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SWR-584C Instruction Manual 

HF/VHF/220MHz SWR Analyzer 

 
1.2  Analyzer Measurement Functions 
 

• 

SWR: 

LCD

 

display and analog meter, Zo = 50

 or Zo programmable 

• 

Complex Impedance: 

Resistive and Reactive components (R ±jX) 

• 

Vector Impedance: 

Z-magnitude plus Phase Angle 

• 

Impedance (Z): 

Analog meter display, Zo=50 

   

• 

Return Loss: 

Digital display, in dB 

• 

Inductance (uH), Reactance (X

L

): 

Digital display with frequency 

   

• 

Capacitance (pF), Reactance (Xc): 

Digital display with frequency 

• 

Resonance: 

Digital and analog reactance null (X=0) with frequency 

• 

Electrical Length:

 Digital, measured in feet.  

• 

Feedline Loss: 

Digital, measured in dB

 

• 

Signal Frequency: 

Discrete counter function with three gate speeds 

• 

Signal Generation: 

20-mW (3-Vpp) output into 50 

, > -25 dBc suppression.  

 
1.3  Theory of Operation: 

The SWR-584C has four basic electronic elements. (1.) A tunable 

VFO

 with counter readout that generates RF signals to energize the load or device under test 

(DUT). (2.) A 

Directional Coupler

 (or bridge) to measure RF incident and reflected voltages 

sent to the load. (3.) A 

Central Processor

 that reads bridge voltages and processes them into 

usable data. (4.) A 

LCD Display

 and two analog meters that present all computed data visually. 

The processor also performs other mathematical calculations and conversions. 
 

                                 

A/D Converter and Processor

VFO

Bridge

Display

Tune

Load
(DUT)

Ant Jack

LCD

Meters

 

 
The SWR-584C will serve as your eyes and ears when working with RF systems. However, all 
handheld analyzers share certain limitations, and being aware of them will help you to achieve 
more meaningful results. 
 

1.4  Local Interference: 

Like most hand-held designs, the SWR-584C uses a broadband 

directional coupler that is open to incoming signals across the radio spectrum. Most of the 
time, the unit's built in +5-dBm RF generator is powerful enough to override any interference 
caused by stray pickup. However, under some circumstances, a powerful nearby transmitter 
could inject enough RF energy through the antenna being tested to overload the coupler and 
disrupt readings. If overload occurs, measurements may become erratic or SWR readings 
inaccurately high. These occurrences are rare, but if it becomes a problem at your particular 
testing location, the 

MFJ-731 Tunable Analyzer Filter

 is especially designed to notch out 

unwanted signals with minimal impact on analyzer accuracy. 
 

Summary of Contents for SWR-584C

Page 1: ...SWR 584C Owner s Manual 300 Industrial Park Road Starkville MS 39759 662 323 5800 CAUTION Read All Instructions Before Operating Equipment HF VHF 220MHz SWR Analyzer VERSION A1...

Page 2: ...11 28 4 7 11 2 1 4 7 1 0 2 1 0 53 1 0 Lower Range TUNE FREQUENCY MHz POWER GATE MODE SWR IMPEDANCE MFJ HF VHF SWR ANALYZER MODEL MFJ 259C ANTENNA GROUND FREQUENCY COUNTER INPUT POWER 13 8 VDC MFJ POST...

Page 3: ...s and processes them into usable data 4 A LCD Display and two analog meters that present all computed data visually The processor also performs other mathematical calculations and conversions A D Conv...

Page 4: ...lly depending on the cable s electrical length and the severity of the load s mismatch referenced to 50 Ohms To collect meaningful impedance data for a device always connect the analyzer directly usin...

Page 5: ...vent leakage For rechargeable power NiCds work well but Ni MH cells have no charge memory hold a charge longer and offer greater storage capacity Before loading new cells always check or know the char...

Page 6: ...rs during a three minute interval the processor registers inactivity and switches into standby or Sleep mode A blinking SLP message on the display signals shutdown see below 2 6 Wake Up Cancel SLP To...

Page 7: ...8 67 11 28 4 7 11 2 1 4 7 1 0 2 1 0 53 1 0 Lower Range TUNE FREQUENCY MHz The VFO Tune capacitor features a reduction driver to provide smooth continuous frequency control with a small amount of overl...

Page 8: ...inductance 5 Frequency MHz Counter mode measures frequency of an external RF source Each menu selection opens with an Identifier Screen After a brief pause a Working Screen appears to present data Th...

Page 9: ...ne always remember the values for R X Z and are displaced values measured at the analyzer s calibration plane and do not represent the actual impedance of the device connected at the far end To read t...

Page 10: ...the Antenna jack Alternatively use the same lead length used in the actual circuit to incorporate stray lead inductance in your measurement Read Reactance Xc in Ohms on top line and Capacitance in pF...

Page 11: ...hms X at a given test frequency and computes inductance in uH To measure inductance Turn on the analyzer and allow it to boot to default mode R X Press Mode three times to access Inductance and wait f...

Page 12: ...uency Counter Mode This function makes the analyzer s frequency readout circuitry available as a discrete frequency counter for your test bench Like many counters sensitivity for locked up readings gr...

Page 13: ...e X 0 In addition it measures Impedance Magnitude Z as the primary display function eliminating the requirement to press and hold down the Gate switch when making those measurements Finally Advanced m...

Page 14: ...open the display will show a high impedance out of range message If a measurable load is connected to the Antenna jack the normal Z Mag data screen appears see below Advanced Identifier Z Mag default...

Page 15: ...eet At the far end of the cable open and shorted terminations yield the best accuracy resistive or reactive terminations can skew results or fail to test You may also test balanced line using this met...

Page 16: ...sonance is defined as the frequency where Capacitive Reactance Xc and Inductive Reactance XL cancel out and equal zero X 0 To access Resonance Mode Connect the DUT to the Antenna jack Enter Advanced M...

Page 17: ...ess Match Efficiency and wait for the working screen Note that if SWR exceeds the analyzer s 25 1 measurement limit this message appears Percentage of Reflected Power To calculate Percentage of Reflec...

Page 18: ...int along the way with little change It s normal to see a small SWR drop when adding cable or an increase when removing it because of resistive loss But if you see big SWR changes when altering feedli...

Page 19: ...shown below Length in Feet 468 Freq in MHz 1 85 Mhz 253 1 925 MHz 243 3 6 MHz 130 3 85 MHz 121 7 7 15 MHz 65 5 10 12 MHz 46 3 14 25 MHz 32 10 18 11 MHz 25 10 21 25 MHz 22 24 93 MHz 18 9 28 5 MHz 16 5...

Page 20: ...s long as the SWR remains below 2 1 As Section 6 1 pointed out your SWR shouldn t change even though the impedance may shift around because of phase rotation in the cable 6 3 Verticals 1 4 Wave Vertic...

Page 21: ...Velocity Factor Vf of an Unknown Cable Finding the Impedance Z of an unknown feedline or Beverage antenna Pre adjusting an antenna tuner Testing RF transformers and baluns for isolation Analyzing RF...

Page 22: ...he Electrical Length of your cable in feet Follow the DTF procedure Your cable s Electrical Length will be the DTF result without a Vf calculated in to the resut see below Label your result LEL for El...

Page 23: ...g these test coax may be piled or coiled on the floor but balanced lines must be isolated as described in Chapter 5 5 Connect Beverage antennas directly to the analyzer Intentional Mismatch Method To...

Page 24: ...orarily patched to the tuner s input using a short cable but many operators prefer to install a manual RF switch to facilitate rapid changeover If you choose to switch the analyzer confirm Your switch...

Page 25: ...igure A Measure SWR while connecting the grounded clip lead to points A B and C Current Balun A well designed current balun will exhibit low SWR over its entire operating range with the clip lead inst...

Page 26: ...pot where adding or subtracting even a tiny amount of capacitance will have the greatest effect To shift the resonance off the critical frequency or out of the band try removing turns to reduce capaci...

Page 27: ...out dated proof of purchase Any evidence of alteration erasure or forgery shall be cause to void any and all warranty terms immediately 2 VECTRONICS agrees to repair or replace at VECTRONICS option wi...

Page 28: ...is given in lieu of any other warranty expressed or implied 9 VECTRONICS reserves the right to make changes or improvements in design or manufacture without incurring any obligation to install such c...

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