Manager


Manager - NA4M
Manager Notes

Reviews For: Bird AT-500 Antenna Tester 2-520 mHz

Category: Antenna Analyzers

eMail Subscription

Registered users are allowed to subscribe to specific review topics and receive eMail notifications when new reviews are posted.
Review Summary For : Bird AT-500 Antenna Tester 2-520 mHz
Reviews: 4MSRP: $1700.00
Description:
2-520 MHz, Antenna Tester
The Bird AT-Series Antenna Testers provide a cost-effective, fast, graphical
way of determining the quality of mobile and base station antennas.
Rugged, easy-to-use, hand-held design with extended battery life makes it
idealfor use in the field
Tests the system in VSWR, Return Loss, Match Efficiency, or Reflection
Coefficient (Rho)
Single frequency readings and frequency sweeps allow for everything from
pinpointests to system optimization and tuning
Can save up to 12 traces for comparison and tracking over time
RS232 Interface allows communication with a PC for saving traces using the
optional software
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.bird-technologies.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
0043.8
K7NG Rating: 2017-09-27
Rugged and accurate Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've used the AT-500 for work for 7 years now. It compares favorably to a network analyzer and a service monitor for accuracy and of course is small and very portable. The one and only issue I have with it is it goes nuts when being used in an RF-dense environment, display jumps all over. Of course it's hard to find an antenna analyzer that doesn't. I have to resort to a service monitor and a return loss hybrid to get any reasonable results when there are a few other transmitters around.
UN7GBM Rating: 2012-11-20
Very sensitive to ESD Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I think this device is more useful for test and tuning of VHF/UHF antennas than for HF, because it is very sensitive to ESD. There are often problems with damage of the input RF detector at the moment of connection to the stationary HF antenna. Also, it is only possible to get VSWR graph, but there is no opportunity to check active and/or reactive resistance component.
ZL2TRV Rating: 2012-07-27
Very handy Time Owned: more than 12 months.
My unit is the AT-100 which covers only 2 to 136 MHz but in all other respects is the same as the AT-500. Super excellent for field day and mobile HF antenna checks. The batteries are a major hassle, six AA NiCd cells required and you can't use alkaline. The external 12VDC input can't be used without the batteries being fitted. The input connector is easily swapped with others and uses the same intermediate coupling as the Greenpar Between Series Adapter kit I also use. Overall extremely useful.

John ZL4JY
VY0HL Rating: 2009-12-21
Accurate instrument Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've been using the Bird AT-500 for about 3 years and find it to be a valuable tool. Very compact with good battery life. The processor is slower than I would like, but I am used to it and have grown to live with this annoyance. Accuracy is excellent, as compared to an IFR COM-120B and an Aeroflex 3920, both radio test sets. The unit is supplied with an N female connector but others can be purchased from Bird or Pomona. The AT-500 has a somewhat ESD sensitive front end, so users should short the centre pin of the antenna feedline before attaching. Fit and finish is not classic Bird (the unit rattles a bit!) so I was somewhat surprised at this. I also own two similar units, and they all rattle. But despite these limitations, I could not work without my AT-500.

VY0HL
Larry