SARK 100 issue

[ClaimJumper]

Anybody using a SARK 100 antenna analyzer? I just got one and the display screen doesn't work properly. When I turn the unit on it just shows a bunch of squares. I read somewhere that I need to update the software and that that may solve the issue. Is anybody aware of this problem? If so how did you fix it? I can always return it but I would rather just fix it if it's easy.

 

[nomadradio]

A display that won't clear itself before showing a sign-on "hello" probably has a hardware problem, not a firmware fault. One reason I stopped repairing hand-held electronics years ago was because most repair problems are caused by being dropped. I'll guess there's a mechanical failure somewhere in there, like a failed or skewed connector on the edge of the LCD display.

Maybe. But the odds suggest impact damage.

73

 

[19wrc333]

Had someone bring one of these and it had indeed impact damage.
One of the SMD capacitors was cracked. I replaced that one and .. it still didn't work. As it's all SMD's I just left it at that.. didn't have the time (or energy) to troubleshoot it further.

 

[nomadradio]

Tough to troubleshoot without a schematic.

73

 

[ClaimJumper]

Tough to troubleshoot without a schematic.

73

The build itself is all open source. And I've seen the directions for the build. I have not seen a schematic though. Seems like one would Exist by now.

 

[ClaimJumper]

A display that won't clear itself before showing a sign-on "hello" probably has a hardware problem, not a firmware fault. One reason I stopped repairing hand-held electronics years ago was because most repair problems are caused by being dropped. I'll guess there's a mechanical failure somewhere in there, like a failed or skewed connector on the edge of the LCD display.

Maybe. But the odds suggest impact damage.

73

Yeah. I figured the same thing. Just thought I'd try to in order to avoid shipping it back getting my money going somewhere else buying another. I am going to buy one of these. Very simple! I tried the Nano VNA. Got sick and tired of all the connection pieces and cables I had to buy. Didn't fully understand it ever. Not super user friendly. Sold that sucker on eBay. But I've actually used a sark 100 and I liked it. Very simple, fairly self-explanatory. Tells me just what I need to know without graphs and tables. Anyway I got a bad one from China. I'm going to buy another one from another seller.

 

[19wrc333]

Tough to troubleshoot without a schematic.

73

I might be able to help with that part.

Have a look here:

SARK-100

The SARK-100 Antenna Analyzer it is yet another antenna analyzer but available in kit form and designed to be easy to assemble and with an affordable pricing. You will enjoy of this DIY experience that it will not only help for improving your SMD soldering skills and learn about the analyzer

sites.google.com

 

[nomadradio]

Holy moly! Open source to the rescue.

73

 

[Lost Ram]

Anybody using a SARK 100 antenna analyzer? I just got one and the display screen doesn't work properly. When I turn the unit on it just shows a bunch of squares. I read somewhere that I need to update the software and that that may solve the issue. Is anybody aware of this problem? If so how did you fix it? I can always return it but I would rather just fix it if it's easy.

I have two of these that I have gotten in some swap-trades. I have one that uses the 18650 battery and the other uses 8 AA batteries. A couple times I have plugged the AA battery unit into the charge by mistake and the screen goes crazy like yours. To fix it I found out if I take the batteries out and put them back in it will start working again. Found this out when the MFJ analyzer need batteries, when I got new ones for the MFJ I put the old ones back into the one with the messed up screen and it started working after that. Then a few month later I plugged that one onto the charger again and it bricked the screen, took out the batteries then back in and it was working again. Hope it works for you, it does on mine.

 

[ClaimJumper]

I wrapped it up and sent it back. Buying another one.

 

[ClaimJumper]

I actually never received the return label, documented that with Amazon. So I still have the old one that doesn't work. I have since purchased a brand new one that works perfectly. So I may end up with this non-functioning one as well. They said it's too expensive to return to China. Already received the refund from Amazon so I guess I don't care. Just waiting to see if they come back at me at some point. In a month or two maybe I'll take it apart and see if it's an easy fix.

 

[ClaimJumper]

I might be able to help with that part.

Have a look here:

SARK-100

The SARK-100 Antenna Analyzer it is yet another antenna analyzer but available in kit form and designed to be easy to assemble and with an affordable pricing. You will enjoy of this DIY experience that it will not only help for improving your SMD soldering skills and learn about the analyzer

sites.google.com

Thank you very much for that info. I won't be using this schematic right now at least. I purchased another one that works. However the manual in English is invaluable. I've been to several locations trying to download it. The links are broken or do not open up at all. One link goes to an investment website.

 

[19wrc333]

Thank you very much for that info. I won't be using this schematic right now at least. I purchased another one that works. However the manual in English is invaluable. I've been to several locations trying to download it. The links are broken or do not open up at all. One link goes to an investment website.

I'm slightly confused, are you talking about other websites?
As I just tried to download a few of those files again and they are still OK from the looks of it. FWIW, I did download them all earlier and can provide them if they do go missing.

Also note that this site is already archived at web.archive.org (not sure anymore if I did that or someone else, but it has a copy on the same date I wrote that reply). That archive might not have the files though, I haven't tried to download them from there.

 

[ClaimJumper]

I'm slightly confused, are you talking about other websites?
As I just tried to download a few of those files again and they are still OK from the looks of it. FWIW, I did download them all earlier and can provide them if they do go missing.

Also note that this site is already archived at web.archive.org (not sure anymore if I did that or someone else, but it has a copy on the same date I wrote that reply). That archive might not have the files though, I haven't tried to download them from there.

What you sent here on worldwide DX works fine. Everything else I could find online elsewhere does not. So you should hang on to those files because they don't seem to be available anywhere else. Thanks again!