AA-35 ZOOM

Antenna and cable

RigExpert ®
analyzer

User’s manual
.
 Table of contents

Introduction 4
Operating the AA-35 ZOOM 5
First time use 5
Main menu 5
Multifunctional keys 6
Connecting to your antenna 6
SWR chart 7
Chart ZOOM 7
Data screen 8
Frequency and range entry 8
R,X chart 9
Memory operation 10
SWR mode 10
Display all parameters 11
Applications 12
Antennas 12
Coaxial lines 13
Measurement of other elements 20
Annexes 23
Annex 1: Specifications 23
Annex 2: Precautions 24
Annex 3: Setup menu 26
Introduction
1

Thank you for purchasing a RigExpert

AA-35 ZOOM Antenna and Cable Analyzer!
We did our best to make it powerful yet easy
to use.
The analyzer is designed for measuring SWR
(standing wave ratio), return loss, as well
as other parameters of cable and antenna 2
systems in the range of 60 kHz to 35 MHz.
A built-in ZOOM capability makes graphical
measurements especially effective.

The following tasks are easily accomplished 3

by using this analyzer:
• Rapid check-out of an antenna
• Tuning an antenna to resonance
• Comparing characteristics of an antenna
before and after specific event (rain,
hurricane, etc.)
• Making coaxial stubs or measuring their
parameters 4
• Measuring capacitance or inductance of
1. Antenna connector
reactive loads
2. Liquid crystal display
3. Keypad
4. USB connector

4 User’s manual
First time use Operating the
Please insert two AA batteries AA-35 ZOOM
(only alkaline or Ni-MH ones) into
the battery compartment of the
analyzer, watching the polarity.
Instead, you may power it from a spare USB port of your computer by using a
conventional USB cable.
Press the (Power) key located at the bottom-right corner of the keypad to turn
on the analyzer. After displaying the initial message (showing a firmware version and a
serial number of the instrument), a Main menu appears on the screen.

Do not use Li-ion or other batteries with voltage more than 1.5 V.

The analyzer will be turned off automatically if not in use for too long.

Main menu
The Main menu acts as a starting point
from where different tasks may be
launched.

Use (Cursor up) and (Cursor

down) keys to scroll through the menu,
then press (OK) to select an item.
For your convenience, a battery
indicator is shown at the top-left corner
of the screen. This indicator is replaced
with a USB icon when the analyzer is
connected to your computer.

You may use hot keys for the quick access to certain tasks. For instance, press
the (SWR chart) button to open the SWR chart screen immediately.

RigExpert AA-35 ZOOM 5

Multifunctional keys
Most keys on the analyzer’s keypad perform
several functions. 3 1
For instance, numbers (1) are used to enter
frequency and other numerical parameters.
Main functions (2) provide quick access to most
common tasks. Alternative functions (3) are
executed if the user holds the (Functional) 2
key. For the convenience, alternative functions
are marked with yellow.

You may press the (Help) key to open a help screen listing all active hot keys.

Connecting to your antenna

Plug the cable to your analyzer’s antenna connector, and then tighten the rotating
sleeve. The rest of the connector, as well as the cable, should remain stationary.

If you twist other parts of the connector when tightening or loosening, damage may
easily occur. Twisting is not allowed by design of the UHF-connector.

6 User’s manual
 SWR chart
Once your antenna is connected to
the analyzer, it is time to measure its
characteristics. Press the (SWR
chart) key to open the SWR chart screen,
then press (OK) to start a new
measurement.
A few moments later, the result will be
displayed on the analyzer’s screen.

Press the + key combination to

run a continuous sweep.

A small triangle at the bottom of the chart corresponds to a point at which the SWR
reaches its minimum.

Chart ZOOM
Use the arrow keys to increase or decrease the center frequency or the scanning range.
Watch the chart zooming in or out, or changing its position. Use the (Functional
key) and (Cursor up) or (Cursor down) key combination to zoom the vertical
scale of the chart.

Do not forget to press the (OK) key for the new measurement to start.

Press (Functional key) and to quickly choose a radio amateur band.

RigExpert AA-35 ZOOM 7

Data screen
The data screen is available in all chart
modes. Press the (Data) key to
display various parameters of a load at
cursor.

Frequency
and range entry
To enter the center frequency or the
sweep range, press the (Frequency,
Range) key.

Use cursor keys to navigate, or the

to keys to enter values. Do not forget
to press the (OK) key to apply.

Press (Up) or (Down) cursor keys while holding

the (Functional) key to quickly choose a radio amateur band.

8 User’s manual
 R,X chart
Press the (R,X chart) key in the Main
menu to access the R,X chart mode.

Positive values of reactance (X)

correspond to inductive load, while
negative values correspond to capacitive
load.

The chart will display R and X for series

or parallel models of a load. Press
(Functional key) and to switch
between these models.

The marker at the bottom of the screen shows a resonant

frequency closest to the center of the scan.

RigExpert AA-35 ZOOM 9

Memory operation
Press the (Save) key to save the
chart into one of 10 available memory
slots.

To retrieve your readings from the

memory, press then (Load) key,
select a memory slot number and press
(OK).

To rename any existing memory slot, press (Functional key)

and (Edit) key combination.

SWR mode
To watch the SWR at a single frequency,
press the (SWR) key.

Do not forget to press the (OK)

key to start or stop the measurement.
Change the frequency with (Left)
or (Right) cursor keys, or press
the (Frequency) key to enter a new
frequency.

The SWR icon in the top-left corner flashes

when the measurement is performed.

10 User’s manual
 Display all parameters
To display various parameters of a load
on a single screen, press the (All)
key.

Do not be confused by negative values of L or C. This can be useful for

experienced users.

This screen displays values for series as well as parallel models

of impedance of a load.

• In the series model, impedance is • In the parallel model, impedance is

expressed as resistance and reactance expressed as resistance and reactance
connected in series: connected in parallel:

R
Z = R + jX Z = R ||+ jX R X
X

RigExpert AA-35 ZOOM 11

Applications

Antennas
Checking the antenna

It is a good idea to check an antenna

before connecting it to the receiving or
transmitting equipment. The SWR chart
mode is good for this purpose.

The picture on the left shows the SWR

chart of a HF antenna. The operating
frequency is 14.3 MHz. The SWR at
this frequency is about 1.3, which is
acceptable.

The next screen shot shows SWR chart

of another antenna. The actual resonant
frequency is about 14.65 MHz, which is
too far from the desired one. The SWR at
14.3 MHz is 2.8, which is not acceptable
in most cases.

12 User’s manual
Adjusting the antenna

When the measurement diagnoses that the antenna is off the desired frequency, the
analyzer can help in adjusting it. Physical dimensions of a simple antenna (such as a
dipole) can be adjusted knowing the actual resonant frequency and the desired one.
Other types of antennas may contain more than one element to adjust (including
coils, filters, etc.), so this method will not work. Instead, you may use the SWR mode
or the All parameters mode to continuously see the results while adjusting various
parameters of the antenna.

Coaxial lines
Open- and short-circuited cables
The pictures on the right show R and
X charts for a piece of cable with
open- and short-circuited far end. A
resonant frequency is a point at which X
(reactance) equals to zero:
• In the open-circuited case, resonant
frequencies correspond to (left
to right) 1/4, 3/4, 5/4, etc. of the
wavelength in this cable;
• For the short-circuited cable, these
points are located at 1/2, 1, 3/2, etc.
of the wavelength.

RigExpert AA-35 ZOOM 13

Cable length measurement
Resonant frequencies of a cable depend on its length as well as on the velocity factor.

A velocity factor is a parameter which characterizes the slowdown of the speed of

the wave in the cable compared to vacuum. The speed of wave (or light) in vacuum is
known as the electromagnetic constant: c =299,792,458 meters (or 983,571,056 feet)
per second.

Each type of cable has different velocity factor: for instance, for RG-58 it is 0.66.
Notice that this parameter may vary depending on the manufacturing process and
materials the cable is made of.

To measure the physical length of a cable,

1. Locate a resonant frequency by using the R,X chart.

Example:

The 1/4-wave resonant frequency of a

piece of open-circuited RG-58 cable is
4100 kHz.

299,792,458 × 0.66 = 2. Knowing the electromagnetic

197,863,022 meters per second constant and the velocity factor of the
particular type of cable, find the speed of
- or -
electromagnetic wave in this cable.
983,571,056 × 0.66 =
649,156,897 feet per second

14 User’s manual
3. Calculate the physical length of the 197,863,022 / 4,100,000 ×(1/4) =
cable by dividing the above speed by 12.06 meters
the resonant frequency (in Hz) and
- or -
multiplying the result by the number
which corresponds to the location of this 649,156,897 / 4,100,000 ×(1/4) =
resonant frequency (1/4, 1/2, 3/4, 1, 5/4, 39.58 feet
etc.)

Velocity factor measurement

For a known resonant frequency and physical length of a cable, the actual value of the
velocity factor can be easily measured:

1. Locate a resonant frequency as Example:

described above. 5 meters (16.4 feet) of open-circuited
cable. Resonant frequency is 9400 kHz
at the 1/4-wave point.

2. Calculate the speed of electromagnetic 5 / (1/4) × 9,400,000 =

wave in this cable. Divide the length 188,000,000 meters per second
by 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, etc. (depending on the
- or -
location of the resonant frequency), then
multiply by the resonant frequency (in 16.4 / (1/4) × 9,400,000 =
Hz). 616,640,000 feet per second

3. Finally, find the velocity factor. 188,000,000 / 299,792,458 = 0.63

Just divide the above speed by the - or -
electromagnetic constant.
616,640,000 / 983,571,056 = 0.63

RigExpert AA-35 ZOOM 15

Cable fault location

To locate the position of a probable fault in a cable, just use the same method as when
measuring its length. Watch the behavior of the reactive component (X) near the zero
frequency:

• If the value of X is moving from –∞ to 0, the cable is open-circuited:

• If the value of X is moving from 0 to +∞ , the cable is short-circuited:

16 User’s manual
Making 1/4-λ, 1/2-λ and other coaxial stubs

Pieces of cable of certain electrical

Example:
length are often used as components of
baluns (balancing units), transmission 1/4-λ stub for 28.2 MHz, cable is RG-
line transformers or delay lines. To make 58 (velocity factor is 0.66)
a stub of the predetermined electrical
length,
1. Calculate the physical length. Divide 299,792,458 / 28,200,000 × 0.66 ×
the electromagnetic constant by the (1/4) = 1.75 meters
required frequency (in Hz). Multiply the
- or -
result by the velocity factor of the cable,
then multiply by the desired ratio (in 983,571,056 / 28,200,000 × 0.66 ×
respect to λ). (1/4) = 5.75 feet
2. Cut a piece of cable slightly longer than
this value. Connect it to the analyzer. The A piece of 1.85 m (6.07 ft) was cut.
cable must be open-circuited at the far The margin is 10 cm (0.33 ft). The
end for 1/4-λ, 3/4-λ, etc. stubs, and cable is open-circuited at the far end.
short-circuited for 1/2-λ, λ, 3/2-λ, etc.
ones.

3. Switch the analyzer to the All

28,200 kHz was set.
parameters measurement mode. Set the
frequency the stub is designed for.

4. Cut little pieces (1/10 to 1/5 of the

11 cm (0.36 ft) were cut off.
margin) from the far end of the cable
until the X value falls to zero (or changes
its sign). Do not forget to restore the
open-circuit, if needed.

RigExpert AA-35 ZOOM 17

Measuring the characteristic impedance

The characteristic impedance is one of the main parameters of any coaxial cable.
Usually, its value is printed on the cable by the manufacturer. However, in certain cases
the exact value of the characteristic impedance is unknown or is in question.

To measure the characteristic impedance of a cable,

1. Connect a non-inductive resistor

Example 1: 50-Ohm cable with 100
to the far end of the cable. The exact
Ohm resistor at the far end.
value of this resistor is not important.
However, it is recommended to use 50 to Example 2: Unknown cable with 100
100 Ohm resistors. Ohm resistor at the far end.

2. Enter the R,X chart mode and make

measurement in a reasonably large
frequency range (for instance, 0 to 35
MHz).

Example 1: Example 2:
50-Ohm cable Unknown cable

18 User’s manual
3. Changing the display range and
Example 1:
performing additional scans, find a
11.54 MHz – min., 22.8 MHz – max.
frequency where R (resistance) reaches
its maximum, and another frequency Example 2:
with minimum. At these points, X 60 kHz – max., 28.7MHz – min.
(reactance) will cross the zero line.

4. Switch to the Data at cursor screen Example 1:

by pressing the (Data) key and 27.2 Ohm – min., 94.3 Ohm – max.
find values of R at previously found Example 2:
frequencies. 105.0 Ohm – max, 37.9 Ohm – min.

5. Calculate the square root of the Example 1:

product of these two values. square root of (27.2 × 94.3) =
50.7 Ohm
Example 2:
square root of (105.0 × 37.9) =
63.1 Ohm

RigExpert AA-35 ZOOM 19

Measurement of other elements
Although RigExpert AA-35 ZOOM is designed for use with antennas and antenna-
feeder paths, it may be successfully used to measure parameters of other RF elements.

Capacitors and inductors

The analyzer can measure capacitance from a few pF to about 0.1 μF as well as
inductance from a few nH to about 100 μH. Since measuring of capacitance and
inductance is not a main purpose of RigExpert analyzers, the user will have to gain
some experience in such measurements.

Be sure to place the capacitor or the inductor as close as possible to the RF connector
of the analyzer.

1. Enter the R,X chart mode and select a reasonably large scanning range. Perform a
scan.

Example 1: Example 2:
Unknown capacitor Unknown inductor

20 User’s manual
2. By using left and right arrow keys, scroll to the frequency where X is -25…-100 Ohm
for capacitors or 25…100 Ohm for inductors. Change the scanning range and perform
additional scans, if needed.

3. Switch to the Data at cursor screen by pressing the key and read the value of
capacitance or inductance.

Example 1: Example 2:
Unknown capacitor Unknown inductor

Transformers
RigExpert analyzers can also be used for checking RF transformers. Connect a 50 Ohm
resistor to the secondary coil (for 1:1 transformers) and use SWR chart or R,X chart
modes to check the frequency response of the transformer. Similarly, use resistors
with other values for non-1:1 transformers.

RigExpert AA-35 ZOOM 21

Traps
A trap is usually a resonant L-C network used in multi-band antennas. By using a
simple one-turn wire coil, a resonant frequency of a trap may be measured.

Example:
A coaxial trap constructed of 5 turns
of TV cable (coil diameter is 6 cm) was
measured.

A one-turn coil (about 10 cm in

diameter) connected to the analyzer
was placed, co-axially, a few
centimeters away from the measured
trap. The SWR chart shows a visible
dip at 17.46 MHz, which is a resonant
frequency of the trap.

22 User’s manual
 Annex 1
Specifications

Frequency range: 0.06 to 35 MHz Power:

Frequency entry: 1 kHz resolution • Two 1.5V alkaline batteries, type AA
• Two 1.2V Ni-MH batteries, type AA
Measurement for 25, 50, 75 and • Max. 4 hours of continuous
100-Ohm systems measurement, max. 2 days in stand-
SWR measurement range: by mode when fully charged batteries
• 1 to 100 in numerical modes are used
• 1 to 10 in chart modes • When the analyzer is connected to a
SWR display: numerical or analog PC or a DC adapter with USB socket, it
indicator takes power from these sources
R and X range: Interface:
• 0…10000, -10000…10000 Ohm • 320×240 color TFT display
in numerical modes • 6x3 keys on the water-proof keypad
• 0…1000, -1000…1000 Ohm in chart • Multilingual menus and help screens
modes • USB connection to a personal
computer
Display modes:
• SWR, return loss, R, X, Z, L, C Dimensions: 103 × 207 × 37 mm
at single frequency (4.1 × 8.1 × 1.4 in)
• SWR chart, 100 points Operating temperature: 0…40 °C
• R, X chart, 100 points (32…104 °F)
RF output: Weight: 310 g (10.9 oz) w/o batteries
• Connector type: UHF (SO-239) Warranty: 2 years
• Output signal shape: square, 0.06 to
35 MHz
• Output power: +13 dBm (at 50 Ohm RigExpert AA-35 ZOOM is
load) made in Ukraine.

RigExpert AA-35 ZOOM 23

Annex 2
Precautions

Never connect the analyzer to your antenna in thunderstorms.

Lightning strikes as well as static discharge may kill the operator.

Never leave the analyzer connected to your antenna after you fin-
ished operating it. Occasional lightning strikes or nearby trans-
mitters may permanently damage it.

Never inject RF signal or DC voltage into the antenna connector of

the analyzer. Do not connect it to your antenna if you have active
transmitters nearby.

Avoid static discharge while connecting a cable to the analyzer. It

is recommended to ground the cable before connecting it.

Do not leave the analyzer in active measurement mode when you

are not actually using it. This may cause interference to nearby
receivers.

If using a personal computer, first connect the cable to the antenna

connector of the analyzer, then plug the analyzer to the computer
USB port. This will protect the analyzer from static discharges.

24 User’s manual
Self tests
There are several built-in self tests in the
AA-35 ZOOM analyzer, which can be run
by the user to make sure the analyzer is
working properly.

Make sure all cables or adapters

are disconnected from the antenna
connector of your analyzer, then press
(OK) to start the first test (Detector
test).

You should see the “Passed” message in

case of success.

Continue with two more tests: the second

(Built-in filter test) and the third (Test
with load). For the third test, make sure
to connect a good 50 Ohm load directly
to the analyzer’s antenna connector.

RigExpert AA-35 ZOOM 25

Annex 3
Setup menu

For the quick access to the Setup menu,

press the + key combination.

There are several settings in the Setup

menu:
• Language – select a language for the
analyzer’s menus
• Palette – choose a color scheme
• Battery – select a power consumption
scheme
• Sound – select sound volume
• Sys. imp. – select system impedance
(25, 50, 75 or 100 Ohm) which affects
SWR and return loss readings.
• Units – select metric (meters) or
imperial (feet) units
• Bands – select region for highlighting
of radio amateur bands
• Cable vel. factor – choose a velocity
factor of the coaxial cable for the TDR
mode
• Freq. corr. – frequency correction of
the analyzer’s oscillator
• Reset settings – reset the analyzer to
factory defaults
• Clear saved charts – clear all memory
slots

26 User’s manual
 EC DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY
In accordance with EN ISO 17050-1: 2004
We, Rig Expert Ukraine Ltd. of 2 Solomenska Ploscha, Kyiv, 03035, Ukraine
Declare under our sole responsibility that the product:
Equipment Antenna and cable analyser
Brand name RigExpert
Model number AA-35 ZOOM

to which this declaration relates, is in conformity with the following standards and / or other
normative documents:
Reference No.: Title: Edition / Date:

IEC61000-4-2 Testing and measurement techniques - 2008

Electrostatic discharge immunity test
IEC 61000-4-3 Testing and measurement techniques - 2010
Radiated, radio-frequency, electromagnetic
field immunity test
EN 55011 Industrial, scientific and medical 2010
equipment. Radio-frequency disturbance
characteristics. Limits and methods of
measurement.
EN 60950-1 Information technology equipment. Safety. 2006
General requirements.

We hereby declare that the above named product is in conformity to all the applicable essential
requirements of directive 2004/108/EC (the EMC Directive).
The technical documentation relevant to the above equipment will be held at:
TESTSVYAZ LLP, Suite 1, 5 Percy Street, Fitzrovia, London, W1T 1DG, The United Kingdom
/Denys Nechytailov/ August 28, 2018
Director

RigExpert AA-35 ZOOM 27

For private households: Information on Disposal for Users of WEEE
This symbol on the product(s) and / or accompanying documents means
that used electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) should not be mixed
with general household waste. For proper treatment, recovery and recycling,
please take this product(s) to designated collection points where it will be
accepted free of charge.
Alternatively, in some countries, you may be able to return your products to your local retailer upon
purchase of an equivalent new product. Disposing of this product correctly will help save valuable
resources and prevent any potential negative effects on human health and the environment, which
could otherwise arise from inappropriate waste handling.
Please contact your local authority for further details of your nearest designated collection point.
Penalties may be applicable for incorrect disposal of this waste, in accordance with your national
legislation.
For professional users in the European Union
If you wish to discard electrical and electronic equipment (EEE), please contact your dealer or
supplier for further information.
For disposal in countries outside of the European Union
This symbol is only valid in the European Union (EU). If you wish to discard this product,
please contact your local authorities or dealer and ask for the correct method of disposal.

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Copyright © 2017-2018 Rig Expert Ukraine Ltd.

“RigExpert” is a registered trademark of Rig Expert Ukraine Ltd.

Made in Ukraine

Doc. date: 29-Aug-2018