The Chinese guys are at their best repertoire. Mini 1300 is actually a misused version of my (EU1KY) original design of a shortwave and 2m analyzer. The mixers used in it are not intended to work above 500 MHz. Also consider that everything above 200 MHz is measured on 3rd harmonic of both the signal an LO (the measured signals are 20 db lower than normal as a result, but still yield a good result), and everything above 600 MHz is measured at 5th harmonic (at the noise floor I think).
And the overall question is: Shall I buy the R&S ZVH4 (E. 8143,-) or the Bejing special 1300 (E. 159,24) and keep the E. 7983,76 to buy a complete new radioshack
You should post the calibration procedure since this is apparently where you went wrong. This will help others to understand the correct procedure as well as the quality of the calibration test set.
Love the content, but please invest in a tripod. You can get extendable ones which can change from table top to 1.5m high. So the conclusion of the video is that the cheap(ish) antenna analysers are fine for ham use unless you have a multi-thousand dollar R&S, as long as you calibrate it properly. One question I'd like to ask is are the supplied reference loads good enough for decent calibration?
I have a Mini1300 and did get some odd results at first. Apart from the Open/Short/Load calibration it is well worth performing the one-time hardware calibration (requires unsoldering/soldering an internal link) as I have never seen a Mini1300 delivered with the one-time hardware calibration done. There are also several other parameters in the calibration options which can have quite a significant effect such as frequency offset, etc. After going through ALL the settings my Mini1300 is proving more than adequate for amateur use and gives me quite reliable and repeatable results. Check: www.rewbarb.com/Mini1300_HWcal.JPEG VK2AAK
Here is the link to the information I found. You need to remove the back (8 countersunk screws) then remove the battery which plugs into a header on the main board. You will then see the jumpers labelled "work" and "HWC". Unsolder the "work" jumper and bridge the "HWC" jumper. Use the touch screen to navigate to the calibration menu and select the hardware calibration option. After the calibration routine has completed. power off, unsolder the "HWC" jumper and re-solder the "work" jumper. You will need to do the OSL calibration. www.hamskey.com/2019/02/4-antenna-analyzereu1ky-how-to-setup.html
It's probably worth remembering that the Mini1300 does a lot more than just antenna analysing. I have been using the VNA function recently to test the efficacy of various configurations and ferrite mixes in common mode chokes for mitigating QRM on HF. It isn't a lab grade instrument by any stretch but for the price it's proving to be very good value in my shack. I would also strongly recommend that any user of the Mini1300 joins this group. Plenty of good information there, including manuals in the "files" section ... groups.io/g/Analyzer-EU1KY
It looks like the precision of the Calibration load, short and open plays a significant part in the VSWR accuracy of the Mini1300. Problem is that cal kits are very very expensive. I guess with the cal kit that comes with the Mini 1300 we get what we pay for.
I’ve got a NanoVNA, and that seemed to agree with my old MFJ for the most part when I first tested it. Calibration was essential though, as you found with this one. I hate the touchscreen and the UI, though using a stylus makes the former more bearable, but I just plug it into to the laptop and use that with VNASharp instead. For $100, can’t really complain, and it’s an eye opener when trying to see what the antenna is doing....especially the antennas for handhelds, as my MFJ doesn’t do UHF.
@@vk6cs456 TBH, no clue, as I have nothing similar to compare it to. Does the job, and for A$100ish, what more can you ask? Happy to drop it down if you want to have a play and compare it to the professional set for results like you did the 1300?
Can you tell me if the makers of the TERLIN PERTH Mobile Antenna are still in business. I have one that I bought back in the 90s and absolutely love it. I use it a lot when operating QRP with my yaesu 891. I have it mounted on a 4’ ground rod and it works great across all HF bands. The problem is, I can’t find any place in the USA that sells it. Can you provide me with an email or website for the Terlin company? Thank you! Bob, KD6EVJ
While I appreciate the info, the excuse for poor production on "time" is lame, just wait a bit and do it properly... I'm with the others, that video made me sick indeed.
Just got the MINI1300 but am unable to exploit it's full capabilities as I can't find any online manuals. e.g. there are conflicting RU-vid vids on how the calibration is performed.. I can't locate a Facebook group or a forum. Any links anyone?
Interesting comparison. But, doesn't the mini1300 read RL? I don't expect it to show it graphically, but it should give a RL per given frequency. I was thinking of getting one but to me it's useless without RL readings. I have a Rig Expert AA 600, AA 230 Zoom and a SARK 110. All three read in RL per given frequency. Thanks for posting. Barry, KU3X
I observed the r/s analyser is set to ldf5-50 cable, maybe the coax velocity factor or other cable feature is coming into play on the r/s unit and the mini1300 is not factoring this is calculations. These units work well for simple diagnosis tests in a pinch
The cable velocity factor can be set in the Mini1300. The default setting is 0.66. Not sure if the VF setting applies to all measurements in the 1300 ... perhaps it's only used for TDR measurement?
Really appreciate the video, and I really want to see it in full because I am thinking of buying this Analyzer but after 6 minutes in, I had to run for the toilet to throw up, it really made me sick, absolutely no joke :( I did not had that since the Doom and Duke nukem era. Will watch it in small portions until the end ! Thanks for the video!
❌🚨❌ NO !!!! It is NOT the video movement. It is actually quite still. I believe he utilized a gimbal device for smoothness. Fact = YOU PROBABLY HAVE THE COVIDS!, 😷 Get over to the Fauch and get tested. Sorry... couldn’t resist. 😆😉🤣
Dude you are doing better than me, how the hell did you get yours to read 23cm Mine seems to max out at 600Mhz no matter what I do, Any chance you could shed a little light on it for me please Thanks Adrian.
