cialog

cialog (chia-log) is a no-cost program that communicates with the AEA CIA-HF Complex impedance analyzer. The analyzer includes a computer serial data interface (RS-232) which can be used to duplicate many of the control and data collection functions available from the front panel. A serial (COM) port will be required to connect the computer to the CIA-HF. Beginning with version 1.08 of cialog, the program also works with the N2PK VNA. While the analyzer can make a number of measurements and data reports, the focus of the device is measuring SWR and impedance over a set of 100 data points. These points are typically characterized by a center frequency and the frequency spacing Between data points. The frequency spacing (width) between points ranges from 1 KHz to 100 KHz. The 100 data points and the range of preset widths makes it possible to cover all of the HF amateur bands with a single scan. This becomes a convenient way to characterize an Antenna system across a band. The available data consists of the SWR, resistance (R), reactance (X), and impedance (Z). The purpose of cialog is to upload data from the CIA-HF, and display it on a graph using a rectangular coordinate system. Data sets can be saved in a file. They can be reloaded to allow comparison with current or other saved data. The data can be loaded by other programs, such as Microsoft Excel, for additional data Analysis. The data graphs can also be placed on the system clipboard for transfer to other programs, and printed. cialog includes an Algorithm which resolves the sign of the reactance. The CIA-HF reports all reactance values as positive numbers. The sign information is not available. It is possible to use slope information from the reactance data, or, slope information from the reactance and resistance data, to determine what portions of the reactance data should be assigned a negative value.