I used to have that HP network analyser in the lab where I worked in the 1980's. At the time it cost more than my house !!! Now you can get something similar for 50 USD. How times have changed 🙂
Mines on its way here from my girls house I had it delivered there because the post office here sucks. I'm so excited to tune my 16 pill PROPERLY and I have a 5/8 v5000 maco I'm excited to hook up to.
@@roxleyldc, and it's $50 for the soft cover edition. I believe I'll just pick one up at a swap in a few years. Besides, I've never found my antenna design ideas in the handbook, and who wants to copy someone else's?
@@johnwest7993 yes, me too. I made a fan dipole in my attic with the longest length in the shape of a sign wave from one side of the attic to the other.
Hey guys,... Joe had the same original software,... but since it was very poor in its functions,... HE WROTE HIS OWN CODE to display its full functionality. . .
Can you please tell us more about those extenders that you use between the feed line on the VNA and the base of the antenna? Definitely looks useful for not only holding these kinds of antennas, but creating some separation for the measurements. Would also love to see a video on how to best measure HT antennas.
Hello Ben. The extender is just some semi-ridged with connectors (Fairview Microwave FM-SR250ALTN-STR). In the last video I made, I was comparing some small antennas measuring their VSWR and radiation patterns (see attached link). If I had some interest in ham radio and was reviewing HT antennas, most likely I would rent some time in a chamber so I could reproduce the results. That or just take them into the field using a common set of radios and common fixed antenna. I wouldn't just connect them to a NanoVNA!! lol. IF you take the time to watch this video, you should have some sense of how a test like this would be conducted. th-cam.com/video/xe4Fy4Lpnqw/w-d-xo.html
Someone else had also asked the same question. They deleted parts of their posts but you can find the original here. www.eevblog.com/forum/rf-microwave/cb-and-ham-radio-techs-love-their-bird-wattmeters/msg4676236/#msg4676236
We live in a decent time for tiny effective electronic tools. What used to require a whole room can fit in my pocket. Bleeding edge tech advances have slowed enough for us to optimize the tech we have. The age of optimization. Why have tons of boxes with screens that only serve a single purpose. Every DVD player and TV can be reprogrammed to detect a fire in the room as well (found that out probing an infrared module while lighting my propane burner). I wonder if someone made a patent on that yet...
True to some point. I have three very old VNAs. The newest is a few decades old. The oldest from the 1970s. The are all very large in comparison with these low cost pocket VNAs. They also consume a lot more power. That said, they offer features not yet available with these low cost counterparts. In the following video, I provide a simple example of why someone may still want tons of single purpose boxes. th-cam.com/video/y6iOTEU6Zzo/w-d-xo.html
@@joesmith-je3tq The longevity of the old stuff is why I still use my 35yo Hioki Volt meter. It can measure current with 10uA resolution. Some of those old bench meters are unrivaled in certain respects to this day. I just like seeing these 50 dollar boxes that get the job done fairly well. I always pick up old gear to repair or use. Easy to work on and reliable. I'll be happy if I get 5 years out of the nano.
In my case, the longevity stems from my continuing to service what I own. I can't afford new equipment that will match the performance of what I own. While I never use my original VNA anymore, I still require two others depending on the frequency range. I'm in much the same boat when it comes to these low cost VNAs. Below 300MHz, I still use the original NanoVNA as it out performs all the others I have. For example when measuring narrow band devices or making PDN measurements. Above 300MHz, my current favorite is the LiteVNA. Still these are not going to come close to matching the performance of my old VNAs.
@@barrykery1175 Did you know that there is currently work being done on an open source interface? If not, I suggest you have a look. I haven't looked into it but I suspect it is much better suited for general use than the software I am developing.
I got a nanoVNA-F recently which I like a lot better than the smaller nanoVNA; but it’s a little different, hope not too different LOL. Thanks for a great video, I have the same Antenna handbook, lol... de Paul NT3L
Here are a few links showing some of my later experiments. This will give you some idea how much my software has changed. www.eevblog.com/forum/rf-microwave/nanovna-custom-software/msg2688396/#msg2688396 www.eevblog.com/forum/rf-microwave/fun-with-crystal-filters/msg3071530/#msg3071530
You mentioned Andreas’s VNA antenna tuning video. So it appears he was demonstrating how to use the VNA properly. Or did I misunderstand the difference between the way you both Are demonstrating how to tune and construct antennas? Great video.
I think the OP was asking if the Nano could make this same SWR measurement. So I attempted to replicate what was in shown in the video they had linked.
They've made two major improvements. One, the 4 inch version , just a larger version of what you have. 2 the very new version that uses a chip that will go up to 4 gigs without having to rely on multiples as did the first version for higher frequencies. It is said that it has much closer tolerances and accuracy. I think it was called the S2 ? I have the generator with that chip but not the NanoVNA.
I made a review for the V2Plus4 some time ago that throws up some pretty decent data at over 4GHz. If you're interested, you may find it here: th-cam.com/video/XaYBpPCo1qk/w-d-xo.html
@@joesmith-je3tq Actually I have little need at this time for anything above 450 mhz. But, the day is coming , and I might need 900 or higher soon. I have a 900 mhz antenna I've swept, I think I've gotten an accurate sweep but would be happier with the new model.
@@californiakayaker I do hear from a lot of radio hobbyist who consider the VNA an antenna analyzer. I've had people write me who have bought an old HP8753 just to measure VSWR. I have no idea what your requirements are or what your intended use is but make sure that YOU do! If your not in a hurry, I would wait and see what the next generation of low cost VNAs has to offer.
Is this instrument good for adjusting a receiving antenna or is this purely for transmitting? I have a HackRF and have discovered that the failures I may have been having with it are my ignorance that the antenna that comes with it might not be perfect for all frequencies and that you might need to adjust its length. I am hoping that this NanoVNA might be able to provide me the confidence that I am meeting those requirements as closely as I can.
Not sure if you ever got the answer but yes the antenna with HackRF is not for all frequencies. One I am seeing says it is good for the 75MHz to 1GHz range. A wide range but you wont be able to really see things like WIFI and cellphone signals or any of the long wave stations lower than 75MHz.
Yes, you can use coax to calibrate a VNA but it may not be practical at frequencies you are working at. You may need more standards than a broadband SOL. Ideally for 75 ohms you would want a 75 ohm test set. It is possible to match the two with a pad. There are some videos showing this technique. Check out CopperMountain's site. They have a demo of it.
I would hope anyone that watched understood the reference to Andreas’s VNA video and my attempts to replicate it using the NanoVNA. This includes the antenna. Outside of that, this antenna serves no purpose.
Sorry I wasn't able to capture the data from the old HP as a reference. The two system appear close enough that I would say the Nano could be used for this in the frequency range you are interested in. It still wouldn't hurt to maybe reach out to the original channel to see if they would mind bench marking it for you. Good luck.
re: "Sorry I wasn't able to capture the data from the old HP as a reference." >> For years I took actual digital pictures of scopes, spectrum analyzers and DVM displays for technical reports; nothing beats a good detailed picture when conveying information to a technical customer when his 'design' starts to malfunction in the contract manufacturer's hands (usually RF issues) ...
Hi Joe, ...At 03:24 would be cool if demo'd Radials angle 90° R & Z at resonance (R=35, Z=0) & resulting VSWR Compared to Radials slanted down at resonance (R=50, Z=0).....Very interesting how depending on radiator Length & radials Angle, many Different R & Z values result.....
Thx for helpful informative video....Using this antenna tuning procedure on SWR & LogMag,.... thru 50 to 100 ft coax run, Does it make any difference where the Calibration is performed at ?? .....I've heard the Calibration should be performed at the Antenna Terminal location & Is that Required for Vna Accuracy or is Any Additional length of coax after Calibration OK to use ? ....
Is the cable and connections perfect (no loss, infinite BW, no reflection)? If not, they will contribute to the error. That said, I suspect you're really wanting a basic answer. Of course the VNA (Vector) means we have phase information which is going to be effected but you are asking about VSWR. Think about what VSWR is. Take your VSWR meter and insert it at different locations along your 100' coax, will the reading change? I never understood the ham/CB group using a VNA as what many of them call an antenna analyzer. One ham posted about the errors caused from a local radio station. Of course, if you are making VSWR measurements on the transmit end of the 100' coax, placing an inline VSWR meter would be far more robust and using the radio as a source should provide enough signal to overcome most problems with outside sources. I constructed a simple inline Watt meter using two low cost log detector boards from China. Of course, we would need to know what the load is for it to have any level of accuracy. For this, both the incident and reflected signals are measured using a bidirectional coupler. These two signals allows us to also measure VSWR. The following video shows my meter. Again, keep in mind you could just buy or build a simple VSWR/Watt meter. I doubt many hams make their own code oscillators anymore, but I wouldn't be surprised if the VSWR meter isn't one of the first things they still make. th-cam.com/video/JHsgbu7brYI/w-d-xo.html
Interesting how if Perpendicular (90°) must be used or desired, AFAIK the vertical Radiator can be slightly Shortened (from resonance Length) & a Beta hairpin match used to achieve R=50, Z=0 at Resonance with Perpendicular 90° radials ?
hi friend, please tell me what version of the program is for nanoVNA ??? Please give the download link for WINDOWS. You will help me and many of our colleagues very cool. Best regards, Vladimir Kurilovich US5NKD
I can't answer your first question but I will say that flipper and I both got $50 worth of entertainment from it. For flipper, it's his first VNA that I recommended to him because it was so cheap and because his goal was to learn more about VNAs. In their case, the Nano would be a stepping stone. I assume your second question is about all the various flavors available of the Nano and not how the Nano would compare against a $100,000 instrument. I only have the one Nano to look at. There may be people doing comparisons. I've not looked into this. I will say that I am impressed with the one I have.
Very useful video. Can I ask for the model of HP analyser you have there? I think it might be 8754A, but the manual for that only shows a graticule on the screen, not a Smith Chart. Is that an overlay you added yourself?
It is an 8754A. The 8754A was supplied with various overlays which is covered in the manual. I have uploaded these to EEVBLOG. The one shown in the video is a custom one I made.
Looks like X or reactance got close to zero at -.03 and impedance was close to 50 ohms at 48.44 after that last snip. SWR went way down also 1.04. Perfect! I have a Nano VNA H4 and am just learning about Reactance or X and Impedance values. I was wondering how accurate the Nano is on Reactance? I love the small antennas of the ham bands. I'm stuck using a gynormous 11 meter antennas until I get a Ham License. I guess I could build one to tinker with on the Nano VNA.
It's hard to say without constraining the question. I made a review for the V2Plus4. I compared some data from it, my original NanoVNA and one of my old VNAs. th-cam.com/video/XaYBpPCo1qk/w-d-xo.html I also made a review of the original NanoVNA where I made several measurements with it. th-cam.com/video/mKi6s3WvBAM/w-d-xo.html Maybe you will find these helpful.
Isn't it difficult to get a true reactive measurement when the antenna us being measured with a feedline. Pretty tricky to get half wavelengths taking in the velocity factor, or multiples thereof. Especially at these higher frequencies. Use the VNA I suppose. Good luck with that.
There are three other videos. You can find them in the Nano playlist or off the main page. During the first video I explain the reason for rolling my own software for the Nano.
@@wanopensat8968 I was hoping it would be the nice dark theme that appears on the video but it's white like all the others I've seen. Any idea where the dark theme came software from?
@@RP4UXO Join the group linked in the description and ask there. I am sure they will help you out. I have no experience with it and haven't been following it's development but I imagine that the group would be able to give you some idea how well it works.
re: "they are equally important. " >> No, no Ray, they aren't. I can tell you've never had hands-on on something like this, never swept an antenna in your back yard like some of us have, and found, EXPERIMENTALLY, what is critical and what is not. Note: The word CRITICAL is being used here and conveys specific conditions. Some are "armchair" QBs, and some of us have had 'time on the field'.
@@ThatPNWGuy2024 If you go to my main YT channel, select the nano play list, then select the forth video. If you are having trouble navigating YT, just use the following link: th-cam.com/video/GJNMnq8eD0E/w-d-xo.html
I know this video was made a long time ago, but why are you using an antenna that is normally a 1/4 wave design. The length of the element at 900Mhz is closer to a half or even 3/4 wave?
@@joesmith-je3tq Well, there is no way that this antenna design is appropriate for frequencies at 900MHz. I don't know if you are working in metric or SAE lengths. At 900MHz the wavelength is about 33 cm. 1/4 of that would be about 8.1 cm. For feet it is 234 divided by the frequency in MHz or 234 / 900 = .26 ft or about 3.1 inches. The antenna that you were using appeared to be for 450MHz. While it will still work as a 1/2 wave antenna and will give you whacked out results. In affect you were most likely measuring a part of the feedline as being a part of the antenna as feeding a 1/2 wave antenna will present a high impedance at the feedpoint and would require a matching network of some sort to work at 50 Ohms.
As I talked about in this video, that is going to depend what measurements you need to make. My advice is join that group and ask there. I understand many members are now amateur radio hobbyist and I suspect they could provide answers to any questions you may have.
I'd be interested in using the unit at a much lower frequency, say between 3.5 - 25 mhz. Would also be interesting to try out a discone antenna for 144 - 500 mhz.
re: "between 3.5 - 25 mhz. " You want to work in the 3.5 to 25 milliHertz range? Strictly speaking, that's what you wrote ... not meaning to sound mean or anything. MegaHertz uses a capital "M" like this: MHz.
@@uploadJ I've never heard the word "millihertz" used in any real life context. Instead of cycles per second, everything lower than 1hz is displayed as seconds per cycle. Ask a drag car racer about their MPG on the strip and they'll laugh and say "dont you mean GPM?"
@@billybbob18 International standard for 'unit prefixes' - I don't make up the rulez!! Powers of 1,000 are f (femto), p (pico), n (nano), u (micro), m (millli), skip, k (kilo), M (Mega), G (Giga) et cetra.
If you read the description and follow the first link, you will find where I wrote this software. You could have also read the comments. I started to put a manual together for the latest version but there's no magic and requires reading. github.com/joeqsmith/NanoVNA_V2Plus
I would settle for 20 dB RL measurement at 2.4 GHz ... that would be very handy for antenna check-out for WiFi. I also need 1296 and of course 450 MHz.
Hi Joe, you measure the ground plane antenna both on ch1/rx just to see how both antennas behaviour on receiving mode..ok? The ch2/tx we can use it to check our antennas on tx mode? Thanks for share Dinos..73's
re: "The ch2/tx we can use it to check our antennas on tx mode?" No. Look up the technical engineering term "S-Parameters" and note difference between "S11" and "S21" measurement.
I have had no luck getting mine to work at all. I can get through the calibration sequence, but understanding anything else to do with this device is frustrating. It came with no instructions and to make matters worse, I use linux mint 19. I can't even get the software to install off of git hub. Any help you can throw my way would sure be awesome. Thanks.
While I've looked at LINUX since the mid 90s, I use MS Windows for the majority of my work. The main reason is compatibility. The other is the amount of time LINUX seems to require any time I try to use it. One the plus side, the Nano will run without a PC and it drives pretty much like any other VNA. In your case, it sounds like you may not have any experience in this area. There are plenty of videos you can watch on setting up and using VNAs. There are also lots of documents from the main companies, depending how deep you want to dive into it. Recently I've been playing around with the Nano again and running it standalone. I have newer firmware installed and I am amazed at how often it crashes and requires a power cycle. Many of these problems appear to be related to the menus. Still, for $50 I can't fault it. I was surprised to see it work as well as it does. I suggest you join the Nano group and ask for help there. It sounds like people have been working on manuals for it. They keep that area locked and it's for members only. So I can't comment on what you will find there.
@@joesmith-je3tq Well thank you for getting back to me so fast. I appreciate your help. Do you know if the ARRL Handbook has any info on these devices? Or even the antenna book? They are both pretty pricy books but if they can help me on this device, it might be worth getting them. Any insight is appreciated.
@@EarlGray_kd7sjt I doubt it. The last one I bought was from 2015 and they mention VNAs but that's about the extent of it. I wouldn't see a reason to buy any books and that you would be better served reading papers from the large companies. These are written for EEs and provide a lot of details. Depending on your background and goals, you may want to start there or for more basic questions just join that forum. You could also join the EEVBLOG forums but I suspect the other forum would be more useful. Currently a few of us are discussing home made attenuators. Have a look. www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/20db-rf-attenuator-seeking-feedback-to-improve/
@@joesmith-je3tq Thank you again good sir. I will check out the resources you pointed out. Looks like I have some good reading to do. I appreciate the helping hand you have lent. I hope some day I can return the favor. I hope and pray you and yours are healthy and well in these troubled times. God Bless.
hi.i want to know about 3g 4g cell repeater or cell signal booster .is they create interference in cell tower signal or not if they create interference how we rid off this problem. please reply ..
@@tlturner3 Looks close and you will only see a single SMA connector used on each antenna which I assumed is what you were asking. The radials are attached with solder.
@@tlturner3 @Timothy Turner No problem. Keep in mind, these antennas had no other purpose than to replicate what had been demonstrated in another video. It was never my intent to put them into service.
OK, at 5:29 I state: "Again, if you read that ARRL book that I mentioned, they talk in there about the number of ground radials. Basically four doesn't do you a lot of good."
@@joesmith-je3tq Tu Joe,almost everything about xtal filter, likely about bandwidth ,stop band rejection ,pass band,.Inshort ,To design a xtal ladder filter
@@aneespi4684 Have you tried using the Nano to measure one you made and were not getting results you expected? If so, have you posted about your experiments and could you provide a link? I did use the Nano to measure a crystal in shunt mode that then used as part of a simulation. It may provide you with some of the problems I ran up against. th-cam.com/video/v01lSgWo904/w-d-xo.html
Have you made any progress with this project yet? What frequency and other constraints do you have for your filter? What software do you plan to use to model it? I would like to follow along if you decide to post a blog about it.
If you are asking if NI has a version of LabView for LINUX, I believe they still do. It may not have the features that the Windows 32-bit version has. Even their 64-bit Windows version is limited. If you are asking if the software I wrote for the Nano in LabView will run under LINUX, I doubt it. You would need to Google it and maybe check the forums.
I would expect most would and the majority who don't understand can formulate intelligent questions. Then we have the whiners who need everything handed to them. If you are in that last group, I suggest you join the forum and ask for help. Don't be a dick, explain you are a beginner and people may try and help you. The other option is it's possible to actually learn something on your own..
![ลองสุ่มไอโฟน 990 โกงมั้ย? [ โกงมั้ยครับ ep.101 ] | DOM](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/bfsWe0j492k/mqdefault.jpg)
Wow, so doing this live and snipping off the driven element a small amount at a time and showing is the direct effect, this was a fantastic video!!!
That 1974 Antenna Handbook has to be the best edition ARRL ever put out! I reference mine frequently! Have 3 or 4 copy!
I used to have that HP network analyser in the lab where I worked in the 1980's. At the time it cost more than my house !!! Now you can get something similar for 50 USD. How times have changed 🙂
I want to know why someone disliked the video. (Facepalm).
Thanks for your efforts.
lol You can't please everyone and I don't want to try to. lol.
No downvotes from me! I appreciate seeing what the NanoVNA can do!
liked how ya gave it the rough handling treatment, to see if it would break
You must be referring to me bending the wires.
Got mine in today's mail from ebay and you just have made my day! Thanks Joe!
Glad you found it helpful.
Mines on its way here from my girls house I had it delivered there because the post office here sucks. I'm so excited to tune my 16 pill PROPERLY and I have a 5/8 v5000 maco I'm excited to hook up to.
Electronics and motorcycles - two of my main activities :)
Same here 😎
Hi Joe. I think I have the same vintage ARRL antenna manual as yours. But physics doesn't usually change very fast, so we're probably OK. :)
It's a pretty decent book.
The new book is almost 2” thick!
@@roxleyldc, and it's $50 for the soft cover edition. I believe I'll just pick one up at a swap in a few years. Besides, I've never found my antenna design ideas in the handbook, and who wants to copy someone else's?
@@johnwest7993 yes, me too. I made a fan dipole in my attic with the longest length in the shape of a sign wave from one side of the attic to the other.
Hi. Where did you got nano vna software, cause the version i got is different.
In advance many thanks
Nelson, CE3llp
I'd also like to know the download source for this software!
Me too. I want to know
Hey guys,... Joe had the same original software,... but since it was very poor in its functions,... HE WROTE HIS OWN CODE to display its full functionality.
.
.
Can you please tell us more about those extenders that you use between the feed line on the VNA and the base of the antenna? Definitely looks useful for not only holding these kinds of antennas, but creating some separation for the measurements. Would also love to see a video on how to best measure HT antennas.
Hello Ben. The extender is just some semi-ridged with connectors (Fairview Microwave FM-SR250ALTN-STR). In the last video I made, I was comparing some small antennas measuring their VSWR and radiation patterns (see attached link). If I had some interest in ham radio and was reviewing HT antennas, most likely I would rent some time in a chamber so I could reproduce the results. That or just take them into the field using a common set of radios and common fixed antenna. I wouldn't just connect them to a NanoVNA!! lol. IF you take the time to watch this video, you should have some sense of how a test like this would be conducted. th-cam.com/video/xe4Fy4Lpnqw/w-d-xo.html
Someone else had also asked the same question. They deleted parts of their posts but you can find the original here. www.eevblog.com/forum/rf-microwave/cb-and-ham-radio-techs-love-their-bird-wattmeters/msg4676236/#msg4676236
We live in a decent time for tiny effective electronic tools. What used to require a whole room can fit in my pocket. Bleeding edge tech advances have slowed enough for us to optimize the tech we have. The age of optimization. Why have tons of boxes with screens that only serve a single purpose. Every DVD player and TV can be reprogrammed to detect a fire in the room as well (found that out probing an infrared module while lighting my propane burner). I wonder if someone made a patent on that yet...
True to some point. I have three very old VNAs. The newest is a few decades old. The oldest from the 1970s. The are all very large in comparison with these low cost pocket VNAs. They also consume a lot more power. That said, they offer features not yet available with these low cost counterparts. In the following video, I provide a simple example of why someone may still want tons of single purpose boxes.
th-cam.com/video/y6iOTEU6Zzo/w-d-xo.html
@@joesmith-je3tq The longevity of the old stuff is why I still use my 35yo Hioki Volt meter. It can measure current with 10uA resolution. Some of those old bench meters are unrivaled in certain respects to this day. I just like seeing these 50 dollar boxes that get the job done fairly well. I always pick up old gear to repair or use. Easy to work on and reliable. I'll be happy if I get 5 years out of the nano.
In my case, the longevity stems from my continuing to service what I own. I can't afford new equipment that will match the performance of what I own. While I never use my original VNA anymore, I still require two others depending on the frequency range. I'm in much the same boat when it comes to these low cost VNAs. Below 300MHz, I still use the original NanoVNA as it out performs all the others I have. For example when measuring narrow band devices or making PDN measurements. Above 300MHz, my current favorite is the LiteVNA. Still these are not going to come close to matching the performance of my old VNAs.
You have convinced me it worth getting for portable work. Can you share what coax used on it and do you use crimp on connectors.
I would if I could but these are fairly old. One that I use from Pasternack is a PN# PE4036 1213 which are crimp on style.
Great video. I wish you'd post your personal software so we all can use it. Not everybody is a programmer, surely not me !
Barry, KU3X
PS. Looks like a motorcycle dashboard in view? What kind of motorcycle do you ride?
@@barrykery1175 Did you know that there is currently work being done on an open source interface? If not, I suggest you have a look. I haven't looked into it but I suspect it is much better suited for general use than the software I am developing.
@@barrykery1175 I have a few old Suzukis. You can find them in a few different videos. th-cam.com/video/q_89qoFMivg/w-d-xo.html
I got a nanoVNA-F recently which I like a lot better than the smaller nanoVNA; but it’s a little different, hope not too different LOL. Thanks for a great video, I have the same Antenna handbook, lol... de Paul NT3L
Good video Joe, my software is totally different to yours. Does the same thing (roughly) but your GUI is better and clearer.
Anyone taking the time to learn enough to write software for a VNA is alright.
Here are a few links showing some of my later experiments. This will give you some idea how much my software has changed.
www.eevblog.com/forum/rf-microwave/nanovna-custom-software/msg2688396/#msg2688396
www.eevblog.com/forum/rf-microwave/fun-with-crystal-filters/msg3071530/#msg3071530
You mentioned Andreas’s VNA antenna tuning video. So it appears he was demonstrating how to use the VNA properly. Or did I misunderstand the difference between the way you both Are demonstrating how to tune and construct antennas?
Great video.
I think the OP was asking if the Nano could make this same SWR measurement. So I attempted to replicate what was in shown in the video they had linked.
They've made two major improvements. One, the 4 inch version , just a larger version of what you have. 2 the very new version that uses a chip that will go up to 4 gigs without having to rely on multiples as did the first version for higher frequencies. It is said that it has much closer tolerances and accuracy. I think it was called the S2 ? I have the generator with that chip but not the NanoVNA.
I made a review for the V2Plus4 some time ago that throws up some pretty decent data at over 4GHz. If you're interested, you may find it here:
th-cam.com/video/XaYBpPCo1qk/w-d-xo.html
@@joesmith-je3tq Thankyou. I'll check it out. It looks like a great piece of gear as is the generator.
@@californiakayaker Like any test equipment, it depends what your needs are.
@@joesmith-je3tq Actually I have little need at this time for anything above 450 mhz. But, the day is coming , and I might need 900 or higher soon. I have a 900 mhz antenna I've swept, I think I've gotten an accurate sweep but would be happier with the new model.
@@californiakayaker I do hear from a lot of radio hobbyist who consider the VNA an antenna analyzer. I've had people write me who have bought an old HP8753 just to measure VSWR. I have no idea what your requirements are or what your intended use is but make sure that YOU do! If your not in a hurry, I would wait and see what the next generation of low cost VNAs has to offer.
Is this instrument good for adjusting a receiving antenna or is this purely for transmitting? I have a HackRF and have discovered that the failures I may have been having with it are my ignorance that the antenna that comes with it might not be perfect for all frequencies and that you might need to adjust its length. I am hoping that this NanoVNA might be able to provide me the confidence that I am meeting those requirements as closely as I can.
Not sure if you ever got the answer but yes the antenna with HackRF is not for all frequencies. One I am seeing says it is good for the 75MHz to 1GHz range. A wide range but you wont be able to really see things like WIFI and cellphone signals or any of the long wave stations lower than 75MHz.
For TV and 75 ohm coax, would you make and use a 75 ohm load to calibrate? Can you use coax as a calibration load?
Yes, you can use coax to calibrate a VNA but it may not be practical at frequencies you are working at. You may need more standards than a broadband SOL. Ideally for 75 ohms you would want a 75 ohm test set. It is possible to match the two with a pad. There are some videos showing this technique. Check out CopperMountain's site. They have a demo of it.
what pc software is that?
5:40 "Four [radials] really doesn't do you a lot of good." If the ARRL teaches this, we're in trouble.
I would hope anyone that watched understood the reference to Andreas’s VNA video and my attempts to replicate it using the NanoVNA. This includes the antenna. Outside of that, this antenna serves no purpose.
Thank you very much for the efforts and this video 👍🏻
Impressive what you get for the bucks!
Sorry I wasn't able to capture the data from the old HP as a reference. The two system appear close enough that I would say the Nano could be used for this in the frequency range you are interested in. It still wouldn't hurt to maybe reach out to the original channel to see if they would mind bench marking it for you. Good luck.
re: "Sorry I wasn't able to capture the data from the old HP as a reference."
>> For years I took actual digital pictures of scopes, spectrum analyzers and DVM displays for technical reports; nothing beats a good detailed picture when conveying information to a technical customer when his 'design' starts to malfunction in the contract manufacturer's hands (usually RF issues) ...
Can you easily scan a multiband antenna or does the baluns mess things up a little?
Baluns always "mess things up a little". That is because they become part of the antenna system, like the ladder line.....
Hi Joe, ...At 03:24 would be cool if demo'd Radials angle 90° R & Z at resonance (R=35, Z=0) & resulting VSWR Compared to Radials slanted down at resonance (R=50, Z=0).....Very interesting how depending on radiator Length & radials Angle, many Different R & Z values result.....
Thx for helpful informative video....Using this antenna tuning procedure on SWR & LogMag,.... thru 50 to 100 ft coax run, Does it make any difference where the Calibration is performed at ?? .....I've heard the Calibration should be performed at the Antenna Terminal location & Is that Required for Vna Accuracy or is Any Additional length of coax after Calibration OK to use ? ....
Is the cable and connections perfect (no loss, infinite BW, no reflection)? If not, they will contribute to the error. That said, I suspect you're really wanting a basic answer. Of course the VNA (Vector) means we have phase information which is going to be effected but you are asking about VSWR. Think about what VSWR is. Take your VSWR meter and insert it at different locations along your 100' coax, will the reading change?
I never understood the ham/CB group using a VNA as what many of them call an antenna analyzer. One ham posted about the errors caused from a local radio station. Of course, if you are making VSWR measurements on the transmit end of the 100' coax, placing an inline VSWR meter would be far more robust and using the radio as a source should provide enough signal to overcome most problems with outside sources.
I constructed a simple inline Watt meter using two low cost log detector boards from China. Of course, we would need to know what the load is for it to have any level of accuracy. For this, both the incident and reflected signals are measured using a bidirectional coupler. These two signals allows us to also measure VSWR. The following video shows my meter. Again, keep in mind you could just buy or build a simple VSWR/Watt meter. I doubt many hams make their own code oscillators anymore, but I wouldn't be surprised if the VSWR meter isn't one of the first things they still make.
th-cam.com/video/JHsgbu7brYI/w-d-xo.html
Interesting.......What's the Dashboard & Gauges used for with Antenna measurements ??
Serves the same purpose as the mouse and two screw drivers.
Interesting how if Perpendicular (90°) must be used or desired, AFAIK the vertical Radiator can be slightly Shortened (from resonance Length) & a Beta hairpin match used to achieve R=50, Z=0 at Resonance with Perpendicular 90° radials ?
😮
hi friend, please tell me what version of the program is for nanoVNA ??? Please give the download link for WINDOWS. You will help me and many of our colleagues very cool. Best regards, Vladimir Kurilovich US5NKD
Are all these nanovna worth buying? No differences between them?
I can't answer your first question but I will say that flipper and I both got $50 worth of entertainment from it. For flipper, it's his first VNA that I recommended to him because it was so cheap and because his goal was to learn more about VNAs. In their case, the Nano would be a stepping stone.
I assume your second question is about all the various flavors available of the Nano and not how the Nano would compare against a $100,000 instrument. I only have the one Nano to look at. There may be people doing comparisons. I've not looked into this. I will say that I am impressed with the one I have.
Well, there is is - at the link below. Guy claims he designed it, improved it, others copied it ..
github.com/hugen79/NanoVNA-H
Very useful video. Can I ask for the model of HP analyser you have there? I think it might be 8754A, but the manual for that only shows a graticule on the screen, not a Smith Chart. Is that an overlay you added yourself?
It is an 8754A. The 8754A was supplied with various overlays which is covered in the manual. I have uploaded these to EEVBLOG. The one shown in the video is a custom one I made.
Ahhh, now I read the manual more thoroughly I can see the part about the overlays. Thank you!
@@gavinsaxby You should be able to locate them fairly easy with the search feature. I had copied them using overhead projector slides.
Looks like X or reactance got close to zero at -.03 and impedance was close to 50 ohms at 48.44 after that last snip.
SWR went way down also 1.04. Perfect!
I have a Nano VNA H4 and am just learning about Reactance or X and Impedance values.
I was wondering how accurate the Nano is on Reactance?
I love the small antennas of the ham bands. I'm stuck using a gynormous 11 meter antennas until I get a Ham License.
I guess I could build one to tinker with on the Nano VNA.
It's hard to say without constraining the question. I made a review for the V2Plus4. I compared some data from it, my original NanoVNA and one of my old VNAs.
th-cam.com/video/XaYBpPCo1qk/w-d-xo.html
I also made a review of the original NanoVNA where I made several measurements with it.
th-cam.com/video/mKi6s3WvBAM/w-d-xo.html
Maybe you will find these helpful.
Isn't it difficult to get a true reactive measurement when the antenna us being measured with a feedline. Pretty tricky to get half wavelengths taking in the velocity factor, or multiples thereof. Especially at these higher frequencies. Use the VNA I suppose. Good luck with that.
Cool video. Have you wrote your own nanoVNA software as it looks so different to ones I have seen?
There are three other videos. You can find them in the Nano playlist or off the main page. During the first video I explain the reason for rolling my own software for the Nano.
joe smith Thank you will check out and have subscribed. 👍
We’re is a link for the stand and clip for radial clip
That is a micrometer holder from Harbor Freight.
Hey joe. What software is it? An where can I load it? Thank you 👍🏻
Its a custom program he wrote in Labview I believe.
That looks like very nice software for the NanoVNA. Is it publicly available? If so, do you have a llink to where it can be downloaded?
Hello Joe, please where can be downloaded the PC software used in your video or what is the name of it? Thanks a lot and 73, Tom OK1FSX
@@wanopensat8968 I was hoping it would be the nice dark theme that appears on the video but it's white like all the others I've seen. Any idea where the dark theme came software from?
@@rayprada8398 Custom. I understand there is a free open source project that is the best thing since sliced bread.
@@RP4UXO Join the group linked in the description and ask there. I am sure they will help you out. I have no experience with it and haven't been following it's development but I imagine that the group would be able to give you some idea how well it works.
Same here! Where did you get that software?
The radial length also should be trimmed when tuning the antenna.
NOT near as critical as the vertical element.
Note the DROOPING had quite an effect though ...
@@uploadJ they are equally important. The radials make up the other half of the antenna. They effectively replace half of a half wave dipole.
re: "they are equally important. "
>> No, no Ray, they aren't. I can tell you've never had hands-on on something like this, never swept an antenna in your back yard like some of us have, and found, EXPERIMENTALLY, what is critical and what is not. Note: The word CRITICAL is being used here and conveys specific conditions. Some are "armchair" QBs, and some of us have had 'time on the field'.
Can the nanoVNA be used like the mfj analyzers to make your coax jumpers the proper length for the frequencies you’re using?
Did you watch part 4?
I headed there now!!!!! Sorry so much good content on your channel I keep getting side tracked!!
joe smith is that part of the beginners guide video?
@@ThatPNWGuy2024 If you go to my main YT channel, select the nano play list, then select the forth video. If you are having trouble navigating YT, just use the following link: th-cam.com/video/GJNMnq8eD0E/w-d-xo.html
I know this video was made a long time ago, but why are you using an antenna that is normally a 1/4 wave design.
The length of the element at 900Mhz is closer to a half or even 3/4 wave?
" I attempted to replicate what was in shown in the video they had linked."
@@joesmith-je3tq Well, there is no way that this antenna design is appropriate for frequencies at 900MHz. I don't know if you are working in metric or SAE lengths. At 900MHz the wavelength is about 33 cm. 1/4 of that would be about 8.1 cm. For feet it is 234 divided by the frequency in MHz
or 234 / 900 = .26 ft or about 3.1 inches.
The antenna that you were using appeared to be for 450MHz. While it will still work as a 1/2 wave antenna and will give you whacked out results. In affect you were most likely measuring a part of the feedline as being a part of the antenna as feeding a 1/2 wave antenna will present a high impedance at the feedpoint and would require a matching network of some sort to work at 50 Ohms.
7351 Mr Joe, I'm Paulo from Portugal. Could I use this device to make measurements in 27 Mhz antenna. Tks a lot. 7351.
As I talked about in this video, that is going to depend what measurements you need to make. My advice is join that group and ask there. I understand many members are now amateur radio hobbyist and I suspect they could provide answers to any questions you may have.
@@joesmith-je3tq Tks all the best.
I'd be interested in using the unit at a much lower frequency, say between 3.5 - 25 mhz. Would also be interesting to try out a discone antenna for 144 - 500 mhz.
I have been posting about some tests I have ran in the 1-10MHz range.
re: "between 3.5 - 25 mhz. "
You want to work in the 3.5 to 25 milliHertz range? Strictly speaking, that's what you wrote ... not meaning to sound mean or anything.
MegaHertz uses a capital "M" like this: MHz.
@@uploadJ I've never heard the word "millihertz" used in any real life context. Instead of cycles per second, everything lower than 1hz is displayed as seconds per cycle. Ask a drag car racer about their MPG on the strip and they'll laugh and say "dont you mean GPM?"
@@billybbob18 International standard for 'unit prefixes' - I don't make up the rulez!! Powers of 1,000 are f (femto), p (pico), n (nano), u (micro), m (millli), skip, k (kilo), M (Mega), G (Giga) et cetra.
where did you get the NANO VNA computer display software?
If you read the description and follow the first link, you will find where I wrote this software. You could have also read the comments. I started to put a manual together for the latest version but there's no magic and requires reading. github.com/joeqsmith/NanoVNA_V2Plus
hopefully 6Ghz or so will be soon also for 50$ :D (my dream :D)
In the meantime there is the Deepace KC901V, about US$1500
@@uploadJ yes only price is far away :)
re: "up into the ghz range"
Reduced performance though, esp compared to Deepace on high freq end.
I would settle for 20 dB RL measurement at 2.4 GHz ... that would be very handy for antenna check-out for WiFi. I also need 1296 and of course 450 MHz.
@@TheAbyss79 I've seen it: 3.5 Ghz $150 I'll wait...
Hi Joe,
you measure the ground plane antenna both on ch1/rx just to see how both antennas behaviour on receiving mode..ok?
The ch2/tx we can use it to check our antennas on tx mode?
Thanks for share Dinos..73's
re: "The ch2/tx we can use it to check our antennas on tx mode?"
No. Look up the technical engineering term "S-Parameters" and note difference between "S11" and "S21" measurement.
Can you check the gain of the antenna ?
I would imagine I could take it to a lab and have it characterized. Not sure why I would.
I have had no luck getting mine to work at all. I can get through the calibration sequence, but understanding anything else to do with this device is frustrating. It came with no instructions and to make matters worse, I use linux mint 19. I can't even get the software to install off of git hub. Any help you can throw my way would sure be awesome. Thanks.
While I've looked at LINUX since the mid 90s, I use MS Windows for the majority of my work. The main reason is compatibility. The other is the amount of time LINUX seems to require any time I try to use it. One the plus side, the Nano will run without a PC and it drives pretty much like any other VNA. In your case, it sounds like you may not have any experience in this area. There are plenty of videos you can watch on setting up and using VNAs. There are also lots of documents from the main companies, depending how deep you want to dive into it.
Recently I've been playing around with the Nano again and running it standalone. I have newer firmware installed and I am amazed at how often it crashes and requires a power cycle. Many of these problems appear to be related to the menus. Still, for $50 I can't fault it. I was surprised to see it work as well as it does. I suggest you join the Nano group and ask for help there. It sounds like people have been working on manuals for it. They keep that area locked and it's for members only. So I can't comment on what you will find there.
@@joesmith-je3tq Well thank you for getting back to me so fast. I appreciate your help. Do you know if the ARRL Handbook has any info on these devices? Or even the antenna book? They are both pretty pricy books but if they can help me on this device, it might be worth getting them. Any insight is appreciated.
@@EarlGray_kd7sjt I doubt it. The last one I bought was from 2015 and they mention VNAs but that's about the extent of it. I wouldn't see a reason to buy any books and that you would be better served reading papers from the large companies. These are written for EEs and provide a lot of details. Depending on your background and goals, you may want to start there or for more basic questions just join that forum. You could also join the EEVBLOG forums but I suspect the other forum would be more useful. Currently a few of us are discussing home made attenuators. Have a look. www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/20db-rf-attenuator-seeking-feedback-to-improve/
@@joesmith-je3tq Thank you again good sir. I will check out the resources you pointed out. Looks like I have some good reading to do. I appreciate the helping hand you have lent. I hope some day I can return the favor. I hope and pray you and yours are healthy and well in these troubled times. God Bless.
hi.i want to know about 3g 4g cell repeater or cell signal booster .is they create interference in cell tower signal or not if they create interference how we rid off this problem. please reply ..
I have never owned a cell phone. I have no use for such things.
@Jim Mitchell
"Word salad", Jim, signifying ????
whats nano software???
To whomever may know this one. What type of or kind of connectors are those connecting the radials to the base antenna?
SMA
@@joesmith-je3tq Thanks Joe. So each radial has an sma connector?
@@tlturner3 Looks close and you will only see a single SMA connector used on each antenna which I assumed is what you were asking. The radials are attached with solder.
@@joesmith-je3tq thank you sir! I appreciate the answer.
@@tlturner3 @Timothy Turner No problem. Keep in mind, these antennas had no other purpose than to replicate what had been demonstrated in another video. It was never my intent to put them into service.
What motorcycle do those gages go to ?
A Hayabusa. It's in some of my videos.
Where can i find that program for my NanoVNA?
Watch part 3
@@joesmith-je3tq im sorry im probably blind, i have lookad around a bit and cant find any link fot download, 73
@@Ghost_Swe Watch part 3
@@joesmith-je3tq Sorry, but where is part 3?
None of your videos are labeled part 1, 2, or 3
Where is PART 3? friends
There is a playlist for the Nano, or you can just go to the main page on my channel.
Fantastic item....😅😮😂
Andreas Speiss, The guy with the Swedish accent.
No the "Guy with the Swiss accent".
1.03 SWR from 4 ground Radials seems quite Effective.....Why say 4 Radials don't do Any good ???
Provide a time stamp where I stated "4 Radials don't do Any good"
OK, at 5:29 I state: "Again, if you read that ARRL book that I mentioned, they talk in there about the number of ground radials. Basically four doesn't do you a lot of good."
I was referring to the "ARRL Book" ....They're usually correct on basic issues..... I caught your drift....I'm on your Wavelength !!
What type of antennas are those?
These are commonly known as verticals.
Can you do a video of analysing crystal ladder filter?
What specifically would you want to see?
@@joesmith-je3tq Tu Joe,almost everything about xtal filter, likely about bandwidth ,stop band rejection ,pass band,.Inshort ,To design a xtal ladder filter
@@aneespi4684 Have you tried using the Nano to measure one you made and were not getting results you expected? If so, have you posted about your experiments and could you provide a link? I did use the Nano to measure a crystal in shunt mode that then used as part of a simulation. It may provide you with some of the problems I ran up against. th-cam.com/video/v01lSgWo904/w-d-xo.html
@@joesmith-je3tq i haven't tried it yet,I will have a nano vna soon,So iam planning to do a crystal filter for my new ssb radio.
Have you made any progress with this project yet? What frequency and other constraints do you have for your filter? What software do you plan to use to model it? I would like to follow along if you decide to post a blog about it.
Anybody found that nice dark theme software shown in this video? All the others are dull/glaring white.
It's never been released to the public.
Will Lab view work on a Linux laptop ?
If you are asking if NI has a version of LabView for LINUX, I believe they still do. It may not have the features that the Windows 32-bit version has. Even their 64-bit Windows version is limited. If you are asking if the software I wrote for the Nano in LabView will run under LINUX, I doubt it. You would need to Google it and maybe check the forums.
@@joesmith-je3tq thank you for the information
How do you tune a trapped vertical using RG58? And how do you connect a pl259 to vna?
U sound like fine tune cb
I'm guessing that's another channel you watch.
@@joesmith-je3tq yes and yours was recommended
27 bucks + 1.30 shipping
It's showing 1/2 a Tank at 3800 Rpm !!
It's also cold and 0 MPH!!!!
This is Joes custom software...
No setup guidance at all. We're just supposed to know.
I would expect most would and the majority who don't understand can formulate intelligent questions. Then we have the whiners who need everything handed to them. If you are in that last group, I suggest you join the forum and ask for help. Don't be a dick, explain you are a beginner and people may try and help you. The other option is it's possible to actually learn something on your own..
You do not even state what NanoVNA software you are using, or where to get it , , USELESS !!
Raw thumb?
@@joesmith-je3tqWhat's that supposed to mean !!
@MrSIZEMIK ROFLMAO!