RigExpert AA-170 - User Manual

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Summary

2. Specifications

General Specifications

Covers frequency range, resolution, and measurement ranges for the analyzer.

Display Modes & RF Output

Lists display options and details RF output characteristics.

Power and Interface Details

Covers power sources, battery life, and physical interface components.

3. Safety Precautions

Electrical and Static Discharge Hazards

Warnings about thunderstorms, static discharge, and RF injection.

Operational Safety Practices

Precautions for connected equipment and active measurement modes.

4. Operation

Preparation and Battery Installation

Instructions for battery installation and proper handling of the analyzer.

Powering the Analyzer On and Off

Procedure for turning the analyzer on/off and initial display overview.

Main Menu and Indicators

Explains the main menu structure and interface indicators.

Measurement Mode Types

Differentiates single-point and multi-point measurement modes.

SWR and MultiSWR Modes

How to perform SWR and multi-frequency SWR measurements.

Show All Mode and Graphs

Displays all key parameters and introduces graphical modes.

SWR and R,X Graph Analysis

Visualizing and interpreting SWR and R,X graphs.

Data Screen, Memory, and Settings

Accessing data, managing memory, and navigating settings.

Settings: Impedance, Model, and Tests

Configuring impedance, model, and performing basic tests.

Settings: Detector and Filter Tests

Running tests for detector output and bandpass filters.

Settings: Reset and PC Connection

Resetting analyzer defaults and connecting to a PC.

5. Applications

Antenna Testing and Adjustment

Using the analyzer for checking and tuning antennas.

Coaxial Line Measurements

Applications for analyzing coaxial cables.

Cable Length and Velocity Factor

Measuring cable length and determining its velocity factor.

Cable Fault Location

Identifying faults within coaxial cables.

Coaxial Stub Creation

Making specific electrical length coaxial stubs.

Characteristic Impedance Measurement

Measuring the impedance of coaxial cables.

5.3. Other RF Component Measurement

Capacitor and Inductor Measurement

Measuring capacitance and inductance of components.

Transformer and Trap Analysis

Evaluating RF transformers and antenna traps.

5.4. RF Signal Generator Functionality

The RigExpert AA-170 is a powerful antenna analyzer designed for testing, checking, tuning, and repairing antennas and antenna feedlines. It offers graphical SWR (Standing Wave Ratio) and impedance display, which significantly reduces the time required for antenna adjustment. The device is suitable for both professionals and hobbyists due to its easy-to-use measurement modes and additional features, such as PC connectivity for plotting Smith diagrams.

The analyzer can perform several tasks, including rapid antenna check-out, tuning an antenna to resonance, comparing antenna characteristics before and after events like rain or hurricanes, making coaxial stubs and measuring their parameters, cable fault location, and measuring capacitance or inductance of reactive loads. It can also function as an RF signal generator.

Technical Specifications:

Frequency Range: 0.1 to 170 MHz
Frequency Entry Resolution: 1 kHz
SWR Measurement Range: 1 to 10
SWR Measurement Systems: 50 and 75-Ohm
SWR Display: Numerical or easily-readable bar
R and X Range:
- Numerical Mode: 0...1000, -1000...1000
- Graph Mode: 0...200, -200...200
Display Modes:
- SWR at single or multiple frequencies
- SWR, return loss, R, X, Z, L, C at single frequency
- SWR graph (100 points)
- R, X graph (100 points)
RF Output:
- Connector Type: UHF (SO-239)
- Output Signal Shape: Rectangular, 0.1...30 MHz (third or fifth harmonics used for higher frequencies)
- Output Power: Approximately -10 dBm (at 50 Ohm load)
Power:
- Three 1.5V alkaline batteries (type AA)
- Three 1.2V, 1800...2700 mA·h Ni-MH batteries (type AA)
- Maximum 3 hours of continuous measurement
- Maximum 2 days in stand-by mode with fully charged batteries
- Can be powered via USB when connected to a PC or DC adapter with a USB socket.
Interface:
- 128x64 graphical backlit LCD
- 6x3 keys on a waterproof keypad
- Multilingual menus and help screens
- USB connection to a personal computer
Dimensions: 22 × 10 × 3.6 cm (9.4 × 4.1 × 1.5 inches)
Operating Temperature: 0...40 °C (32...104 °F)
Weight (including batteries): 400g (14 Oz)

Usage Features:

The RigExpert AA-170 is designed for intuitive operation. To begin, users must install three fully charged 1.2V Ni-MH or two 1.5V alkaline batteries, ensuring correct polarity. It's crucial not to mix new and old batteries, use different battery types simultaneously, overheat or disassemble batteries, short-circuit them, or attempt to recharge alkaline batteries. Leaking electrolyte can severely damage the analyzer, so batteries should be removed if the device is stored for extended periods.

The analyzer is turned on or off using the power button at the bottom right of the keypad. Upon startup, the firmware version and battery voltage are displayed. The device features an on-screen menu system for control. The "Main menu" provides access to various measurement modes and settings. A power indicator in the top-right corner of the "Main menu" shows the battery discharge level, flashing when low. A USB icon appears when connected to a PC or DC adapter. The analyzer is self-documenting; pressing the '1' key brings up a help screen with available commands for the current mode.

Measurement Modes:

Single-point Measurement Modes: These modes measure various parameters of an antenna or load at a specific frequency.
- SWR Mode: Accessed by pressing '7' in the Main menu, this mode displays the SWR bar and its numerical value. Users can set the desired frequency using the '2' key or arrow keys. Pressing 'ok' starts or stops the measurement, indicated by a flashing antenna icon. The '1' key reveals a list of additional commands.
- MultiSWR Mode: The AA-170 can display SWR for up to five different frequencies simultaneously, useful for tuning multi-band antennas. Users can switch between numerical and bar representations of SWR using the '0' key.
- "Show all" Mode: Pressing '8' displays various load parameters on a single screen, including SWR, return loss (RL), |Z| (magnitude of impedance), active (R) and reactive (X) components, and corresponding inductance (L) or capacitance (C) values. Users can select either a series or parallel impedance model via the "Settings" menu.
Graph Modes: These modes graphically display parameters over a specified frequency band, which is particularly useful for observing parameter behavior.
- SWR Graph Mode: Accessed by pressing '4', this mode plots SWR values over a defined frequency range. The center frequency ('2' key) and scanning range ('3' key) can be adjusted. The 'ok' key refreshes the graph. The '0' key provides quick access to radio amateur bands or the full frequency range.
- R,X Graph Mode: Pressing '5' plots R (active part of impedance) as a solid line and X (reactive part) as a dotted line. Positive X values indicate inductive loads, while negative values indicate capacitive loads. The display changes based on whether a series or parallel impedance model is selected in "Settings."
- Data Screen: In SWR and R,X graph modes, pressing 'F' + '1' displays various parameters at the cursor's position.
- Memory Operation: In SWR and R,X graph modes, users can scan to memory ('6' key) to save plots in 100 independent memory slots, which can be recalled later ('9' key). The 'F' + '9' combination opens an editor for memory slot names.

Maintenance Features:

The "Settings" menu ('0' key in the Main menu) provides various configuration and test options.

Page 1 of Settings:
- '2': Language selection.
- '3': Backlight on/off.
- '4': Sound on/off.
- '5': Battery type (NiMH or alkaline) selection for accurate discharge indication.
- '0': Navigates to the second page of settings.
Page 2 of Settings:
- '5': Reference impedance selection for SWR measurement (50 or 75 Ohm).
- '6': Series or parallel model of load selection.
- '0': Navigates to the third page of settings, which contains test commands for checking the analyzer.
Page 3 of Settings (Test Commands):
- '2': RF bridge test. With no load, the display should show "no load" for both 1 and 2. For a 50-Ohm load, the bars should be filled at the corresponding positions. If bars are not filled, the RF output stage or detector may be faulty.
- '3': Detector output voltage vs. frequency graph. With no load, the voltage curve should stay between horizontal dotted lines, with vertical lines indicating subband bounds.
- '4': Bandpass filter frequency response graph. With no load, the curve's peak should be in the middle of the screen, between horizontal dotted lines. A slight horizontal shift is acceptable.
- '0': Navigates to the fourth page of settings.
Page 4 of Settings (Reset Commands):
- '2': Resets the entire analyzer to factory defaults.
- '3': Resets all 100 graph memories.
- '0': Returns to the first page of settings.

Computer Connection:

RigExpert antenna analyzers can connect to a personal computer via a conventional USB cable. This allows for displaying measurement results on the computer screen, taking screen shots of the LCD, and updating the firmware. Supporting software is provided on a CD or can be downloaded from www.rigexpert.com. It is recommended to connect the cable to the analyzer's antenna connector first, then plug the analyzer into the computer's USB port to protect against static discharges.