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Reviews For: FunkAmateur Vector Antenna Analyzer FA-VA4

Category: Antenna Analyzers

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Review Summary For : FunkAmateur Vector Antenna Analyzer FA-VA4
Reviews: 11MSRP: 139
Description:
A vector antenna analyzer for single port measurements from 100 kHz to 100 MHz. Based DG5MK's article in May/June 2017 QEX. Easy to build "semi-kit" with all SMD parts pre-assembled.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.box73.com/product/5
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00115
VE3GLA Rating: 2017-08-17
great addition to my shack Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
For years, I'd been using my trusty and beloved old MFJ-259B antenna analyzer. But it was bulky, heavy, used up batteries quickly, didn't show graphical information, and only showed the magnitude of the impedance, not the sign. When I learned about the FA-VA4, it seemed ideal for what I wanted --and the price was very attractive -- so I ordered one. I was not disappointed.

It is a kit, but the hard parts were pre-assembled. All I had to do was read the manual and then solder a few connectors and switches, plus turn a few screws. The device came with a quality printed color assembly and user manual --something rare these days! It worked first try.

It is a big step up from my old MFJ. The menus are pretty much self-explanatory and I was able to use it productively right away. Frequencies are entered by push button switches which is a bit less convenient than turning a knob, but for this low price that's OK with me. The antenna connector is a bnc type, so I needed to use a bnc-to-uhf adapter, but I had a bunch lying around my shack so that was not a problem for me.

I really like the small size, light weight and graphical display. The ability to read the actual complex impedance including sign is very useful. It even shows the equivalent capacitance or inductance value for the imaginary part of the impedance which is very handy. I liked the price, too. Excellent value, IMHO.