[MW1CFN] SARK 110 Analyser

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Real-World Amateur Radio

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SARK 110 Analyser

Posted: 02 Mar 2016 04:35 AM PST
http://mw1cfnradio.blogspot.com/2016/03/sark-110-analyser.html

After years of not knowing much other than SWR and implied impedance values
for my antennas, I've finally opted for purchasing an antenna analyser!

I thought long and hard about which unit to choose; there are now quite a
few on the market.

The three that made it to my shortlist were:

(1) The widely reported as very accurate, Array Solutions units, enjoying
excellent Eham reports.
(2) The SARK-110, also reported as very accurate and with excellent Eham
reports.
(3) One of the RigExpert units, which are in widespread use, also enjoying
good Eham reviews.

The Array Solutions units are the reference standard by which the ARRL
tests in QST are compared. So there is no doubt at all that these are
top-of-the-range units, comparable to industrial analysers costing an awful
lot more.
I chose the SARK-110 as my ideal analyser.
Two reasons went against the Array Solutions units: cost and the need to
have a computer running alongside. This latter aspect can be overcome with
a laptop, but it's not ideal for me.

The RigExpert units are very fine, very well thought-out analysers with a
long and good reputation. A review in the latest QST magazine showed
the 'Zoom' unit, the latest offering, to be accurate and reliable.
However, it is quite expensive, and some have commented that the features
offered, whilst more colourful on a new screen, are not that different from
earlier, cheaper models like the AA-30 and AA-54.

Because one is often out in the cold and good-sized buttons built onto a
battle-ready case such as enjoyed by the RigExperts, I was very close
indeed to selecting an AA-54.

In the end, I opted for the diminutive SARK-110. With its tiny dimensions
and buttons, this has all the wrong features for me! Except that a QST
review recently found it to return values almost identical to the Array
Solutions reference unit. That, and the fact very many people - myself
included - have found the maker to be very responsive to requests and
questions. The firmware is regularly updated for free to accommodate not
only bug fixes, but entirely new features as well.

Given that one can subtract the feedlines from the SARK-110 calculations
and end-up with a virtual feed point measurement, the ability to use it
inside, where it's warm and clean, isn't such a drawback.

So, it's now within a few miles of its delivery point. I will be reporting
back on progress with it shortly. As you might expect, there's already a
waiting list of antennas, including other people's, to be tested!