Phil,
I'm quite happy with the stock firmware on my nanovna-H4 thus far.
If you find all the different firmware versions available to be confusing, just ignore it.
That's what I do.
If you don't have a spare computer to run nanovna-saver on,
then ignore that as well. I mostly use my nanovna standalone,
and find it to be a very useful instrument.
Once you gain experience with the nanovna and find a need to use
those other resources (newer firmware, nanovna-saver),
perhaps you will be ready to take that leap.
Jerry, KE7ER
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On Wed, Sep 23, 2020 at 04:05 PM, <cracknell.pc@...> wrote:
Well thank you all for you replies and observations. Forgive me not mentioning
everyone by name.
Larry I do download stuff where I can check it for malware on pc or to some
extent linux but that is somwhat different to firmware downloads for a device
for which the av software is not native or probably able to check.
I think it was Jerry who said I could vet the source code. well :) that would
entail a deal more familiarity with the language and GitHub environment. I
have programmed and still do but I did assembly language which means C or Java
and the like leave me stone cold. So setting up an environment to recompile
the code or whatever doesn't float my boat.
With what sound like 3 different versions of firmware from the programmers
that seems more confusing as to which to use. I suppose it can be seen as a
plus in that users have choices but as a user that is NOT familiar with core
hardware design and its limitations I won't know if the firmware is trying to
do things it shouldn't. For example Extending frequency range is not just down
to a software setting.
I'll re-look at Smith Chart displays to check again what figures are displayed
but I didn't recall spotting the parameters I was seeking.
Again, I think it was Jerry talking about writing a manual vs viewing
youtubes... I agree, I prefer to be able to read and flip back and forth
through text not listen to what is often a monotone drone that then doesn't
cover what I was hoping for. Writing a manual that covers the basics and terms
used in context to what analyser does and the results it provides is some
task. I wish you well with that as I think there are many radio amateurs that
are just blackbox users that simply don't understand the tech. I include
myself in a number of areas where that would apply .... Smith Charts and VNA
being such an area.
Thanks again.
Phil
