User Manual
Theo Bresler ZS6TVB
September 2020
| Release No. | Date | Revision Description |
| 1.0 | 2020-09-09 | Initial Document |
| 1.1 | 2020-09-09 | Red Dots on Jumper images for clarity |
| 1.2 | 2020-09-10 | Corrections and optimisation by Chris R. Burger
ZS6EZ |
|
ZS6TVB FA Tester Instructions V1.2 Page ii
1.0 Table of Contents
User Manual
Table of Contents
Page #
- General Information……………………………………………………………………… A-1
1.1 Background ……………………………………………………………………………… A-1
- Using the FA Tester………………………………………………………………………. B-1
2.1 Connecting to your Vector Network Analyser ……………………………. B-1
2.2 VNA Calibration……………………………………………………………………….. B-2
2.3 Test your Device ………………………………………………………………………. B-3
2.4 Additional Applications …………………………………………………………….. B-3
- Miscellaneous ………………………………………………………………………………. C-1
3.1 Acronyms and Abbreviations ……………………………………………………. C-1
3.2 Contact Me………………………………………………………………………………. C-1
ZS6TVB FA Tester Instructions V1.2 Table of Contents
A – General Information
- GeneralInformation
1.1 Background
ZS6TVB designed the FA Tester as an Amateur Radio weekend project to
provide a means of simple and easy testing of QRP Labs™ filter board kits
and other filters or attenuators in a similar physical format.
Connecting cables and connectors to the filter kits for testing or calibration
of a Vector Network Analyser (VNA) is challenging. The FA Tester is
designed to enable filter kits and attenuators to be tested accurately and
repeatedly with a VNA, providing the correct calibration plane with on-
board calibration jumpers and termination resistors. The design was kept
simple with a single-layer PCB. Tracks were kept as short as possible for
accurate testing at higher frequencies.
The design is not intended as a commercial product. It is for testing
personally acquired QRP Labs™ kits. Use the board at your own risk.
Accuracy is not guaranteed.
ZS6TVB FA Tester Instructions V1.2 Page A-1
B – Usage
- Usingthe FA Tester
2.1 Connecting to your Vector Network Analyser
The FA Tester features two standard SMA-F RF connectors: One each for the
S11 and S21 ports on your VNA. Depending on your test equipment or
requirement for the device being tested, the FA Tester may be connected to only
the S11 port or to both ports of your VNA.
Your VNA should have been supplied with two SMA-M to SMA-M pigtails that
may be directly connected between the FA Tester and your VNA without the
need for any extra connectors. Connect the FA Tester S11 port to your VNA S11
or CH0 port. Connect the FA Tester S21 port to your VNA S21 or CH1 port.
Should you have a modern VNA such as the NanoVNA range with the 4” display,
you may use the pigtails supplied with your VNA or connect directly to the VNA
with the use of two SMA-M to SMA-M barrel connectors. The FA Tester was
designed with the same spacing between the two SMA connectors as provided
on the more modern VNAs, so that the FA Tester can be connected directly to
the VNA. Refer to the image below for more detail.
ZS6TVB FA Tester Instructions V1.2 Page B-1
| Calibration Sequence | S11 Jumper Position | S21 Jumper Position |
| Open | O | O |
| Short | S | O |
| Load | L/I | O |
| Isolation | L/I | I |
| Through | T | T |
B – Usage
2.2 VNA Calibration
To aid accuracy, the FA Tester is equipped with matched 50 Ω resistors on both
the S11 and S21 ports. A complete calibration sequence for Open, Short, Load,
Isolation and Through may be done by simply by placing the S11 and S21 jumpers
at their correct locations. Jumper positions are clearly marked on the board for
correct placement. Refer to the table below as a reference of where jumpers
should be placed during the calibration sequence of your VNA or VNA software.
The images below should provide more clarity.
Note: Once the calibration process is complete, remember to place both
jumpers back into the Open (O) position.
ZS6TVB FA Tester Instructions V1.2 Page B-2
B – Usage
2.3 Test your Device
Finally! Time to start testing.
- Ensureboth S11 and S21 jumpers on the FA Tester are placed in the Open
(O) position.
- Ensurethe filter is plugged into the FA Tester and that the IN and OUT
sides of your filter are aligned with the IN and OUT markings on the FA
Tester.
- Proceedwith testing of your device.
Actual tests are outside the scope of this document.
2.4 Additional Applications
Although originally designed to test filters, the FA Tester may also be used to
accomplish the following tasks.
With both jumpers in the Open (O) position, connect your filter to a coaxial
transmission line.
Use it as a calibration standard for your VNA or Antenna Analyser.
ZS6TVB FA Tester Instructions V1.2 Page B-3
C – Glossary
- Miscellaneous
3.1 Acronyms and Abbreviations
Acronyms and abbreviations used in this document:
PCB: Printed Circuit Board
RF: Radio Frequency
SMA: SubMiniature version A
SMA-F: Female SMA
SMA-M: Male SMA
VNA: Vector Network Analyser
3.2 Contact Me
Should any of the content in this document not be clear you are welcome to
contact me. I am on QRZ.com.
73
ZS6TVB FA Tester Instructions V1.2 Page C-1
Tags: Testers