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| Reviews Summary for Array Solutions AIM 4170 by W5BIG |
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Reviews: 41
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Average rating: 5.0/5
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MSRP: $520
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Description: Antenna analyzer measures the complex impedance (magnitude and phase) at each frequency of interest in the range of 0.1 to 170 MHz. An advanced program running on your PC is used to calculate several parameters, including WR, R+X, Mag, RL, Angle, and plot the results vs Freq or on a Smith Chart.
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More info: http://www.arraysolutions.com/Products/AIM4170B.htm
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write your own review of the Array Solutions AIM 4170 by W5BIG.
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N3UJJ
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 4, 2009 13:52
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Indispensable
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I don’t know what I can say that hasn’t already been said in other reviews. This is the most valuable tool that I own (bar none). I have quite a few friends that own the MFJ-259b and they always say “you need a laptop”, yep you need a laptop, but the information that you get back is overwhelming (in a good way). Those same friends have asked to use my 4170 numerous times because you just can’t see the big picture on a MFJ-259b. If you like to build antennas this tool will save you hours (sometime days), tuning a parallel dipole or a fan dipole can be a real headache without a tool like this. If I lost mine tomorrow I would replace it without batting an eye. Every time I look at the support web site, there is new software, with more features. Every club should own this tool for their members. I just wish it did 70cm.
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WB4SLM
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 6, 2009 07:41
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EZ & accurate
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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AIM4170 by W5BIG sold by Array Solutions ..
In all the unit is very straight forward and easy to use ... pretty much plug & play ...
Overall first impression -- how many adjectives can I use to say "WOW" -- having started 40 years ago with tube type GDO, then a Noise Bridge, followed by a SWR bridge & Bird meters, followed by the MFJ259B, and now to have this tool available, is wonderful ... I have a used VNA & I've got a "mini" RF lab here at the shack to include a HP signal source & Spectrum Analyzer, and the AIM 4170 is a much needed complement to my world ... it is much easier to use & by all accounts very accurate ...
For example -- I did a "test" on a "measured" 10 foot piece of LDF4-50 -- the test set measured the physical length at 10.02 feet -- that .02 feet was the adapter from Type N to PL259 .. I then used the "line extension" function to compensate for the adapter .. did another "sweep" and the length of the cable came out to 9.995 feet ... can't get that accuracy anywhere for the money spent ... I'd put this piece of kit up against my HP8505A VNA any day of the week .. in one of my previous lives I worked in a government PMEL lab & most calibrations are only "guaranteed" to + or- 1% ... one would have to spend at least 50k to find a used VNA to match the accuracy of what I've got with the 4170 ..
To date I've checked several antennas & built a dipole for 160 meters ... then checked some of the "air coils" in the junk box for value & tested a few variable caps... then checked those components on a L/C meter & the results were within a Pico Farad here and a tenth of Micro Henry there .. this is one serious piece of equipment ..
Support is excellent -- downloads are available through Array Solutions web site for any software upgrades -- Jay & Bob are both very knowledgeable should there be any questions ... and you don't have to get the 400 page VNA manual out to remember how to use it ...
Initial impression -- I'm very pleased with the product -- sure takes the guess work out of the equation --
Cheers de Vic - WB4SLM EM82dp //
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W4ATM
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 3, 2009 12:17
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I'd Put It Up Against an HP VNA
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I was reading some technical literature on a portable antenna analyzer Agilent makes, after one of their "Road Shows" at work. Really something - if you have five thousand bucks to spend. Someone at work suggested I read up on the AIM4170B and I did.
The review where it is compared to others on the market and an HP8753 is very telling. ( http://www.bnk.com/w0qe/AIM4170_page1.html ) This guy is accurate, fast, and the software is fantastic. I feel like I'm using a multi-kilobuck vector network analyzer like an 8753. Support from Bob, W5BIG, is great, free upgrades and user forums for questions.
So far, I've used it to check coax cables and tune a loaded vertical; it works great. I've also used it with a BNC to banana plug adapter to check inductors. This is serious lab quality test equipment for the amateur. Anybody want to buy a used MFJ analyzer?
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KJ4ADN
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 23, 2008 14:50
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A really handy device
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Time owned: months
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I'll skip the technical stuff...
I saw an Ad, so I called the number, and talked to the guy that builds 'em for about 1/2 an hour. Sounded so neat and handy, I figured this would be a nice replacement for my aged MFJ 259B. I ordered it, sight unseen, no reviews read, figuring it would be really NICE to see every DIP and peak across the bands (graphed) instead of turning knobs and plotting by hand - or trying to remember what happened when I did what to the antenna.
My 14yr son hooked it up first - the Carolina Windom 160m. WOW! What a huge time saver! We printed the plot, made a few calculations, trimmed a little on the antenna, and we could "see" graphically the results. Literally every change - length, elevation, slope, sag, produced something on the charts.
Tuning a DIPOLE is simple, no real juggling act of the bands - the MFJ can handle it fine.
Enter the multi-band monsters - now we've got 8 bands, each with variables and you're trying to tune for the best compromise, the favorite frequency on one band and still hold onto another - managing 8 bands can become serious paperwork!
We really like seeing and comparing the different plots as we build antennas - but got really TIRED of dragging electrical cords to plug the darn thing in out in the field! OK - it turns out, there is enough room inside the case to mount a tidy battery holder to the top... (Radio Shack), so we did, and with a laptop - complete portability!
After 3 months, the MFJ 259B has one use - a quick checker for faults.
The AIM 4170 - the REAL antenna & feedline analyzer.
The AIM 4170 makes building, tuning and installing antennas EASY, educational & FUN.
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N2EHG
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 28, 2008 14:12
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Fantastic
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I had a few analyzers from another company. Was great that it was portable, but after a while, I found out it had plenty of errors. What's the point of test gear like that? My experience with the AIM was that it was very accurate, fast, and gave more measurements. I was really unable to measure my antennas, and experiment , until I obtained the AIM. I'll never sell it!
Lots of hams in the area need to check their antenna, and I always offer to help out knowing my AIM will be spot on.
It's fun, pretty easy to use, have been using it regularly ever since I got it , great tool to learn about the technology as well.
I bought the unit with case, it came with the software and cal connectors, really well packaged small and light.
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WA5KRP
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 4, 2008 13:08
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SUPERB INSTRUMENT
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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The previous opinions of electronic professionals indicate this is an excellent test instrument. I don't have an EE, but as a ham I find this to be the most useful piece of test gear I own.
The AIM 4170 hooked to a coax-fed 2M dipole made up variable lengths of 3/4" copper pipe has proven to be an educational gold mine. By suspending the antenna from a 20' stretch of parallel nylon fishing lines, the 4170 graphically demonstrates the effect of antenna height, angle of coax feed (perpendicular vs parallel to axis), proximity to nearby trees and structures, proximity to ground with or without a counterpoise, horizontal and vertical polarization, and lengthening or shortening one or both elements (1/4, 1/2, 5/8, 1WL, OCF). I had the 4170 sweep the 2M band and received multi-colored graphical data for SWR, rho, theta, resonant frequency, 3dB bandwith, R ± jX, and Smith Chart from 144 to 148MHz. The rescan feature allows you see to visually observe data changes such as when an antenna is raised or lowered, or brought near a building, by resweeping the band every five seconds. You can easily determine what effect an additional 3' of coax will have at the input of the feedline. The 4170 makes it a snap to optimize your antenna tuner when QSY.
Any antenna experimenter will find the AIM 4170 an invaluable tool and learning aid. I consider it my best investment in test gear. de WA5KRP
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PA3FUN
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 3, 2008 03:20
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Great!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Bought my unit about two years ago and have been using it regularly ever since when putting out beverages and verticals for the low bands.
The unit works flawlessly.
Having a piece of equipment like this makes all the difference when you're involved in building antennas yourself. A must for the serious DX-er!
Some points of possible improvement though:
1. would like a more ruggedized version - I use it out in the open (Holland = rain)
2. USB-interface instead of RS-232.(Bluetooth interface would even be better! I now use an outboard- bluetooth dongle for wireless communication to the PC when measuring at feedpoints high above the ground).
3. On-board li-ion battery in combination with bluetooth comms would make the unit a killer for every situation where you want to measure at a remote and hard-to-reach feedpoint!
I will definitely buy a second unit if two or more of these points have been succesfully adressed!
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N4FSC
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 13, 2008 09:12
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Excellent Product
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I am an electronica and software engineer and have been a ham since the early 80s. I tried the minVNA and also the AIM4170B and sold the miniVNA. The AIM4170's reviews and comparos against $20,000+ HP/Agilent equipment (vs other analyzers) speak for themself. The 4170 also has true phase detection which becomes obvious when the phase plot crosses zero (much less hunting noise than the miniVNA). The 4170 also has a triple calibration (open/short/load) whereas the miniVNA does not.
The PC software was easy to use and I also got it working with ZPlots-AIM. The measurements are very repeatable, and as others have noted the ability to do a custom calibration to the end of a transmission line is very nice.
Now if it only went up to 1.3 GHz, hehe ;-)
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K1WZ
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Rating: 5/5
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May 20, 2008 07:10
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Excellent
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I'm a retired EE and have done a great deal of antenna work in my career and used some of the best test equipment available. I was pleasantly surprised to find the AIM 4170 because it's superb as an impedance measuring device, the software is excellent and the Array Solutions folks very responsive. I don't find the need for a PC to be a detriment to its operation although I haven't tried it at the top of a tower as yet! The AIM 4170 is a true bargain.
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NE8R
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 27, 2008 17:25
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Excellent performance and versitility
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Received the AIM 4170b last week and the unit is very impressive. I have posted some of the graphs that have been generated at http://www.antennagraphs.com/ so I can show others what various antenna's "look" like.
Robert
NE8R
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