I agree with Ed. I have an early NanoVNA, and a more expensive one by Seeed, the Sark 110, but to do antenna installs and tuning of my antenna matching device I use my YouKits FG-01 as it just gives me SWR and impedance quickly and continuously. No reading of the manual or interpreting the Smith Chart needed. I enjoyed my MFJ 259 but it was clutzy to use and slower to get the same results. It was great when it was all I had compared to a noise bridge and GDO (the old days).
If you want to study antennas get a VNA. If you just want to tune an antenna or adjust a tuner get a device with a screen like the YouKits or the RigExpert. The RigExpert series seems to have taken over our radio club just like the Icom 7300 but has more features than most purchasers understand or even use.
My YouKits FG-01 is cheaper and easier to use for me. Also small for portable use. The new RigExpert Stik 230 looks tantalizing per the write up in the May ¡°The Spectrum Monitor¡± but is $100 dollars more compared to the YouKits. I bought my YouKits back when it was just released in 2012 and have used it almost daily. Sold my MFJ easily too.
Bottom line is for $49.00 (my original cost of the the first NanoVNA) the nanoVNA works but it has a learning curve and even earning how to calibrate it took some time for this old guy. If cost is an issue get one of the nanoVNAs from GigaParts or other US dealers. It is a steal. For ease of use the YouKits is the easiest even compared to the RigExpert. I didn¡¯t even have to read a manual for the YouKits. It goes with me everywhere.
Dave K8WPE
David J. Wilcox K8WPE¡¯s iPad
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On May 11, 2020, at 3:56 PM, Ed Humphries <ed@...> wrote:
?Dan, here's my 0.02 worth RE nanoVNA versus antenna analyzers:
One is an open source "vector network analyzer" that is continually open to updates and fixes and experimentation. It requires close attention to calibration, menu selection, cable choice and adapters to connect to your "device under test." Unless you connect it to an external computer (notebook or laptop usually), even the 4" version might be considered a little hard to read and you must pay attention to what values you are reading. If you can read small Smith Charts and they are what you need, then a VNA is your choice. The nanoVNA is essentially a hobbyist/experimenter device. More professional equipment in the same family costs more and offers more to professional users.
The other is an all-in-one box capable of high-levels of precision (still not "top-of-the-line, but up there). You connect your antenna and read the results with little difficulty or fiddling. They are antenna-centric, ready-to-go instruments.
Is the more expensive antenna analyzer worth so many $$ more than the nanoVNA? It is almost an apple-orange thing - you have to decide what you need and how you will be using it. Personally, a nanoVNA would not be my first purchase if measuring and adjusting antennas is what is needed. I have one 2.8" and one 4" nano, but when I'm going to an antenna site (at least for now) I'm taking my MFJ analyzer and (because I'm and belt and suspenders person) my Bird Wattmeter. (Or maybe just the Bird, because they are that good.)
If you are purchasing for the purpose of checking and adjusting/building antennas, you have your answer.
If you want to fool around with neat tech, by all means go small. :-)
Frankly, cost should be your last consideration.
Cheers, Ed H. KT4ED
On 5/11/2020 1:06 PM, Dan Gilliam via groups.io wrote:
I am preparing to purchase my first antenna analyzer product. I have an old MFJ-209 which has neither meters nor frequency readout. I love to build antennas, especially for my ham club.
Can any of you give a reason pro or con as to why nanovna vs MfJ 259 series. I presume many are nanovna users due to the lower cost. Is there any tradeoff that would discourage either?
David Wilcox K8WPE