RigExpert AA-35 ZOOM 0.06 – 35 MHz
Antenna Analyzer
Reviewed by Joel R. Hallas, W1ZR
QST Contributing Review Editor
w1zr@arrl.org
The RigExpert AA-35 ZOOM is the
next generation of the popular AA-30
antenna analyzer. I reviewed one of
the analyzers in the previous series,
the AA-54, and was so pleased with it
that I bought one for myself and have
been happy with it ever since.
with the earlier versions, the numerical digits in the model number refer to
the approximate maximum frequency
that the unit can analyze.
The AA -35 ZOOM reviewed here covers from 60 kHz through 35 MHz,
including not only our HF and MF
bands, but also our new LF bands.
Also available in this series are the
AA-55 ZOOM and AA-230 ZOOM.
Note that the original AA series may
still be available, so make sure you
pick the unit you really want.
The higher numbered units offer additional features as well as a higher
operating frequency. For example, the
AA-55 ZOOM adds a Smith chart display option (available on the ’35 using
AntScope2 software) and the ability to
display the SWR at up to five frequencies simultaneously (
for adjusting multiband antennas.
While the AA-35 ZOOM includes that
button, the function is not operable on
this model.
MULTI
5
As
6, 7
) — handy
What’s New
The most noticeable difference
between the earlier generation and
the ZOOM models is in the display.
While the AA-30 had a competent
gray-scale 128 × 64 pixel LCD
screen, the AA-35 ZOOM provides a
much crisper 320 × 240 full-color TFT
display that also indicates more information on each screen. The AA-54,
for example, would show an SWR
sweep, but you would need to use
other displays to pinpoint the resonant
frequency. The AA-35 ZOOM adds
lines of text above and below the
sweep display that provide a numerical readout of frequency of the minimum SWR over the range and the
SWR at that frequency, as shown in
Figure 19. Above the sweep display,
the value of the mid-range SWR is
shown. The ZOOM model also ups
the analog-to-digital converter from
10 to 12 bits. Figure 20 shows the
expanded scale resulting from zooming in, using the arrow keys right
below the display. The blue shading
indicates the width of amateur bands
shown.
Other useful display options include
swept impedance plots, as shown in
Figure 21. Note that the sign of the
reactance is indicated, as well as the
value. For complete details at a particular frequency, the
screen (see Figure 22) can be
selected, showing the values of R and
X at the selected frequency and the
equivalent capacitance or inductance.
This can also be used to measure
unknown capacitors or inductors independent of any antenna work, serving
in place of an impedance bridge.
Figure 23 shows the colorful SWR
meter screen.
The accuracy and precision of the
AA-35 ZOOM are shown in Table 5,
and both are excellent. I particularly
like being able to set the frequency to
ALL PARAMS
Bottom Line
The RigExpert AA-35 ZOOM
antenna analyzer provides an
enhanced full-color display that is
easier to see and provides more
information than did their previous
model. The operating speed is
now signifi cantly faster than the
earlier generation.
what I want, and have it stay there
until I want to change it.
I compared the results of my AA-54
with those of the AA-35 ZOOM and
found that, while the earlier AA-54
took about 9 seconds to make a
sweep across 20 meters, the AA-35
ZOOM took only about 3 seconds. In
addition, the very handy virtual SWR
meter of Figure 23 responds more
quickly than the SWR bar chart on
the AA-54. While the AA-54 bar chart
can be used, for example, to adjust a
manual antenna tuner, the AA-35
ZOOM SWR meter display — if set to
continuous mode — responds much
more quickly, about as quickly as an
analog meter would.
Computer-Based Operation
The AA-35 ZOOM does a great job as
a piece of standalone test equipment,
so computer connectivity is optional
but has added benefits. The User’s
Manual directs you to the
DOWNLOADS
Reprinted with permission; copyright ARRL.
www.arrl.org November 2018 55
Figure 19 — View of the AA-35 ZOOM
SWR sweep of a multiband antenna. This
display covers 10,000 to 30,000 kHz (10 to
30 MHz). Note the blue shading indicating
the frequencies of the amateur bands within
the sweep range, with SWR dips on 20, 17,
15, 12, and 10 meters.
section of the RigExpert website
(www.rigexpert.com) to download
their AntScope software. The latest
version, AntScope2, was released as
we were wrapping up this review, and
we did not have an opportunity to test
it. AntScope2 is currently available for
Windows, and RigExpert indicated
that a macOS version is under development. Installation and operation is
described in a separate Software
Manual. Our AA-35 ZOOM came with
a cable that connects the analyzer to
a USB port on the PC. This connection supports the software download
and is also used to send data from the
analyzer to the AntScope2 program.
AntScope2 allows you to duplicate
the analyzer display on your computer’s clipboard to allow pasting into
your favorite application program. Not
only can it copy what’s on the display
now, but it can also copy the displays
dropped into each of the 10 internal
memory locations. This can be very
handy if you take data out in the
antenna farm, or on the tower, and
want to later record it on your PC.
I always recommend that amateurs
document their antenna characteristics when first installed, so it’s easy to
tell if things have changed. To copy
what’s on the AA-35 ZOOM screen to
your PC clipboard, just click on the
Figure 20 — View of the AA-35 ZOOM SWR
sweep from Figure 19 with the sweep range
zoomed in to cover somewhat more than the
15-meter amateur band, in this case 20,180
to 22,180 kHz. The blue shading indicates
the limits of the 15-meter amateur band.
Click the OK button and the chart will
become smoother.
Figure 22 — This view provides the
detailed numerical data at a particular frequency. This is just about everything you
might want to know about what’s happening
at a particular frequency. In addition to the
reactance value, the analyzer has specifi ed
the series model equivalent capacitance
and inductance. Not only is this useful in
analyzing antenna characteristics, but can
also make the unit serve as an equivalent to
an impedance bridge.
Antscope2
SCREENSHOT FROM AA
button. To bring in a stored data plot
(not all screens can be stored), click
on the Antscope2
AA
button and select the memory
SCREENSHOT FROM
number or tag. The resulting plots look
just like those in the screen photos.
The other part of AntScope2 provides
a detailed full-screen analysis of
the measured data, as shown in
Figure 24. (Note that the screenshots
Figure 21 — In this view, we have selected a
sweep of the complex impedance (R ± jX)
using the same frequency sweep range as in
Figure 20. The resistive part is shown in blue,
with the reactive in yellow, as indicated in the
upper left of the page. It’s interesting to note
that in this case the frequency of lowest SWR
in Figure 20 is different from the resonant frequency (X = 0) indicated here.
Figure 23 — The AA-35 ZOOM provides
this neat version of an SWR meter. This is
great for use as an indicator to aid in adjusting a manual antenna tuner. It responds
considerably faster than the SWR bar graph
in my AA-54, making adjustments easier.
in Figures 24 and 25 were taken
with AntScope software, and the
AntScope2 screens are slightly
different.) The plot shows all parameters as you move the mouse along
the plot. Available plots include:
SWR (as shown in Figure 24)
Phase
R ± jX (with sign), showing the equi-
valent series resistance, reactance,
and the magnitude of impedance
R|| ± jX (with sign), showing the
parallel equivalent resistance, reactance, and magnitude of impedance
56 November 2018 www.arrl.org
Reprinted with permission; copyright ARRL.
Table 5
RigExpert AA-35 ZOOM
Manufacturer’s Specifi cations Measured in the ARRL Lab
Frequency range: 0.06 – 35 MHz. As specifi ed.
SWR measurable range: 1 to 100. As specifi ed.
Reference impedance for SWR measurement: As specifi ed.
For 25, 50, 75, and 100 systems.
Impedance accuracy: Not specifi ed. See data below.
Output power: +13 dBm, square wave. As specifi ed (20 mW).
Harmonic and spurious suppression: Not specifi ed. 10 dB across entire frequency range.
Power requirements: USB powered, 215 mA during setup; 358 during measurements,
or battery power (2 AA cells). 155 mA (dim), 92 mA (sleep) at 3.0 V dc.
Dimensions (height, width, depth): 8.3 × 3.8 × 1.3 inches (including protrusions). Weight: 9 oz. (including batteries).
ARRL Lab Impedance and SWR Measurements
Load Freq. RigExpert Agilent 4291B Load Freq. RigExpert Agilent 4291B
50 1.8 50.3+j 0.03 — 200 1.8 196.0–j 16.5 —
(1:1 SWR) (1.01:1), Z = 50.3 (4:1 SWR) (4.00:1), Z = 197.0
(MHz) AA-35 ZOOM (reference)* (MHz) AA-35 ZOOM (reference)*
3.5 50.3–j 0.01 50+j 0 3.5 193.7–j 18.90 201–j 1.2
(1.01:1), Z = 50.3 (3.90:1), Z = 194.7
14 50.3– j 0.03 50+j 0 14 185.2–j 36.10 200–j 4.8
(1.01:1), Z = 50.3 (3.90:1), Z = 188.9
28 50.3– j 0.08 50+j 0 28 170.9–j 55.6 200–j 9.4
(1.01:1), Z = 50.3 (3.80:1), Z = 180.0
5
(10:1 SWR) (9.80:1), Z = 5.11 (8:1 SWR) (7.80:1), Z = 387.4
25 1.8 25.3+j 0.34 — 50–j 50 3.5 48.8–j 46.4 50–j 50
(2:1 SWR) (1.98:1),
100 1.8 100.0–j 2.28 — 50+j 50 3.5 53.2+j 50.2 50+j 50
(2:1 SWR) (2.00:1), Z = 100.1 SWR: 2.6:1
*The SWR loads constructed in the ARRL Lab were measured on an Agilent 4291B Impedance Analyzer by ARRL Technical Advisor John
Grebenkemper, KI6WX. An Array Solutions precision termination was used for the 50
Return loss in decibels
Time domain reflectometer, which
can indicate any cab
and their distance from the analyzer
(see Figure 25)
Smith chart
1.8
5.09+j 0.35 — 400
3.5 5.38+j 0.52 5.1+j 0.0 3.5 381.9–j 58.2 400–j 10
14 5.56+j 1.79 5.1+j 0.2 14 363.2–j 96.4 400–j 17
28 5.66+j 3.48 5.1+j 0.2 28 327.8–j 134.9 389–j 69
3.5 25.3+j 0.40 25.1+j 0.2 14 46.2–j 51.0 50–j 50
14 25.3+j 1.04 25.1+j 0.4 28 54.4–j 50.4 50–j 50
28 25.3+j 1.88 25.1+j 0.7
3.5 100.0–j 2.28 100–j 0.2 14 55.1+j 48.9 50+j 50
14 99.5–j 6.96 100–j 0.9 28 61.1+j 48.6 50+j 50
28 97.8–j 12.1 100–j 1.8
(9.30:1), Z = 5.41 (7.80:1), Z = 386.4
(9.00:1), Z = 5.85 (7.80:1), Z = 375.8
(8.90:1), Z= 6.64 (7.70:1), Z = 354.2
Z = 25.3 SWR: 2.50:1
(1.98:1), Z = 25.3 SWR: 2.50:1
(1.98:1), Z = 25.3 SWR: 2.5:1
(1.98:1), Z= 25.4
(2.00:1), Z
(2.00:1), Z = 99.8 SWR: 2.4:1
(2.00:1), Z = 98.7
= 100.1 SWR: 2.5:1
Documentation
The AA-35 ZOOM’s well-illustrated
le discontinuities
27-page User’s Manual is also available on their website if you want to
look it over before you buy it. The
manual does a good job of describing
the basic functions of the device. In
The frequency range and other
addition, more than half of the pages
1.8 384.9–j 58.2 —
tests. This termination has a wide frequency range.
are devoted to using the analyzer in
various applications. The application
section starts with antennas, but
moves through measuring characteristics, lengths, and applications of
cables, lumped inductors and capacitors, and even measuring traps.
parameters for each plot can be set in
AntScope2.
58 November 2018 www.arrl.org
Reprinted with permission; copyright ARRL.
Figure 24 — A screenshot of the
full-screen SWR data results of
the AntScope software. In this
case, it is looking at the SWR of
my triband Yagi from 14 to 30
MHz. This must be taken with the
analyzer connected to the computer — easily done at the station
end of the transmission line, or
with a laptop PC in the antenna
fi eld. Note that, in addition to the
swept plot, the details of the situation at each frequency are
shown as you mouse along the
frequency axis of the plot.
Figure 25 — A screenshot of
time-domain refl ectometer output
of the AntScope software. Again,
we are looking down the cable
going toward the three-element
tribander fed with RG-214. The
view shows discontinuities along
any length (up to about 929 feet),
here zoomed to somewhat longer
than I thought the cable to be. The
manufacturer notes that the resolution of the higher-frequency
units is greater, but this clearly
shows the antenna near the end
of the cable. The higher-speed
units would likely show small blips
at the lightning arrestor and other
discontinuities, but this will surely
identify broken or shorted cables
and the distance from the end to
the break.
The AA-35 ZOOM Software
Manual describes how to load
and run the AntScope program.
I had no trouble installing the
supplied software, at least
after I temporarily turned off
Windows Defender, which
apparently found some parts
offensive.
Manufacturer: RigExpert
Ukraine Ltd., Kyiv, Ukraine;
www.rigexpert.com. Available
from many US dealers. Price:
$270.
Notes
5
J. Hallas, W1ZR, “A Look at Four
Antenna Analyzers,” Product Review,
QST, Mar. 2012, pp. 46 – 52.
6
P. Salas, AD5X, “RigExpert AA-55
ZOOM 0.06 – 55 MHz Antenna
Analyzer,” Product Review, QST,
Nov. 2017, pp. 62 – 66.
7
P. Salas, AD5X, “RigExpert AA-230
ZOOM 0.1 – 230 MHz Antenna and
Cable Analyzer,” Product Review,
QST
, Mar. 2016, pp. 54 – 56.
Reprinted with permission; copyright ARRL.
www.arrl.org November 2018 59
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