Anybody use these I just ordered one for trying out. Improved versions now sweep 10k to 1.5 g.
Cheap enough to try. Hope it helps me adjust my antenna setup?
Cheap enough to try. Hope it helps me adjust my antenna setup?
Nano VNA
- Thread starter 737mech
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mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
Yeah, I bought one a few months ago. Easier than bringing my big one home from work. Used it to tune a half wave VHF antenna on my son's UTV a few weeks back.
Works OK. Good enough for hobby use. Interface takes some getting used to. There are some good tutorials on the youtubes.
Works OK. Good enough for hobby use. Interface takes some getting used to. There are some good tutorials on the youtubes.
Have you tried the Nanosaver software? Probably a dumb question, but in case you missed it the software really enhances it I think. Of course it adds a PC to the situation.
mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
No, I haven't. I've got my old PC programming laptop, so maybe I'll give that a try. I saw there was a Android app, but alas we get iPhones at work.
It's a great program and the dev is on the nanovna groups io always taking suggestions and updating it. A big perk of it is that you can add more test points or whatever they are called, searching for the term now. The device defaults to 101 I think but with the software you can force it to perform a more granular test with much higher resolution.
mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
Thanks, I'll have to give that a try.
I've got a nice portable Agilent spectrum analyzer at work with tracking generator that I normally use, and my Viavi 8800SX just arrived, but I'd still like to have something basic/useable at home to play with. So far, I like the nanoVNA as it is, just takes some getting used to.
n0nhp
Member
It was fun to take to the ham club's lunch and get everybody to bring in their dual band HT antennas to sweep. There are some horrible antennas out there 
DeepBlue
Member
HT antennas can be tricky to test unless you have your body is capacitvly coupled to the actual HT. Your body makes a good bit of difference as far as how the antenna works. Some seem horrible but work well enough when held in a hand. Just FYI stuff.
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devicelab
Whacker Extraordinaire
Get the NanoVNA-F model... it's quite a bit better. The newest version is here (select BUTTON model) --> US $110.4 8% OFF|NanoVNA F VNA SWR Meter VHF UHF Antenna Analyzer 1.5GHz + 4.3 IPS LCD + Metal Case Deepelec|Walkie Talkie|Cellphones & Telecommunications - AliExpress
Ubbe
Member
Just for that reason I used empty chassis from 2-way radios, one SMA and one BNC, with a coax inside the chassi attached to their antenna connectors and then to an analyser and measured when holding the chassi in my hand in a normal position, and hanging from the belt to see what the antenna type and belt clip did to the result. There's no way that you can connect an antenna to the end of a coax and get reliable results.
/Ubbe
devicelab
Whacker Extraordinaire
Meh not really. I have the AA-1400 and can test HT antennas just fine. The NANOVNA-F is good too. Just keep the analyzer at arms length and then keep the antenna pointed vertical. For most accurate results, do this outside and away from large metallic objects.
Isn't there supposed to be a version 2.0 that handles up to 3 GHz?
DeepBlue
Member
People using a standard desk top type or computer type VNA won't be able to hand hold the unit with antenna directly attached. The Nano and other small units that can accept the antenna directly on top of the unit and be hand held like an HT should show more accurate results, true. You cannot add a cable and stick a "duck" on the end of that cable and expect realistic results is my point from earlier. Good on the hand held VNAs though. They may be more accurate used that way, and that is a good thing.
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