When one gadget leads to another, new toys in the shack

This summer I built myself a nice HF go box with the intention of getting out of the city and doing a little portable work where hopefully the noise floor would be much lower. My initial plan was to use a Yaesu ATAS 120a antenna which would give me access to the main bands I want to work (40m - 10m) and I could switch between bands without having to get out of my car and keep making adjustments because the FTdx10 is compatible with the ATAS system.

The only problem with the ATAS 120a is that it’s a very small antenna and therefore, while good, it’s going to always be a little bit compromised. Last week while looking through the ML&S “Used Equipment” page I came across the “Chelegance MC-750” HF Portable Antenna for 40m - 10m. While not ideal in that I will need to make changes to the antenna every time I switch bands, it is a full size antenna and therefore “should” perform better than the ATAS 120a. So I clicked on the “add to cart” button and before I could regret it is was at my front door.

First impression is very good. It’s very well made and comes in a nice carrying case which I like. It’s quick and simple to set up and not intrusive so shouldn’t attract too much attention when I’m out and about.

However, now I have the antenna I need something to check the SWR when it’s being set up. First choice would be something like a RigExpert analyser but they are VERY expensive so for now not really an option. However, a bit of a dig through the tinterweb and I have found a neat little Nano VNA which is going to do the job perfectly for me and it was only £80. It arrived on Monday and a few hours of charging and sitting watching YouTube videos I have gained enough of an understanding to be able to configure and use it when I’m out working portable.

And above all, it’s a lovely little gadget for the shack and as well as performing SWR tests, it can also do a host of other coax and antenna things that could make it very handy.