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Vector Network Analyzer mode?
Here is a "dream" idea for way down the pike.... With such a wonderful wide panadapter display, could special software be written that would allow the 6000 series to function as a VNA (Vector Network Analyzer)? It might need to be a loadable subroutine that wouldn't stay resident in the machine, but could be loaded up as part of a special "Test Equipment Mode" or something like that. (saving valuable memory and CPU cycles in normal operation.) How cool would it be to hook up an antenna (or other circuit) and have a graphic display across 14 Mhz, or two panoramas combined to 28 Mhz wide detailing the SWR and impedance figures of the antenna! Or perhaps use it as a TDA to sniff out shorts, opens, or impedance bumps in the feed line? We already will have a pretty nice spectrum analyzer and RV volt meter. Why not add to the "tool kit with a VNA/TDR, etc? I know, I could just buy a MiniVNA for $300, but I will already have a $4300 piece of equipment. If it would work, why buy another piece of equipment? I can see it now.... Is your antenna giving you problems? Switch to VNA Mode and "see" your antenna on the pan-screen. Think your coax just got "squirrel chewed" or "mole bitten?" Switch to TDA mode and "see" how far out the break is on your line. Is this even possible with the rig's circuitry? Just a thought I came up with today. Gerald promised that the future will bring us things that we have "never even dreamed of" ..... Well, I am starting to do some of that dreaming. Ken - NM9P
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Comments
Hi Ken, I would love to see this come to fruition. The little network analyzers are getting more and more functionality. Next thing you know, they will become QRP transceivers. Time for the Flex rigs to become antenna analyzers/VNAs to keep up!
73,
Len
No one has replied that back on introduction of the 6000 series, Steve requested users supply a list of alternate functions. I wouldn't be surprised that military customers may have received the same poll. Imagine an in-field (substitute FD / DX-expo / SOTA) a high capability diagnostic tool that, with a setting change, switches to the RX/TX function.
Me too; a good while back this was requested, but management did not show much interest.
I have a DG8SAQ VNWAt, and now see that stand alone units <<$100 from china are available.
stil..........
73, w5xz, dan
Let's finish the radio so it is in line with radios costing approximately the same as a Flex. This radio is starving for features commensurate with SDR transceivers. I haven't seem an upgrade for a longtime. The legacy radios will soon be ahead of Flex in features. The Flex is a fine radio but it needs further development.
As the Original poster, I want to remind us that this post was made in August, 2013, not long after I receive my 6500 as an "early release" radio.
The post was "...a "dream" idea for way down the pike...."
In the early days of the release of the 6700 and 6500 we were all flooding Flex with every manner of creative and sometimes useful brainstorming ideas for performance enhancement.
I would still love to see this function, but it is still very much "...a "dream" idea for way down the pike...."
73
yes, a true 2 port VNA would sure be nice...
e.g. i'm wondering about this old long piece of coax...a quick
S21 scan will tell me if it's junk or not...and what the velocity
factor REALLY is at the freq of interest? Is it an appropriate
length delay line for a multi element phased array?
or, i wonder what the loss and surge impedance of the blue-white
twisted pair in a loooonnnngggg cat5 (or 6) cable REALLY is???
or what's the actual gain of this preamp vs. freq? or the freq response
of a homebrew LPF, HPF, or BPF filter ?
73, w5xz, dan