DESCRIPTION:

The Bird AT-500 Antenna Tester is a rugged handheld RF measurement instrument designed to quickly determine the performance and condition of antenna systems in the field. Covering frequencies from 5 MHz to 520 MHz, the AT-500 is ideally suited for testing land mobile radio, public safety, commercial wireless, amateur radio, and base station antenna installations.

The instrument provides graphical and numerical measurements of VSWR, Return Loss, Match Efficiency, and Reflection Coefficient (Rho), allowing technicians to rapidly identify antenna mismatches, damaged feedlines, connector faults, and installation issues. Both single-frequency measurements and swept-frequency analysis are supported for troubleshooting and antenna tuning applications.

Designed for field deployment, the AT-500 features a compact battery-powered handheld format with internal trace storage and PC connectivity via RS-232. Users can save up to 12 measurement traces for comparison, historical analysis, and documentation.

Although discontinued, the AT-500 remains a widely used antenna testing platform in radio communications maintenance and infrastructure support environments. Bird has since replaced the AT Series with the newer SiteHawk cable and antenna analyzer product family.

Technical Specifications

• Model: AT-500
• Instrument type: Antenna Tester
• Frequency range: 5 MHz to 520 MHz
• Frequency resolution: 20 kHz
• Frequency accuracy: ±50 kHz
• Measurements: VSWR
• Measurements: Return Loss
• Measurements: Match Efficiency
• Measurements: Reflection Coefficient (Rho)
• Number of sweep points: 100
• Trace storage: Up to 12 traces
• Connector: N Female
• Input impedance: 50 ohm
• Directivity: 32 dB typical
• VSWR measurement range: 1.00 to 100.00
• Return loss range: 0 to 32 dB
• Match efficiency range: 0 to 100%
• RS-232 communications interface
• Internal rechargeable battery
• Weight: 0.9 kg
• Dimensions: 204 × 118 × 42 mm

Key Features

• 5 MHz to 520 MHz coverage
• Portable handheld design
• VSWR measurements
• Return loss measurements
• Match efficiency measurements
• Reflection coefficient analysis
• Single frequency testing
• Frequency sweep capability
• Internal trace storage
• Stores up to 12 traces
• RS-232 PC connectivity
• Suitable for antenna tuning
• Suitable for feedline troubleshooting
• Suitable for mobile radio systems
• Suitable for base station antenna maintenance
• Rugged field-service construction