Overview

DX Engineering OSL Calibration Sets

DX Engineering OSL Calibration Sets provide the high quality standards required to take advantage of the Open-Short-Load Calibration capability on specific RigExpert Analyzer models, AA-55ZOOM and higher. The advantage of this ability is to adjust for the coax cable being used, so the analyzer will display the "true" characteristics of the antenna under test, as if the analyzer were connected directly to the antenna feedpoint.

The inherent analyzer calibration has its "reference plane" set to the analyzer connector. However, the advanced RigExpert analyzer models allow "recalibration" to be toggled on, to use these Open-Short-Load calibration standards to reset the reference plane. Calibrating with these standards at the far end of any 50-ohm coaxial cable assembly subtracts the electrical parameters of that coaxial cable and its specific length, a process referred to as "nulling" the cable. This allows the analyzer's measurement reference plane to be moved to the far end of that transmission line for accurate measurement of any antenna in its proper operating location.

DX Engineering OSL Calibration Set standards are built into high quality silver-plated chassis mount SO-239 (UHF female) connectors. They are self-explanatory in their appearance. The Open standard has no connection from center to shield, the Short standard has a short circuit tab soldered from center to shield and the Load standard has a shroud over a potted, extremely accurate, 50-ohm load resistor. They include a beaded tie to keep them together in your analyzer tool kit.

The procedure for using the Open-Short-Load standards is described in the applicable RigExpert manual Annex titled Calibration. To reset the reference plane of the analyzer to the end of a coaxial cable, in order to accurately measure an antenna, perform an Open-Short-Load calibration on the specific coaxial cable assembly to be used.
1. Select Calibrate in the Main Menu (or press F+2 keys)
2. Follow the on-screen three step instructions, sequentially connecting the Open, Short and Load standards to the opposite end of the coaxial cable to be used.
3. To apply calibration to any sweep, toggle on or off that specific cable null calibration by pressing F+2 and the "CAL" icon will appear at the bottom corner of the analyzer screen.

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