The Chinese guys are at their best repertoire. Mini 1300 is actually a misused version of my (EU1KY) original design of a shortwave and 2m analyzer. The mixers used in it are not intended to work above 500 MHz. Also consider that everything above 200 MHz is measured on 3rd harmonic of both the signal an LO (the measured signals are 20 db lower than normal as a result, but still yield a good result), and everything above 600 MHz is measured at 5th harmonic (at the noise floor I think).
And the overall question is: Shall I buy the R&S ZVH4 (E. 8143,-) or the Bejing special 1300 (E. 159,24) and keep the E. 7983,76 to buy a complete new radioshack
I have a Mini1300 and did get some odd results at first. Apart from the Open/Short/Load calibration it is well worth performing the one-time hardware calibration (requires unsoldering/soldering an internal link) as I have never seen a Mini1300 delivered with the one-time hardware calibration done. There are also several other parameters in the calibration options which can have quite a significant effect such as frequency offset, etc. After going through ALL the settings my Mini1300 is proving more than adequate for amateur use and gives me quite reliable and repeatable results. Check: www.rewbarb.com/Mini1300_HWcal.JPEG VK2AAK
Here is the link to the information I found. You need to remove the back (8 countersunk screws) then remove the battery which plugs into a header on the main board. You will then see the jumpers labelled "work" and "HWC". Unsolder the "work" jumper and bridge the "HWC" jumper. Use the touch screen to navigate to the calibration menu and select the hardware calibration option. After the calibration routine has completed. power off, unsolder the "HWC" jumper and re-solder the "work" jumper. You will need to do the OSL calibration. www.hamskey.com/2019/02/4-antenna-analyzereu1ky-how-to-setup.html
It's probably worth remembering that the Mini1300 does a lot more than just antenna analysing. I have been using the VNA function recently to test the efficacy of various configurations and ferrite mixes in common mode chokes for mitigating QRM on HF. It isn't a lab grade instrument by any stretch but for the price it's proving to be very good value in my shack. I would also strongly recommend that any user of the Mini1300 joins this group. Plenty of good information there, including manuals in the "files" section ... groups.io/g/Analyzer-EU1KY
Love the content, but please invest in a tripod. You can get extendable ones which can change from table top to 1.5m high. So the conclusion of the video is that the cheap(ish) antenna analysers are fine for ham use unless you have a multi-thousand dollar R&S, as long as you calibrate it properly. One question I'd like to ask is are the supplied reference loads good enough for decent calibration?
Can you tell me if the makers of the TERLIN PERTH Mobile Antenna are still in business. I have one that I bought back in the 90s and absolutely love it. I use it a lot when operating QRP with my yaesu 891. I have it mounted on a 4’ ground rod and it works great across all HF bands. The problem is, I can’t find any place in the USA that sells it. Can you provide me with an email or website for the Terlin company? Thank you! Bob, KD6EVJ
I’ve got a NanoVNA, and that seemed to agree with my old MFJ for the most part when I first tested it. Calibration was essential though, as you found with this one. I hate the touchscreen and the UI, though using a stylus makes the former more bearable, but I just plug it into to the laptop and use that with VNASharp instead. For $100, can’t really complain, and it’s an eye opener when trying to see what the antenna is doing....especially the antennas for handhelds, as my MFJ doesn’t do UHF.
@@vk6cs456 TBH, no clue, as I have nothing similar to compare it to. Does the job, and for A$100ish, what more can you ask? Happy to drop it down if you want to have a play and compare it to the professional set for results like you did the 1300?
You should post the calibration procedure since this is apparently where you went wrong. This will help others to understand the correct procedure as well as the quality of the calibration test set.
Interesting comparison. But, doesn't the mini1300 read RL? I don't expect it to show it graphically, but it should give a RL per given frequency. I was thinking of getting one but to me it's useless without RL readings. I have a Rig Expert AA 600, AA 230 Zoom and a SARK 110. All three read in RL per given frequency. Thanks for posting. Barry, KU3X
It looks like the precision of the Calibration load, short and open plays a significant part in the VSWR accuracy of the Mini1300. Problem is that cal kits are very very expensive. I guess with the cal kit that comes with the Mini 1300 we get what we pay for.
Just got the MINI1300 but am unable to exploit it's full capabilities as I can't find any online manuals. e.g. there are conflicting TH-cam vids on how the calibration is performed.. I can't locate a Facebook group or a forum. Any links anyone?
Dude you are doing better than me, how the hell did you get yours to read 23cm Mine seems to max out at 600Mhz no matter what I do, Any chance you could shed a little light on it for me please Thanks Adrian.
I observed the r/s analyser is set to ldf5-50 cable, maybe the coax velocity factor or other cable feature is coming into play on the r/s unit and the mini1300 is not factoring this is calculations. These units work well for simple diagnosis tests in a pinch
The cable velocity factor can be set in the Mini1300. The default setting is 0.66. Not sure if the VF setting applies to all measurements in the 1300 ... perhaps it's only used for TDR measurement?
While I appreciate the info, the excuse for poor production on "time" is lame, just wait a bit and do it properly... I'm with the others, that video made me sick indeed.
Really appreciate the video, and I really want to see it in full because I am thinking of buying this Analyzer but after 6 minutes in, I had to run for the toilet to throw up, it really made me sick, absolutely no joke :( I did not had that since the Doom and Duke nukem era. Will watch it in small portions until the end ! Thanks for the video!
❌🚨❌ NO !!!! It is NOT the video movement. It is actually quite still. I believe he utilized a gimbal device for smoothness. Fact = YOU PROBABLY HAVE THE COVIDS!, 😷 Get over to the Fauch and get tested. Sorry... couldn’t resist. 😆😉🤣
The Chinese guys are at their best repertoire. Mini 1300 is actually a misused version of my (EU1KY) original design of a shortwave and 2m analyzer. The mixers used in it are not intended to work above 500 MHz. Also consider that everything above 200 MHz is measured on 3rd harmonic of both the signal an LO (the measured signals are 20 db lower than normal as a result, but still yield a good result), and everything above 600 MHz is measured at 5th harmonic (at the noise floor I think).
And the overall question is: Shall I buy the R&S ZVH4 (E. 8143,-) or the Bejing special 1300 (E. 159,24) and keep the E. 7983,76 to buy a complete new radioshack
I listen to Steve a lot on the way to work, very intelligent person who knows what he is talking about.
What happened to VK6CS ??
Are you keeping well, despite Covid 19 and the like? You've not done any videos for a while and I was just wondering if you're okay?
I have a Mini1300 and did get some odd results at first. Apart from the Open/Short/Load calibration it is well worth performing the one-time hardware calibration (requires unsoldering/soldering an internal link) as I have never seen a Mini1300 delivered with the one-time hardware calibration done. There are also several other parameters in the calibration options which can have quite a significant effect such as frequency offset, etc.
After going through ALL the settings my Mini1300 is proving more than adequate for amateur use and gives me quite reliable and repeatable results.
Check: www.rewbarb.com/Mini1300_HWcal.JPEG
VK2AAK
Thanks Andy, next time I see the device I'll check. The link doesn't show the procedure. Can you link to the calibration procedure you used?
Here is the link to the information I found. You need to remove the back (8 countersunk screws) then remove the battery which plugs into a header on the main board. You will then see the jumpers labelled "work" and "HWC". Unsolder the "work" jumper and bridge the "HWC" jumper. Use the touch screen to navigate to the calibration menu and select the hardware calibration option. After the calibration routine has completed. power off, unsolder the "HWC" jumper and re-solder the "work" jumper.
You will need to do the OSL calibration.
www.hamskey.com/2019/02/4-antenna-analyzereu1ky-how-to-setup.html
It's probably worth remembering that the Mini1300 does a lot more than just antenna analysing. I have been using the VNA function recently to test the efficacy of various configurations and ferrite mixes in common mode chokes for mitigating QRM on HF. It isn't a lab grade instrument by any stretch but for the price it's proving to be very good value in my shack.
I would also strongly recommend that any user of the Mini1300 joins this group. Plenty of good information there, including manuals in the "files" section ...
groups.io/g/Analyzer-EU1KY
@@VK2AAK Thanks Andy. I'll see if the club wants to give it a go.
Love the content, but please invest in a tripod. You can get extendable ones which can change from table top to 1.5m high.
So the conclusion of the video is that the cheap(ish) antenna analysers are fine for ham use unless you have a multi-thousand dollar R&S, as long as you calibrate it properly.
One question I'd like to ask is are the supplied reference loads good enough for decent calibration?
I love this practical but extremely well informed approach !
Can you tell me if the makers of the TERLIN PERTH Mobile Antenna are still in business. I have one that I bought back in the 90s and absolutely love it. I use it a lot when operating QRP with my yaesu 891. I have it mounted on a 4’ ground rod and it works great across all HF bands.
The problem is, I can’t find any place in the USA that sells it. Can you provide me with an email or website for the Terlin company?
Thank you!
Bob, KD6EVJ
I've heard these are pretty good: www.dxengineering.com/parts/bcm-bu01180 here's the Terlin info: www.outbacker.biz/TERLIN/terlin.html
I’ve got a NanoVNA, and that seemed to agree with my old MFJ for the most part when I first tested it. Calibration was essential though, as you found with this one.
I hate the touchscreen and the UI, though using a stylus makes the former more bearable, but I just plug it into to the laptop and use that with VNASharp instead. For $100, can’t really complain, and it’s an eye opener when trying to see what the antenna is doing....especially the antennas for handhelds, as my MFJ doesn’t do UHF.
I've heard the nano VNAs can be glacially slow, how's yours?
@@vk6cs456 TBH, no clue, as I have nothing similar to compare it to. Does the job, and for A$100ish, what more can you ask? Happy to drop it down if you want to have a play and compare it to the professional set for results like you did the 1300?
You should post the calibration procedure since this is apparently where you went wrong. This will help others to understand the correct procedure as well as the quality of the calibration test set.
I wonder what is the polarization of those antennas on your profile pic? Looks like every polarization possible !!!
Can you use radio while this is connected ?
Interesting comparison. But, doesn't the mini1300 read RL? I don't expect it to show it graphically, but it should give a RL per
given frequency. I was thinking of getting one but to me it's useless without RL readings. I have a Rig Expert AA 600, AA 230 Zoom and a SARK 110. All three read in RL per given frequency.
Thanks for posting.
Barry, KU3X
I’ve got a nanoVNA but I like what appears to be a bigger screen on those!
It looks like the precision of the Calibration load, short and open plays a significant part in the VSWR accuracy of the Mini1300. Problem is that cal kits are very very expensive. I guess with the cal kit that comes with the Mini 1300 we get what we pay for.
Thats looking better Steve. 👍
Just got the MINI1300 but am unable to exploit it's full capabilities as I can't find any online manuals. e.g. there are conflicting TH-cam vids on how the calibration is performed.. I can't locate a Facebook group or a forum. Any links anyone?
I cannot find any links or information either.
All I need is to get into the ballpark to keep my antenna tuner from doing all the lifting. Thanks!
Yes, it's plenty good enough for amateur radio.
OH! I'm pucking on my shoes!!! Seasick from his camera swinging back and forth,back and forth, oh here I go again ARRRGH!
When you change the range on a vna you need to calibrate again for the best accuracy
Dude you are doing better than me, how the hell did you get yours to read 23cm Mine seems to max out at 600Mhz no matter what I do, Any chance you could shed a little light on it for me please Thanks Adrian.
Its OK I worked it out.... senior moment
Interesting video. Thanks.
Thanks for the feedback Ade.
I observed the r/s analyser is set to ldf5-50 cable, maybe the coax velocity factor or other cable feature is coming into play on the r/s unit and the mini1300 is not factoring this is calculations. These units work well for simple diagnosis tests in a pinch
The cable velocity factor can be set in the Mini1300. The default setting is 0.66. Not sure if the VF setting applies to all measurements in the 1300 ... perhaps it's only used for TDR measurement?
Hmmm... I didn't notice that. The calibration was done with the RG400 so it should be ok.
While I appreciate the info, the excuse for poor production on "time" is lame, just wait a bit and do it properly...
I'm with the others, that video made me sick indeed.
Please calibrate your camera, its all over the place 73's :)
my word your video made me feel sick... all this close movement of the camera its not needed..!!
Really appreciate the video, and I really want to see it in full because I am thinking of buying this Analyzer but after 6 minutes in, I had to run for the toilet to throw up, it really made me sick, absolutely no joke :( I did not had that since the Doom and Duke nukem era. Will watch it in small portions until the end ! Thanks for the video!
❌🚨❌ NO !!!! It is NOT the video movement. It is actually quite still.
I believe he utilized a gimbal device for smoothness. Fact = YOU PROBABLY HAVE THE COVIDS!, 😷
Get over to the Fauch and get tested.
Sorry... couldn’t resist. 😆😉🤣
The next time drink a few beers first
Pretty dopey for a 2 letter call....
Hard to follow ...
please buy a tripod... the content was interesting but your hand held technique is very poor. de Peter
Quedarías de primer lugar si primero calibraras la camara deanera que al grabar tenga movimientos lento que se pueda dar chance de detallar la imagen