Hi,
I would just like to share my experience. I got my NanoVNA-H4 two days ago. I did not have any install problems encountered by many and I do not exactly know why. My "operating conditions" for the install are: PC (from Start>>Settings>>About tab) - Windows 10 Home single language, version 1903, OS build 18.362.900; Antscope2 - v1.1.1; NanoVNA-H4 (from boot-up screen) HW version 4.2 Version 0.5.0 Build Time Feb 21 2020 - 12:55:37 Kernel 5.1.0
I installed Antscope2 directly after download (previously was the v1.1.0 which also installed without problems and that version also connected to my NanoVNA H4).
As noted by others, there is a Settings tab when Antscope2 loads that says "Connect to NanoVNA." I just confirmed the correct COM port already filled out in the corresponding box (from Windows DeviceManager). Attached is a screenshot on the SWR tab of Antscope2 of the Cushcraft R7 antenna which was the DUT (I am repairing the R7 antenna which was given to me by another HAM. The whole mast bent with very strongs winds and the 40m and 30m traps were also bent. I have straightened the bent parts and am seeing its performance with the NanoVNA).
The SWR tab of Antscope2 shows a sweep 0-30Mhz; the grayed out vertical bands on the frequency axis are the amateur bands (there is an option in the Antscope2 settings tab to select ITU Region) corresponding to my QTH ITU Region 3. The R7 antenna was designed to work at 7 bands (10m, 12m, 15m, 17m, 20m, 30m and 40m) and the SWRs at the corresponding bands are shown. There is still some tuning that is needed: the lowest SWRs do not fall within the necessary bands (grayed out areas)...
To confirm/compare the measurements made by the NanoVNA, I attached an AWO7A meter to the R7 and made a manual scan of the 7 bands. I tuned the AWO7A meter to the frequency shown by the NanoVNA (as shown by Antscope2) where the SWR is lowest and compared the SWR reading of the AWO7A. Here are results (first SWR numbers are NanoVNA readings; second numbers are AWO7A readings) -
160m - 1.6095Mhz @ 5.71; 1.609Mhz @ 6.7
80m - 3.209Mhz @1.92; 3.209Mhz @ 2.6
40m - 7.0478Mhz @3.53; 7.048Mhz @ 4.1
30m - 9.9269 Mhz @2.33; 9.927Mhz @ 2.4
20m - 13.7657 Mhz @1.9; 13.765Mhz @ 2.0
17m - 17.6045Mhz @ 1.24; 17.605Mhz @ 1.2
15m - 20.8035Mhz @1.22; 20.804Mhz @1.2
12m - 24.9622Mhz @1.15; 24.963Mhz @ 1.1
10m - 29.7607Mhz @ 1.15; 29.761Mhz at 1.0
Attached also are picture shots of the readings per band. The results for the 80m and 160m are inconclusive, since the antenna was not designed for these bands.
The Return Loss tab of the Antscope2 for the R7 antenna is also attached. The diagram is shown as POSITIVE dB (the NanoVNAsaver software has the option of POSITIVE or NEGATIVE dB). I could not find -if any- similar option for the Antscope2 to show the RL diagram in the more familiar NEGATIVE dB format.
I hope this experience could be of help. The NanoVNA H4 with Antscope2 gives very helpful info for my needs as a hobbyist, as does the AWO7A meter. There are certainly more accurate tools available, but these already help tremendously.
Also, it was noted that the Antscope2 does not say anything more (could even be less) than what NanoSaver says of the NanoVNA data. It is just good to have another PC software available. My two cents worth...
73s
Gerry
DU7EYG
