Thanks Ray. No I didn't. I have just done that and re-did the test. On 2m it tracks pretty much with the R&S, On 70cm it shows 2.4:1 at 434.8MHz whereas the R&S shows 1.7:1, The response is far closer to the R&S across the board. I'll remove this video shortly and see if I can do another one. That may be why Martin said he had such conflicting results.
We need to consider they are no so much a budget item. The building of these devices now doesn't have the hindered of huge engineering input in terms of their hardware. The main controller looks a lot like a raspberry pi or alike with only the RF section needing development. Along with sales on ebay they become a viable product for 300 bucks. This is a big win for radio hobby. Same goes for the linear amp controllers, sdr radios and swr/pwr meters.
Nice video. I keep hearing that the mini reads return loss. I saw on your R&S the RL display. Every video I saw so far I have not seen anywhere on any of the displays on the mini where it shows RL. Even on your screen it does show something called MCL....what ever that is?....and it reads 13.17 DB and the SWR reads 1.1. So where does the unit show return loss? Any idea? I want to get one but I need to directly read return loss. Barry, KU3X
I might be treating myself to a KC901S. If that's the case I'll do a comparison video. The Mini1300 followed the R&S reasonably closely once it was calibrated. I'm just about to upload another Mini1300 video.
G'day Steve. Long time no see. I wonder what the mini1300 would show on a dummy load? how many peakes and dips it has. As always another great video. 👍
Thanks Daz. Hopefully it would just show a straight line. It's the club's unit, so next time I have it I'll try to remember to put it on a dummy load on different bands.
@@ralph9987 th-cam.com/video/THG035LiUkY/w-d-xo.html Like all LCD screens it can be a pain to provide shade outdoors in bright sunlight. But yes, it is usable.
I think that mini 1300 is a dudd. Might be worth checking the vswr on a couple of decent needle swing meters. They do both seem to show the same sweet spot on two meters but on 70cm's they're way out of sync. Always enjoy your vids,,,, especially when you get some of that Aussie humour thrown into the mix. 73's🇦🇺 de 🇬🇧2E0LFD
I'm going to upload another video. The issue with the Mini1300 was the calibration. Once the S21 'open, short and 50 Ohm' calibration was done it followed the R&S reasonably well. I can't afford an R&S either, I borrowed the R&S from work.
@@vk6cs456 Thanks for bringing this to us Steve. Maybe worth AUD$300. The 2 ports mean you have access to all kinds of VNA functions as well. I need an antenna analyser for HF and VHF, maybe this will be it. Tim
OK, a 70cm Woxon and a VHF Woxon, devoid of measurements, devoid of design info. Then a blah blah something incomprehensible construction of elements, irrelevant summer time comments, then a funny har har off the scale irrelevant explanation, its low swr bandwidth is actually very small, , then its greater than 3:1, what a disappointing antenna. This video is about the problems of his antenna, and by 6:12 devoid of an explanation of the Mini 1300 antenna Anal-analyzer.... Then at 6:30 a comparison on the Rode and Shorts, showing 139.4 mhz.... At 16:30 he says he does not like the Mini 1300. At the very end, he indicates that the Mini 1300 is not very good but in 27 minuets of blah blah blah, its a poor educational video.
Take a look at the update video Jim. It just needed calibration, it's ok for amateur radio if you don't mind the clunky operation and touch screen: th-cam.com/video/THG035LiUkY/w-d-xo.html
Basically what they say is that you can only use your antenna at 140 MHz and forget everything else. No more no less ... 😂 ... That's all it matters ... hahaha
Very ineresting. Did you use the same Open, Short and Load on both instruments when you calibrated them?
Thanks Ray. No I didn't. I have just done that and re-did the test. On 2m it tracks pretty much with the R&S, On 70cm it shows 2.4:1 at 434.8MHz whereas the R&S shows 1.7:1, The response is far closer to the R&S across the board. I'll remove this video shortly and see if I can do another one. That may be why Martin said he had such conflicting results.
@@vk6cs456 I recall Martin saying the higher in frequency he went the more it differed from his other test gear.
A Ham with one antenna analyzer always knows the SWR. A Ham with two antenna analyzers is never certain.
You don't need look up table for convert return loss to VSWR.
For R&S ZVH just press FORMAT/SPAN and SWR.
ZVH will be change display dB Mag . to VSWR.
Did you calibrate them before each use for the frequencies being looked at i.e. set the frequency range before calibration?
Good to see you posting again. Used to enjoy your content, and from a fellow VK6 too. 👍
Did you do a calibration on the VNA Mini 1300 beforehand. You know, Open, Short and 50 ohm dummy load calibration before measuring antenna?
What is the part# of the professional calibration dongle and how do we get one? How much $$? Thanks Kindly!
Can you provide any assistance on calibrating the mini 1300? the owners manual is unclear
We need to consider they are no so much a budget item. The building of these devices now doesn't have the hindered of huge engineering input in terms of their hardware. The main controller looks a lot like a raspberry pi or alike with only the RF section needing development. Along with sales on ebay they become a viable product for 300 bucks.
This is a big win for radio hobby. Same goes for the linear amp controllers, sdr radios and swr/pwr meters.
Thanks brill
Would you recommend the Mini1300?
Nice video. I keep hearing that the mini reads return loss. I saw on your R&S the RL display. Every video I saw so far I have not seen anywhere on any of the displays on the mini where it shows RL. Even on your screen it does show something called MCL....what ever that is?....and it reads 13.17 DB and the SWR reads 1.1. So where does the unit show return loss? Any idea?
I want to get one but I need to directly read return loss.
Barry, KU3X
Nice to see you back Steve! Great video!! Hope you get more time to play amateur radio again!!
Thanks Andy. So do I.
No VSWR option on the R&S I'm very surprised.
It would have been nice to have a third analyzer in the mix - a Rig Expert AA-600 (sort of a professional-amateur analyzer).
I might be treating myself to a KC901S. If that's the case I'll do a comparison video. The Mini1300 followed the R&S reasonably closely once it was calibrated. I'm just about to upload another Mini1300 video.
@@vk6cs456 I will keep an eye out for the new video. Thank you
G'day Steve. Long time no see. I wonder what the mini1300 would show on a dummy load? how many peakes and dips it has. As always another great video. 👍
Thanks Daz. Hopefully it would just show a straight line. It's the club's unit, so next time I have it I'll try to remember to put it on a dummy load on different bands.
Is this vertical polarisation?
Welcome back! Hope you are well. Can we have an update on the GS-35 linear amp Steve?
Sadly no... there's nothing to update. I haven't touched it since the last video I did on it. I keep saying it, but I'll have to get it finished.
I wonder how the nano vna would to in the test with the others
happymark1805
Yes I would like to see that as well . I do know the Nano are very cheap but are very good as well.
VK3KZ Ken..
any up dates? wanting to hear if its a GO or a NO to buy.
I'm about to upload a new video. It's a buy if you can get past the touch screen and generally clunky operation. The problem was the calibration.
VK6CS is it usable in bright sunlight or at least outdoors where it can be shaded?
Can you post the link to the new video once it is up please?
Tia 73
@@ralph9987 th-cam.com/video/THG035LiUkY/w-d-xo.html Like all LCD screens it can be a pain to provide shade outdoors in bright sunlight. But yes, it is usable.
I assume the R&S can display a Smith Chart? That would be interesting to see.
Actually, no it doesn't. It may be capable, but the work I do doesn't require it so it may be we just don't pay the licence fee for that function.
I think that mini 1300 is a dudd.
Might be worth checking the vswr on a couple of decent needle swing meters.
They do both seem to show the same sweet spot on two meters but on 70cm's they're way out of sync.
Always enjoy your vids,,,, especially when you get some of that Aussie humour thrown into the mix.
73's🇦🇺
de 🇬🇧2E0LFD
I'd keep the analyzers and sell that antenna unless the crazy readings are a reflection of the location of the antenna
My first thought was no osl calibration performed
Steve's back :-D
Poor man buys twice.
the expensive one does not show SWR!! makes me smile
i BELIEVE IT DOES, HE JUST HAS NOT FIGURED OUT HOW TO DO IT YET.
Seasick quick look... maybe use a bench and a tripod Please. Thank You
You have to celebrate the 1300. There are clips on TH-cam showing how.
Was going to buy one, don't think I will now, looks like I'll have to get a UHF Rig Expert ($$$). Can't afford Rhode and Schwartz stuff.
I'm going to upload another video. The issue with the Mini1300 was the calibration. Once the S21 'open, short and 50 Ohm' calibration was done it followed the R&S reasonably well. I can't afford an R&S either, I borrowed the R&S from work.
VK6CS that would be great Steve! Tim VK4QP
The new video's up Tim. It looks much better.
@@vk6cs456 Thanks for bringing this to us Steve. Maybe worth AUD$300. The 2 ports mean you have access to all kinds of VNA functions as well. I need an antenna analyser for HF and VHF, maybe this will be it. Tim
Sorry mate. I couldn't watch this with the incessant camera shake.
Sorry, I couldn't finish watching the video. The camera movement made me sea sick. I saw now area where a tripod could not be used.
OK, a 70cm Woxon and a VHF Woxon, devoid of measurements, devoid of design info. Then a blah blah something incomprehensible construction of elements, irrelevant summer time comments, then a funny har har off the scale irrelevant explanation, its low swr bandwidth is actually very small, , then its greater than 3:1, what a disappointing antenna. This video is about the problems of his antenna, and by 6:12 devoid of an explanation of the Mini 1300 antenna Anal-analyzer.... Then at 6:30 a comparison on the Rode and Shorts, showing 139.4 mhz.... At 16:30 he says he does not like the Mini 1300. At the very end, he indicates that the Mini 1300 is not very good but in 27 minuets of blah blah blah, its a poor educational video.
Personally I don't care about the glare but please stop moving around
bummer it's not near 145.00mhz get yer pipe cutter
Understand
Thanks for the video. I was just about to buy one of those bits of crap. 73
Take a look at the update video Jim. It just needed calibration, it's ok for amateur radio if you don't mind the clunky operation and touch screen: th-cam.com/video/THG035LiUkY/w-d-xo.html
Basically what they say is that you can only use your antenna at 140 MHz and forget everything else. No more no less ... 😂 ... That's all it matters ... hahaha
BLAAA-BLAAAA-BLAAA! How about more FACTS and 'how-to's?
Good content except I got seasick. K7GYB
This video made me dizzy, webcam all over the place.