Re: [Repeater-Builder] Re: [rfamplifiers] Return Loss Bridge Kit
On Wed, 17 Mar 2010, kb8stb wrote: I have an MFJ 269 (i know its not a precision instrument...) but at the hobby level is there any reason for me to think about building this thing? What does it do (even the $498 one) that my 269 dose not? (ignoring the precision issue) I ask in hoping to learn something more about radio and test equipment. I figured out quite by accident one night that an MFJ-259 and a directional coupler can be used with an HP-141T to simulate a tracking spectrum analyzer. By using the analog storage function of the scope, you can verify what the output of the MFJ-259 is when feeding the directional coupler into a dummy load. Then reverse the directional coupler, and the sweep should be flat and low-level if there is a dummy load on the coupler. Finally, you attach the antenna or other device and look at what power is reflected. I had the benefit of being able to do this in a number of different ways, using an isolator shelf with a 250W dummy load, -30dB directional coupler, and my other directional coupler of unknown rating. -- Kris Kirby, KE4AHR Disinformation Analyst
[Repeater-Builder] Re: [rfamplifiers] Return Loss Bridge Kit
It would be nice if *someone or many* on the list would be nice to respond to this. There were other discussions in the past about the RLB, but know one ever responded. I'm hoping that others looking on can gain an education. Thanks, Don, KD9PT - Original Message - From: Don Kupferschmidt To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, March 16, 2010 1:58 PM Subject: Fw: [rfamplifiers] Return Loss Bridge Kit Cross posted to rb list. - Original Message - From: Don Kupferschmidt To: rfamplifi...@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, March 16, 2010 1:57 PM Subject: Re: [rfamplifiers] Return Loss Bridge Kit Jeff Skipp, There's an EBAY auction right now selling Eagle RF return loss bridges for $489.00. Here's the link: http://cgi.ebay.com/EAGLE-RLB150X3-RETURN-LOSS-BRIDGE-5MHZ-1300MHZ_W0QQitemZ380211935016QQcmdZViewItemQQptZBI_Analyzers?hash=item588665b728 You know the old saying, you get what you pay for. Just wondering how the Eagle brand stacks up against the one that Amtronix is selling. Also, are there other comparable units out there for less money? Maybe the list members will chime in with ideas. 73, Don, KD9PT - Original Message - From: skipp025 To: rfamplifi...@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, March 16, 2010 11:18 AM Subject: [rfamplifiers] Return Loss Bridge Kit Group Member Jeff posted this at another location and the info is well worth sharing here. Amtronix (a Test Equipment Repair Facility near Buffalo, NY) is offering a kit form Return Loss Bridge. http://www.amtronix.com/rlb.htm ... and you'll notice the source/reference article/web page. http://www.wetterlin.org/sam/Reflection/Bridge_BalunPlusBeads.pdf I think this is a pretty neat idea/kit. cheers, skipp
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Re: [rfamplifiers] Return Loss Bridge Kit
Don, I cannot speak to the Amtronix, but I use an Eagle RLB150 and can say without reservation that it is an excellent product. I use almost daily for tuning various types of cavities. In fact if you buy an Aeroflex (formerly IFR) radio test set, and order the RLB option what you get is an Eagle. lh On Wed, Mar 17, 2010 at 3:03 AM, Don Kupferschmidt dkupf...@sbcglobal.netwrote: It would be nice if *someone or many* on the list would be nice to respond to this. There were other discussions in the past about the RLB, but know one ever responded. I'm hoping that others looking on can gain an education. Thanks, Don, KD9PT - Original Message - *From:* Don Kupferschmidt dkupf...@sbcglobal.net *To:* Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com *Sent:* Tuesday, March 16, 2010 1:58 PM *Subject:* Fw: [rfamplifiers] Return Loss Bridge Kit Cross posted to rb list. - Original Message - *From:* Don Kupferschmidt dkupf...@sbcglobal.net *To:* rfamplifi...@yahoogroups.com *Sent:* Tuesday, March 16, 2010 1:57 PM *Subject:* Re: [rfamplifiers] Return Loss Bridge Kit Jeff Skipp, There's an EBAY auction right now selling Eagle RF return loss bridges for $489.00. Here's the link: http://cgi.ebay.com/EAGLE-RLB150X3-RETURN-LOSS-BRIDGE-5MHZ-1300MHZ_W0QQitemZ380211935016QQcmdZViewItemQQptZBI_Analyzers?hash=item588665b728 You know the old saying, you get what you pay for. Just wondering how the Eagle brand stacks up against the one that Amtronix is selling. Also, are there other comparable units out there for less money? Maybe the list members will chime in with ideas. 73, Don, KD9PT - Original Message - *From:* skipp025 skipp...@yahoo.com *To:* rfamplifi...@yahoogroups.com *Sent:* Tuesday, March 16, 2010 11:18 AM *Subject:* [rfamplifiers] Return Loss Bridge Kit Group Member Jeff posted this at another location and the info is well worth sharing here. Amtronix (a Test Equipment Repair Facility near Buffalo, NY) is offering a kit form Return Loss Bridge. http://www.amtronix.com/rlb.htm ... and you'll notice the source/reference article/web page. http://www.wetterlin.org/sam/Reflection/Bridge_BalunPlusBeads.pdf I think this is a pretty neat idea/kit. cheers, skipp
[Repeater-Builder] Re: [rfamplifiers] Return Loss Bridge Kit
First thing I would say is that if Rick is selling it, assume it works. I run an Eagle unit and would be glad to do comparison testing if someone would like. I have run a number of tests with the Eagle on various pieces of equipment and could repeat some of the same tests with the Amtronix unit. The Eagle unit came in a complete kit for the HP service monitor including cables, precision load and short and two attenuators. http://www.eagle-1st.com/kits.nsf/F221!OpenFrameSet My experience with the Eagle is also tied to the RFT-1000 program / HP service monitor. http://aa9nv.r2i.net/HP8924C.htm The Eagle unit has performed flawlessly on the HP and the IFR service monitors even after traveling between DC and Wisconsin on many trips. Should buy Rick's unit and leave it up North. :) Travis AA9NV --- In Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com, Don Kupferschmidt dkupf...@... wrote: It would be nice if *someone or many* on the list would be nice to respond to this. There were other discussions in the past about the RLB, but know one ever responded. I'm hoping that others looking on can gain an education. Thanks, Don, KD9PT - Original Message - From: Don Kupferschmidt To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, March 16, 2010 1:58 PM Subject: Fw: [rfamplifiers] Return Loss Bridge Kit Cross posted to rb list. - Original Message - From: Don Kupferschmidt To: rfamplifi...@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, March 16, 2010 1:57 PM Subject: Re: [rfamplifiers] Return Loss Bridge Kit Jeff Skipp, There's an EBAY auction right now selling Eagle RF return loss bridges for $489.00. Here's the link: http://cgi.ebay.com/EAGLE-RLB150X3-RETURN-LOSS-BRIDGE-5MHZ-1300MHZ_W0QQitemZ380211935016QQcmdZViewItemQQptZBI_Analyzers?hash=item588665b728 You know the old saying, you get what you pay for. Just wondering how the Eagle brand stacks up against the one that Amtronix is selling. Also, are there other comparable units out there for less money? Maybe the list members will chime in with ideas. 73, Don, KD9PT - Original Message - From: skipp025 To: rfamplifi...@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, March 16, 2010 11:18 AM Subject: [rfamplifiers] Return Loss Bridge Kit Group Member Jeff posted this at another location and the info is well worth sharing here. Amtronix (a Test Equipment Repair Facility near Buffalo, NY) is offering a kit form Return Loss Bridge. http://www.amtronix.com/rlb.htm ... and you'll notice the source/reference article/web page. http://www.wetterlin.org/sam/Reflection/Bridge_BalunPlusBeads.pdf I think this is a pretty neat idea/kit. cheers, skipp
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Re: [rfamplifiers] Return Loss Bridge Kit
Some time ago, someone posted about making their own return loss bridge using an HP directional coupler. I thought that I'd saved the information, but cannot find it. The cost was reported to be less than $50 using a surplus coupler. Chuck WB2EDV - On Wed, Mar 17, 2010 at 3:03 AM, Don Kupferschmidt dkupf...@sbcglobal.net wrote: It would be nice if *someone or many* on the list would be nice to respond to this. There were other discussions in the past about the RLB, but know one ever responded. I'm hoping that others looking on can gain an education. Thanks, Don, KD9PT Yahoo! Groups Links * To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Repeater-Builder/ * Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional * To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Repeater-Builder/join (Yahoo! ID required) * To change settings via email: repeater-builder-dig...@yahoogroups.com repeater-builder-fullfeatu...@yahoogroups.com * To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: repeater-builder-unsubscr...@yahoogroups.com * Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
RE: [Repeater-Builder] Re: [rfamplifiers] Return Loss Bridge Kit
How about this. I'll ask Rick if he'll send me a demo unit, and I'll compare it to my Eagle, using my VNA as the reference (Agilent E5070B). --- Jeff First thing I would say is that if Rick is selling it, assume it works. I run an Eagle unit and would be glad to do comparison testing if someone would like. I have run a number of tests with the Eagle on various pieces of equipment and could repeat some of the same tests with the Amtronix unit. The Eagle unit came in a complete kit for the HP service monitor including cables, precision load and short and two attenuators. http://www.eagle-1st.com/kits.nsf/F221 http://www.eagle-1st.com/kits.nsf/F221 !OpenFrameSet My experience with the Eagle is also tied to the RFT-1000 program / HP service monitor. http://aa9nv.r2i.net/HP8924C.htm http://aa9nv.r2i.net/HP8924C.htm The Eagle unit has performed flawlessly on the HP and the IFR service monitors even after traveling between DC and Wisconsin on many trips. Should buy Rick's unit and leave it up North. :) Travis AA9NV --- In Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com mailto:Repeater-Builder%40yahoogroups.com , Don Kupferschmidt dkupf...@... wrote: It would be nice if *someone or many* on the list would be nice to respond to this. There were other discussions in the past about the RLB, but know one ever responded. I'm hoping that others looking on can gain an education. Thanks, Don, KD9PT - Original Message - From: Don Kupferschmidt To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com mailto:Repeater-Builder%40yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, March 16, 2010 1:58 PM Subject: Fw: [rfamplifiers] Return Loss Bridge Kit Cross posted to rb list. - Original Message - From: Don Kupferschmidt To: rfamplifi...@yahoogroups.com mailto:rfamplifiers%40yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, March 16, 2010 1:57 PM Subject: Re: [rfamplifiers] Return Loss Bridge Kit Jeff Skipp, There's an EBAY auction right now selling Eagle RF return loss bridges for $489.00. Here's the link: http://cgi.ebay.com/EAGLE-RLB150X3-RETURN-LOSS-BRIDGE-5MHZ-130 0MHZ_W0QQitemZ380211935016QQcmdZViewItemQQptZBI_Analyzers? hash=item588665b728 http://cgi.ebay.com/EAGLE-RLB150X3-RETURN-LOSS-BRIDGE-5MHZ-13 00MHZ_W0QQitemZ380211935016QQcmdZViewItemQQptZBI_Analyzers? hash=item588665b728 You know the old saying, you get what you pay for. Just wondering how the Eagle brand stacks up against the one that Amtronix is selling. Also, are there other comparable units out there for less money? Maybe the list members will chime in with ideas. 73, Don, KD9PT - Original Message - From: skipp025 To: rfamplifi...@yahoogroups.com mailto:rfamplifiers%40yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, March 16, 2010 11:18 AM Subject: [rfamplifiers] Return Loss Bridge Kit Group Member Jeff posted this at another location and the info is well worth sharing here. Amtronix (a Test Equipment Repair Facility near Buffalo, NY) is offering a kit form Return Loss Bridge. http://www.amtronix.com/rlb.htm http://www.amtronix.com/rlb.htm ... and you'll notice the source/reference article/web page. http://www.wetterlin.org/sam/Reflection/Bridge_BalunPlusBeads. pdf http://www.wetterlin.org/sam/Reflection/Bridge_BalunPlusBeads.pdf I think this is a pretty neat idea/kit. cheers, skipp No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.733 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2748 - Release Date: 03/17/10 03:33:00
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Re: [rfamplifiers] Return Loss Bridge Kit
That would be ideal. Then everyone would know how the Eagle stands up against a serious piece of test equipment, as well as how Rick's model does. I'm betting that Rick's will hold it's own against the Eagle (which I've always thought was overpriced.) Chuck WB2EDV - Original Message - From: Jeff DePolo j...@broadsci.com To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Sent: Wednesday, March 17, 2010 9:32 AM Subject: RE: [Repeater-Builder] Re: [rfamplifiers] Return Loss Bridge Kit How about this. I'll ask Rick if he'll send me a demo unit, and I'll compare it to my Eagle, using my VNA as the reference (Agilent E5070B). --- Jeff
[Repeater-Builder] Re: [rfamplifiers] Return Loss Bridge Kit
Hoping not to sound to dumb I have an MFJ 269 (i know its not a precision instrument...) but at the hobby level is there any reason for me to think about building this thing? What does it do (even the $498 one) that my 269 dose not? (ignoring the precision issue) I ask in hoping to learn something more about radio and test equipment. Thanks Steve KB8STB --- In Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com, Don Kupferschmidt dkupf...@... wrote: It would be nice if *someone or many* on the list would be nice to respond to this. There were other discussions in the past about the RLB, but know one ever responded. I'm hoping that others looking on can gain an education. Thanks, Don, KD9PT
RE: [Repeater-Builder] Re: [rfamplifiers] Return Loss Bridge Kit
Rick said he'd send me one. He's in the midst of making some design improvements which he hopes will result in about 5 dB better directivity than the original design. He also said he's probably going to change to a type N connector for the DUT port (a good idea). He's about to ship the last of the stock he has, so it will be about two weeks before he gets me a unit for evaluation. --- Jeff WN3A -Original Message- From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com [mailto:repeater-buil...@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Chuck Kelsey Sent: Wednesday, March 17, 2010 9:38 AM To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] Re: [rfamplifiers] Return Loss Bridge Kit That would be ideal. Then everyone would know how the Eagle stands up against a serious piece of test equipment, as well as how Rick's model does. I'm betting that Rick's will hold it's own against the Eagle (which I've always thought was overpriced.) Chuck WB2EDV - Original Message - From: Jeff DePolo j...@broadsci.com mailto:jd0%40broadsci.com To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com mailto:Repeater-Builder%40yahoogroups.com Sent: Wednesday, March 17, 2010 9:32 AM Subject: RE: [Repeater-Builder] Re: [rfamplifiers] Return Loss Bridge Kit How about this. I'll ask Rick if he'll send me a demo unit, and I'll compare it to my Eagle, using my VNA as the reference (Agilent E5070B). --- Jeff No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.733 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2748 - Release Date: 03/17/10 03:33:00
