[SARK-100 Pc Scan] SWR Analyzer Software
Now a days small VNA’s are available at a reasonable cost. Older instruments like the SARK-100 and its other brother and sisters lack of the possibilities of a VNA. However, with this new software I hope many SARK-100 users can still get useful data from these devices.
It is the first update since 2018, when I got my first VNA, and did not really have any use for the “old antenna analyzer”. But I have realized that many people, (probably radio hams) still visit my site and look for the software to read data. This was the trigger to make a software that will blow the heck out of this now old instrument. Well there are limitations in the communication that will slow down everything compared to the simulation mode.
The updating speed is highly depended on the baud rate and the scan resolution. Ex. 20m 14 to 14.350MHz with 0.01MHz step.
What takes time is not the calculations but that it is sent out 350 commands over serial port/USB (one for each point). Each measurement must go instrument → PC → graph, and each communication takes maybe 10-15 ms. 350 × 15 ms ≈ 5s. 0.05 step will take about 1s.
All calculations are made within the software, no external Excel sheet is used.
Owen (VK1OD) has written a blog about this program. http://owenduffy.net/blog/?p=10536 That was many years ago and has really nothing to do with this program.
The SARK-100 is a SWR analyzer and the range is from 160M to 6M. The Mini-60 and MR-100 also works with this software.
One nice feature is the PC interface which makes it possible to do some automation.
I have made a program that communicate with the SARK-100 and plot the data both as a graph and in a smith chart. The data can also be stored as an CSV file.
If you mouse hover over the top of the collected data an explanation will be seen, e.g., SWR, RX XS etc. The check admittance also has a tool tip which shows a short description what happens if it is checked. In the manual more info can be found.
And here is the SARK-100 original manual:
Remember that you also need the USB driver and the .NET Framework installed. There is no installation file in this version just unzip the file and then start the program with the exe file.
Drivers
http://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=42643
The Chinese clones sometimes change the serial chip. If you cant get contact between the Pc and Sark-100/Mini-60 you can try these drivers.
New update! Aug-2025
New updated SW. Some improvements done. Realized that the update is not really fast, du to limitations in the communication. However, better than before. Now Ver-4 is latest.
sark-100_2025-ver-4.zip
If you have bookmark this page do a reload of the page occasionally to be sure it is the latest version.
If you like the program and feel to donate use the Donate button.
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Frequency test of the SARK-100 (Chinese model)
Let's see if the analyzer keep it's manufacturer's promise?
Spectral Purity: Harmonics down >- TBD dB beyond 60 MHz
Here is a 50MHz signal generated from the SARK-100.
And the spectral purity looks to be ok, -60db.
A simple frequency test was also performed.
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