Get the Most from your Antenna Analyzer

Jacques Audet VE2AZX

September 2019 Rev. April 2023
Web: [Link]

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Agenda

Review of Impedance concepts

Scalar and Vector Analyzer – Descriptions

What you can do with a scalar analyzer

What you can do with a vector analyzer

Some applications

Verify your analyzer

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 Impedance = Resistance and Reactance

+∞
+ Reactance

Positive (Inductive) Reactance

Resistance and reactance are independent
They combine at right angle like triangles

0 Resistance +∞ You can only dissipate power

in the resistance part

Reactances of opposite sign will subtract

- Reactance

This property is used in tuners, filters,

Negative (Capacitive) Reactance
resonators7

-∞
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 Resistance R, Reactance X and Impedance Magnitude IZI

+∞ XL
+ Reactance

XL = 2 * π * F * L Freq.
XL IZI Inductive Reactance
Increases with Freq.
R
0
Resistance
+∞
Freq.
- Reactance

-1
XC XC =
2*π*F*C

- XC
Capacitive Reactance
-∞ Decreases with Freq.

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Impedance Z, Reflection Coefficient and SWR

Impedance = resistive (R)

and reactive part (X)
Impedance magnitude

Reflection coefficient Γ (magnitude + angle). Zo is the reference Z

Γ goes from -1.0 > 0 > +1.0

RL = Return Loss in dB = magnitude of the reflection coefficient

SWR (also called voltage standing wave ratio)

Goes from 1 to ∞
SWR Reflection Coeff. Return Loss (dB)
Z = Zo 1:1 0 ∞
Z=0 ∞ -1 0
Z= ∞ ∞ +1 0

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 The Smith Chart

0 ∞
+∞
+X
+X
Z=0 R Z=∞
R
0 ∞ Short Open
Γ = -1 Γ=1
-X -X

-∞
Z = Zo
Γ=0

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 A Basic Scalar Analyzer
One VOLTAGE MEASUREMENT allows measuring the SWR

Return Loss BRIDGE

Oscillator V
Constant Voltage
Zout = 50Ω
50Ω 50Ω
V2

50Ω DUT
50Ω

V2 may be measured with a diode detector

V2 voltage magnitude is measured with V constant.

V2 corresponds to the magnitude of Γ
SWR

Measures SWR directly – but not so accurate

Cannot measure high SWR
Measures Trap Resonant Frequency and Q factor
Coax Impedance up to 100Ω

Ferrite Impedance magnitude. And more7

Example of a basic
SWR Analyzer: MFJ 207

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Trap Resonant Frequency

Loop response
TRAP
ANTENNA
ANALYZER ~ 2 turn SWR
loop

1:1 F
Fo
In both cases:
the coupling loop is lightly
coupled to the trap to measure
the resonant frequency Fo.

50Ω TRAP
ANTENNA 50Ω Loop response
ANALYZER ~ 2 turn SWR
loop

1:1 F
Fo

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Q factor Measurement Ref: [Link]

Loop response
SWR

2.6

As before use a coupling loop (without the 50 Ω resistor) 1:1 Fo

F
F1 F2
Adjust the coupling to get 1:1 SWR at the resonant frequency Fo

Change the frequency to get an SWR of 2.6:1.

Record the TWO frequencies F1 and F2 that give an SWR of 2.6:1

Fo
Compute Q = --------------
F2 – F1

Example: Fo = 7.100 MHz, F2 = 7.135 MHz, F1 = 7.064 MHz

7.1
Q = ---------------------- = 100
7.135 – 7.064

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 Ref: [Link]

Mesuring the Impedance of a Coax Using an SWR Analyser (up to 100Ω)

Connect the cable to the SWR analyzer and terminate the other end with a 50 ohms load.
Measure the SWR. If you get 1:1, then the cable impedance is 50 ohms.
If the SWR is above 1:1, change the frequency to maximize the SWR reading.

Calculate the required frequency (F in MHz), which is related to the cable length L in feet :
F = 185 / L (This is approximately the quarter wavelength frequency)

Calculate Zcable at the frequency where the SWR is maximum, or use the graph below:
Exemple: SWR = 2.25 gives Zcable = 75 ohms

NOTE: This technique is valid for Zcable from 50 ohms to 100 ohms.

Zcable vs SWR

100

90
Zcable (ohms)

80

70

60

50

40
1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4
SWR
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 Ref: [Link]

CHECK YOUR FERRITES WITH YOUR SWR ANALYZER

Coax cable shield.

Set length to allow many turns.
Hold with your fingers or clip Insulating Sleeve
Ferrite under test
Male UHF
Connector

SWR ANALYZER

50 Ω
Copper strip, 1 in. wide

The ferrite is in parallel with the 50 ohms (1%) termination

NOTE: This technique may be used to check the impedance of an antenna, or any other device,
by using a coaxial Tee and a 50Ω termination.

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There is no way to tell if the impedance is resistive or reactive, with this
simple set-up.
So you may take the worst case value (lowest impedance).
For ferrites that are meant to be used at HF, the impedance tends to be partly
inductive (reactive) and resistive at the lower frequencies, below say 10 MHz.
At the higher frequencies, generally above 10 MHz or so, it is mostly reactive.

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Three VOLTAGE MEASUREMENTS
allow Measuring Resistance and Reactance, but NOT the sign

V BRIDGE
Oscillator
The impedance is computed
50Ω 50Ω
V1 from Vx, V1 and V2
V2
A microcontroller does the math
DUT
50Ω Vx

Diode detectors are often used.

Non linearities limit dynamic range
and must be calibrated out.

More accurate than the MFJ 207

Measures Impedance Magnitude, RL, RefCo (Γ)
The classical MFJ259
Measures capacitance and inductance

Measures Coax losses

Broadband detectors make it susceptible
to interferences.

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 The Vector Analyzer Potentially larger dynamic range
Since it has selective receivers
Measure Resistance and Reactance,
More accurate: OSL calibration
including the sign
(Open, Short, Load) (No adj’nt inside)
Typical system based on super-heterodyne receiver Smith Chart Display

Q Factor of Components

Oscillator F Bridge DUT USB link to power and control unit

from the computer. Easier !
Si5351 Allows more complex
clk gen
often used measurements. Ex: TDR, crystals.
Mixers

LO : F + ∆f

The difference frequency: ∆f Low Low May use digital

is processed. Pass Pass Lo pass / band pass
Typically 1 to 10 KHz Filter Filter filtering,

V1 V2
MicroController
ADC

Amplitude Ratio &

Phase

Display USB
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Vector Analyzer Calibration

The analyzer accuracy critically depends on three standards

Vector
Analyzer
The imperfections of the standards
Your are described in a CAL KIT definition file.
cable
Optional
They are taken into account when
calculating the value of Zx

Computer
Impedance Zx is measured at the cable end
after calibration with short, open and load.

Zx

Short Open Load

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 Using a Vector Analyzer to design a Matching Network to
correct Bad SWR across the 80m Band

Multiband 80m to 10m

Cobra Antenna (Lite Jr.)

50Ω to 200Ω
Current Balun
Added HI-Pass Measured
Corrector Network Impedance File

The impedance vs
C = 448 pF
83 ft. 400 Ω LINE
(part of antenna)
frequency is measured

L = 6.17 µH

C and L components were manually optimized

in simulator.

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 Using a Vector Analyzer to design a Matching Network to
correct Bad SWR across the 80m Band

Multiband 80m to 10m

Cobra Antenna (Lite Jr.)

50Ω to 200Ω
Added HI-Pass Current Balun
Antenna Impedance
50Ω coax Corrector Network

83 ft. 400 Ω LINE

C = 448 pF (part of antenna)

L = 6.17 µH

C and L components were manually optimized

in my RF simulator.

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 Antenna Impedance Corrector for 80m band

Without
Matching
With
Matching

80m band

5
SWR

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 Antenna Impedance Corrector
SWR with / without Matching 40m and 30m Bands

30m band

40m band

Without
Without Matching
5 Matching 5

SWR
SWR

4 4

3 3
With With
2 Matching 2 Matching

1 1

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Antenna Impedance Corrector
SWR with / without Matching 20m band

Without
Matching
20m band
5
SWR

3 With
Matching
2

The effect of the impedance corrector

decreases as frequency increases.

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Using a Vector Analyzer to check if your tuner is operating within
its matching range

MFJ 929 Tuner Spec’s

MFJ 929 Tuner

Tuner losses increase

as you get closer to
its impedance/SWR
limits.

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 The Vector Analyzer will allow
The Tuner will work properly
you to check where you are
on this chart
when antenna impedances
lie inside the green area

Tuner Limit 5:1 SWR

8:1 SWR
= 50Ω / 8 = 6 Ω Circle

2:1 SWR

Tuner Limit
32:1 SWR
= 50Ω * 32 = 1600 Ω
6Ω
50 Ω

Plot the Chart

for every band.

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Using a Vector Analyzer to Identify Ferrite type (Not for powdered Iron)
~ 2 turn
loop
VECTOR
ANTENNA
ANALYZER

Adjust the frequency until Resistance = Reactance

The obtained frequency tells us:
Ferrite useable frequency range
The LOW frequency permeability
The material type

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 Measurement Examples Clamp-on Ferrite µ ~ 800

10Ω / div

+ Reactance

Resistance

500 KHz 10 MHz 24

50 MHz
 Measurement Examples Clamp-on Ferrite µ ~ 500
Inductance and Z magnitude added

100Ω / div
5 µH / div

+ Reactance

Inductance
Resistance
IZI Magnitude

500 KHz 10 MHz

25
50 MHz
 Measurement Examples 0.5 in Ferrite µ = 5000 from specs

50Ω / div
5 µH / div

+ Reactance

Inductance

Resistance

10 KHz 100 KHz 1 MHz 26

10 MHz
 Measurement Examples 2.4 in Ferrite µ = 800 from specs, #43 material

50Ω / div

+ Reactance

Resistance

500 KHz 10 MHz 27

50 MHz
Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR)

Impulse DFT or
Impedance vs Impedance vs
Step DFT
Frequency Data Calculations Time / Distance Data
(DFT = Discrete Fourier Transform)

- Measure impedance values vs frequency and

- Transform them towards equivalent values along time.
- Distance is related to time via the Velocity Factor (varies from 0.66 to 0.95)

Need to use the whole frequency span to resolve small discontinuities.

Frequency sweep 10 KHz to 600 MHz, 2000 points

Allows testing coax cable discontinuities: shorts, opens, impedance (bumps), kinks7
340 m
1 # of freq points
Time Resolution (sec) ~ = ---------------- Max Time Span (sec) ~ = -----------------------
10*Freq span (Hz) 2 * Freq span (Hz)

3 * Vf
Distance Resolution (cm) ~ = ------------------------- 1.7 cm at 600 MHz span
Freq span (GHz)

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 Using a Vector Analyzer to Measure the IMPEDANCE PROFILE of 50Ω
feed line of my sloper antenna
Frequency sweep 10 KHz to 600 MHz, 2000 points
Time span: 300 nSec (29.7meters)

Cable RL vs distance 20 dB / div

Cable ends at
60Ω 24.7meters
5 6 7 (assuming Vf = 0.7)
Z cable IZI at 10Ω / div
50Ω
4
BNC - PL259 - SO239 Junction

Return Loss in dB @ 20 dB / div.

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Verify IZI vs cable length to identify line shorts/opens.
IMPEDANCE PROFILE Measurement on a Phasing Harness of a Four Loop VHF Antenna.
No loop present Frequency sweep 10 KHz to 600 MHz, 2000 points

75Ω
OPEN
75Ω

75Ω
OPEN
FA-VA5 50Ω
T bnc
Analyser 75Ω
OPEN
75Ω

75Ω
OPEN

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 Verify IZI vs cable length to identify line shorts/opens.
IMPEDANCE PROFILE Measurement on a Phasing Harness of a Four Loop VHF Antenna.
No loop present Frequency sweep 10 KHz to 600 MHz, 2000 points

75Ω
OPEN
20 Ω / div 75Ω

75Ω
OPEN
FA-VA5 50Ω
T bnc
Analyser 75Ω
OPEN
75Ω 7
Cable 50Ω 75Ω
Approx 1.2m OPEN
2X Cables 75Ω
Approx 1.3m
IZI 4X Cables 75Ω
Approx 1.3m
60 Ω 4
5
40 Ω
6
20 Ω

0Ω

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 Quartz Crystal Testing
Access the TOOLS Menu of VNWA Software. Sweep was 101 points +/- 1% of frequency, Precise Mode.

Measures the crystal impedance over a narrow range of frequencies. Need to have 1 Hz resolution here.

From this data, the VNWA software derives the crystal equivalent circuit

BNC male plug bulkhead handle solder

panel mount straight Connector: from EBay

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 Measured Resistance and Reactance of 10 MHz Crystal

Series Resonance (marker 2)

Parallel Resonance (marker 3)

Reactance 10KΩ / div

Resistance 10KΩ / div

9.9 MHz 10 MHz 10.1 MHz

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Measurement Results on a 10 MHz crystal The VNWA software fits the element
Repeated 5 times. values to the measured data

10 Hz max
Freq. delta

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Verify the Accuracy of your Analyzer

These tests apply to the full frequency range of the analyzer.

Connect a 50Ω termination at the analyzer input. Check SWR. Should be < 1.1:1

Connect two 50 Ω terminations at the analyzer input, using a Tee.

Check SWR. Should be 2:1

Connect a 100 Ω termination at the analyzer input. Check SWR. Should be 2:1

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VNA acid test : Measurements at / close to infinite SWR using an Open Line

Return loss 0.05 dB/div

1 to 250 MHz

Done on HP8753D

1 251
MHz

Return loss sweep on an OPEN

low loss line @ 0.05 dB / div.
Must always stay at / below 0 dB Start
1 MHz

Smith chart shows a well

behaved S11 curve
circling progressively inside: Stop
-> Cal Kit Data OK 250 MHz
-> Analyzer is accurate

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VNA acid test : Measurements at / close to infinite SWR on an Open Line

Grey area is the forbidden area !

+1 The FA-VA5 looses accuracy for
return loss values close to 0 dB.
Measurement of cable insertion
loss using the return loss method
will have its accuracy degraded.
FA-VA5 Basic Freq Range

λ/4 λ/2 λ

-1

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About your Calibration Standards

Measurement accuracy never better than the standards used

CAL KIT definitions:

SHORT: delay in pS and frequency dependant inductance and resistance
OPEN: delay in pS and frequency dependant capacitance
LOAD: delay in pS and actual resistance plus series inductance and shunt cap.

The VNA software must “know” these CAL KIT parameters via a CAL KIT file !

Most important above 30 MHz

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References

FA-VA5 Presentation: [Link]

Understanding the Fundamental Principles of Vector Network Analysis

[Link]

A short review of antenna and network analyzers:

[Link]

Q Factor Measurement on L – C Circuits:

[Link]

Check your ferrites with your SWR Analyzer:

[Link]

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Jacques Audet VE2AZX
September 2019 Rev. April 2023
Web: [Link]

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