very nice mid-size transceiver that can be taken out for a field day.
I'll bite a bullet of $600 more than TS-480 would cost, but I look at it as an investment. Seems to me these rigs keep value pretty good.
Thanks everyone who participated in this long thread. I'm sure I'll be back with more dumb questions on different topics  ...

73,
Tom
KJ6PVR

I might be a brand new HAM, but I'm not that brand new under the sun , thanks 
Common sense is something that's dying in this country, needs resuscitating...

Well THAAAAT's another ballpark on its own - USA politicians :-)), we'll need another forum just for that...oooor we can just use a few words to categorize them and be done with it...this country stands on its last legs..

Anyway, one more question, Gigaparts or Hamcity?  Which one of these two would you buy from if you were going to spend your hard earned money?  Those two seem to have the best prices. I really like our local HRO, but there is NO way I'll pay over $150 just in sales tax to these moronic California politicians...  Sorry HRO guys...

What I'm after is something that will get me started in HF and something I can possibly take mobile, but I'm not going to have this constantly in my car. IF out,it would be more for a fun day out, field day etc...but most of the time at home on my desk. And while TS-590s is not a mobile rig, it's not big at all and they actually sell brackets to mount it for mobile conditions. Now, I also understand TS-590s is not a starter radio, I don't see myself buying and selling, buying and selling ....or adding more radios anytime soon. That's why I'm somewhat changing my mind (more like shaping opinion) on what I want. I think TS-590s would serve me for a looong time to come. It will probaby make a learning curve a little steeper with the front panel much more busier than IC-7000 or TS-480SAT, but I'll get through it.