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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
G6EJD Rating: 2012-12-15
Excellent product Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I was on the point of buying an MFJ-259B, then I decided to check these units out in the store, I'm so glad I did, becuase the diference in quality and product is huge for me. The fact that it's accurate, easy to use and runs on 2 AA batteries is a bonus, plus I can download my antenna responses to my computer for reference purposes and to my web page for others to see. Also draws a smith chart for those with an interest and if you understand them, then you'll know what value they provide.

I figured I would hardely ever use an analyser above HF as most VHF antennas are fixed or have little tuning facilities or have suffient bandwidth that detailed analysis is not required, that for me discounted the MFJ-259B.

The unit does everthing, VSWR, impedance (r+jx) and it gives you the sign of the jx component so L or C. Measures cables, finds fault positions, measures velocity factor, etc. The multiband VSWR display is very useful if you have an antenna that when you adjust one element affects another. BTW you can see chnages in real-time which is neat for tuning.

Like others I continue to be extremely impressed with this AA-54 analyser, frankly the MFJ-259B looks out-dated now.

There is little, if any to fault this unit if your interested in HF/6M antennas.
KW1ND Rating: 2012-12-12
Great instrument Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Recently purchased the AA-54 from RigExpert.net, and got a good price and fast standard shipping. If it proves to be durable & lasts, I'll be even happier.

I used this to add 12m & 17m mods to my Hustler 6BTV, as well as generally tweak the antenna. I had previously used a borrowed MFJ analyzer on this antenna - so glad I never bought one. The only advantages I can see the MFJ models having over this model would be higher frequency coverage (unnecessary to me) and a metal case. Otherwise, the multi-bands-at-once feature, graphic display, computer interface & easier battery life make this a winner.

As an added bonus, the included software is very handy. It runs in Windows, but there's also a version on the CD (or in the download) that's optimized to run in Wine on Linux systems. Sweet! This occasionally gives me an odd minor graphic glitch, but that could just be Wine interacting with my video driver.

Stand-alone, the analyzer records 100 data points, no matter what bandwidth you have it scan. When connected to a computer, you can set the number of data points for better resolution. As an example, after I had used the analyzer as a stand-alone to adjust my vertical, I brought my laptop out & ran it via USB. I set the software to do various sweeps, up to the full 0.1 - 54 MHz range, with 1000 data points - pretty cool. As an aside, I discovered a peculiar resonance (below 2:1) around 4.4 MHz. Wish it was around 5.4 MHz, but oh well. All data can be exported to .csv files, then brought into a spreadsheet or graphing software, if desired. My primary software wish would be to have the ability to display more than 1 data file at a time, whether in separate windows or overlayed. This would make it easier to note changes over time, or compare multiple antennas.

A factory case for the analyzer would be nice, but I found an old case from an Eton radio that was a perfect fit, after adding just a little packing foam for protection.

I had been planning on getting the YouKits analyzer, but the expense of the battery and lack of computer interface annoyed me. For not much more money, for my needs, the AA-54 trumps it and anything from MFJ.
K1KRW Rating: 2012-11-23
Good stuff Why did I wait? Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I had borrowed a buddies MFJ to check an antenna and was able to get readings but when it came time to get my on AA this one seemed like a better option. I was right. This is so easy to use and the graphing display really works great to quickly convey your antenna situation. A picture is worth a thousand words they say. Got it a week ago and have already fixed my tuning issues with a PARZ 80m end fed, tuned up 4 MFJ Ham Sticks in 10, 20, 40 and 80m, and checked some buddies mobile antennas (bad news for them).

Ease of use is great and ability to scan 5 freqs at the same time is so quick when checking out multi-band antennas.

Next project is to completely map out my buddipole antenna to setup for MARS frequencies which I have not been able to find any data on the internet.

If you are looking at getting an AA I would recommend you take a long look at this product before making your decision.
W7AV Rating: 2012-10-25
Really Works!!!!! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I had been trying to tune a 160m Inverted L for a week with my MFJ-259B. I have only used 1 other vertical in 55 years, so I know very little about them. The reading from the MFJ were not stable, not knowing much I tried everything (won't go into every little detail), remeasuring, more radials (have 70 @ 130' each), loading coils of various sizes. Nothing made sense----ordered an AA-54 from RF Solutions and from the moment I started using the analyzer I knew what was going on--- I trimmed the wire, and was on 1830 khz in no time. This is a great product, easy to read and understand. Love it!!
CX3AT Rating: 2012-09-08
5/5 Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
RIGEXPERT AA-54 EXELENTE !!

Realmente es el mejor analizador y con mas prestaciones en relacion utilidades-costo que podemos comprar en la actualidad.
Ademas de alimentarse con solo 2 baterias de 1,5v.lo que lo hace mucho mas liviano y manejable a la hora de manipularlo a grandes alturas.

Anteriormente usaba el 259B muuuucho mas pesado y que usa 10 baterias de 1,5 v !! pero como veremos ya fue superado pues con el AA-54 tenemos muchas mas ventajas.

El AA-54 permite chequear una antena yagui tradicional 20-15-10 con una sola mirada pues despliega un analisis de hasta 5 bandas a la misma vez, ( lo que es muy ventajoso para ajustar antenas yagui y verticales multibanda ).

Tambien nos permite ver en pantalla una grafica con el comportamiento de nuestra antena (en tiempo real) a lo largo de toda la banda que estemos ajustando en ese momento y que efecto resulta de nuestro ajuste con respecto a las otras bandas que maneja nuestra antena.

Todo nuestro ajuste lo podemos memorizar por antena y por banda independientemente y estudiarlo luego con nuestro PC.

Con el software incluido con el analizador y luego de instalarlo en nuetro PC podemos realizar varias mediciones mas que nos dejaran muy conformes y veremos reflejado el valor de lo que pagamos por nuestro nuevo " juguete" .

Personalmente he realizado Baluns 1:1 ,medido bobinas ,ajustado mis filtros pasabajo,stubs y mas.
Es una verdadera y justificada inversion para nuestra estacion lo recomiendo 100%.

LALO
CX3AT
K3IT Rating: 2012-06-27
must have Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I've been using this analyzer for almost a year and it continues to impress. Besides tuning antennas, I have measured feedlines, coils, capacitors, even tuned an old SB-200 amplifier input "slugs" with it. The measurements are precise and repeatable. The AntScope software works great and adds functionality to the analyzer. For example it allows add or subtract feedlines, analyze cable faults etc. Pretty useful thing for the tool bag!

rigexpert.net looks like the right place to buy from. They have good prices and service by VE3DZ.
8P6SH Rating: 2012-06-23
A fantastic, practical, fun tool Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I took delivery of my AA-54 just about a week ago and already its proving itself to be one of the most useful tools around the shack.

I've been using it as I rebuild a number of antennas and it has really proven its worth. The ability to scan 5 bands at once has also been very useful tuning a multi=band vertical.

With this analyser in hand, I finally feel that no antenna chore is too difficult and I have no doubt that this unit will be finding a lot of use around the shack. In the days ahead it will also see duty as assemble a 6m yagi

During the last couple days, i've also cut a few stubs for my contest station and considering I used to buy pre-tuned stubs, this unit will be invaluable to confirm stubs are still doing what they are supposed to and if not, to help save money by cutting my own stubs and indeed 1/4 wave phasing lines for my phased verticals.

I have also used the computer in a limited way to download SWR curves stored on the AA-54 and to directly read SWR using the computer. The software is intuitive and asy to use.

This is one beautiful piece of equipment that should give me many years of solid use.

I have previously owned and used a couple of the MFJ analysers but this unit is in a class by itself and is by far the best analyser I've used.

AB6C Rating: 2012-06-21
Fantastic Antenna Analyzer Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Like the previous review, I too just tuned up my Hustler 6BTV. I also have the MFJ-269B, which I used early on. In comparison, the AA-54 absolutely outperforms it by a mile. Just using the AA-54 without a computer is a total joy by itself! So easy to look at 5 separate frequencies at once, change a band frequency, and it will switch back to measuring VSWR at a touch of a button, displaying both a digital readout and bargraph. It also graphs VSWR on the band you want, using band limits you set as well. The bargraph IMHO is far better because it is quick & you can see if you are going in the right direction during tuning. And I haven't even mentioned the all the other things it does. Almost too many to mention. You can download the manual online to check out the features it has. It seems well designed, well built, and the display is very easy to read, and backlit if desired.

My only complaint might be that it would have been nice if it would turn off automatically after a short time not being used to save batteries. (It has no auto-shutoff). Not a big deal, because it seems quite miserly on battery use (2 alkaline AA batteries).

I also compared it with the YouKits FG-01, and while it is similar to the AA-54, and though it is easy to use and cheaper, I didn't like the display because it was small, couldn't use it on more than one frequency at a time and the display colors were difficult to distinguish. Also, I didn't like the way it was powered. Couldn't use just straight 1.5V alkaline batteries. Check the ARRL reviews in QST, March 2012 on 4 different analyzers, including those mentioned here (the MFJ was the 266, not the 269 I have).

All in all, the only thing that kept me from buying the AA-520 was the price, but I still can use my 269 for VHF & UHF. For HF, I think the AA-54 is just about the best there is out there for the money. And RigExpert does keep updating both firmware and software on their website. Check BOTH Rigexpert.com and .net as there is some info on one that is not on the other. I got mine from Yuri directly from RigExpert.

Regardless, get one. You won't be disappointed! You'll be glad you did. I was!
WX2S Rating: 2012-06-16
Love the graphing! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I used my new RigExpert AA-54 today to tune a Hustler 6BTV with the 17m resonator. 30 years ago, I was stuck using a SWR meter for the same task, and it was neither fun nor effective. With the AA-54, I could just graph the frequency range of interest and move the notches where I needed them.

It also convinced me that DX Engineering is right -- the traps aren't set right out of the factory. On several bands, I was getting high SWR across the entire band that I couldn't get out any other way.

Usage note: If you don't see the notch, increase the range until you do. Then it's far easier to determine what to do next.

This unit is definitely worth the bucks. Highly recommended.
VK2AAA Rating: 2012-04-21
Excellent Value Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This is a terrific little analyzer for your HF/6m needs. I've used mine quite a bit in the short time I've owned it. Well priced and works as advertised. Takes 2 AA batteries either alkaline or NiMH which is a positive thing. You can't go wrong with this unit unless you want 54+ MHz.