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Reviews For: SARK-110 Vector Impedance Antenna Analyzer

Category: Antenna Analyzers

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Review Summary For : SARK-110 Vector Impedance Antenna Analyzer
Reviews: 23MSRP: 330 (USD)
Description:
Pocket size and lightweight
Solid aluminum metal case
Intuitive and easy to use
Four operating modes: sweep mode (antenna test), Smith
chart mode, single frequency, and frequency domain
reflectometer (cable test)
Good accuracy over a broad range of impedances
Resolves the sign of the impedance
Manual and automatic positioning tracking markers
Internal 2MB USB disk for the storage of measurements,
screenshots, configuration and firmware update
Export data in ZPLOTS compatible format for further analysis
on the PC
Lifetime free firmware upgrades available, open to community
requested features
Open source SDK including a device simulator for user
applications development
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.sark110.com/
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00234.4
ZL1RS Rating: 2013-04-11
Outstanding value! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
The Sark-110 is a great bang-for-buck deal at US$360 with registered airmail delivery and compared to similar units it rated very well in the designer's comparison list. Read the manual (which is available on-line only) to see all the features!

Ordered from "Seeed Studio" and it arrived 1 week later. First impression: surprisingly small ... about the size of a mobile phone and just as thin. Gorgeous colour TFT screen! I'm in two minds about the MCX to BNC-f Test Port cable, but it will take stress off the tiny MCX connector and the calibration process includes the short cable so it will not effect the readings/accuracy.

After heeding the missing step in the instructions (see the Sark-110 Google group thread https://groups.google.com/forum/?fromgroups=#!topic/sark110/Tu3JxcqKiF8 ) I updated to the latest firmware version which made some functionality and display improvements, and added a raft of additional features. Even better!

The ability to store screen shots as .bmp image files is nice, but the plots can also be saved to .csv format and then displayed on a PC via an Excel chart with software like Zplots http://www.ac6la.com/zplots.html ... now that is just brilliant.

Hints: When ordering from Seeed Studio, also buy the Mini-USB cable if you don't have one. It is required for charging the Sark-110 battery (from a laptop USB port) as well as updating the firmware, and retrieving screen saves or the .csv data files. http://www.seeedstudio.com/depot/mini-usb-cable-100cm-p-252.html?cPath=178_179

Also consider the "Digital probe for DSO Quad" item with a view to replacing the two probes with crocodile clips for connecting to a Yagi feedpoint. http://www.seeedstudio.com/depot/digital-probe-for-dso-quad-p-849.html?cPath=178_180

Since it arrived it has been used extensively for antenna work, building LP filters, and sweeping ferrites to make choke baluns.

Happy as a sand boy!

73, Bob ZL1RS
N0SA Rating: 2013-01-29
A great little analyzer Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have had my Sark-110 for a couple of weeks now and the more I use it the more I like it. Although the screen is small it packs a ton of information into it.The menus are easy and intuitive to use and customer service is great. The designer Melchor has a website with upgrade firmware and an e-mail list. He responds quickly to questions and suggestions. This is a product that just gets better as he refines the firmware. It is very easy to upgrade the firmware and can be done in a minute or two. So far I have tested baluns, built/tuned a 2M antenna, mesured coils and caps, tuned traps and used many of the other functions. I don't even get my AIM4170 out anymore as the Sark-110 is just too easy and fast to use. The scans look great and the update rate is pretty darn fast. from I would say it scans the whole HF band in about 1 second. The battery seems to last a long time too. I have owned many analyzers over the years but this is by far the best handheld, or should I say palm-held analyzer I have used. I am one happy customer.
Larry
n0sa
N4FBW Rating: 2012-12-27
Feature packed and easy to use! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I recently ordered the SARK-110 and it took just 2.5 days to arrive at my doorstep from Hong Kong. The analyzer was very well packaged to avoid shipping damage.

The SARK-110 comes charged up and ready to use. Inside the box is the pigtail to connect the analyzer to an antenna or other item under test. Also included is a little hex wrench so that the case of the analyzer can be opened.

Documentation is not included with the SARK-110 but I found that I hardly needed it to begin using the unit. Documentation is available in several languages at the URL posted above.

The analyzer is built in a nice, rugged aluminum case. Buttons for operating the unit and various ports are clearly labeled. The full color display is wonderful but some may find that reading glasses are required to view it. The SARK-110 fits in the palm of the hand and I found it to be a bit tricky to hold onto. I'd recommend a lanyard and/or a rubber case for the device when using it in the field.

The pigtail snaps into the SARK-110 via an MCX connector on the left hand side of the device. The other end of the pigtail is a BNC Female connector. I had no problem connecting the pigtail to various cables with a BNC adapter.

The SARK-110 has many features (listed above) and the firmware can be upgraded via the USB port. Firmware updates are free and unlimited. Features are accessed via a small left/right toggle button and various push buttons on the top of the unit. An audible tone indicates a proper or improper button press. Features are accessed via the graphical interface which is very well designed. Menus are not very deep and so quick adjustments can be made when using this analyzer.

Battery life depends upon how the unit is being used. I found that leaving the SARK-110 in 'sweep' mode drained the battery more quickly. This is not surprising as more circuitry is being used in this mode. I found that I could increase battery life by pressing the 'stop' button when I didn't need the analyzer to take readings. Note that the analyzer is charged via the USB port.

One great feature of the SARK-110 is its ability to save screen snapshots. This allows for data analysis off-line. The unit can store up to 2MB of screenshot data.

Although I have not had the time to try all the features of the SARK-110, it is a very impressive unit. Its feature set and price put it squarely in competition with other LCD/OLED based antenna analyzers.

The designer of the SARK-110, EA4FRB, has been very helpful when I've sent questions regarding the analyzer. He is also interested in suggestions regarding firmware improvements.

I'm still going through all the features of the SARK-110 and am really impressed with the analyzer. If you are in the market for such a device, I'd highly recommend picking one of these up!