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Reviews For: AUTEK RESEARCH VA1-RF1-RF5 RF ANALYST

Category: Antenna Analyzers

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Review Summary For : AUTEK RESEARCH VA1-RF1-RF5 RF ANALYST
Reviews: 109MSRP: 129.95
Description:
The pocket-sized RF1 is designed to check and adjust antennas,
Product is not in production
More Info: https://web.archive.org/web/20130523062036/http://autekresearch.com/
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
001093.2
AB2DP Rating: 2003-09-08
VA-1 ANALYZER Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Not reliable. It has multiple problems and they don't want to correct them. They never recognize that this product is not fully functional.
Honestly speaking it looks good( except the poor quality of the buttons and the fact that they are not alined),but I will never recommand it to anybody else until they exchange the design and reliability.
N1KSN Rating: 2003-08-26
Works, but ..... Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have used a VA-1 now for over a year. My main application has been tuning portable vertical antennas and their feedline matching coils.

Just recently the two vertical LCD segments on the right hand side of the second digit from the left have started to dim to nothing during use. This equipment has been babied, so I'm very disappointed. If many more segments go out, the unit will become unusable.

I don't think a $200 piece of test equipment should behave like this after a year of light use. How much does a decent LCD display cost over a cheap one? Shame!

Since the MFJ units have received poor marks for quality, I may be forced to consider the AEA or Kuranishi units which cost so much more. Can't a company that has quality control and pride in workmanship make a nice little unit in the $150 to $250 range? It just isn't right.
WZ7I Rating: 2003-06-29
Powerful tool Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have used the RF-1 for a number of years for measurements on many HF antennas. When I compare it to the tools we used to use for these kinds of measurements I am amazed at its ease of use and the value its modest price represents. As a scientist I work with instrumentation every day and this won’t replace thousands of dollars of laboratory instrumentation. But then I can’t use those instruments on top of the tower.

This was an unusual Christmas gift from my XYL years ago and it gives me pleasure every time I pull it out of the box.
NO9E Rating: 2003-06-11
Better than nothing Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought RF1 to tune my 5-band 2-el quad. Worked OK but switching between functions and frequency adjustments were bothersome. After getting the MFJ unit, I stopped using RF1 for antenna work but use it as a C&L meter. Lately, frequency started jumping, apparently due to a faulty potentiometer.
W0KIE Rating: 2003-06-11
First Impression Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
First impression: I fired it up without a coax connected. The frequency readout wandered back and forth some with no hands near. This was not a good sign. After connecting the analyzer to an antenna the frequency readout stabilized. After playing with it for awhile I eventually confirmed the resonant frequency of my 80 meter dipole. The MFJ analyzer is a much easier and faster way to find your antenna resonant frequency. With the Autek you get what you pay for.
N2FZ Rating: 2003-04-24
poor service, bad attitude, Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Nice to see I am not the only one with problems with Autek. I have had my RF1 for 3 or 4 years. First time it went in for repairs was under warrenty. Been there 3 more times Each time I paid for the repair. Last time in it got a new power switch among other things. Now power switch is going again. When it goes completely I will buy an MFJ unit. They are difficult to deal with and the problem is all your fault. Nice compact unit though.
N7XM Rating: 2003-04-24
Forget getting HELP! Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Had unit a year , used the RF-1 rarely
works fairly well -
then just the other day LCD display
missing segments in one digit - changed
battery and still bad display
wrote Autek - they asked for date of
purchase - did not have that info -
otherwise $ 60+ repair bill - Not pleased
with this kind of warrantee - especially when
you order factory direct - stay away !
KA5TIZ Rating: 2003-02-21
MY RF-1 WORKS VERY WELL Time Owned: more than 12 months.
My AUTECK RF-1 has worked very well for years. I have found no faults with it except the TUNE knob was a little small, so I have replaced it with a somewhat larger knob that makes it easier to adjust. I have used it to test mobile antennas, dipoles, beams, end fed wires and it has worked well for all. I have also used it to test coils and capacitors and resistors that are not marked and it is very accurate. It is capable of testing nearly any component that might be of use in tunning an antenna, and I have found that a very useful feature. I can use salvage parts from the junk box and be sure of their values before trying them in a circuit. KA5TIZ
N9FG Rating: 2003-02-10
Hmmmmmmm..... Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I had a VA1 for about 6 months. It suffered from
the same coax connector problem and erratic battery connection and touchy tuning that has been previously described. It was very frustrating to keep in service and use!

I replaced the unit with an MFJ269 about 6 months ago and have been very pleased. Although the MFJ is a little bigger and maybe not as user friendly, I haven't been disappoited in the switch. For me, getting consistent readings from a unit that doesn't require extra caution in disconnecing coax, etc. is much more important.
K9OSC Rating: 2003-01-09
Excellent Results Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have had my Autek RF-1 Analyst for a year plus and have had a positive problem-free experience with it. This unit replaced my MFJ unit which gave me inconsistent readings with meters that didn’t work properly.

I’ve used this to tune dipoles and verticals, including my rotary 40 through 10 meter dipole, as well as mobile and portable QRP antennas. It makes the task so easy. The RF-1 provides me with all the information I need. I have plotted each antenna on my computer using Excel and it provides me with a baseline for each antenna. That has been invaluable when problems have occurred as the result of weathering or physical construction issues. For new antennas it is a snap to adjust them with the RF-1.

I find the controls not to be as touchy as some suggest. Rather, they are designed for fine tuning and I can get to the exact frequency that I want without problem. Perhaps patience and technique is important as it is with any measuring equipment. The usefulness that this unit provides has eliminated my excuses for not experimenting with antennas and new antenna design/construction. It is a very useful and practical device for any ham shack. It does what Autek says it will do.