I guess it's time to wade in.? I've been making transmission line measurements since the days when I used a waveguide reflectometer and "calibrated" a scope screen with a grease pencil.
Thirty years later, when I retired, I (my company) had the pinnacle of performance an HP-8510C, a meter and a half rack cabinet costing 200K USD.? But suddenly I was back in the dark ages as far as precision measurements were concerned.
Then Paul, N2PK, came along with his VNA and I was in hobbyist heaven, after learning how to hand assemble parts that I couldn't see without a binocular microscope.? We are truly blessed to have the likes of? Paul, Tom, DG8SAQ, Michael, DG5MK and several others who have given us these wonderful devices.? I now own the original N2PK, a DG8SAQ VNWA, a FA-VA5, an AA55 Zoom and have tried and sold several others.? So to the point of this discussion:
I confess that I don't like the interface of the 'VA5 and wind up mostly using it as a test head run by VNWA software.? I'm sure this is my failing since I simply do not use it often enough to remember how to run it via the push buttons.? I've even stooped to dragging a laptop out side to do this at times.? Make no mistake, I think it's impressive to have this much control with a few buttons, it's just not my cup of tea.? BTW, I almost never use the AA55 for similar reasons (unfamiliarity) and the fact that I can't see the screen in the sunshine.
I'm also not thrilled with the case.? Perhaps it's just mine, with there is a little bit of warp so the unit never wants to sit flat on a table.? Assembling it and getting the push buttons through the holes is also an annoyance.
Otherwise:
I don't care what battery is used
The existing USB connector is fine with me, I don't like the USB-C trend, they look way to fragile to me. (I'm replacing an 80 USD laptop supply because the connector is bad.)
BNC is fine for the frequency range.
Don't care about bluetooth, signal generator, etc.
Bottom line, I feel fortunate to have a FA-VA5 but if a VA6 comes out, I'll buy one.
Wes? N7WS
Wes N7WS