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Reviews For: RigExpert AA-54

Category: Antenna Analyzers

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Review Summary For : RigExpert AA-54
Reviews: 71MSRP:
Description:
RigExpert AA-54 is powerful antenna analyzer designed for testing, checking, tuning or repairing antennas and antenna feedlines in the range of 0.1 to 54 MHz. USB connection to computer.
Product is not in production
More Info: https://rigexpert.com/discontinued-products/
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00714.9
PA1ZP Rating: 2015-10-16
Fine instrument Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Hi

I have the analiser in use now and though I do not build as manyantennas as i used to do, i decided to spoil myself with this analiser.

it is not to expencive and has nice features like the portability and possiblility to use it in a computer with the seperate software.

As a real antenna builder i had some experiences with better and dearer analisers and network analisers, but found the bulcky things useless.
I think a Rigexpert 54 is OK for HF antenna work, you realy do not need more as this.

I think an analiser needs to be a handheld thing, as the things that need a computer are useless, you need to make measurements at the antenna and do you see me up on a roof or in a mast with an laptop and all kind of things, that does not work at all.

happy with this rather cheap but very usefull instrument,
WA4DOU Rating: 2015-06-12
Excellent Value and Performance Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
As a Land Mobile Radio Technician during my working life, I developed an appreciation for precision and high quality test equipment. Having been an owner of the 259, 259 B and C models, I finally sprung for the AA-54. I recently had an opportunity to put it thru its paces and to make measurements requiring many data points. I was impressed with the stability and repeatability of measurements and the ability to make fine distinctions between measurements. While not what could be thought of as a laboratory grade instrument, this analyzer easily provides good quality measurements that ought to satisfy the overwhelming majority of amateurs. I'm very pleased with mine.
AA6SC Rating: 2015-04-07
Better than expected Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
The RigExpert AA-54 Antenna Analyzer is more than adequate. It's fast, consistent, and does everything I want it to do. In its "Show all" mode it displays frequency, standing wave ratio, absolute value of impedance, resistance, and reactance including an indication of the amount of inductive or capacitive reactance, if any. Plots graphs of resonant point(s). Simultaneously graphs resistance and reactance, superimposed over each other. Bandwidth is selectable in all graphing modes. The unit has a USB interface. Software is provided on a DVD (included with purchase). Mac OS X version of the software is abysmal. I am unable to test the Windows version, which may be fine. In summary, the analyzer itself is superb.
K3XR Rating: 2015-02-03
IF YOU LIKE ANTENNAS YOU'LL LOVE IT Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Picked up recently used but like new condition. This is a great piece of equipment if you enjoy working with antennas. Used mine to "tweak" my 3el SteppIr beam what a pleasure to use and involves no signal from the transmitter a real plus. Tried a few features but there are more to discover and could see where you could run down the batteries playing with it.
KA4AQM Rating: 2015-01-17
Bulletproof Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Got it for Christmas 2014. I prefer to build my own dipoles and configure them as fan, inverted and stand alone. The AA-54 has a little learning curve and I had to remember the check mark key means "GO", but once I got into the rhythm of repeating the steps over and over again for consistency, it became a breeze. Since I like fan dipoles not only do you have to measure them for frequency but many times the proximity of them to each other will affect the others. This means that not only do you have to tune them for frequency, but you have to recheck previously installed antennas as you add them to the fan design. Quite labor intensive but the AA-54 handles this type of antenna building with ease. The first time I used it, I almost ran the supplied batteries dead. What a sweet piece of test equipment. Besides a multimeter, this is a valued piece of gear I now use. No more will I depend on the inline watt/power meter to give me the critical information I need. I don't think you can go wrong with the AA-54.
K2WO Rating: 2015-01-04
Hard to beat! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I've owned both the RigExpert AA-30 and the AA-54. For the price range they are in, they are truly hard to beat. If you don't need 6 Meter capability, the AA-30 is a steal. The AA-54 covers through 54 Mhz and it runs circles around all of the other popular analyzers. Yes, it is large, but it fits in your hand and it is VERY light weight. It uses 2 AA batteries which is a real advantage. It's always easy to cary a few spare AA batteries. The features in this analyzer are extensive and it does everything it is supposed to do.....and more. I am VERY happy with this product and recommend it highly.
KK9H Rating: 2014-11-30
Fabulous tool Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
What ham doesn't like to experiment with antennas? Well, if you do and you want to make sure they are adjusted properly, you will love this device. I bought mine at Dayton and the more I learn about its capabilities, the more I appreciate owning it. I have gone through all my antennas and have them tuned exactly where I want them. Just put up a multi-band vertical? This analyzer will make quick work out of tuning each band. Want adjust that mobile HF antenna? You'll be done in no time. Battery life has been mentioned earlier, what I do is remove the batteries when I know I won't be using it for a while. Excellent, precision device that's easy to use.
MM0IMC Rating: 2014-11-30
I wish I'd bought one earlier! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Great piece of kit, very handy for my inverted V fan dipole and other antenna experiments!
W5MC Rating: 2014-08-24
No looking back after getting this for sure.. all good Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
For years I suffered with my 'trusty' MFJ-259B it was of course better than a guess, but just.. Recently here in Austin at Summerfest, Array Solutions was set up and displaying, i looked at the AA-54 sat it down and pulled out my money and paid and walked away with what i think is the single best tool i can have short of a good VOM to sort thru Amateur problems. This AA-54 is the best, easy to use, has very good 'repeatability' i get the same answers and numbers each time. That is a first for me.. my 259 you sorta had to AVERAGE in and could never get the same freq to display, but the AA-54 does and solves all my issues and more as well only 2 ea batteries and even then they don't die and get used up in 15 minutes. No looking back on this tool not at all.. signed: mac/mc w5mc
KENWOODUSER Rating: 2014-07-16
Indispensable Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Every job has a right tool. For my needs, this is that tool. It is priced higher than I would like but not outrageous. There are no quality control issues; it's portable; it uses only 2 batteries; it's accurate; and it's easy to use. I spent about 2 minutes in the very short pamphlet of instructions and was immediately testing antennas. If you are just going to use a single antenna (such as a dipole) for the rest of your days, don't bother. But if you use multiple antennas or plan to, or if you plan to build or experiment with antennas or if you just want to improve what you have, you'll find this tool to be as indispensable as I have. Easy rating of 5 from me.