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Hi everyone. Have any blind hams successfully used a nanoVNA? They sound like they might come in handy, since companies don't make talking antenna analyzers or Watt meters anymore. Can a computer interface with one and perform all measurements? I don't know much about them, I only saw a presentation at my local radio club, and a recent discussion reminded me. Thanks.


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73, Austin, KA3TTT

Hi Austin:

This project may be of interest:

I worked on this in collaboration with Frank N1FMV. This project creates a simplified HTML interface for the NanoVNA that is designed to be highly compatible with screen reading technology. Hams with vision impairments have used this tool successfully to analyze antennas, etc. This doesn't expose all of the features of the NanoVNA but it's a good start. I am currently in the process of working on enhancements to support time-domain reflectometry.

Please contact me (good in QRZ) if you want to get into the details of this.

73s,
Bruce KC1FSZ

Hi Bruce:

Excellent work on this. I am a blind ham and have struggled mightily with the currently available apps for the NanoVna using a screen reader. There is some limited usability with use of the windows OCR and exporting data to a csv file and dumping that into an excel spread sheet and using formulas to establish VSWR and other measurements. But that is awfully clunky and doesn't happen in real time or very quickly.

Your HTML interface works flawlessly with my screen reader, NVDA, and google Chrome.

Thanks for your work on this.


I would be interested in testing or offering feedback on any further development, especially with TDR measurements. One of the reasons I got the NanoVna was to measure traps and filter circuits etc, along with swr and impedance of course. The interface is definitely most of the way there and does offer what most hams are in need of which is SWR and impedance.


Regards

Colin va6bkx

Hi Colin. I'm very glad to hear it worked for you. Drop me a note if you've got any suggestions for how to make it better.

73s,
Bruce KC1FSZ

Interesting work. It excites me to know of the possibility. However, I use Linux. Have you ported it? This looks like a great solution.

Hi Austin. I've never tried on Linux, but it shouldn't be hard. I will try it out this evening and report back. I will also update the instructions.

73s,
Bruce KC1FSZ

I tested it on Linux and it works fine. Instructions have been updated at .

73s,
Bruce KC1FSZ

Wonderful! I'll check it out.

I thought of something. If I buy a NanoVNA, will I require sighted help to get it up and running to the point where I can use the web interface? Or do I just need to connect it up and start the program? Thanks.

PS: I also have programming experience, though I mainly use Ruby. Have they made a guide for programmers? I'll look around your code a little.

Hi Austin. I will contact you directly to help you get going. In that process we can update the documentation so that it is completely descriptive and then report back to this group. My goal is to make it so that anyone can get up and running easily, but I recognize that it's not there yet. :-)

73s, Bruce KC1FSZ