Re: Are any of the NanoVNA sold on Amazon any better or worse than any others? Is there a better U.S. site to order from?
I see the point. Thanks for the reply. I see a lot of thread hijacking, which is why I asked. I think that there are --- and have been for 40 years --- common sense guidelines for managing forum threads and emails. Mostly ignored these days, making it very difficult to find our way around. It is difficult for the newbie to find needed info in the fog of thread confusion. To make matters worse, there are now several hardware, firmware, and software branches.
And to make matters worse, there is so much turmoil in the supply chain these days...more confusion. I'd like to buy one of the newer devices (I was an early adopter, and would now like to upgrade), but I find it difficult to see the trees for the forest. Despite being an early adopter, I am not qualified to write a set of reasonable tests and results...I am a software and hardware engineer, but there is much to do with the nanoVNAs that I have not kept up with...partly because it is difficult to do so.
Perhaps there ought to be a pinned thread that covers you question...it certainly has been addressed in so many posts. But those posts are difficult to find, because the subject lines often don't relate. I'd love to see such a thread addressing each device and how to "acceptance test" it, and then, just as you say, we would be able to post the names of vendors, what was supplied, and the results of testing....as well as updates months later...are we content or not, and why.
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On 2020-05-13 18:03:-0700, you wrote: Hi, Rich,
I thought my post was relevant to the thread .. in that it's hard for newbies to know if we have one of the better/worse nanoVNA's sold on "Amazon" or Aliexpress for instance.
It seems people like me find it difficult to know which buyer to go to, and without knowledgeable feedback like "The device failed xxx test" - on aliexpress everyone posts 5 starts - which helps nobody.
I didn't find the suggestion below "I would strongly advise purchasing for Hugen's site:" before i bought mine ;(
Danke.
--
73 de Rich NE1EE
On the banks of the Piscataqua
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Re: Are any of the NanoVNA sold on Amazon any better or worse than any others? Is there a better U.S. site to order from?
Matt,
Welcome to the forum.
Please note that it is impolite to hijack an existing forum thread with a different topic.
Going forward, please start with a new message and ass any hash (ie: #use #newbie) for your message.
There are many members that are willing to assist you with any issues you have with the nanovna.
Regards,Larry
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On Wednesday, May 13, 2020, 7:09:08 p.m. GMT-4, <matthew.quirke@...> wrote:
I have just recently received a nanoVNA from Aliexpress; Some of the measurements seem very odd - like SWR and the S11 inductance, but I don't have the experience(yet) to gauge if the results are OK or the unit is at fault.
I wondered if someone might be able to suggest a list of tests to preform, like the ‘Specification’ suggestion above, where new users could verify their NanoVNA is functioning well/ just OK or is faulty?
The difficulty might be tests that could be preformed without specialist calibration equipment..?
I would be happy to put it together in a document, with appropriate pics etc.
For instance something like...
Test 1: The NanoVNA should display a signal trace from the START to STOP frequency when testing a inductor in series with port 1(CH0)? - S11
Test 2: ....
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Is there web page with a summary of the differences between the different NanoVNA models?
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Re: Are any of the NanoVNA sold on Amazon any better or worse than any others? Is there a better U.S. site to order from?
Hi, Rich,
I thought my post was relevant to the thread .. in that it's hard for newbies to know if we have one of the better/worse nanoVNA's sold on "Amazon" or Aliexpress for instance.
It seems people like me find it difficult to know which buyer to go to, and without knowledgeable feedback like "The device failed xxx test" - on aliexpress everyone posts 5 starts - which helps nobody.
I didn't find the suggestion below "I would strongly advise purchasing for Hugen's site:" before i bought mine ;(
Danke.
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Re: Are any of the NanoVNA sold on Amazon any better or worse than any others? Is there a better U.S. site to order from?
Thanks for the input David,
...great, those are exactly the type of suggestions I was looking for!
Unfortunately I didn't think (at the time) to save any of the smith chart plots for the weird traces, but can redo.
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Re: Are any of the NanoVNA sold on Amazon any better or worse than any others? Is there a better U.S. site to order from?
Help us out a bit. After cal, what are you reading with the provided load,
short, and open? Pictures always help. Connect a 100 and 25 ohm resistor
with minimal leads acorss Port 00. Both should read correctly on the 2:1
circle of the Smith Chart. What do the resistors read? Again, pictures of
the display are always helpful. When making these measurements, do not use
a wide frequency range as a stand alone device there are only 101 points
evenly placed over the specified range. Using NANOVNA-SAVER on a PC, you
can specify as many points as you are willing to wait for.
Dave - W?LEV
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On Wed, May 13, 2020 at 5:09 PM <matthew.quirke@...> wrote: I have just recently received a nanoVNA from Aliexpress; Some of the
measurements seem very odd - like SWR and the S11 inductance, but I don't
have the experience(yet) to gauge if the results are OK or the unit is at
fault.
I wondered if someone might be able to suggest a list of tests to preform,
like the ‘Specification’ suggestion above, where new users could verify
their NanoVNA is functioning well/ just OK or is faulty?
The difficulty might be tests that could be preformed without specialist
calibration equipment..?
I would be happy to put it together in a document, with appropriate pics
etc.
For instance something like...
Test 1: The NanoVNA should display a signal trace from the START to STOP
frequency when testing a inductor in series with port 1(CH0) - S11
Test 2: ....
--
*Dave - W?LEV*
*Just Let Darwin Work*
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Re: Are any of the NanoVNA sold on Amazon any better or worse than any others? Is there a better U.S. site to order from?
On 2020-05-13 16:09:-0700, you wrote: Are any of the NanoVNA sold on Amazon any better or worse than any others? Is there a better U.S. site to order from? Why is a post with this title all about a new user trying to use the device? ~R~ 73 de Rich NE1EE On the banks of the Piscataqua -- 73 de Rich NE1EE On the banks of the Piscataqua
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Re: Are any of the NanoVNA sold on Amazon any better or worse than any others? Is there a better U.S. site to order from?
I have just recently received a nanoVNA from Aliexpress; Some of the measurements seem very odd - like SWR and the S11 inductance, but I don't have the experience(yet) to gauge if the results are OK or the unit is at fault.
I wondered if someone might be able to suggest a list of tests to preform, like the ‘Specification’ suggestion above, where new users could verify their NanoVNA is functioning well/ just OK or is faulty?
The difficulty might be tests that could be preformed without specialist calibration equipment..?
I would be happy to put it together in a document, with appropriate pics etc.
For instance something like...
Test 1: The NanoVNA should display a signal trace from the START to STOP frequency when testing a inductor in series with port 1(CH0) - S11
Test 2: ....
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NanoVNA Set Channel: DISPLAY, CHANNEL, CH0 REFLECT Set Trace: DISPLAY, TRACE, TRACE 0, BACK, BACK, FORMAT, SWR BACK, TRACE, TRACE 1, BACK, BACK, FORMAT, SMITH Set Freq Range: STIMULUS START, 140M STOP, 450M Set Scale: DISPLAY, SCALE There are 9 horizontal lines, 0-8 To set each line to represent 1.0 SWR SCALE/DIV, 1, x1 To set line 1 as 1.0 SWR REFERENCE POSITION, 1, x1 ELECTRICAL DELAY should be 0, x1 Calibration: CAL, RESET, CALIBRATE Attach male to male cable to CH0 Attach female to female adapter at the end of the cable Connect OPEN standard to the cable and press OPEN Connect SHORT standard to the cable and press SHORT Connect the LOAD standard to the cable and press LOAD Disconnect the cable from CH0 and connect it to CH1 and press ISOLN Remove the female to female adapter and the LOAD standard Connect the cable to CH0 and CH1 and press THRU Press DONE Press SAVE 0 (0 is the power-on/reset default) WO4ROB ________________________________ From: [email protected] < [email protected]> on behalf of Larry Rothman <nlroth@...> Sent: Wednesday, May 13, 2020 12:17:41 PM To: [email protected] < [email protected]> Subject: Re: [nanovna-users] Pro or Con Go into the config screen and enable CH0 INFO You'll see a screen like this: Please remember, 1. You always need to calibrate the NanoVNA (ideally for the freq range you want to test) before you use it.2. Never transmit into the NanoVNA - it's not that kind of device. Please search the forum WIKI and FILES sections for information on how to configure and use a VNA.The firmware I pointed you to provides a simple display that is good for antenna checks. On Wednesday, May 13, 2020, 3:09:05 p.m. GMT-4, Birdman <ccarrara@...> wrote: On Wed, May 13, 2020 at 12:32 PM, Larry Rothman wrote: 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: I just loaded the big font version you linked, it doesn't seem to have any "simpler functionality", just a bigger font. But I don't see any dumbed down functionality in there.... did I miss something? -- Regards, Chris
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The PC board material is useful as a construction platform - you can solder the pieces together to create a custom enclosure.
As for keeping the grounds separate between CH0 and CH1, there are a number of posts in the forum regarding that.
There are a number of housings that nano owners have created on
Just search for nanovna.
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On Wednesday, May 13, 2020, 3:46:01 p.m. GMT-4, Dan Gilliam via groups.io <k5khz@...> wrote: Thank you.? The posts in the mods area are informative, tho I do not understand the need for the pcb board? OR any bonding of the ground from the two connectors.? I could probably make such a case of something that would absorb impact.? ? I will keep researching.? Again, Thanks Dan K5KHZ Dr. Dan S. Gilliam, Sr.Ham Call: K5KHZDMR ID: 1151012k5khz@yahoo434-210-8380434-210-8383 Cell ? ? On Wednesday, May 13, 2020, 03:06:48 PM EDT, Larry Rothman <nlroth@...> wrote: ? Dan - look in the mods section (in Files) of the forum and look at the ideas in there for strain reliefs for the connectors. browse the photos section as well. ? ? On Wednesday, May 13, 2020, 2:41:14 p.m. GMT-4, Dan Gilliam via groups.io <k5khz@...> wrote: I am brand new to nanoVNA h4.? ?Matter of fact, it is in the stage of "in the mail"But one thing I had observed in the ads online, was the likelihood of strain on the connectors, and therefore strain on circuit board.While I do not have a 3D printer, nor the knowledge of how to turn an idea into the physical item I desire, I can envision a protective case thatwould have a base tray longer than the VNA and all of its external fittings for SMA connectors.Therefore if it is dropped (yes, unlike many of you, I drop things occasionally) it would not become another paperweight. I would also want the front sides to be elevated above the screen in such a manner as a cell phone case that help reduce cracking of displays.My Samsung Galaxy Note 9 has broken glass on the front and on the back (why they put glass on the back is unknown to me)I would like to see someone who has that capacity to make such available at a reasonable price. Thanks for reading my babbling on something that has probably been discussed many time before I joined this group. Dr. Dan S. Gilliam, Sr.Ham Call: K5KHZDMR ID: 1151012k5khz@yahoo434-210-8380434-210-8383 Cell ? ? On Wednesday, May 13, 2020, 01:50:24 PM EDT, CT2FZI <ct2fzi@...> wrote: K5MFP de CT2FZI How are you doing? I have purchased the H4 case from the OP to encorage and thank him for his work, however its not hard to do. I have designed the "yellow" attachment to hold the nanoVNA-H4 with its case. If i detach it (to use the SMA connectors) , it still inside the case, thus the 2 parts. The connectors are 2 x so239 to SMA female adapters followed by 2 x sma male to male adapters. [image: image.png][image: image.png] Don't forget to calibrate your VNA with all these adapters already fit, for correct readings... *73 de Luís, CT2FZI* *QRV @ 145.300 MHz | **CQ0VMST (VHF REP Monsanto)* <> <> On Wed, 13 May 2020 at 18:28, Michael Payne <michael.f.payne@...> wrote: 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
|
Thank you.? The posts in the mods area are informative, tho I do not understand the need for the pcb board? OR any bonding of the ground from the two connectors.? I could probably make such a case of something that would absorb impact.? ? I will keep researching.?
Again, Thanks
Dan K5KHZ
Dr. Dan S. Gilliam, Sr.Ham Call: K5KHZDMR ID: 1151012k5khz@yahoo434-210-8380434-210-8383 Cell
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On Wednesday, May 13, 2020, 03:06:48 PM EDT, Larry Rothman <nlroth@...> wrote: Dan - look in the mods section (in Files) of the forum and look at the ideas in there for strain reliefs for the connectors. browse the photos section as well. ? ? On Wednesday, May 13, 2020, 2:41:14 p.m. GMT-4, Dan Gilliam via groups.io <k5khz@...> wrote: I am brand new to nanoVNA h4.? ?Matter of fact, it is in the stage of "in the mail"But one thing I had observed in the ads online, was the likelihood of strain on the connectors, and therefore strain on circuit board.While I do not have a 3D printer, nor the knowledge of how to turn an idea into the physical item I desire, I can envision a protective case thatwould have a base tray longer than the VNA and all of its external fittings for SMA connectors.Therefore if it is dropped (yes, unlike many of you, I drop things occasionally) it would not become another paperweight. I would also want the front sides to be elevated above the screen in such a manner as a cell phone case that help reduce cracking of displays.My Samsung Galaxy Note 9 has broken glass on the front and on the back (why they put glass on the back is unknown to me)I would like to see someone who has that capacity to make such available at a reasonable price. Thanks for reading my babbling on something that has probably been discussed many time before I joined this group. Dr. Dan S. Gilliam, Sr.Ham Call: K5KHZDMR ID: 1151012k5khz@yahoo434-210-8380434-210-8383 Cell ? ? On Wednesday, May 13, 2020, 01:50:24 PM EDT, CT2FZI <ct2fzi@...> wrote: K5MFP de CT2FZI How are you doing? I have purchased the H4 case from the OP to encorage and thank him for his work, however its not hard to do. I have designed the "yellow" attachment to hold the nanoVNA-H4 with its case. If i detach it (to use the SMA connectors) , it still inside the case, thus the 2 parts. The connectors are 2 x so239 to SMA female adapters followed by 2 x sma male to male adapters. [image: image.png][image: image.png] Don't forget to calibrate your VNA with all these adapters already fit, for correct readings... *73 de Luís, CT2FZI* *QRV @ 145.300 MHz | **CQ0VMST (VHF REP Monsanto)* <> <> On Wed, 13 May 2020 at 18:28, Michael Payne <michael.f.payne@...> wrote: 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
|
Go into the config screen and enable CH0 INFO
You'll see a screen like this:
Please remember,
1. You always need to calibrate the NanoVNA (ideally for the freq range you want to test) before you use it.2. Never transmit into the NanoVNA - it's not that kind of device.
Please search the forum WIKI and FILES sections for information on how to configure and use a VNA.The firmware I pointed you to provides a simple display that is good for antenna checks.
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On Wednesday, May 13, 2020, 3:09:05 p.m. GMT-4, Birdman <ccarrara@...> wrote: On Wed, May 13, 2020 at 12:32 PM, Larry Rothman wrote: 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:? I just loaded the big font version you linked, it doesn't seem to have any "simpler functionality", just a bigger font.? But I don't see any dumbed down functionality in there.... did I miss something? -- Regards, Chris
|
Its based on an older release, more bugs... less stability over 900MHz.
Please also check if you have TDR function?
Cheers
*73 de Luís, CT2FZI*
*QRV @ 145.300 MHz | **CQ0VMST (VHF REP Monsanto)*
<>
<>
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On Wed, 13 May 2020 at 20:09, Birdman <ccarrara@...> wrote: On Wed, May 13, 2020 at 12:32 PM, Larry Rothman wrote:
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:
I just loaded the big font version you linked, it doesn't seem to have any
"simpler functionality", just a bigger font. But I don't see any dumbed
down functionality in there.... did I miss something?
--
Regards,
Chris
|
On Wed, May 13, 2020 at 12:32 PM, Larry Rothman wrote: 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:? I just loaded the big font version you linked, it doesn't seem to have any "simpler functionality", just a bigger font. But I don't see any dumbed down functionality in there.... did I miss something? -- Regards, Chris
|
Dan - look in the mods section (in Files) of the forum and look at the ideas in there for strain reliefs for the connectors.
browse the photos section as well.
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Wednesday, May 13, 2020, 2:41:14 p.m. GMT-4, Dan Gilliam via groups.io <k5khz@...> wrote: I am brand new to nanoVNA h4.? ?Matter of fact, it is in the stage of "in the mail"But one thing I had observed in the ads online, was the likelihood of strain on the connectors, and therefore strain on circuit board.While I do not have a 3D printer, nor the knowledge of how to turn an idea into the physical item I desire, I can envision a protective case thatwould have a base tray longer than the VNA and all of its external fittings for SMA connectors.Therefore if it is dropped (yes, unlike many of you, I drop things occasionally) it would not become another paperweight. I would also want the front sides to be elevated above the screen in such a manner as a cell phone case that help reduce cracking of displays.My Samsung Galaxy Note 9 has broken glass on the front and on the back (why they put glass on the back is unknown to me)I would like to see someone who has that capacity to make such available at a reasonable price. Thanks for reading my babbling on something that has probably been discussed many time before I joined this group. Dr. Dan S. Gilliam, Sr.Ham Call: K5KHZDMR ID: 1151012k5khz@yahoo434-210-8380434-210-8383 Cell ? ? On Wednesday, May 13, 2020, 01:50:24 PM EDT, CT2FZI <ct2fzi@...> wrote: K5MFP de CT2FZI How are you doing? I have purchased the H4 case from the OP to encorage and thank him for his work, however its not hard to do. I have designed the "yellow" attachment to hold the nanoVNA-H4 with its case. If i detach it (to use the SMA connectors) , it still inside the case, thus the 2 parts. The connectors are 2 x so239 to SMA female adapters followed by 2 x sma male to male adapters. [image: image.png][image: image.png] Don't forget to calibrate your VNA with all these adapters already fit, for correct readings... *73 de Luís, CT2FZI* *QRV @ 145.300 MHz | **CQ0VMST (VHF REP Monsanto)* <> <> On Wed, 13 May 2020 at 18:28, Michael Payne <michael.f.payne@...> wrote: 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 am brand new to nanoVNA h4.? ?Matter of fact, it is in the stage of "in the mail"But one thing I had observed in the ads online, was the likelihood of strain on the connectors, and therefore strain on circuit board.While I do not have a 3D printer, nor the knowledge of how to turn an idea into the physical item I desire, I can envision a protective case thatwould have a base tray longer than the VNA and all of its external fittings for SMA connectors.Therefore if it is dropped (yes, unlike many of you, I drop things occasionally) it would not become another paperweight.
I would also want the front sides to be elevated above the screen in such a manner as a cell phone case that help reduce cracking of displays.My Samsung Galaxy Note 9 has broken glass on the front and on the back (why they put glass on the back is unknown to me)I would like to see someone who has that capacity to make such available at a reasonable price.
Thanks for reading my babbling on something that has probably been discussed many time before I joined this group.
Dr. Dan S. Gilliam, Sr.Ham Call: K5KHZDMR ID: 1151012k5khz@yahoo434-210-8380434-210-8383 Cell
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On Wednesday, May 13, 2020, 01:50:24 PM EDT, CT2FZI <ct2fzi@...> wrote: K5MFP de CT2FZI How are you doing? I have purchased the H4 case from the OP to encorage and thank him for his work, however its not hard to do. I have designed the "yellow" attachment to hold the nanoVNA-H4 with its case. If i detach it (to use the SMA connectors) , it still inside the case, thus the 2 parts. The connectors are 2 x so239 to SMA female adapters followed by 2 x sma male to male adapters. [image: image.png][image: image.png] Don't forget to calibrate your VNA with all these adapters already fit, for correct readings... *73 de Luís, CT2FZI* *QRV @ 145.300 MHz | **CQ0VMST (VHF REP Monsanto)* <> <> On Wed, 13 May 2020 at 18:28, Michael Payne <michael.f.payne@...> wrote: 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
|
K5MFP de CT2FZI How are you doing? I have purchased the H4 case from the OP to encorage and thank him for his work, however its not hard to do. I have designed the "yellow" attachment to hold the nanoVNA-H4 with its case. If i detach it (to use the SMA connectors) , it still inside the case, thus the 2 parts. The connectors are 2 x so239 to SMA female adapters followed by 2 x sma male to male adapters. [image: image.png][image: image.png] Don't forget to calibrate your VNA with all these adapters already fit, for correct readings... *73 de Luís, CT2FZI* *QRV @ 145.300 MHz | **CQ0VMST (VHF REP Monsanto)* <> <> On Wed, 13 May 2020 at 18:28, Michael Payne <michael.f.payne@...> wrote: 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
|
On Wed, May 13, 2020 at 12:32 PM, Larry Rothman wrote: 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:? Interesting... I'll have a look at that version of firmware, thanks!! On Wed, May 13, 2020 at 12:32 PM, Larry Rothman wrote: 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? You did it!! You may have just killed months of my time!!! The challenge has been laid down.... ;) Software wise I'd have no problem doing that, BUT, I don't think I have anywhere near the knowledge/understanding for the electrical part of it to make it useful. Maybe down the road when I start learning me up as I build my "shack".
|
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
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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*
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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
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Rich NE1EE
morsemuskrat
CT2FZI
Chris K2STP
