
MFJ-259D Instruction Manual
HF/VHF SWR Analyzer
16
Antenna
connector center pin. The DUT
must
be suspended and kept away from metallic objects and ground. When
tuning frequency-critical stubs, trim them
gradually
using the method outlined below:
1.) Determine the DUT's target frequency and calculate the length to formula.
2.) Cut the DUT 20% longer than your calculated length.
3.) At the far end, install a short for 1/2λ and even multiples -- or leave it open for 1/4λ and odd multiples.
4.) Tune
VFO
to find the frequency of the lowest
Impedance
null. To fine-tune the null, watch the
Reactance
(X)
digital display and adjust as close to zero as possible. If your calculations were correct and the feedline
Vf
accurate, the null frequency should be about 20% below your target frequency -- reflecting the 20% in added
length.
Continuing:
5.) Divide the
present frequency
by the
desired frequency
to calculate a
Scaling Factor
.
6.) Multiply the
Scaling Factor
by the feed line’s
present
physical length to find the
desired
physical length.
7.) Cut the stub and confirm that the reactance null
(X=0)
is on the desired frequency.
7.2
Velocity Factor of Transmission Lines
To determine the
Velocity Factor
(Vf)
of a transmission line, select the
Distance to Fault
mode by entering the
Advanced
menu and pressing
Mode
twice. The opening screen is shown below:
Coaxial lines
may be piled or coiled on the floor and the analyzer can be operated on external power. Coax lines are
connect to the analyzer's SO-239 connector with the shield grounded. For
balanced line,
run the analyzer on its
internal batteries, keep it a few feet away from other conductors and earth, and do not attach any stray wires (other
than the feedline). Connect the DUT with one lead to the analyzer's ground stud and the other to the
Antenna
center
pin. The DUT
must
be suspended and kept away from metallic objects and ground.
Note that the
far end of the line may be terminated with an open circuit or a short circuit, but should not be
terminated by any other impedance or resistance value.
To compute
Velocity Factor
, you must measure both the
electrical length (DTF)
and the
physical length
of the line.
Velocity factor is calculated by dividing the
physical length
by the
electrical length.
For example, if the analyzer
displays an
electrical length
of 75 feet and the physical length measures 49.5 feet, the velocity factor will be:
Vf =
49.5 / 75 = 0.66
.
To check reliability, make two or more groups of measurements using different starting frequencies spaced at least
one octave apart. If measured distances agree, your result is confirmed. The more frequencies you use for
confirmation, the greater your assurance that the results are correct.
To measure velocity factor:
1.) Connect the DUT and tune the analyzer
VFO
to a frequency where the analog
Impedance
meter nulls and where
reactance displayed on the screen approaches or crosses zero (X=0).
2.) Tap
Gate
once to enter your first
X=0
frequency. The blinking
1st
will change to a blinking
2nd
.
3.) Tune the analyzer higher (or lower) in frequency until the Impedance meter reads the
next
null and the display
again crosses zero. If you can't obtain
X=0
, then a minimum of a few ohms is acceptable.