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Reviews For: Comet CAA-500

Category: Antenna Analyzers

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Review Summary For : Comet CAA-500
Reviews: 25MSRP: 449.95
Description:
SWR Analyzer
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.cometantenna.com/products.php?CatID=1&famID=10&childID=20
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00254.4
WA7RBC Rating: 2012-11-22
Very Good Instrument Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I purchased my CAA-500 at the Ft. Wayne hamfest last week. I've used it quite a bit since then and it compares favorably with my other analyzer, a Rig Expert AA-54. The latter provides more detailed information regarding impedance, but is not as handy to use and has a top frequency of 54 MHz. If you're only interested in SWR up to 500 MHz, the CAA-500 can't be beat. Its readings are accurate and the unit is well constructed.
K1FPV Rating: 2012-10-26
Nice Analyzer Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Well, I've only had my analyzer for a week but must admit, I've put it through it's paces. I have been in the process of changing out several of my antennas from 160 meters through 432 MHz. One nice thing about this analyzer, it covers 222 MHz!

I haven't had any trouble with the threads on the coax connectors like some other reviewers. I love the smooth action on the cross needle meters, one for impedance and the other for SWR.

It is accurate as I've compared it to my MFJ-259B, my MFJ-269 and my YouKits FG-01. Accuracy, they all agree on the ranges that each covers. My initial reason for buying the CAA-500 was to have an analyzer that covered 222 MHz which the others didn't cover.

I think the CAA-500 is easy to use and easy to read with the big meters and display. Us older coots who are having more and more sight issues appreciate that. ;=)

The only drawback I see is that it suggests that you use 1.5 volt Alkaline batteries only and not any rechargeable batteries. The rechargeable batteries only are rated to 1.2 volts as compared to 1.5 volts in alkaline batteries. They claim the lower voltage create issues and recommend only alkaline batteries.

All in all, I think this analyzer is great and I look forward to using it a lot in the future.
WB8UUJ Rating: 2012-05-28
I'm satisfied so far! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I bought a CAA-500 two weeks ago, along with a Diamond dummy load for the initial testing, and an Amphenol SO-239-to-male "N" connector adaptor for use when required....I've used my CAA-500 only VHF/UHF at this point, but all seems well....no irregularities....rest assured that based on a previous review, I'm always very very careful when turning the screw as I open the battery trap-door....I'll write further CAA-500 reviews as necessary :-)....as with my previous MFJ-259B, I keep my CAA-500 in a nice perfectly- fitting black-handled and zippered "cosmetic case" that I picked up a few years ago at a discount store....

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Earlier 2-star review posted by WB8UUJ on 2012-04-08

Does anyone know if the initial SO-239 connector irregularity with the CAA-500 has been corrected? Are the CAA-500s now available from the major US retail vendors now equipped with the SO-239 we expect here in the USA? I'm not sure just how to describe the connector, but it's the style that's been sold for decades on HF here in the USA. It's the style we all grew up with :-)
AI9F Rating: 2012-04-16
Very Good Choice Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I purchased the Comet CAA-500 Analyzer and it seems to work very well! I have checked my hf through uhf antennas and it seems to have an accurate readaing compared to a transmitter and vswr meter in line. I have even found problems with my antenna switch that I have had for a while and will not buy that brand again! I have ordered a new Alpha Delta to replace it. As the old saying is true you get what you pay for!
WB4LCN Rating: 2012-01-10
Dead-On for Me... Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I've owned this Antenna Analyzer for over 6 months and have run the gauntlet with antennas galore. It's behaved famously.

However, if the batteries (6 AA) get weak, your readings may be off. Always stay on top of your batteries in this unit. When they get too low, you'll get bad readings - plus the unit ships with cheap batteries. What battery powered device doesn't?

dave :)
N8SML Rating: 2012-01-09
Has a Problem Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Liked the equipment and is very useful, but screw to battery compartment was impossible to remove before stripping the head. Thought about returning it for another but felt the 2nd one could pose the same problem.
KI0Z Rating: 2011-12-01
not Accurate ! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Rcvd CAA-500 yesterday, put it on the low band antennas 40,80, the MFJ-259-B had correct readings. when xmiting swr pwr meter were the same . the MFj-259-B checks with the HP-8753e network analyzer. using this Beautiful CAA-500 the readings were eronious..! It may be beautiful but not having correct readings is unfortinute and has to leave this shack! there are BC stn's with in 2-3 miles, but they do not bother the MFJ-259-B. It's not beautiful but reliable for tuning the antenna tuner with out a carrier and other testing. GL 73 Returned to AES yesterday BUMMER....!
KA5PIU Rating: 2011-11-25
Very good quality Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Yes, there is a minor issue with the UHF connector, an adapter will work just fine.
I simply replaced the connector with an N and use adapters as needed.
Build quality is excellent!
I built up an internal battery pack and charger and replaced original tray and power switch that I mounted on top as the original can be easily depressed by accident.
ZS5J Rating: 2011-10-27
Still working great Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
@ John VK2KC

In the time that I have owned mine - since May 2011 (Dayton hamvention), I have probably connected around 30 or 40 DIFFERENT PL-259 connectors on the unit. Some of the connectors were purchased in the USA, some in the UK, some here in South Africa (probably manufactured in China) and some came already attached to cable ex Japan. I can only recall one connector giving me trouble - but at the time, I thought it might have been the PL-259 connector shell that might have been damaged. All other connectors that I have used, have seated completely.
I don't dispute your claim, and clearly there is an issue if Comet have admitted a thread incompatibility, but I have not found the same problems with mine, when used with connectors that I have here.

I am still happy with my purchase, I think the quality compared to the MFJ units, is in a different class. For power, I use the rechargeable batteries that are sold through the Apple store. They are very high capacity, and I am still using the original ones I put in, in May. I am confident they could last a year before requiring a recharge, although it would probably be better to swop them out before then.

I like the very large size of the analogue meter, and in fact far prefer it, to MFJ's use of a combination of small meter and digital display of values. I would like to have had rubber "feet" on the back, to avoid scratches when laying it down. I will add my own. Apart from that, I cannot fault my unit.

73
John, ZS5J

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Earlier 4-star review posted by ZS5J on 2011-05-29

I was at Dayton 2011, and spoke to the Comet rep. They had one of these on display. He told me they had just brought 5 of these units into the USA, and HRO had bought all of them to sell at Dayton.

I bought one of the 5 from HRO for $ 499.00. My first impressions - very solid and well constructed with nice large meter. I have tested it with an accurate receiver across the range, and it is very accurate. The frequency displayed, and where it transmits a low power signal, is spot on frequency. It covers 1.8 - 255 Mhz and 300 - 500 Mhz (HF/VHF/UHF)

I have the MFJ-259 analyzer which worked well for me for years, but then just stopped working one day. So I was looking to replace it. When faced between getting another MFJ or this new Comet, what swung me in favor of the Comet, was the poor construction and QC of MFJ, versus the far superior quality of this Comet.

Before I left for Dayton, I took a look at my old MFJ analyzer, running my finger nail on the back lifted all the paintwork off !!! A look inside the MFJ reveals very sloppy soldering work that resembles a birds nest. So I was not keen to go down the MFJ route again.

This Comet is a quality product, if you look and feel the case, and the quality of the paintwork....it is miles superior in every respect to the MFJ. However, the MFJ has more functionality...like being able to be used as a frequency counter, and being able to read the SWR and impedance etc numerically on the display. The MFJ is also cheaper than the Comet..

I don't have buyers regret with this unit. It is well made, solid and heavy. It will last many years, and really does just what I want it to do - give me accurate info on SWR and impedance on a nice LARGE display.

I only have two negatives about this product - price is a bit steep, and it came with no user manual !!!!! Yes, it is straight forward to use - but there is nowhere that it indicates what voltage must be input in the side connector !!!! I chose to fit AA batteries in the internal battery tray, rather than use external power. With there being no manual, I had to open the analyzer back panel to discover that there was indeed a battery tray in the back !!

73
John, ZS5J
VK2KC Rating: 2011-10-25
Thread stuffup Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
More on the incompatible thread issue.

I have been in contact with Comet in Japan and they had admitted that the connector will NOT fit the US standard PL-259 connector. They HAVE used the 16mm x 1 mm pitch thread, they call it an International Thread! All PL-259's have a 5/8" x 26 threads per inch pitch.

Here is a copy of the email sent to me regarding the incompatibility of the threads on the lower frequency connector.

Hello Mr. John McLean,
Thank you very much for purchasing our CAA-500.
The CAA-500 first lot does not have international standard connector.
From the second lot, which will be released on NOVEMBER 2011, we change the CAA-500 connector so that PL-259 connector will screw onto the CAA-500 M-J connector completely.
Would you please so kind as to send your CAA-500 back to us?
I will send you the new one with international standard connector, then.
We deeply apologize for the inconvenience we have caused you.
We hope that you will continue to choose COMET products.
Sincerely,
Mika Yagishita
COMET Co.,Ltd.
TEL : 81-(0)48-839-3131
FAX : 81-(0)48-839-3136
m_yagishita@comet-ant.co.jp
http://www.comet-ant.co.jp/english/index.html

So ALL CAA-500's sold in America WILL have the WRONG thread on the low frequency connector.
Contact your supplier, and I hope you get a better response that I received from the supplier I bought mine from in the USA.
DO not force your PL-259 on the connector, it will damage the thread and render your warranty null and void.

I have relented and spent $70 Aust to send the CAA-500 back to Comet in Japan, along with a sample of a PL-259 so they can check it on the replacement unit before they ship it back to me.

Her is the second email I received from them:

Hello Mr. McLean,
Thank you for your reply.
Our exchange policy is;
the customer covers the freight fee to COMET, then COMET will offer the new one and cover the freight fee to the customer.
Technically, this is not our mistake because we don’t think it’s wrong connector.
We usually do not make connector international standard, because we don’t feel the need to do that and our distributors purchase our product with this understanding.
From second lot, we decided to make CAA-500 connector international, not because the connector is wrong, but because lots of oversea customers request international standard connector.
We usually exchange the CAA-500 because we think it’s true that our product does not satisfy the customer anyway, even not by our mistake.

Please send your CAA-500 to;
Comet Co Ltd
4-18-2, Tsuji, Minami-Ku,
Saitama-shi, Saitama-pref,
332-0026, JAPAN
TEL : 81-(0)48-839-3131
Thank you for your understanding.
Sincerely,
Mika Yagishita

An expensive lesson.
73
John McLean VK2KC


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Earlier 5-star review posted by VK2KC on 2011-10-24

I just received my brand new CAA-500 analyser and I wonder if anyone has the same problem as I have just found. The SO 239 connector isn't the US standard thread of 5/8" x 26 threads per inch. Instead the connector is a 16mm x 1mm pitch thread.
Has anyone found that this is the case?
I am a qualified Fitter and Machinist and do have to correct measuring equipment to determine the thread size accurately.
Due to the fact that as I live in Australia, the shipping costs preclude me from sending the unit back. I am seriously considering replacing the 1.8 to 300 mhz connector with a type N connector.
Any comments on what is a brilliantly engineered bit of test gear apart from the stuff up in the thread size?