Decisions, decisions *Now with Pics!* (antenna analyzer - AA-170 vs MFJ-269C Pro - Page 1

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Decisions, decisions *Now with Pics!* (antenna analyzer - AA-170 vs MFJ-269C Pro

Posted: 9/18/2014 6:47:55 PM EDT

Got a b'day coming up & the wife said to treat myself early to some new test equipment (been politicing on same for a bit & there are short term sales on ...).

I am pretty much looking at either an MFJ-269C Pro ($350) or a Rigexpert AA-170 ($316) as (delivered total).

I like the computer link features of the AA-170 and the on-board graphics (plus a few other things), but the MFJ covers all freqs I currently have (or may have, no 70cm on AA-170) and has the ability to set Zo to pretty much any number from 1 to 600 ohm (I like playing with homebrew ladder line) plus a freq count function. All MFJ functions are available on board, w/no PC required.

I plan to use the tool primarily for antenna building/tuning and setting antenna tuner values without having to key down the xmitter. I also see it getting used for LC functions, testing traps, coax, etc. but not as often.

I know this kind of question comes up all the time, but I'd really like to see some varying points of view (again) besides the voices in my head...

Nick

9/29 update - Added Unboxing Pics of AA-170 from Gigaparts.com

note that batteries are now included (but a cable is not...)

Price from Gigaparts was $354.60 w/free ground shipping. I added $4 for Priority Mail

Posted: 9/18/2014 6:55:25 PM EDT

[#1]

AA-170

Everyone I know that has the other brand has sent it back at least once for repair.

Posted: 9/18/2014 7:13:47 PM EDT

[#2]

I have a 269 pro and it has been a big help, that said I am saving for an AA-60.

Having UHF is nice but I could get by with just a SWR meter on UHF and VHF. I bought my 269 used for $220 and will keep it. After using the Rig Expert at field day I am sold.

Posted: 9/18/2014 8:04:36 PM EDT

[#3]

The RigExpert for sure! That's the model that I got and I love it!

Posted: 9/18/2014 8:17:37 PM EDT

[#4]

Rig Expert

Posted: 9/18/2014 9:01:28 PM EDT

[#5]

I Had a 259B, it was nice to have when I had nothing but an SWR meter and a VTVM before that. After a few years of resoldering cold joints and buying batteries and dealing with the "hand capacitance" changing the values when you tried to use it, I sold the MFJ at a hamfest, and I bought a Rig Expert AA-54, and man, I love it, especially tuning/winding matching coils and adjusting Screwdriver antennas.. There is no comparison in my book... The rig expert AA-54 is well made and very accurate/computer upgradable.. I don't recall the specs on the 170.

Posted: 9/18/2014 9:05:08 PM EDT

[#6]

I am assuming the aa-170 can show a real time swr reading i.e. it can change as changes are made to an antenna system via changes to antenna tuner settings. Is this a correct assumption?

Nick

Posted: 9/18/2014 9:13:28 PM EDT

[#7]

Quote History

Quoted:
I am assuming the aa-170 can show a real time swr reading i.e. it can change as changes are made to an antenna system via changes to antenna tuner settings. Is this a correct assumption?

Nick

View Quote

Yes, there is a screen for that.

Posted: 9/18/2014 9:43:19 PM EDT

[#8]

I've been drooling over the RigExpert analyzers for some time now. I just pulled the trigger on the AA-54.

There, I've got that out of my system. Done!

Posted: 9/18/2014 9:55:28 PM EDT

[#9]

Got to wait til next thursday, after amex closes (we never carry over a balance). Looks like the aa-170 will be the winner. Hope the $316 deal is still available then (but have a $350 backup).

Nick

Posted: 9/19/2014 12:46:02 AM EDT

[#10]

Quote History

Quoted:
Got to wait til next thursday, after amex closes (we never carry over a balance). Looks like the aa-170 will be the winner. Hope the $316 deal is still available then (but have a $350 backup).

Nick

View Quote

http://www.dxengineering.com/parts/reu-aa-170

Posted: 9/19/2014 8:30:14 AM EDT

[#11]

a few of the 'Big Gun" locals

are digging their New Comet Analyzers.....

FWIW

Posted: 9/19/2014 9:25:42 AM EDT

[#12]

Quote History

Quoted:
I've been drooling over the RigExpert analyzers for some time now. I just pulled the trigger on the AA-54.

There, I've got that out of my system. Done!

View Quote

niiiice.

now we will all wait on the sweet new antennas you will be building/analyzing, & then sharing w/ the group (especially us newbs).

this thread has me looking at the AA-54. seems the price on these is lower than i remember.

Posted: 9/19/2014 9:29:58 AM EDT

[#13]

Quote History

Quoted:
AA-170

Everyone I know that has the other brand has sent it back at least once for repair.

View Quote

This.

My 269 smoked something and had to go back for repair. No fault of my own. Get the AA-170.

Posted: 9/19/2014 9:36:16 AM EDT

[#14]

Quote History

Quoted:
a few of the 'Big Gun" locals

are digging their New Comet Analyzers.....

FWIW

View Quote

The comet is missing alot of the features that even the MFJ has. It is nice if you need a real wide coverage but pretty much only tells you swr and impedance.

Posted: 9/19/2014 11:10:37 AM EDT

[#15]

I vote VNA.

Posted: 9/19/2014 12:40:07 PM EDT

[#16]

I have a -269 and had to open it up when it went flaky. The soldering looked like it had been done by a nine-year-old. It worked OK once I cleaned up almost every joint

.

Posted: 9/19/2014 2:54:03 PM EDT

[#17]

Rig Expert is the better choice.

Posted: 9/19/2014 6:49:08 PM EDT

[#18]

I paid $354.95 for my AA-54. That was the going rate back then, and I still consider it some of the best money I've spent on this hobby.

So I say grab the AA-170, and enjoy it!

Posted: 9/20/2014 12:01:03 AM EDT

[#19]

I'm ordering an aa54 as soon as they come off back order from my pusher (gigaparts)

Posted: 9/20/2014 12:16:04 AM EDT

[#20]

I had a MFJ. I now HAVE a AA-170. Rigexpert is the way to go.

Posted: 9/20/2014 1:08:51 AM EDT

[#21]

I've used most brands of analyzers and I own a RigExpert without regret.

Posted: 9/22/2014 1:04:44 PM EDT

[#22]

Argggh!
DX sold out of the $316 + free shipping AA-170...
Still have to wait til Thursday to buy. One alternative source left @ about $350, but won't mention til after I can pull the trigger...

Nick

Posted: 9/23/2014 10:45:31 PM EDT

[#23]

If they still have the ad up, call HRO and ask them if they will price-match. They generally will..

Posted: 9/25/2014 8:03:09 AM EDT

[#24]

DXengineering still has the AA-170 as "not available", so I pulled the trigger at Gigaparts ($354.60 delivered price) which was the next best price I could locate. I did kick in $4 for "expedited ground delivery". I thought long & hard about just getting the AA-54, but finally decided on the extended frequency coverage from the 170 for the VHF band and potential (maybe marginal) benefits for TDR functions.

Will post unboxing when it shows!

Nick

Posted: 9/25/2014 8:30:58 AM EDT

[#25]

I wonder if the unrest in the Ukraine has something to do with the AA-170 being unavailable at DX Engineering? Rig Expert is manufactured there.

Posted: 9/25/2014 11:32:56 AM EDT

[#26]

Quote History

Quoted:
I wonder if the unrest in the Ukraine has something to do with the AA-170 being unavailable at DX Engineering? Rig Expert is manufactured there.

View Quote

I hadn't even thought about that. Peak RigExpert?

Posted: 9/25/2014 12:14:32 PM EDT

[#27]

Gigaparts just sent my priority mail tracking # ...

Nick

Posted: 9/29/2014 11:12:21 AM EDT

[#28]

Added unboxing pics to OP...

Nick

Posted: 10/2/2014 5:48:26 PM EDT

[#29]

Here are a couple of sweep captures from the AA-170 for 20m on the 160m full wave horizontal loop & the 134' doublet. Both wire antennae are connected via the MFJ-941D Versatuner II and reflect my working tuner settings. The loop is ladder line from tuner to feed point. The doublet if fed by about 30' of coax, then a 9:1 balun & the remainder is ladder line. (ladder line on both is home-made 4" 14 awg thhn, probably about a 550 ohm impedance).

The scan is built from 100 data points & covers 14.170 Mhz to 14.370 Mhz. I find myself using this sort of scans when changing bands to verify my "cheat sheet" manual tuner settings.

134' Doublet -

& pretty much what the hand held looked like :

160m full wave (550') Loop -

& pretty much what the hand held looked like :

Nick

Posted: 10/2/2014 5:53:17 PM EDT

[#30]

I've got the AA-54 I ordered. Have retrimmed my fan dipole after using it.

VERY intuitive in use. Haven't used the computer program yet, just the screen on the analyzer so far, but so
far, so good.

I bought a little zipper bank bag looking thing from Walmart to keep it in. Being very flat, will stow under the
mounting tray in my portable kit, too.

All in all, I am VERY happy with this new analyzer!

Posted: 10/2/2014 6:06:31 PM EDT

[#31]

Jup, I had seen a comment that the screen seemed to be easily scratched & the writer recommended adding a screen protector (like you'd use on a phone screen). I picked up a packet of them & put one on. Plenty spares, you want one? They are a trim to fit style & can pretty much cover the whole display area. Drop me an IM if you do...

Nick

Posted: 10/2/2014 6:08:57 PM EDT

[#32]

Thanks for the offer. Mine seems to have a film on it, but would like some of the screen protectors.

Will IM.

Posted: 10/2/2014 6:11:35 PM EDT

[#33]

On my way out the door now to check the club antennas.

Posted: 10/2/2014 6:48:09 PM EDT

[#34]

Quote History

Quoted:
AA-170

Everyone I know that has the other brand has sent it back at least once for repair.

View Quote

I have a 259 and it's never given me any trouble.

Posted: 10/4/2014 12:21:57 AM EDT

[#35]

Quote History

Quoted:
On my way out the door now to check the club antennas.

View Quote

What used to be such a chore almost becomes fun with the proper tool.

Posted: 10/4/2014 4:24:57 AM EDT

[#36]

The RigExpert are excellent antenna analyzers! I've a RigExpert - AA-500 and this thing works fantastic!

Look at the new Analyzers they've: RigExpert AA-600/AA-1000/AA-1400
http://www.rigexpert.com/

Pretty neat!

Posted: 10/4/2014 4:31:47 AM EDT

[#37]

Quote History

Quoted:
The RigExpert are excellent antenna analyzers! I've a RigExpert - AA-500 and this thing works fantastic!

Look at the new Analyzers they've: RigExpert AA-600/AA-1000/AA-1400
http://www.rigexpert.com/

Pretty neat!

View Quote

Do you use it when helping to design Chameleon antennas?