GES MFJ-259B - User Manual

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................................ 1
1.1 A Quick Word about Accuracy ............................................................................................................... 1
1.2 Typical Uses ............................................................................................................................................ 2
1.3 Frequency Range ..................................................................................................................................... 4
2.0 POWER SOURCES ............................................................................................................................................. 4
2.1 External Power Supply ............................................................................................................................ 4
2.2 Using Internal Batteries ........................................................................................................................... 4
2.3 Using Rechargeable “AA” Type Batteries .............................................................................................. 5
2.4 Using Conventional “AA” Drycell Batteries........................................................................................... 5
2.5 “Power Saving” Mode (sleep mode) ....................................................................................................... 6
3.0 MAIN MENU AND DISPLAY............................................................................................................................ 6
3.1 General Connection Guidelines............................................................................................................... 6
3.2 Power-up Display .................................................................................................................................... 7
3.3 Main MODE descriptions........................................................................................................................ 7
3.4 Blinking “VOLTAGE LOW” display warning ....................................................................................... 8
4.0 MAIN (OR OPENING) MODE ........................................................................................................................... 8
4.1 General Connection Guidelines............................................................................................................... 9
4.2 Antenna SWR .......................................................................................................................................... 9
4.3 Coax Loss ................................................................................................................................................ 11
4.4 Capacitance.............................................................................................................................................. 11
4.4 Inductance................................................................................................................................................ 12
5.0 ADVANCED OPERATION ................................................................................................................................ 14
5.1 Forward.................................................................................................................................................... 14
5.2 General Connection Guidelines............................................................................................................... 15
5.3 (Magnitude of) Impedance mode............................................................................................................ 15
5.4 Return Loss and Reflection Coefficient mode ........................................................................................ 16
5.5 Distance to Fault mode............................................................................................................................ 16
5.6 Resonance Mode...................................................................................................................................... 18
5.7 Percentage Transmitted Power ................................................................................................................ 18
6.0 ADJUSTING SIMPLE ANTENNAS................................................................................................................... 19
6.1 Dipoles..................................................................................................................................................... 19
6.2 Verticals................................................................................................................................................... 19
6.3 Tuning a simple antenna.......................................................................................................................... 19
7.0 TESTING AND TUNING STUBS AND TRANSMISSION LINES .................................................................. 20
7.1 Testing Stubs ........................................................................................................................................... 20
7.2 Velocity Factor of Transmission Lines ................................................................................................... 21
7.3 Impedance of Transmission Lines or Beverage antennas........................................................................ 22
7.4 Adjusting Tuners ..................................................................................................................................... 23
7.5 Adjusting Amplifier Matching Networks................................................................................................ 23
7.6 Testing RF Transformers......................................................................................................................... 24
7.7 Testing Baluns ......................................................................................................................................... 24
7.8 Testing RF Chokes .................................................................................................................................. 25
8.0 TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE............................................................................................................................... 25

Summary

Introduction

A Quick Word About Accuracy

Discusses limitations and sources of measurement errors in impedance meters.

Typical Uses

Lists the various adjustments, tests, and measurements the MFJ-259B can perform.

Frequency Range

Lists the selectable internal oscillator frequency ranges of the unit.

Power Sources

External Power Supply

Details requirements and recommendations for using external DC power supplies.

Using Internal Batteries

Explains how to check and position the internal jumper for battery operation.

Using Rechargeable AA Type Batteries

Guidelines for using rechargeable batteries and the internal charging system.

Using Conventional AA Drycell Batteries

Advice on using alkaline vs. conventional drycell batteries and removal.

Power Saving Mode (sleep mode)

Explains the function and activation of the power saving sleep mode.

Main Menu and Display

General Connection Guidelines

Provides guidelines for connecting antennas and power sources to the unit.

Power-up Display

Describes the sequence of messages displayed upon powering up the unit.

Main MODE descriptions

Explains the five main measurement modes of the unit.

Main (or Opening) Mode

General Connection Guidelines

Provides guidelines for connecting to the antenna port and using RF connections.

Antenna SWR

Step-by-step instructions for measuring Antenna SWR.

Coax Loss

Explains how to measure coaxial cable and component loss in dB.

Capacitance

Explains how the unit measures capacitance and determines if reactance is inductive or capacitive.

Advanced Operation

Forward

Introduces advanced measurements like impedance, return loss, and transmitted power.

General Connection Guidelines

General guidelines for connecting to the antenna port for advanced modes.

(Magnitude of) Impedance mode

Details the Impedance mode for measuring magnitude and phase angle.

Return Loss and Reflection Coefficient mode

Explains how to measure return loss and reflection coefficient.

Distance to Fault mode

Describes the mode for determining cable length or distance to faults.

Resonance Mode

Explains the Resonance mode for observing frequencies where system reactance crosses zero.

Percentage Transmitted Power

Details the mode for expressing SWR as a percentage of transmitted power.

Adjusting Simple Antennas

Dipoles

Discusses dipole antennas, baluns, and their SWR characteristics.

Verticals

Explains vertical antennas, radial systems, and tuning.

Tuning a simple antenna

Step-by-step guide for tuning simple antennas.

Testing and Tuning Stubs and Transmission Lines

Testing Stubs

How to measure the resonant frequency of impedance stubs and transmission lines.

Velocity Factor of Transmission Lines

Explains how to determine the velocity factor of transmission lines.

Impedance of Transmission Lines or Beverage antennas

How to measure the impedance of transmission lines and beverage antennas.

Adjusting Tuners

Steps for using the MFJ-259B to adjust antenna tuners.

Adjusting Amplifier Matching Networks

How to test and adjust RF amplifier matching networks.

Testing RF Transformers

How to test RF transformers with the MFJ-259B.

Testing Baluns

Procedure for testing baluns by measuring SWR.

Testing RF Chokes

How to test RF chokes for series resonance.

Technical Assistance

GES MFJ-259B Specifications

General

Brand	GES
Model	MFJ-259B
Category	Measuring Instruments
Language	English