AIM 4170 to analyze filters?

[oh7ug]

Hi

I'm a new user to AIM4170. For antenna analyzing - it is super..

Can I use AIM 4170 to analyze also line filters (low-pass/high-pass/ band-pass)? If, so how?

73!
--timo
oh7ug

[Bob]

The AIM4170 has only one measurement port, so it cannot directly measure the transfer characteristics of filters.
You can get an idea of the filter attenuation by running the AIM in Recycle mode and watching the filter output with a scope.
You can also step through a set of frequencies using the "Constant Frequency" mode or "Point Data" mode and read the output amplitude with the scope or a sensitive RF voltmeter.

73/ Bob

[k7buc]

It appears that the return loss can give a pretty good idea of how a filter is working.
For instance, I measured my Nye Viking Low-Pass filter. The return loss is very high until you cross 30 mhz, and at that point quickly rises to just a few db by 40 mhz. This is looking into the antenna end of the filter with a 50 ohm termination on the radio end. Its not a 2 port analyzer, but this method seems to work reasonably well. Many filters are non-symmetrical so you have to look back from what we'd normally consider the output. Does this seem reasonable?
-Del