Thanks aldoir, good idea to create new thread dedicated to Analyzer N1201SA.
Amazing to see this $140 analyzer gives same results as a $25,000 ~ $35,000 analyzer gave.
I have already discussed about NA1201SA, and posted test results for different antennas in following threads:
There’s a lot of BIG differences between these little beasties and a real spectrum - network analyzer.
One of those big differences is using a tuned, selective receiver for making measurements. These little beasties are a DDS signal source and a very wideband detector. In such a system, energy entering the receiver at other frequencies (such as your local cell phone tower or nearby DTV station) is going to affect the measurements you’re trying to make.
Still, it’s better than a poke with a stick, and if you understand its limitations, it’s going to be an interesting toy.
Not yet, today I took a time to make proper test cables (realized that my test cable had a bad contact ) and started to play with a FA antenna-clone (1/4 sleeve + 5/8) but ran out of time, but be sure I’ll test every single antenna I can make =)
@k6rtm for a hobbist it’s like taking a blindfold off, it’s fantastic to see what you’re doing.
I’m not sure how these analyzers will test antenna performance. They will test various parameters but little info regarding performance can be derived from these parameters - a well-designed antenna will present minimal VSWR at its operating freq and will appear entirely resistive (no reactance)…but so will a dummy load.
It does look like a fun gadget to tinker with though.
That would be a 6 dB loss - no need to divide by 2. Only 1 dB of loss going from 50cm to 4m of RG58 is questionable, assuming the freq used in both measurements is the same.
I checked User Manual and found that “Cable length measurement” and “Transmission line characteristic impedance measurements” can be done only in Model N1201SAC.
I could not find N1201SAC on Banggood, but I found it on Aliexpress for US $249 (Click here)
On Aliexpress, I found another model N2201 for US $260, which is same as N1201SA, but can measure power also, and has two SMA ports “RF OUT” and “RF IN” (Click here)
@aldoir
First turn the device off, then on again.
If switching off-on does not solve the problem, try reset located at bottom of the device, where you plug in charging cable’s mini usb.
No, I was testing a sleeve dipole. To avoid any damage to the analyzer I disconnected it every time I need to cut/solder something but left it ON without any load. Did it a couple of times, then when I came back to plug the antenna to the analyzer realized it was reading R=0.0000
Since the specs say that it can measure an impedance as low as 0.1 ohm, which is almost short circuit for all practical purposes, I dont feel testing short circuited antenna will damage it.
Having said that, mine went NUTS two days ago. Would go white-screen after only a couple minutes, claimed random charge% the entire time it was on, would shut off and then come back on, then refuse to shut off…
I had finally had enough and opened the case. When I removed the bottom plate, something fell out and bounced off my desk. I was never able to locate it but, looking at the board, I couldn’t see anything obviously wrong with it (was hoping for a cold solder joint, bad assembly, something. Nope. Everything looked peachy. I tightened the nuts that retain the RF connector and rotary switch and put it back together.
Hasn’t misbehaved since, though the battery meter still appears to be complete BS. From the sound of the thing that bounced off my desk, I think it was a piece of metal laying in there and occasionally making contact with stuff it shouldn’t, but I have no evidence of that.
It’s still unreadably dim when not plugged into something, but since I can’t trust the battery meter, I’m using an external USB power pack (yes, another Tecknet product. 19200mAh pack p/n: BT1800. No, I don’t own stock in them. No, I’m not an affiliate. I genuinely like their power pack.) just to keep the backlight on and make it so I don’t have to guess whether the thing has discharged it’s battery again.
I’m going to have to buy another one eventually. Not looking forward to it, but I need it.
) and started to play with a FA antenna-clone (1/4 sleeve + 5/8) but ran out of time, but be sure I’ll test every single antenna I can make =)
