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Reviews For: AEA Echo 2500

Category: Antenna Analyzers

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Review Summary For : AEA Echo 2500
Reviews: 2MSRP: 1945-3945
Description:
The Echo is a hand-held Vector Impedance Analyzer (Vector Network Analyzer), Spectrum Analyzer, Power Meter, and Frequency Domain Reflectometer (FDR) in one instrument. Echo models come in frequency ranges of 4MHz-to-1.0GHz or 4MHz-to-2.5GHz. The VIA Echo Network Analyzer was designed for performing antenna testing and tuning, transmission line testing and fault locating, cellular site turn-up testing and troubleshooting. It can be used for individual component testing, system or network testing. In a production environment Echo can be used to verify components and assemblies the same as equivalent Agilent (old HP) Network Analyzers at a fraction of the cost.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.aeatechnology.com/VIA_Echos.html
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
0023.5
AD7VO Rating: 2018-06-27
Needs work Time Owned: more than 12 months.
The unit its self works OK. The user interface is awkward and inconvenient. The software only works reliably on Windows XP. On Windows 7 it works occasionally but usually not. It is a driver problem. I have communicated about this with AEA. They are aware of the problem but not interested in fixing it. Its not worth the money I spent on it.
VE4EAR Rating: 2008-09-08
Professional Grade Tool Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have the AEA Echo 1000SF model which covers the 4 - 1000 MHz range. The device features a real network analyzer (resistance, reactance, magnitude, angle, return loss, SWR). It will measure S11 and S21 parameters.

The SF model also include the spectrum analyzer and Time domain reflectometer.

While the spec sheet only guarantees accuracy down to 4MHz, I have used this device down to 1.8MHz and the results seem as accurate as an MFJ269 I had kicking about.

All I can say is this is an incredible tool for tuning antennas, filters, feedline stubs, finding faults in long runs of cable, field strength testing and thats only been in the last month.

The Echo is portable, slightly larger than the M*J models, but very sturdily built. I have had no problem viewing the backlit LCD display in sunlight. It comes with a useful carrying case with integrated metal hook that will securely hang on your belt while you are hanging off your tower.

The included rechargeble batteries seem to last about 3 hours between charges.

There are built in memories where you can save traces and review later, presumably when you are on the ground or back in your office/shack. The included software allows you to connect to the ECHO via a USB connection for post event or real time analysis. Naturaly the PC based measurements have greater resolution than the instruments LCD display.

The price alone is out of the typical amateur range and as they units are new, there likely wont be many on the used market for several years. However if you can, borrow one like I did and you will enjoy your antenna tuning/testing experience like never before.

There really is more to antennas than VSWR, the ECHO lets you really see what is going on.