Rig Expert Zero II Antenna Analyzer

I gave the ZERO II 4 stars based based on the documentation. It really deserves 5 stars in performance.

Comparing my application using the ZERO II and my AA-650 ZOOM analyzer, I find only a +/-0.02 SWR difference from HF to 6M. There is about a +/-0.2 difference
at UHF frequencies.

I was fortunate to be contacted by the RigExpert ZERO II engineer who guided me around deficiencies in documentation.

1. Before hooking up the ZEROII , you must peal the protective plastic cover off the switch . Then with a tooth pick, move the white switch to the USB position.

2. Solder WIRES to each pad. Do not use headers as there may be some problem with connectivity.

3. Before connecting a USB cable to your computer, Download and install Flash utility (Win or Mac). Do not open yet. See RigExpert web site.

4. Download the updated hardware BIN file. See RigExpert web site.

5. Connect the ZERO II to the computer with high quality USB cable, then start the Flash utility program. Click “Next” and the ZERO II will be recognized.

6. Click “Update from local file”. In the window find the folder where the .bin is located, then click on that file. Click “Next” and the file will be uploaded. You will
get a confirmation that the firmware update is complete.

6. Unplug the USB cable, move the white switch to the EXTernal position. Reconnect the USB cable.

7. Run the demo software with the correct pin numbers.

Note that the ZERO II may not connect if you are using a large TFT screen. Disconnect Zero and try again.
Your code must initialize the ZERO II before the TFT screen.

Please watch NEW Ed March video. He has code if you want to use ZERO II with 32 bit processors like the ESP32.

I gave the ZERO II four stars based based on the documentation. It really deserves five stars in performance.

Comparing my application using the ZERO II and my AA-650 ZOOM analyzer, I find only a +/-0.02 SWR difference from HF to 6M. There is about a +/-0.2 difference
at UHF frequencies.

I was fortunate to be contacted by the RigExpert ZERO II engineer who guided me around deficiencies in documentation.

1. Before hooking up the ZEROII , you must peal the protective plastic cover off the switch (see pic). Then with a tooth pick, move the white switch to the USBl position (see pic).

2. Solder WIRES to each pad. Do not use headers as there may be some problem with connectivity.

3. Before connecting a USB cable to your computer, Download and install Flash utility (Win or Mac). Do not open yet. https://rigexpert.com/files/software/FlashTool/

4. Download the updated hardware BIN file (note location): https://rigexpert.com/files/firmware/zeroii/

5. Connect the ZERO II to the computer with high quality USB cable, then start the Flash utility program. Click “Next” and the ZERO II will be recognized.

6. Click “Update from local file”. In the window find the folder where the .bin is located, then click on that file. Click “Next” and the file will be uploaded. You will
get a confirmation that the firmware update is complete.

6. Unplug the USB cable, move the white switch to the EXTernal position. Reconnect the USB cable.

7. Run the demo software with the correct pin numbers.

Note that the ZERO II may not connect if you are using a large TFT screen. Your code must initialize the ZERO II before the TFT screen.

Please watch Ed March video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3K6qOPxwzps&list=PL258gTSEK3eob8n2lbUlLmdGLGrWxzjRC&index=3

He has code if you want to use ZERO II with 32 bit processors like the ESP32.

This is a defective item. I also bought two from DXEngineering and they too did not work. Comes with no instructions and no anti-static container.

AT THIS TIME, DO NOT BUY THE RIgExpert Zero II.

Really wanted this to work. Folks at GigaParts have been great, but...

I've been working with microcontrollers (Arduino, ESP32, Teensy) for 6 years and was a C/C++ developer for 20 years. I always wear a grounded wrist strap when working with sensitive components.

I just received my first RigExpert Zero II from GigaParts and a second RigExpert Zero II from DXEngineering. All three do not work.

I previously downloaded and installed RigExperZeroII_UART.zip from web site rigexpert.com/files/libraries/RigExpertZeroII_UART/ to my Arduino Libraries folder on my Mac computer (have also used Windows 10). I successfully compiled and uploaded the code to an Arduino Nano (also used UNO).

Note that no instructions come with the unit to indicate how to set up the unit .

I connected 5v from Nano to “+” pin on ZERO II and Gnd from Nano to “-“ pin on ZERO II. I tested ZERO II pins + and - to ensure +5vdc which it did. I see no indication (led light) of connection. I then connected ZERO II RX pin to the 4 pin of Arduino, ZERO II TX pin to the 7 pin of Arduino and ZERO II RST pin to the 6 pin of Arduino. Tried to run code but all I get is "ZERO not found!".

Received orders of the ZERO II from both GigaParts and DXEngineering in a plain plastic sealed “baggie” - no anti-static container.

Please watch in its entirety this Youtube video from Ed March as he describes what actions he went to try to get a DXEngineering ZERO II to work - which it never did.

I believe both your company and DXEngineering have:
1) received bad merchandise or
2) by shipping these units without anti-static packaging they are being destroyed or
3) better instructions are needed to prevent improper set up.