well, acording to the instructions I have, there isn't anything really 
special about any of the components except the freq mite.
So, perhaps that was the special chip he was talking about.
Well, at least you tried right?

73
Colin, V A6BKX
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Butch Bussen" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, May 11, 2013 9:30 PM
Subject: Re: Audible SWR meters, Analyzers, and DXCC antenna


>I boughtone of those and had a friend who said he'd modify it for me as
> per the article in qst 4 or 5 years ago.  It appears to use a very
> special chip and he still hasn't built it, guess I'll scratch that
> one...
> 73
> Butch
> WA0VJR
> Node 3148
> Wallace, ks.
>
>
> On Sat, 11 May 2013, John Miller wrote:
>
>> The 209 will go to VHF. I have one though it's not modified, because of 
>> what
>> you say I don't know anyone willing to modify it and I'm not comfortable
>> doing it.
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Colin McDonald" <[log in to unmask]>
>> To: <[log in to unmask]>
>> Sent: Saturday, May 11, 2013 10:07 PM
>> Subject: Re: Audible SWR meters, Analyzers, and DXCC antenna
>>
>>
>>> an antenna analyzer is a device that transmits a tiny bit of RF into an
>>> antenna, and reads the reflected power, SWR and other variables 
>>> depending
>>> on
>>> the unit.
>>> You don't tune them for anything other than frequency...it doesn't go in
>>> line with the radio or anything.  They are stand alone devices that
>>> connect
>>> directly to the antenna.
>>> Usually you select the band you want to check the antenna on, and use a
>>> VFO
>>> style dial to tune the frequency until you ssee a dip in the SWR...or a
>>> dip
>>> down to 50ohms or whatever measurement you are looking at.
>>> The high end ones are auto ranging and will show the min/max swr stuff 
>>> as
>>> required.
>>>
>>> So, there was one model, the MFJ 209 I think analyzer that was
>>> successfully
>>> modified using a freqmite CW output frequency counter, and a voltage
>>> controled oscelator.
>>> You turned the frequency knob with the VCO turned on and foundd the null
>>> and
>>> zero nulled the tone.  Then, you checked the frequency with the freq 
>>> mite
>>> to
>>> see where the most resonant frequency occured.
>>> Unfortunately, this was only possible on the MFJ 209 antenna analyzer 
>>> and
>>> it
>>> was a pretty invasive modification.  This analyzer still goes for a 
>>> couple
>>> hundred bucks on the used market, and it's hard to find someone with the
>>> technical expertees to install the modification properly.
>>> Also, the MFJ 209 is difficult to find, and it only works for HF
>>> frequencies
>>> I believe.
>>> With tuners and HF being more forgiving, an antenna analyzer is really
>>> only
>>> particularly useful for tuning VHF/UHF antennas, and mobile antennas for
>>> max
>>> resonance.
>>> The newer MFJ 249, 259 and 269 analyzers work in a similar way to the 
>>> 209,
>>> but they are unable to be modified using the original plan.  These
>>> analyzers
>>> will do VHF on the 249, and UHF as well on the 259 and 269 units.
>>> I believe I did hear that a 249 was modified, but there was something 
>>> that
>>> was unstable or questionable about it.
>>> You also had to add more mods to the unit to switch the frequency 
>>> counter
>>> to
>>> read VHF frequencies.
>>> So, the cat has been out of the bag for a good long while with regard to
>>> an
>>> accessible antenna analyzer.  The issue was that an analyzer is not a
>>> cheap
>>> piece of equipment, the original ham who did the mods stopped, and I 
>>> think
>>> parts became difficult to aquire IE the freq mite.
>>> Also, with the updated analyzers the original plan doesn't work, so it
>>> kind
>>> of fizzled.
>>> I don't know anyone on list who actually had or has one of these units, 
>>> or
>>> if anyone had them after the initial unit was modified.
>>> there are audio and text file instructions on how to do this entire mod 
>>> if
>>> you can find a 209, a cw or voice frequency counter and can get in and
>>> make
>>> all the mods.  Or, you know someone who doesn't mind putting the time 
>>> and
>>> expertees into it.
>>> I'm not sure if the HamPod technology could somehow be used with newer
>>> analyzer devices that provide a serial data output...perhaps.
>>> The issue of course, is that these newer units with data output are as
>>> expensive, or more so than a brand new ts590.  So not allot of people 
>>> who
>>> may have the technical expertees and know how, can actually aford to
>>> either
>>> modify their own unit, or buy one to play with.  And, again, allot of 
>>> guys
>>> say they'd love something like this, but if it's going to cost a grand 
>>> or
>>> two, they will forgo the accessibility.
>>> At the end of the day, you can buy an MFJ 269 for 500 bucks and get a
>>> willing set of eyes to help for that once or twice a year you actually
>>> need
>>> the thing.
>>> How many here would pay $600 for a mostly accessible antenna analyzer?
>>> Because that was about how much the MFJ209 was with the mods done to it.
>>> The proof is in the pudding that no one wanted to and that is part of 
>>> the
>>> reason why it didn't go anywhere originally.
>>>
>>> I know lots  of guys would spend probably a couple hundred for something
>>> that was accessible and did the trick, but even a new unmodified antenna
>>> analyzer isn't cheap
>>>
>>> Our ham club has an MFJ269 as part of the club's equipment and any 
>>> member
>>> has access to it upon request for tuning mobile or vertical antennas 
>>> etc.
>>> So, even hams who can see the thing are unwilling to lay out allot of 
>>> cash
>>> for one.
>>>
>>> 73
>>> Colin, V A6BKX
>>
>>