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Newbie - Need Help Before Puchasing a FA-VA5

 

Hi Frank,

I own a FA-VA5 and I am more than satisfied with its performance. It is very accurate when carefully calibrated.

Admittdedly, the 3-button user interface was slightly frustrating when I started to use it but I quickly learned to live with it. It is not a real problem. However, a rotary knob (encoder) and a button or two would have been better in my opinion. Anyway, don't let this stop you from buying it. FA-VA5 is a very good and solid instrument with impressive performance/price ratio.

I don't know about the warranty, ask your dealer.

73 Johan SM6LKM


Frank wrote:

HI,

I have read tmany of the FA-VA5 reviews and most owners rated it very good with only a few people complaining about
how frustrating it was trying to navigation and operate it using only 3 buttons.

Is this true or false, please tell me ?

Also I would like to know how long is the warranty is ?

Frank
 

I have found the VA-5 to be an excellent choice. I have owned it for about 2 years.

True, the 3-button interface may not be the fastest way to change settings, but after experiencing an initial learning curve, I find myself remembering the menu structure and changing settings without much effort. That is true even when I have not used it for a few months.

Some would prefer an encoder - but there are downsides to a component with moving parts and a shaft which sticks up out of the device. The button arrangement makes for a smaller overall size, easily packed for travel without suffering damage. Touch screens are interesting gimmicks as well, but they are fraught with many practical issues.

Bottom line, I would say ¡®simple and durable is best¡¯, especially for a device which is often used in the field.

--
73 de Gary, AF8A
Cleveland, Ohio, USA
 

I'll jump on the bandwagon to say that I use my FA-V5 more than my nanoVNA-H4. I used it just this week to compare 'relative' Q at 7MHz of various of some moulded inductors for a Norcal NC40A that I am building.

In fact, there was a S2P "inductor challenge" on the groups.io VNWA group, and the FA-VA5 did ok on some frequencies.
 

I've had my FA-VA5 for a year or so. Best VNA I've had with a great price point.? The three buttons give simplicity to use once you've read the manual and it's robust enough to take into the field. I've had a Nanovna, and? a Metrovna 250 and the FA-VA5 beats both of these in ease of use.

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