If the NANO's operated like an antenna analyzer, they would no longer be
VNA's. They are *FAR more capable* (and less expensive) than any of the
'antenna analyzers' on the market. Again, MFJ charges upwards or $340 for
their most capable VNA, and it covers from (only) 1.5 through 180 MHz, no
Smith Chart, minimal links to a PC, ...... And the MFJ units suffer major
inaccuracies at both ends of their respective frequency ranges. The
RigExperts costs 'around' $700 and sport a marginal resolution display,
especially for reading the Smith Chart.
I'm an EE with a degree in physics and have used the HP VNA's for some 30+
years. I own an HP 8753C for good reason. It compares quite favorably
with the NANO's, but is certainly not portable (80+ lbs.). I have
absolutely no use or need for 'antenna analyzers', a.k.a., a numbed down
VNA. A good o'scope, signal generator, and a crude home brew directional
coupler can do what most of the 'antenna analyzers' can accomplish.
Spend the time and effort and learn how to use the capabilities of the
NANO's It will teach you a whole bunch about all things RF. You'll never
go back to an 'antenna anaylzer' again. There are many good and
technically sound tutorials in the wiki which accompanies the NANOVNA
groupio groups. Both HP/Agilent/Keysite, R&S, and Tektronix offer a number
of good tutorials on the uses and power of the VNA applied to all things
RF. Many of these are posted in the wiki. NANOVNA.com, I read this
morning, but not confirmed, offers the 'instruction book' for the NANO's.
They are a powerful and capable piece of RF test equipment. They are a
game changer for the RF hobbyist!!
Dave - W?LEV
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Wed, May 13, 2020 at 10:13 AM Birdman <ccarrara@...> wrote: GREAT QUESTION, GREAT THREAD!!
As a newbie to ALL of this (HAM, Antenna¡¯s, VNA¡¯s, analyzers...) I too
have a long, STEEP slope to climb to learn any of this ¡°stuff¡±! I have an
IT background, so have a little tiny bit of ¡°technical¡± knowledge, but not
nearly anything all you smart guys have!
Having said that, I bought a NanoVNA to play around with and try to learn
something, and hopefully along the way learn just enough to help me setup
my shack (I just ordered a radio, and researching a VHF/UHF and a HF
antenna) and tune the antenna¡¯s. So too have pondered this same question,
would I have been better off just buying a cheap, simple ¡°Antenna
analyzer¡±? I ended up getting the nano based on it can do the same
thing the analyzer does, you just have to know how. But the ¡°how¡± part is
the difficult part for a newbie like myself.
I think somebody should write some software (add to to Nanosaver!!!) that
makes the nano work like a simple analyzer, or a NanoVNA for dummies like
me! You select a menu item, ¡°Analyze Antenna¡±, it then tells you what
exactly to do, you do it and click NEXT, until it has some simple results
similar to an analyzer. And I mean dumbed down to the something like this:
[START selected menu item analyze antenna]
¡°Please connect the open calibration connector and press NEXT¡±
¡°Please connect the short.....¡±
¡°Please connect your antenna¡±
¡°How long is your feedline: xxx meters¡±
¡°Enter the HAM band you would like to test: xx meter band¡±
[Scan done, results displayed]
¡°Your antenna is tuned to: xxx.xxxx MHz and usable from xxx.xxxx to
xxx.xxxxx in this band¡±
¡°Select next band to test: xx meter band¡±
...
...
The beauty of this would be it would be quick and easy, and it would setup
all the settings and parameters required on the NanoVNA and in Nanosaver
for you.
If somebody adds this to Nanosaver, I will offer to be the ¡°dummy¡± to test
it!! ;)
--
Regards,
Chris
--
*Dave - W?LEV*
*Just Let Darwin Work*
|
Hello! I made a case for my nanoVNA, but after seeing your case with the end that supports the fixed connectors, I decided that would be what I would like for my VNA. My enclosure is less than 4 inches (10.16 centimeters) wide. Could you tell me how I can replicate the entire case that you have, and I'm especially interested in the SMA to SO-239 connection. Is the connection hard metal or cable, or what?
I sure want to duplicate the case and connectors like you have shown. Thanks,
K5MFP
|
"I think somebody should write some software (add to to Nanosaver!!!) that makes the nano work like a simple? analyzer, or a NanoVNA for dummies like me! "
This has already been done but unfortunately, it hasn't been updated since last December.
If you have any nanoVNA or NanoVNA-H, you can play with the firmware:
Last release:?
Also - if you have an IT background, NanoSaver is written in Python and is very modular - why not try you hand at creating a simple antenna analyser add-on?
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Wednesday, May 13, 2020, 12:13:40 p.m. GMT-4, Birdman <ccarrara@...> wrote:
GREAT QUESTION, GREAT THREAD!!
As a newbie to ALL of this (HAM, Antenna¡¯s, VNA¡¯s, analyzers...) I too have a long, STEEP slope to climb to learn any of this ¡°stuff¡±!? I have an IT background, so have a little tiny bit of ¡°technical¡± knowledge, but not nearly anything all you smart guys have!
Having said that, I bought a NanoVNA to play around with and try to learn something, and hopefully along the way learn just enough to help me setup my shack (I just ordered a radio, and researching a VHF/UHF and a HF antenna) and tune the antenna¡¯s.? So too have pondered this same question, would I have been better off just buying a cheap, simple ¡°Antenna analyzer¡±?? ? I ended up getting the nano based on it can do the same thing the analyzer does, you just have to know how.? But the ¡°how¡± part is the difficult part for a newbie like myself.
I think somebody should write some software (add to to Nanosaver!!!) that makes the nano work like a simple? analyzer, or a NanoVNA for dummies like me!? You select a menu item, ¡°Analyze Antenna¡±, it then tells you what exactly to do, you do it and click NEXT, until it has some simple results similar to an analyzer.? And I mean dumbed down to the something like this:
[START selected menu item analyze antenna]
¡°Please connect the open calibration connector and press NEXT¡±
¡°Please connect the short.....¡±
¡°Please connect your antenna¡±
¡°How long is your feedline: xxx meters¡±
¡°Enter the HAM band you would like to test:? xx? meter band¡±
[Scan done, results displayed]
¡°Your antenna is tuned to:? xxx.xxxx MHz and usable from xxx.xxxx to xxx.xxxxx in this band¡±
¡°Select next band to test: xx meter band¡±
...
...
The beauty of this would be it would be quick and easy, and it would setup all the settings and parameters required on the NanoVNA and in Nanosaver for you.
If somebody adds this to Nanosaver, I will offer to be the ¡°dummy¡± to test it!!? ;)
--
Regards,
Chris
|
GREAT QUESTION, GREAT THREAD!!
As a newbie to ALL of this (HAM, Antenna¡¯s, VNA¡¯s, analyzers...) I too have a long, STEEP slope to climb to learn any of this ¡°stuff¡±! I have an IT background, so have a little tiny bit of ¡°technical¡± knowledge, but not nearly anything all you smart guys have!
Having said that, I bought a NanoVNA to play around with and try to learn something, and hopefully along the way learn just enough to help me setup my shack (I just ordered a radio, and researching a VHF/UHF and a HF antenna) and tune the antenna¡¯s. So too have pondered this same question, would I have been better off just buying a cheap, simple ¡°Antenna analyzer¡±? I ended up getting the nano based on it can do the same thing the analyzer does, you just have to know how. But the ¡°how¡± part is the difficult part for a newbie like myself.
I think somebody should write some software (add to to Nanosaver!!!) that makes the nano work like a simple analyzer, or a NanoVNA for dummies like me! You select a menu item, ¡°Analyze Antenna¡±, it then tells you what exactly to do, you do it and click NEXT, until it has some simple results similar to an analyzer. And I mean dumbed down to the something like this:
[START selected menu item analyze antenna]
¡°Please connect the open calibration connector and press NEXT¡±
¡°Please connect the short.....¡±
¡°Please connect your antenna¡±
¡°How long is your feedline: xxx meters¡±
¡°Enter the HAM band you would like to test: xx meter band¡±
[Scan done, results displayed]
¡°Your antenna is tuned to: xxx.xxxx MHz and usable from xxx.xxxx to xxx.xxxxx in this band¡±
¡°Select next band to test: xx meter band¡±
...
...
The beauty of this would be it would be quick and easy, and it would setup all the settings and parameters required on the NanoVNA and in Nanosaver for you.
If somebody adds this to Nanosaver, I will offer to be the ¡°dummy¡± to test it!! ;)
--
Regards,
Chris
|
I bought a RigExpert AA-600 a few months ago. I got it directly from them with the Smith Chart option. It also measures L, C and R and has a TDR function. So far I have been very impressed. I have yet to explore the possibilities of the NanoVNA H4. From what I have read, I should be impressed wit it, too. We have various HP VNA's at work that cover up to 750 and 1500 MHz. Zack W9SZ On Wed, May 13, 2020 at 4:39 AM Arie Kleingeld PA3A <pa3a@...> wrote: Dan,
I own a MFJ-259B and a nanoVNA H3.2
The MFJ is used for field-day operating or when I assist other hams:
checking antennas or tuning them, checking coaxcables, etc.
The nanoVNA is in my shack, connected to pc + nanoSaver. The nano is
used for all kinds of RF measurements.
Love them both, my MFJ is still working fine (test it on a regular basis
on different loads), bought it in 1999 together with the MFJ carrying
pouch. Looking back: a good buy.
73,
Arie PA3A
Op 11-5-2020 om 19:06 schreef Dan Gilliam via groups.io:
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?
Thanks in advance from a new subscriber to [email protected]
Dan K5KHZ
<> Virus-free. www.avast.com <> <#DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2>
|
Re: NanoVNA-H4 Touchscreen Completely Unresponsive
Thanks for the very quick reply Hugen! This is the link to the exact device/vendor I purchased from:
I will begin a return immediately. Thank you!
|
Re: NanoVNA-H4 Touchscreen Completely Unresponsive
It seems that the touch screen may be malfunctioning, please contact the dealer you purchased, we will send you the new NanoVNA-H4 through the dealer.
|
Re: NanoVNA-H4 Touchscreen Completely Unresponsive
Forgot to add - My firmware version is 0.5.0 so it's the latest Hugen firmware.
Would flashing a different firmware be the solution? If so, should I try flashing the latest Edy555 firmware (v0.7.1) or possibly the AA6KL ChibiOS version?
Thanks sincerely,
Dan
|
NanoVNA-H4 Touchscreen Completely Unresponsive
Hi all,
I recently bought a NanoVNA-H4 on Amazon. It seems to be working fine, but the touchscreen does not work at all - I've tried using my finger, the plastic pick that comes with the system, metal and plastic pens. No success.
This is not the plastic enclosure pressing on the screen issue - I have removed the enclosure and the screen still does not work.
Using the toggle switch I tried navigating to the Touchscreen Cal and Test menus but nothing happens during either of those functions. I just have to turn the unit off and back on again.
Is there anything I can do or should I return this?
Thanks,
Dan
|
Dan,
I own a MFJ-259B and a nanoVNA H3.2
The MFJ is used for field-day operating or when I assist other hams: checking antennas or tuning them,? checking coaxcables, etc.
The nanoVNA is in my shack, connected to pc + nanoSaver. The nano is used for all kinds of RF measurements.
Love them both, my MFJ is still working fine (test it on a regular basis on different loads), bought it in 1999 together with the MFJ carrying pouch. Looking back: a good buy.
73,
Arie PA3A
Op 11-5-2020 om 19:06 schreef Dan Gilliam via groups.io:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
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?
Thanks in advance from a new subscriber to [email protected]
Dan K5KHZ
|
Re: Test fixture question
On Tue, May 12, 2020 at 01:06 PM, Bill Buoy wrote: I¡¯m posting the preliminary documentation - schematic, component locations, and some assembly notes. Thanks for your advise and experiences. I¡¯m sure they will prove helpful onc I get this assembled and begin testing.
I was thinking 33pf also. I have finished the layout and sent the boards off
for prototype production. I should have boards back around the 23rd.
I¡¯m finishing adding notes to the schematics. I¡¯ll post those as well as
the layout this week.
|
And now with a soft TPE case with the same so239 system. Protected. [image: image.png] On Mon, 11 May 2020 at 22:27, GEO BADGER via groups.io <w3ab= [email protected]> wrote: Thanks.
---
Ciao baby, catch you on the flip side
73 de W3AB/GEO
You can say "over", you can say "out", you just can't say "over and out".
On Monday, May 11, 2020, 01:48:09 PM PDT, Jim Allyn - N7JA <
jim@...> wrote:
On Mon, May 11, 2020 at 01:09 PM, GEO BADGER wrote:
Didn't see any for the H4 version.
You will see them. It's just a matter of time.
|
Thanks to everyone, I think I can do it now
|
Re: Test fixture question
I was thinking 33pf also. I have finished the layout and sent the boards off for prototype production. I should have boards back around the 23rd.
I¡¯m finishing adding notes to the schematics. I¡¯ll post those as well as the layout this week.
|
Possibly incorrect setting of vbat_offset (old software use hardcoded value, new read not correct from config)?
Try reset it by run in console
'vbat_offset 0'
Or reset all config (it better, for solve another possible conflicts)
'clearconfig 1234'
Always on update better do reset config
|
Rudolf, Du musst D2 auf dem Board einl?ten. Der Prozessor bekommt ueber
diese Diode die Akkuspannung zur Auswertung. Solange die Diode fehlt,
zeigt er Akku-leer an.
73 de DG4EK, Peter
Am 12.05.2020 um 19:05 schrieb Weller Rudolf:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
what does it mean now? The battery indicator is shown, but always as red / empty. The original software had displayed correctly, unfortunately I do not know which firmware I have to load so that it works again? Sorry for my bad English.
|
what does it mean now? The battery indicator is shown, but always as red / empty. The original software had displayed correctly, unfortunately I do not know which firmware I have to load so that it works again? Sorry for my bad English.
|
On Tue, May 12, 2020 at 09:13 AM, Weller Rudolf wrote:
after a firmware update (NanoVNA-H_AA_20200118.dfu), the battery indicator no longer works, is that what is wanted or is there an error?
=======================================
Rudolf,
If you have a NanoVNA without D2 installed then I believe the new firmware is smart enough not to display the battery icon. The battery level cannot be measured without D2.
- Herb
|
Re: Test fixture question
Hi Nick,
thank you for sharing.
The last message from the PHSNA group was on December 28, 2019.
In the "Group Milestone" topic, Jim, N5IB, wrote that he wanted someone to take over the group, which they said didn't happen. (or just not visible to me) I tried to log in but no confirmation.
Thanks again for sharing the referenced material.
73, Gyula HA3HZ
--
*** nothing is permanent only change ( ) ***
|
after a firmware update (NanoVNA-H_AA_20200118.dfu), the battery indicator no longer works, is that what is wanted or is there an error?
73 Rudolf
|
Chris K2STP
Arie Kleingeld PA3A
Bill Buoy - N5BIA
CT2FZI
Peter, DG4EK
Gyula Molnar