Palstar ZM-30, Operating Manual, Page: 9 / 15

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5.0 Basic Usage
The ZM-30 antenna analyzer is an extremely useful instrument to have around the ham shack or homebrewer’s
workbench. The analyzer is suitable to serve in the following ways:
Antenna measurements:
The antenna is simply connected to the analyzer antenna terminal and the analyzer is set to the desired frequency.
The readout gives the resultant SWR, impedance, reactance and resistance. If the frequency is tuned across a ham
band, the minimum SWR point (resonance) can be found as well as the SWR end points (usually 2:1) yielding the
bandwidth of the antenna system.
Measure feed point impedance of antenna:
Connecting the analyzer directly at the antenna terminals or remotely through a half-wavelength of transmission line
allows direct measurement of the antenna terminal impedance. This is often useful with vertical antennas.
A matching network can be connected to the antenna and then adjusted for best SWR on the analyzer.
Measure ground loss:
With short vertical antennas measuring the impedance directly at the feedpoint allows estimation of ground loss or
loading coil loss. For example a ¼ wave vertical will have a resistance of about 36 ohms at resonance. Any higher
reading indicates ground loss. Similarly shorter antennas (when resonated) will have lower resistance values.
Reading a good SWR may mean excess loss and measuring the actual impedance allows gauging just how much
loss.
Adjust antenna tuners:
The analyzer can be used to adjust an antenna tuner for a perfect match without the need to transmit a strong signal
from the station rig. The analyzer uses only milliwatts of power lessening the possibility of causing interference.
Measure inductors, capacitors and tuned circuits :
The analyzer can measure the values of inductors and capacitors connected across its antenna terminal. Series
resonance of a tuned circuit can be accurately measured. The series combination is connected across the analyzer
antenna terminal and the analyzer is tuned for the lowest resistance. The frequency where this occurs is the resonant
frequency.
Measure coax transmission line factors:
SWR, length, velocity factor, loss, resonant frequency, and impedance
Measure and determine optimum settings for tuning stubs:
SWR, resonant frequency, bandwidth, impedance
Measure and determine optimum settings for tuning stubs:
Resonant frequency