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David J. Wilcox K8WPE¡¯s iPad
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From: David Wilcox <Djwilcox01@...>
Date: June 29, 2020 at 9:09:13 PM EDT
To: [email protected]
Subject: NanoVNA test kit
?I just received a NanoVNA H from R & L Electronics and also the NanoVNA test kit. I need instructions on how to use the test kit. I can see from pictures where to place the connectors and the two surface mount resistors, but need more information on its use. The NanoVNA site has basic information in the use of the NanoVNA but no information on the test kit. Thanks in advance.
Dave K8WPE
David J. Wilcox K8WPE¡¯s iPad
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On Monday 29 June 2020 09:17:07 pm David Wilcox via groups.io wrote:
David J. Wilcox K8WPE¡¯s iPad
Begin forwarded message:
From: David Wilcox <Djwilcox01@...>
Date: June 29, 2020 at 9:09:13 PM EDT
To: [email protected]
Subject: NanoVNA test kit
?I just received a NanoVNA H from R & L Electronics and also the NanoVNA test kit. I need instructions on how to use the test kit. I can see from pictures where to place the connectors and the two surface mount resistors, but need more information on its use. The NanoVNA site has basic information in the use of the NanoVNA but no information on the test kit. Thanks in advance.
I have one of those on the way as well, and would like to see more info on it too. -- Member of the toughest, meanest, deadliest, most unrelenting -- and ablest -- form of life in this section of space, ?a critter that can be killed but can't be tamed. ?--Robert A. Heinlein, "The Puppet Masters" - Information is more dangerous than cannon to a society ruled by lies. --James M Dakin
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Hi Dave,
Don't think of a mystical thing. Simply insert a two-pole component e.g. resistor, coil, capacitor for nanoVNA CH0 input. Be aware that nanoVNA is designed for high frequency use, but do not use higher than 500 kHz for this measurement.
Measuring quartz or four poles is already more complicated because impedance matching is required. In practice, this is achieved with a ferrite ring and coil. When measuring amplifiers, always use an attenuator (both at the nanoVNA output and, if necessary, at the input), create real conditions and measure the gain.
The measurement is what I measure and how it depends on the measure. There are a lot of measurement options on the net. My web page is just a link to these pages.
There was also a lot of discussion here on the forum about different measurements. Use the 'Search' button in the forum and you will find it.
73, Gyula HA3HZ
--
*** If you are not part of the solution, then you are the problem. ( ) ***
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Guyla,
Thank you. Have bookmarked your site and will search it further. Very well done on first review.
Dave K8WPE since 1960
David J. Wilcox K8WPE¡¯s iPad
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On Jun 30, 2020, at 3:25 AM, Gyula Molnar <gyula.ha3hz@...> wrote:
?Hi Dave,
Don't think of a mystical thing. Simply insert a two-pole component e.g. resistor, coil, capacitor for nanoVNA CH0 input. Be aware that nanoVNA is designed for high frequency use, but do not use higher than 500 kHz for this measurement.
Measuring quartz or four poles is already more complicated because impedance matching is required. In practice, this is achieved with a ferrite ring and coil. When measuring amplifiers, always use an attenuator (both at the nanoVNA output and, if necessary, at the input), create real conditions and measure the gain.
The measurement is what I measure and how it depends on the measure. There are a lot of measurement options on the net. My web page is just a link to these pages.
There was also a lot of discussion here on the forum about different measurements. Use the 'Search' button in the forum and you will find it.
73, Gyula HA3HZ
--
*** If you are not part of the solution, then you are the problem. ( ) ***
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Actually, the is some info on the test kit - from way back in the fall of 2019 in this forum. /g/nanovna-users/photo/0/497?p=Name,,,100,1,400,0 This test kit was originally produced by SDR-Kits - This new kit is a slight improvement Here's one by Kurt: /g/nanovna-users/message/13397Using the SEARCH feature of the forum, you can use these 3 search terms (Keep the quotes): "test fixture" "test board" testboard Of course, for $6, it's a no brainer to get at least one of these new test fixture units. ...Larry
On Monday, June 29, 2020, 11:51:19 p.m. EDT, Roy J. Tellason, Sr. <roy@...> wrote: On Monday 29 June 2020 09:17:07 pm David Wilcox via groups.io wrote:
David J. Wilcox K8WPE¡¯s iPad
Begin forwarded message:
From: David Wilcox <Djwilcox01@...>
Date: June 29, 2020 at 9:09:13 PM EDT
To: [email protected]
Subject: NanoVNA test kit
?I just received a NanoVNA H from R & L Electronics and also the NanoVNA test kit.? I need instructions on how to use the test kit.? I can see from pictures where to place the connectors and the two surface mount resistors, but need more information on its use.? The NanoVNA site has basic information in the use of the NanoVNA but no information on the test kit.? Thanks in advance.
I have one of those on the way as well,? and would like to see more info on it too. M Dakin
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You find the original info here:
I have made a crystal fixture with 4 resistors, which can be easily setup on this kit,
see:
Here is also a link to the Agilent application note for crystal measurement:
73, Rudi DL5FA
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On Tuesday 30 June 2020 07:35:47 am Larry Rothman wrote: Using the SEARCH feature of the forum, you can use these 3 search terms (Keep the quotes): "test fixture" "test board" testboard Oh what a rabbit hole to dive into... :-) Lots of good info in there! -- Member of the toughest, meanest, deadliest, most unrelenting -- and ablest -- form of life in this section of space, ?a critter that can be killed but can't be tamed. ?--Robert A. Heinlein, "The Puppet Masters" - Information is more dangerous than cannon to a society ruled by lies. --James M Dakin
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On Mon, Jun 29, 2020 at 06:28 PM, David Wilcox wrote: ?I just received a NanoVNA H from R & L Electronics and also the NanoVNA
test kit. I need instructions on how to use the test kit. I can see from
pictures where to place the connectors and the two surface mount resistors,
but need more information on its use. The NanoVNA site has basic information
in the use of the NanoVNA but no information on the test kit. Thanks in
advance. David, There is no short answer to your question. It is like asking what can I do with the probe kit that comes with my oscilloscope. The reason I say this is because a Vector Network Analyzer (VNA) can be used for many things. A number of people buy the NanoVNA and use it as an Antenna Analyzer to measure SWR of antennas. But this is only one function of many that a VNA can do. It can also be used to analyze components like resistors, inductors, capacitors and crystals, characterize 2 port networks like filters and amplifiers (input/output impedance, gain, phase, group delay etc.), analyze transmission lines and do TDR, perform a signal generator function and much more. There are several tutorials about how a VNA works and how to use one in this groups wiki. When testing components, like inductors, you need a "test fixture" which can be calibrated and permits easy mounting of the device under test (DUT). This is one of the features of the test kit that you have purchased. You can make up some short open and load (SOLT) calibration loads and establish what is known as the reference plane on the test board. The reference plane is the place where a VNA performs calibrated measurements of amplitude and phase. If you then place a DUT at the reference plane you can make measurements of interest like the resistance and inductance of a leaded inductor or toroid vs. frequency. You could also design a small RF filter and plug into the test board and make some measurements like attenuation and phase shift vs. frequency. How youuse the test fixture is only limited by your imagination. I strongly suggest you spend some time browsing through the wiki for this group. You will find all kinds of interesting material on how to understand and use your NanoVNA, PC software, firmware and how to make a variety of useful measurements. There is a section on test fixtures and jigs as well. It is a fountain of knowledge put together as a team effort by members of this group. Roger
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Some folks like videos because if they are well done it is like having a teacher explain things to you and you.
W2AEW is an amateur radio operator who produces excellent videos on his YouTube channel. He has a knack for explaining complex topics in a way that makes it easy to understand. Recently he has produced a series of videos on how to understand and use a NanoVNA.
I suggest video number 312 as a starting point in order to understand the principles of a VNA. Videos #313 to #316 cover the NanoVNA in particular. Measuring filters with a test fixture is in #315.
Roger
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Roger,
Thank you for your long response. I think I am looking for how others used it with step by step directions. Have looked through all of the suggested sites and will try some things to see if I understand.
Dave K8WPE
David J. Wilcox K8WPE¡¯s iPad
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On Jul 1, 2020, at 12:33 PM, Roger Need via groups.io <sailtamarack@...> wrote:
?On Mon, Jun 29, 2020 at 06:28 PM, David Wilcox wrote:
?I just received a NanoVNA H from R & L Electronics and also the NanoVNA
test kit. I need instructions on how to use the test kit. I can see from
pictures where to place the connectors and the two surface mount resistors,
but need more information on its use. The NanoVNA site has basic information
in the use of the NanoVNA but no information on the test kit. Thanks in
advance. David,
There is no short answer to your question. It is like asking what can I do with the probe kit that comes with my oscilloscope.
The reason I say this is because a Vector Network Analyzer (VNA) can be used for many things. A number of people buy the NanoVNA and use it as an Antenna Analyzer to measure SWR of antennas. But this is only one function of many that a VNA can do. It can also be used to analyze components like resistors, inductors, capacitors and crystals, characterize 2 port networks like filters and amplifiers (input/output impedance, gain, phase, group delay etc.), analyze transmission lines and do TDR, perform a signal generator function and much more. There are several tutorials about how a VNA works and how to use one in this groups wiki.
When testing components, like inductors, you need a "test fixture" which can be calibrated and permits easy mounting of the device under test (DUT). This is one of the features of the test kit that you have purchased. You can make up some short open and load (SOLT) calibration loads and establish what is known as the reference plane on the test board. The reference plane is the place where a VNA performs calibrated measurements of amplitude and phase. If you then place a DUT at the reference plane you can make measurements of interest like the resistance and inductance of a leaded inductor or toroid vs. frequency. You could also design a small RF filter and plug into the test board and make some measurements like attenuation and phase shift vs. frequency. How youuse the test fixture is only limited by your imagination.
I strongly suggest you spend some time browsing through the wiki for this group. You will find all kinds of interesting material on how to understand and use your NanoVNA, PC software, firmware and how to make a variety of useful measurements. There is a section on test fixtures and jigs as well. It is a fountain of knowledge put together as a team effort by members of this group.
Roger
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David,
The test kit you purchased () is a Chinese copy (with some additional connectors) of the SDR-Kits test board for use with the DG8SAQ VNWA. You can find some assembly instructions, templates and examples of how to use it at the SDR-Kits Web site. BTW -- SDR-Kits has great products at fair prices (cal kits, etc.)
Roger
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Roger,
Thank you. This is more like what I was thinking or asking about.
Dave K8WPE
David J. Wilcox K8WPE¡¯s iPad
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On Jul 2, 2020, at 2:17 PM, Roger Need via groups.io <sailtamarack@...> wrote:
?David,
The test kit you purchased () is a Chinese copy (with some additional connectors) of the SDR-Kits test board for use with the DG8SAQ VNWA. You can find some assembly instructions, templates and examples of how to use it at the SDR-Kits Web site. BTW -- SDR-Kits has great products at fair prices (cal kits, etc.)
Roger
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David Wilcox K8WPE
Gyula Molnar
Roger Need