I originally ordered mine from Ebay. It was an auction, and I won it for $40. I guess it was too cheap, so the seller claimed it shipped, wasted a month, and refunded my money. It was the non-shielded version as well. That was why I turned to Aliexpress. I felt more confident I was getting a good one, especially based on reviews here of the seller.
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I just received mine today. It took 9 days to arrive. It¡¯s the white version that has the SA612A chips and was loaded with the 900mhz 2 trace software. It does not come with cables. Does come with calibration modules and USB C cable. It was in perfect condition. Double boxed and bubble wrapped inside. The outside box was a little squished, to be expected as it was pretty small and probably packed with a lot of other goods coming ashore through customs. Very happy with it and impressed even for a clone. Will make some enhancements like shielding and a better case. Here is the vendor:
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Based on delivery estimate, it probably comes from China. If you're going to order from China, might as well get it from Ebay and have many more choices.
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Maybe it was the selling blaming Aliexpress for the surcharge then.? Whatever.
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On 8/14/19 4:49 AM, Gerry Kavanagh via Groups.Io wrote: Aliexpress DOES take paypal, however there is a small service charge (~$2) for this.
I just ordered from one from them. It's probably worth stating that you are not ordering from Aliexpress. Aliexpress is a marketplace, in much the same way as eBay or Amazon Marketplace. They provide a platform, and an escrow system to ensure the buyer is happy before payment is released to the vendor.
I get that this is a small distinction to many, but it's worth being clear.
73
Gerry
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Re: Using the NanoVNA as a Grid Dip meter
Have not tried with the VNA, but have done with a SNA and RLB. Just need a pickup coil. Here is some info on my blog about that method I used,
Only thing to watch for with the NanoVNA is it only uses about 100 points in its sweep. If your sweep range is too wide you can easily miss a dip.
DuWayne KV4QB
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On 8/14/2019 5:13 PM, rchadwick7 via Groups.Io wrote: I always thought Grid Dip meters were cool, but it seems a VNA can be used as a Grid Dip meter. Has anyone done this? Does the unit need to be calibrated in a special way? Is the output loop critical to frequency? Or would a few turns be good for anything?
--
DuWayne? KV4QB
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Using the NanoVNA as a Grid Dip meter
I always thought Grid Dip meters were cool, but it seems a VNA can be used as a Grid Dip meter. Has anyone done this? Does the unit need to be calibrated in a special way? Is the output loop critical to frequency? Or would a few turns be good for anything?
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Re: AliExpress and NanoVNA supplier get 5 stars
I purchased from Guangyi0016 as well. Ordered it on July 26, arrived today. It took about a week to ship, but otherwise OK. The shields are open on the ends, but I'm sure it's better than the unshielded models.
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Re: NanoVNA does not want to start -solved
Hello All,
My nanoVNA did not exhibit these problems, and from delivery some weeks ago, has always started whether on a Power Supply or on Battery alone.
However one thing strikes me when people are talking about this condition is that the 'faulty' ones all seem to have blue LED's in them! Mine has red LED's. I know this may sound a bit silly, but is it due to the type of LED's used in these units the real cause of the problem? Remembering that different coloured LED's have completely different 'lit' voltages. This voltage variation could cause faulty operation of the IP5303?
FWIW
73's Pete ZL2iK
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-----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto: [email protected]] On Behalf Of Joe F. KC8RKL Sent: Thursday, 15 August 2019 06:44 To: [email protected]Subject: Re: [nanovna-users] NanoVNA does not want to start -solved Hello all- I ordered a NanoVNA on eBay and received a black version in a plastic case with mixer shielding and accessories (cables and calibration kit). Mine was like Herman's; it would boot when powered via USB but would not boot via the battery using the ON/OFF switch even when 'fully charged' with the blue charge indicator full-on (without flashing). I read Herman's post and wondered if maybe the IP5303's 'KEY' function state is not guaranteed when leaving the chip factory. So I found a junkbox leaded 10K resistor, bent the leads into a 'U', and touched one end to the battery minus (i.e. IP5303 ground/EPAD) and the other to the IP5303 'KEY' pin (pin 5) for about 1 second. The blue charge indicator came full-on for about 30 seconds, then switched off. But now it boots via battery using the ON/OFF switch! I don't know how long this state will persist- perhaps until the battery discharges completely or is disconnected. This may also have implications for people who received units which functioned normally upon arrival- if their battery goes completely flat, does the IP5303 go into a sleep state requiring the 'KEY' pin to be pulled down 'briefly' via a 10K resistor? I don't know the answer. Anyway, thank you Herman for the fix! 73, Joe F. KC8RKL
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Re: List of NanoVNA Console Commands
Can someone explain the values in the data array?
Thanks
Joe
W3JDR
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Re: Measurements on my NanoVNA
The NanoVNA specification for frequency accuracy is +- 0.5 Parts Per Million. At 30 MHz it would still be in spec if the frequency error was as high as 15 Hz. My unit measures 220 Hz low at 900 MHz which is 0.24 PPM and is well within the specification.
Warren Allgyer
WA8TOD
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Re: NanoVNA does not want to start -solved
Hello all-
I ordered a NanoVNA on eBay and received a black version in a plastic case with mixer shielding and accessories (cables and calibration kit). Mine was like Herman's; it would boot when powered via USB but would not boot via the battery using the ON/OFF switch even when 'fully charged' with the blue charge indicator full-on (without flashing). I read Herman's post and wondered if maybe the IP5303's 'KEY' function state is not guaranteed when leaving the chip factory. So I found a junkbox leaded 10K resistor, bent the leads into a 'U', and touched one end to the battery minus (i.e. IP5303 ground/EPAD) and the other to the IP5303 'KEY' pin (pin 5) for about 1 second. The blue charge indicator came full-on for about 30 seconds, then switched off. But now it boots via battery using the ON/OFF switch! I don't know how long this state will persist- perhaps until the battery discharges completely or is disconnected. This may also have implications for people who received units which functioned normally upon arrival- if their battery goes completely flat, does the IP5303 go into a sleep state requiring the 'KEY' pin to be pulled down 'briefly' via a 10K resistor? I don't know the answer. Anyway, thank you Herman for the fix!
73, Joe F. KC8RKL
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After reading some reviews I have placed an order from seller 'Guangyi0016 Store' at AliExpress.
Hope to get in in a couple of weeks.
//Lars SM0TGU
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Re: Measurements on my NanoVNA
Positive Surprised, but i am not an RF-Engineer. :)
Had as comparison a Rohde & Schwarz ZVH4 and a RigExpert AA-600.
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Re: Measurements on my NanoVNA
On Wed, Aug 14, 2019 at 03:37 AM, <df6dbf@...> wrote:
I have done some Measurements on my NanoVNA. Maybe the tolerances are higher
at other NanoVNA but i am very surprised of my Results. Is there anyone out wo
can confirm my work?
All frequencies are dependent on the tolerance of the fixed crystal in the unit. Errors will track with this crystal. Some "black" NanoVNAs have found errors as small as 5 Hz at 30 MHz. Some "white" NanoVNAs show a larger frequency deviation of 300 Hz at 30 MHz. My $28 ebay auction "white" Gecko unit has a frequency error of 150 Hz at 30 MHz.. My black unit is much better, around 3 Hz. . Note too, that it is easier for most of us to just just measure frequency output with a GPS disciplined counter. No need for spectrum analyzer.
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Re: Measurements on my NanoVNA
Hello Holger,
Surprised positive, or surprised negative?
What is the reference?
73, Rudolf DL5FA
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Measurements on my NanoVNA
I have done some Measurements on my NanoVNA. Maybe the tolerances are higher at other NanoVNA but i am very surprised of my Results. Is there anyone out wo can confirm my work?
The Frequencies are compared with an Stabilock4040 and an R&S ZVH4 Antenna-Analzyer with Spectrum Option. The Reference came from an GPS disciplined 10MHz TCXO.
73s Holger, DF6DBF
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Aliexpress DOES take paypal, however there is a small service charge (~$2) for this.
I just ordered from one from them. It's probably worth stating that you are not ordering from Aliexpress. Aliexpress is a marketplace, in much the same way as eBay or Amazon Marketplace. They provide a platform, and an escrow system to ensure the buyer is happy before payment is released to the vendor. I get that this is a small distinction to many, but it's worth being clear. 73 Gerry
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No, not true, and there¡¯s a lot more going on than just tariffs.
But this is definitely not the place for this discussion.
There will be no further comments from me on the subject.
Peter
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On Aug 13, 2019, at 11:38 PM, Warren Allgyer <allgyer@...> wrote:
An ignorant comment. ¡°Cheeto¡¯s¡± tariffs have been completely absorbed with the Chinese government¡¯s devaluation of the yuan. Anyone who accepts an increase in price ¡°because of the tariffs¡± is being jobbed.
The rest of the world is grateful for Cheeto¡¯s willingness to stand up to China¡¯s economic bullying.
On Aug 13, 2019, at 7:06 PM, ken WA2MZE <wa2mze@...> wrote:
Not to mention Cheeto's Tariffs on Chinese goods.
On 8/13/19 1:58 PM, Peter Gottlieb wrote:
Chinese sellers are VERY sensitive to demand and will raise asking prices quite quickly on any hint of a pick up in demand.
Peter
On Aug 13, 2019, at 1:52 PM, Joe Rocci <joe@...> wrote:
Got mine from EBay seller color-fashion6 for $50. My unit has the RF shielding and the built-in battery. Came in a nice plastic storage case along with calibration loads and cables.Works exactly as advertised. Demand must be increasing because price is now up to $58 just 3 weeks after I purchased.
I'm really impressed what this little gem can do! It pretty much blows every other antenna analyzer and portable VNA out of the water, especially at the price point. My only complaint/suggestion is that it would be easier to use if it were about twice the size with a corresponding larger display. However, once you hook it to a computer it looks and works like a 'big box' unit costing at least 50x more.
Definitely worth the money. Every shack/bench should have one. I rate it .
Joe
W3JDR
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An ignorant comment. ¡°Cheeto¡¯s¡± tariffs have been completely absorbed with the Chinese government¡¯s devaluation of the yuan. Anyone who accepts an increase in price ¡°because of the tariffs¡± is being jobbed.
The rest of the world is grateful for Cheeto¡¯s willingness to stand up to China¡¯s economic bullying.
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On Aug 13, 2019, at 7:06 PM, ken WA2MZE <wa2mze@...> wrote:
Not to mention Cheeto's Tariffs on Chinese goods.
On 8/13/19 1:58 PM, Peter Gottlieb wrote:
Chinese sellers are VERY sensitive to demand and will raise asking prices quite quickly on any hint of a pick up in demand.
Peter
On Aug 13, 2019, at 1:52 PM, Joe Rocci <joe@...> wrote:
Got mine from EBay seller color-fashion6 for $50. My unit has the RF shielding and the built-in battery. Came in a nice plastic storage case along with calibration loads and cables.Works exactly as advertised. Demand must be increasing because price is now up to $58 just 3 weeks after I purchased.
I'm really impressed what this little gem can do! It pretty much blows every other antenna analyzer and portable VNA out of the water, especially at the price point. My only complaint/suggestion is that it would be easier to use if it were about twice the size with a corresponding larger display. However, once you hook it to a computer it looks and works like a 'big box' unit costing at least 50x more.
Definitely worth the money. Every shack/bench should have one. I rate it .
Joe
W3JDR
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So many will feel the effects of a trade war. Unfortunate how so many people will be negatively impacted. I hope it gets resolved soon but am not very hopeful. It¡¯s a real question whether my company can get through it.
Peter
Kb2vtl
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On Aug 13, 2019, at 7:06 PM, ken WA2MZE <wa2mze@...> wrote:
Not to mention Cheeto's Tariffs on Chinese goods.
On 8/13/19 1:58 PM, Peter Gottlieb wrote:
Chinese sellers are VERY sensitive to demand and will raise asking prices quite quickly on any hint of a pick up in demand.
Peter
On Aug 13, 2019, at 1:52 PM, Joe Rocci <joe@...> wrote:
Got mine from EBay seller color-fashion6 for $50. My unit has the RF shielding and the built-in battery. Came in a nice plastic storage case along with calibration loads and cables.Works exactly as advertised. Demand must be increasing because price is now up to $58 just 3 weeks after I purchased.
I'm really impressed what this little gem can do! It pretty much blows every other antenna analyzer and portable VNA out of the water, especially at the price point. My only complaint/suggestion is that it would be easier to use if it were about twice the size with a corresponding larger display. However, once you hook it to a computer it looks and works like a 'big box' unit costing at least 50x more.
Definitely worth the money. Every shack/bench should have one. I rate it .
Joe
W3JDR
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DuWayne Schmidlkofer
Peter Mulhare
Warren Allgyer
SM0TGU
