RigExpert AA-230 ZOOM

RigExpert AA-230 ZOOM – Antenna and Cable Analyzer (100 kHz to 230 MHz)

The analyzer is designed for measuring SWR (Standing Wave Ratio), Return Loss, Cable Loss, of cable and antenna systems from 100 kHz to 230 MHz.

A built-in ZOOM capability makes graphical measurements especially effective.

An integrated Time Domain Reflectometer mode can be used to locate the precise location of a fault within the feedline system.

The following tasks are easily accomplished by using this analyzer:

• Rapid check-out of an antenna
• Tuning an antenna to resonance
• Comparing characteristics of an antenna before and after specific event (rain, hurricane, etc.)
• Making coaxial stubs or measuring their parameters
• Cable testing and fault location, measuring cable loss and characteristic impedance
• Measuring capacitance or inductance of reactive loads
• Certifications: RCM (C-Tick),CE,FCC

Warranty coverage by the RigExpertCare™

RigExpert AA-230 ZOOM

Frequency range: 0.1 to 230 MHz

Frequency entry: 1 kHz resolution

Measurement for 25, 50, 75 and 100-Ohm systems

SWR measurement range: 1 to 100 in numerical mode, 1 to 10 in graph mode

SWR display: numerical or analog indicator

R and X range: 0…10000, -10000…10000 in numerical mode, 0…1000, -1000…1000 in graph mode

Display modes:

• SWR at single or multiple frequencies
• SWR, return loss, R, X, Z, L, C at single frequency
• SWR chart, 20 to 500 points
• R, X chart, 20 to 500 points
• Smith chart, 20 to 500 points
• Return loss chart, 20 to 500 points
• TDR (Time Domain Reflectometer) chart
• Cable tools (loss and characteristic impedance)

Optional open-short-load calibration.

RF output:

• Connector type: N
• Output signal shape: square
• Output power: -10 dBm (at 50 Ohm load)

Power:

• Four 1.5V alkaline batteries, type AAA
• Four 1.2V Ni-MH batteries, type AAA *
• Max. 4 hours of continuous measurement, max. 2 days in stand-by mode when fully charged batteries are used
• When the analyzer is connected to a PC or a DC adapter with USB socket, it takes power from these sources

Interface:

• 290×220 color TFT display
• 6×3 keys on the water-proof keypad
• Multilingual menus and help screens
• USB connection to a personal computer

Dimensions: 82 mm x 182 mm x 32 mm (3.2 in x 7.2 in x 1.3 in)

Operating temperature: 0…40 °C (32…104 °F)

Weight: 236 g (8.32 oz)

Warranty: 2 years

RigExpert AA-230 ZOOM is made in Ukraine.

Specifications are subject to change without notice.

Screen Shots

AntScope software

AntScope is a program which is shipped with every RigExpert antenna analyzer. You may also download the latest version from the Downloads page of the RigExpert website (the program is included in installation CD packages). The screenshots listed below illustrate how capable this program is when the analyzer is connected to a PC. SWR (Standing Wave Ratio) plot:

Phase display:

R (resistance), X (reactance) and Z (module of impedance) display, series mode:

R (resistance), X (reactance) and Z (module of impedance) display, parallel mode:

Time Domain Reflectometer mode (except AA-500 and AA-520):

Smith chart:

Structure diagram

The structure diagram of RigExpert AA-230 ZOOM is located below:

The “brain” of the analyzer is STM 32-bit RISC microcontroller. It controls a AD9958 DDS chip running at 500 MHz and generating two sinusoidal signals. Both signals are low-pass filtered and then put through pulse shapers, producing two square signals with LVDS levels. Resistive brigde was chosen to measure parameters of a load because of its simplicity and good frequency response. The switch commutates two outputs of the bridge. After the switch, the signal is mixed with the second channel output to produce audio frequency of 1.5 kHz.This signal is then filtered and fed through the 16-bit ADC to the microcontroller. The 290×220 color TFT display and the 6×3 keys keypad are connected directly to the CPU. The analyzer is equipped with 4 Mbytes of external Flash memory to store measurement results. The USB interface chip allows connecting the analyzer to the PC.

Close look at the bridge

This is a diagram of the resistive bridge and its connection to the mixer:

The switch which is controlled by the CPU feeds the signal from the certain side of the bridge to the mixer chip. When the load is totally active and its resistance is 50 Ω, the bridge is balanced and the switch outputs the same signal in both positions. This eliminates the need of calibration of the analyzer, also giving very good precision near SWR=1.

Comparison table of RigExpert antenna analyzers

Make sure the latest firmware is uploaded to the analyzer. See the Downloads section.

* The AntScope software is able to plot graphs in Time Domain Reflectometer (TDR) mode when AA-30/AA-54/AA-170 is connected to the computer. Since the resolution of the TDR graph is proportional to the maximum operating frequency of an analyzer, much better results are obtained by using AA-230 ZOOM, AA-600, AA-1000 or AA-1400.

RigExpert AA-230 ZOOM

Q: The output RF level at the antenna connector of the AA-230 ZOOM is -10 dBm, which is quite low compared to many other instruments. Does it mean the analyzer will not operate properly with long cables?

A: No, the AA-230 ZOOM will work fine with long (hundreds of meters) cables. The analyzer has a very sensitive, narrow band input, so -10 dBm is much enough for accurate measurements, even after loosing a few decibels in a long cable.

Q: The specs say the AA-230 ZOOM has a square wave output, which means there are several frequency components (harmonics) in such a signal. Then, how the SWR and other parameters of my antenna are measured at a specific, single frequency?

A: Please look at the structure diagram of the analyzer. The instrument filters out all unnecessary frequency components, thanks to the very narrow band (several hundred Hz) filter.

Q: Is the AA-230 ZOOM sensitive to nearby repeaters or broadcast transmitters?

A: No, unless a high-power transmitter is operating closely at the same frequency you are trying to use the analyzer at.

Q: Can I charge Ni-MH batteries inside the analyzer?

A: No, please remove batteries from the analyzer and use a separate charger.

Q: Can I use Lithium-Ion batteries instead of alkaline or Ni-MH ones?

A: Most likely, you will burn the analyzer. Lithium-Ion batteries have an output voltage of about 3.7 V each: compare to 1.2 V for Ni-MH and 1.5 V for alkaline ones.

Download Manuals

• RigExpert AA-230 ZOOM User Manual
• RigExpert AA-230 ZOOM Software Manual

The RigExpertCare™ 2-year warranty coverage

The device which has stopped functioning due to factory defects within the Warranty period will be replaced by a new one in a very few days instead of waiting when it’d be fixed. Just contact the RigExpertCare™ partner to get such a great support!

What is the RigExpertCare™ protection

RigExpertCare™ is the 2-years limited warranty coverage for RigExpert™ products.

RigExpertCare™ means that the Rig Expert Ukraine will replace defective goods covered by the Warranty with the new goods of the same model as soon as possible.

Important Conditions

• Rig Expert Ukraine Ltd. will replace any product that has been proven to have a manufacturing defect.
• RigExpertCare™ applies when the product has been used for the purpose intended and under normal conditions. General wear and tear, normal fading, and accidental damage are not covered by the warranty.
• Replacement will be performed by the RigExpertCare™ partner. To get a replacement please contact nearest RigExpertCare™ partner specified here.
• To check whether your instrument is covered by the RigExpertCare™, see the special sticker on the top of the product package or visit the RigExpert™ website and find notice “Warranty coverage by the RigExpertCare™” on General info tab at the product page.

Who Is Covered Under the Warranty

The warranty is non-transferable. Only the original customer is covered under the RigExpertCare™ warranty.

Proof of Purchase

In rare cases, when warranty repair is required, the RigExpertCare™ partner may require confirmation of an official purchase (for example, purchase receipt etc.)

What is Not Covered Under the Warranty

The warranty does not apply to a product which has been damaged due to accident, misuse, abuse, improper installation, usage not in accordance with product specifications and instructions, natural or personal disaster, or unauthorized alterations, repairs or modifications.

The warranty does not cover any events including but not limited to:

• Any damages unrelated to manufacturing defects.
• Damage, deterioration or malfunction resulting from: accident, abuse, misuse, neglect, fire, water, lightning, or other acts of nature, commercial or industrial use, unauthorized product modification or failure to follow instructions included with the product.
• Repair or attempted repair by anyone not authorized by Rig Expert Ukraine Ltd.
• Any shipment damages (claims must be made with the carrier).
• Any unsuitable environment or use of the product in Rig Expert Ukraine opinion.
• Any product which has been modified without official permission from Rig Expert Ukraine Ltd., or on which the serial number or warranty sticker has been defaced, modified, or removed.

Shipping

Customers are responsible for shipping costs to ship back the defective item for RMA repair/replace.
Once the faulty item is received by RigExpertCare™ partner a new replaced item will be shipped back to the customer.
Shipping methods will be at Rig Expert’s discretion.
Therefore, RigExpertCare™ partner reserves the rights to ship according to what it deems the most efficient standard method of shipping.

Important addition

Rig Expert Ukraine Ltd. can repair defective goods at the Customer’s request. To get a warranty repair please contact your original seller.