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K6BEZ Antenna Analyzer

Introduction​

The Ham Radio Workbench K6BEZ Antenna Analyzer is a DIY SWR meter for analyzing the SWR of your HF antennas.  This design uses an Analog Devices Direct Digital Synthesis signal generator and an Arduino to sweep the HF bands to find the lowest SWR.  The results are displayed on a 16x2 LCD.  

Documentation

  • K6BEZ Antenna Analyzer Assembly Guide​
  • K6BEZ Antenna Analyzer Materials List (BOM) in Excel Format

Additional information and custom firmware may be available in the Ham Radio 360 Forum (currently archived) - hamradio360.com/index.php/community/workbench/

Lots of listeners customized this project to include better firmware, plotting on graphical displays, and using higher frequency DDS modules.

Parts / Supplies

The PCB is currently out of production.

The majority of the components (excluding diodes, Arduino, LCD, and DDS module) are available from Digikey
  • Digikey Shopping Cart with most of the passive components

The Arduino board used is a "Pro Micro 5V" and is available from several suppliers
  • SparkFun
  • eBay
  • Deal Extreme

The DDS module is an Analog Devices AD9850.  This component is available in a module format from eBay.  It is unknoown at this time if the AD9851 replacement modules will work.
  • eBay AD9850 DDS Module Search

The LCD is a standard 1602 16x2 LCD Display.  We DO NOT USE the I2C or SPI models in this project.
  • eBay 1602 16x2 LCD Display Module

The diodes needed are New Old Stock AA143 Germanium Diodes which are no longer in production.  These can also be sourced on eBay
  • eBay AA143 Germanium Diode Search​

Software

The Firmware was built in the Arduino IDE. 

When programming, make sure you have selected the 5V version of the board!  Programming with the 3.3V version can disable or brick your Pro Micro 5V.

  • Arduino Integrated Development Environment (IDE) Editor & Compiler
    • Add the SparkFun Board Manager URLs
    • Go to File / Preferences, and paste this URL into the 'Additional Boards Manager URLs' input field…
      https://raw.githubusercontent.com/sparkfun/Arduino_Boards/master/IDE_Board_Manager/package_sparkfun_index.json
    • Install the Arduino Pro Micro board definitions file
    • This board file will work for the SparkFun or DealExtreme Arduino Pro Micro board
    • In the Arduino IDE, click Tools / Board / then scroll to the top and click <Board Manager>
    • At the top of the Board Manager enter "sparkfun" and hit return
    • You will see multiple Sparkfun board definition sets
    • Click on the box labeled “SparkFun AVR Boards”
    • Click <Install>
  • Antenna Analyzer Arduino firmware version 1
  • GitHub repository with all code examples

Case

A 3D Printable case has been designed by Rocket City 3d.  This case can be ordered or it can be downloaded and printed yourself.
  • Order a 3D Printed K6BEZ Antenna Analyzer Case from Rocket City
  • Download the K6BEZ Antenna Analyzer Case STL file

Buy Now

Not currently in production.
Ham Radio Workbench K6BEZ Antenna Analyzer Assembled
Brandmeister Talkgroup 31075
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