If one needs a spectrum analyzer on the cheap, try the AirSpy (full units
to 1.8 Ghz - not the HF+ or Discovery) for around $200. SpectrumSpy is
included with the SDR# download at no cost. It is the SW of choice for the
AirSpy offerings. The spectrum analyzer has a minimum span of 10 MHz and a
maximum of 20 MHz through 1.8 GHz. While it, as well, is not an
HP/Agilent/Keysite, its pretty good. Even the HP 8753C VNA does not make a
good spectrum analyzer, so why expect the NANOVNA to do same? It's the
NANOVNA and the HP 8753C are designed and purposed as a Vector Network
Analyzer, not a spectrum analyzer.
Dave - W?LEV
On Mon, Dec 23, 2019 at 7:13 PM Bob Albert via Groups.Io <bob91343=
[email protected]> wrote:
As the owner of two nanoVNAs and two lab grade VNAs I have run
comparisons between them. They all do their intended job well, and can be
very useful in testing hardware, as well as providing a nearly priceless
opportunity for education in high frequency electronics.
Yes the expensive jobs have important advantages over the little unit.
But when one factors in certain characteristics, such as convenience and
cost and user interface, the nano gives far more per dollar. Yes I can do
better spectrum analysis with the big units and my measurements are both
more accurate and have better noise performance for tiny signals.
So my educated analysis indicates that the nano needs to be a part of any
laboratory for casual measurements. These casual measurements are probably
more than enough to satisfy the needs of any radio amateur or other
hobbyist. For commercial and industrial uses, the expensive units are
almost mandatory, as their accuracy can be verified and their frequency
range wider, not to mention control over bandwidth.
My attempts at spectrum analysis with the nano have proven it to be not
especially useful. For instance, there are images. Fine grequency control
is lacking. There is no control over resolution. Precise analysis of
filters is not one of its strengths.
Notwithstanding these and other limitations, I find the nano the unit of
choice for the majority of my measurements. This may not be true of anyone
else but I am a satisfied customer. One of my big VNAs only goes up toe
150 MHz and that's useful for most of my spectrum analysis and other lower
frequency work, which is the majority of my interest. The other goes up to
a few GHz but my needs seldom go there. The small size and rapid
deployment of the nano make it a fun unit to operate; while I am doing some
work with it I notice things I might not see with the other VNAs.
So take what I say for what it's worth and for what you pay for it, and
draw your own conclusions.
73, Bob K6DDX On Monday, December 23, 2019, 10:43:44 AM PST, hwalker <
herbwalker2476@...> wrote:
hwalker wrote:
The Jan-Feb 2020 Issue of the ARRL QEX magazine has a cover story on the
NanoVNA by Dr. George Steber:
"Dr. George R. Steber, WB9LVI, reviews a tiny vector network analyzer
(VNA) introduced for about US$50 and compares its capabilities with
full-featured lab grade analyzers that cost thousands of dollars. An RF VNA
is the instrument of choice for measuring the electrical parameters of
antennas, components, filters and more. Dr. Steber describes his
experiences with the tiny VNA, termed a NanoVNA. He begins with a short
description of some technical specifications, and relates how he acquired
the NanoVNA. He then includes historical details on the evolution of the
product. Next, he describes the general architecture of the instrument, and
finally he describes the operation of the unit and including examples."
===============================================================================================
My original intention in starting this topic was to let our users know
about the QEX NanoVNA article and to acknowledge one of my favorite
technical authors. The original post does not, as stated by at least one
responder, in any way, shape, or form advocate copyright infringement.
Dr. Steber usually gives a down to earth technical description of a
device's inner workings before preceding on to numerous practical use
applications. Those expecting some type of a-b comparison with high end
commercial VNA's are likely to be disappointed.
I guess the second reason for starting the topic was to acknowledge the
NanoVNA's semi-Rockstar status as the cover boy for QEX magazine :)
Happy holidays,
- Herb
--
*Dave - W?LEV*
*Just Let Darwin Work*
*Just Think*
