NanoVNA-H4 Made Easy - HAM Radio - TheSmokinApe
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- čas přidán 29. 06. 2024
- Made Easy - NanoVNA-H4 - HAM Radio - TheSmokinApe
In this video we take a look at the NanoVNA-H4 and use it to perform a quick analysis on an End Fed antenna. We will also run through simple configuration and calibration settings.
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Thanks,
TheSmokinApe
Thanks for the informative video.
Just a quick comment if nobody else has mentioned it.. When checking antennas, short out your antenna connector to discharge any static build-up before connecting it to your nanoVNA. The CH0 input might not survive a static discharge. This is good practice when connecting any kind of instrument to an antenna.
73 de Malc, M0IYI
That’s a really good point, thanks man 👍
I have a question would it be possible to measure if there's a static charge out of curiosity? I'm assuming it would be ac voltage? Just curious.
Nice video! But, when using a patch lead to connect to the antenna the calibration standards should be connected to the end of the patch lead and then the VNA should be calibrated. Otherwise you will get an inaccurate reading.This is because the VNA is affected by the patch lead cable characteristics and length which will introduce errors into your readings, which you want to eliminate. At low frequencies it's not a big deal but as the frequency increases the error will increases. Hope this helps.
Thanks for the info!
It’s too difficult to think and understand before clicking everything without any idea how it works and what it means.
Thank you for the informative video. I have been considering one of these and now I am going to get one!!!! Subscribed as well. Very well done!!!
Thanks man, glad it was helpful 👍
Thank you, been a ham for 40 yrs got out of it for a while, now retired and starting up again. Nice Review Vince. NM3W
Thanks Vince, glad you liked it!
Dear Sir, THANK YOU VERY MUCH INDEED for your helpful video tutorial , now it is almost clear and using Nano seems easier than before! many TNX AGN.
Glad it helped!
Outstanding video! Even my non technical brain was able to understand it! Just might have to get one of these now that this video is out.
Thanks man, glad you liked it 👍
Awesome, you make it seem so simple.
Glad you think so!
I am very new to ham radio but have a lifelong interest in somewhat complicated hobbies. This is a great video as it unravels the mystery of a very intimidating piece of equipment. Thanks for your great videos. Keep up the good work.
Thanks YSB, glad the video was helpful 👍
Ain't that the truth brother I just turned mine on Sunday night. Intimidating for sure.
Such a simple device with such a complicated "calibration" process. Thanks for simplifying it.
Thanks for checking out the video William 👍
Awesome video bro. Thank you for bringing some clarity.
Thanks Brandon, glad you liked it 👍
Thanks Ape, very helpful, and hands-down the best video I’ve seen on this. Maybe watched a dozen since I bought my unit
Glad it was helpful. WHen I got mine there wasn't really any videos out there and being honest it was super confusing and even a bit intimidating.
@@TheSmokinApe Pretty confusing at first until you figure out what not to do. After playing with it once it’s really fairly simple to use
Thanks for the helpful video. Just got a SAA2N
Awesome, good luck with it 👍
Great video I just received mine today and I’m excited to test out my antennas
Awesome Matt, good luck with it 👍
Very helpful, thank you!
Thanks for watching, glad it was helpful 👍
About 2 months ago I bought my nanovna-h4 from Bangood. After that I watched pretty near every video available on how to check swr. In the mean time I bought some adapters, cables and dust caps. I finally had the bright idea to try one of the cables I had purchased (sma to so239). It worked! It seems the original cable was bad. Anyway, just an FYI.
Unfortunately a bad cable can slip through, glad you got it worked out 👍
I wish I would have watched your video first before trying to calibrate. I did not realize it would happen almost immediately.! I kept sitting there waiting for something to happen. LOL! I thought my VNA was broken. Luckily this was at a ham outing with friends and one of the hams knew how to use the VNA. I really like your channel and subscribed after watching only 2-videos. You have a new fan! You provide no bulls#!t videos at a beginner level. Thank you!!!
Thanks for the sub Ron, and glad someone was there to get you sorted out 👍
Great Video! I think I got most of it , I will have to prefect what you shown an spoken about with some personal hands on experience. I am going to be putting up a 20 meter Di-Pole in my back yard. I definitely want to make sure the antenna is indeed RESONANT within and acceptable range BEFORE I PUT IT UP!! Thanks again for the video explanation!
Glad it was helpful, good luck with the Dipole Carey 👍
Good startup video. Gets me in the game. Thanks for posting.
Barry, KU3X
Thanks Barry!
Thanks this helped
Thank for this
Glad you liked it 👍
I found with my nano vna I use my table a the screen and it worked great
Hey Andy, I like these little devices and all the tips and tricks that folks have been sharing. Thanks for watching 👍
Great video. Just purchased a VNA H and trying to familiarize myself with it. Your video was perfect for me as a new user. I'll start with SWR and go from there as needed. I am curious though. After watching your video I noticed that my VNA does not present a descriptive screen when booting up - it just goes right to the function screen with multiple traces activated.
Good video, I would have opened the box and put it in a cupboard! Thanks for the insight into those.
bob fourjs glad you liked it, hope it’s helpful 👍
@@TheSmokinApe Helps a lot thanks very much.
Thanks!
Thanks for the bump!
Okay, so, I watched this video, followed along, and was able to: calibrate my NanoVNA, sweep two bands for my Super Flexible Signal Stuff antenna, and measure the SWR on the 1/4 wave ground-plane antenna I just made.... and I got an SWR of 1.1 !!! So, this is evidence of a couple of things... your video is obviously easy for a noob like me to understand, and... the NanoVNA is a great tool, a good choice for your walk-through!!!
Hey DeWayne, glad you like the VNA and that the video helped. Thanks for watching!
Nice demo no silly talking top marks
Thanks Charles, glad you liked it!
this is really great. I am going to order one. I am getting back into Amature radio. I have a General license. thank you
Martin
N6QLH
Awesome, glad it was helpful Martin 👍
Could you show us how to verify filter responses etc please. Would like to understand the complex impedance and how to "resonate" them out with the conjugate.
Oh man, thanks. Just got one and didn't know where to start
Stick with it, these are great for amateur radio 👍
@@TheSmokinApe Welp, on Saturday I used the nanoVNA to tune my 10m vertical dipole antenna by using the swr bandsweep you showed. I cut two inches off each side and got no higher than 1.3:1 in the tech portion of the band! Didn't have to use the tuner anymore. Pretty excited about that. I worked Japan from California with 5 watts on FT8 right when the band was crashing. Got a bunch of other DX too. I'm wondering how much my yaesu ft-891 will handle with FT8 considering its a higher duty cycle mode. The radio should be able to handle 100watts ssb no problem though I'm limited by my battery to 50watts.
@@youtubeaccount931 you should be able to do 50w and even 100w digital with that radio 👍
@@TheSmokinApe oh ok good and thanks for the reply. Everything I was reading talks about overheating and keeping the output power down to 30-40 watts
@@youtubeaccount931 play around and experiment with your gear, you will figure out what works best 👍
The USB-C to C cable can also be used to connect to a phone or tablet which support OTG and use the NanoVNA Web App.
I saw that but haven't tried yet, thanks for the info!
Ape, good video as I think I'm going to pick one of these up for the portable setup. A few questions for you. How do I know which SMA connectors are open and short? Looks like the dummy load has the "load" attached to the back. Q2 : do you recommend doing a calibration for 80 - 6m for general SWR and then do individual band calibrations to dial in an antenna? Q3 : how many calibrations does it save if you want a calibration for each band to do detailed work? I think this is my next swr meter based on your video.....
Hey Kyle, The open has a small hole in the center or the cap while the short has a pin. The load is the silver standard. When you do the calibration you have 5 memories tilted "save 0" through "save 4". When you recall a saved calibration you use "recall 0" through "recall 4". The wider the spectrum in the calibration the more granularity you looks as the calibration only contains so many data points. I'd recommend you do them for; 80-60, 40-20 and 17-6. that will leave you with two for specific bands you are working.
Excellent video. Thanks. I had a VNA-H given to me but does not boot up in the opening screen to allow calibration. I cannot find how to do a factory reset, if possible. The ONLY suggestion that I have found is for the firmware upgrade procedure. Too soon for me to understand as a new owner. AGAIN, that for the introductory video.
Glad it was helpful Gerald.
Great video and information. But....Please set your camera on manual focus when doing these videos in future. It's really hard to see what you are doing.
That's helpful feedback, thanks!
2:12. LOL. that part is Legendary ! cheers hahaha
Haha, thanks for watching 👍
Just stumbled onto this. Received the unit for Christmas and other than using some professional gear such as an Anritsu SiteMaster I have limited experience with. I am really curious to know if it is possible to tune duplexers with this unit, can you use a signal source for example with it? Very cool and looking forward to what I can learn to do with it.
It is possible but I am not well versed on the process, I do have a playlist showing them in action though. Thanks for watching the video Eric!
I haven't watched all your videos, but appreciate work. I was wandering if you could comment on the scale/division function and what you would set it too. I set mine to 1.0 and I noticed the first line up is 2.0:1 I guess the bottom line is 1.0:1. Could you comment on the 1x key the how and why. Seems that it is the only option to change the scale/division.
Ape, if I may, when you point or reach, think about which hand to use. This would have been better if you had not blocked some of the scenes. I guess from this you're a southpaw, but it really does make a difference for video quality. 73
Thanks for the feedback EJ 👍
Agree, no offense, just focus camera at focal point and turn off auto focus. Good to go after that.
Thank you for the video, it was very simple to follow. I will most likely use it to check swr.
1. How often do you need to calibrate the Nanovna?
2. Is it more accurate when calibrated for a single band vs multiple bands?
73, Noel-W2MSA
I calibrate mine with each use unless I have that particular calibration saved to one of the memories. The more narrow your sweep / calibration the more accurate the device will be.
Hi Ape,
Nice review video. Stay safe. 73 WB3BJU
Thanks Don, take care 👍
Nice clear explanation I would like to use this as a spectrum analyzer. Any idea how i proceed ?Thank you
You really can’t use it that way, you best bet would be to get the TinySA Ultra, I have a few videos on it 👍
Building an 17 meter dialope for fist calibration,
how far outside the band would you typically start & stop your sweep so you can see where the antenna is resident, before trimming?
If the dip is left of my target freq, am I long or short on my diapole legs?
Hey Harold. I would do 10% because the 17m band is pretty small, you might need to expand further. To the left is too long and to the right is too short, best of luck on the build 👍
hi great vid how do you do a full reset on the nano vna h4
I don't, I supposed you could reflash the firmware.
I'm getting the 3 inch version tomorrow. Really getting it for swr so I can see a nice graph like on a rig expert without spending 600 bucks for a uhf version.
Congrats on the purchase, hope it works out for you 👍
@@TheSmokinApe your other video on software set up for it was awesome.
Glad you liked it, that software is handy 👍
@@TheSmokinApe so I am getting H4 now after getting the 3 inch. I can see it, but I will enjoy the bigger one. This thing is awesome. The usb C -usb C cable plugs great into my pixel 3a to use software on my phone.
Awesome, hope you like it
Thank you for this great video on this device.
Based upon this and other reviews for the NanoVNA H 4, I picked one up from an Amazon seller. Tested my discone antenna for 144 to 148, and the analyzer showed an SWR of 1.5 to about 1.8 across the entire 2M band. Yay so now I know I won't burn out my finals :)
One question - I have it connected via the USB-A to USB-C cable to my desktop, and also tried connecting it to a charging brick. There are no visual indications (flashing LED etc) on the unit to indicate that it's charging. The battery indicator started out at 2 bars. How can I tell if it's charging, and how long does it take for the unit to fully charge? I understand it has a 1950 mAh battery so I'm assuming I just need to allow it a few hours to come to full charge? TNX & 73 - DE KI6JPE
I think mine has a blue light when charging and it typically chargers pretty fast, about 2 hours?
@@TheSmokinApe When the switch is off and device connected to USB or brick the light doesn’t appear to blink, so perhaps it arrived with a full charge. I’ll keep an eye on it. Thank you.
@@TheSmokinApe I found the problem - I was using the supplied USB type A to USB type C cable and with that the device was not charging. I tried a USB type C to USB type C cable, and problem solved. It's now taking a charge, which is a good thing as it's a pretty awesome little device.
@@Shasari glad it’s working out 👍
@@Shasari I have exactly the same question and couldn't find a straight answer. MIne too will not show blue unless it is turned on when connected to power. When off it is solid red not matter if I use USB type A/C or USB C/C on a computer or USB C/C with an Iphone brick. Does your's now blink when charging with the included USB C/C cable? What device do you use to charge with. I could not find any documention on what V/A is required to charge the battery on board.
So I have saved stimulus setting for each band that I have privileges on. I calibrated each time after setting the stimulus. Did I understand that you can calibrate once from 80 to 2 meters and then just add the stimulus I want providing I stay within that original calibration range?
Your best bet is to set the stimulus, calibrate and then save that to memory slot 👍
How do you test n trap with nano kan you show us pleas
Hi. Thanks 🙏🏽 for the video
How to set it up for CB radios / CB frequencies?
Hope U can help me
Thanks 🙏🏽
Before you set and save your calibration, use the stimulus feature to send the NanoVNA to cover the 11m band.
I can only imagine what this thing will look like with another year of firmware upgrades
I’d like to see a simpler interface designed for Hams 👍
@@TheSmokinApe Yes, me also, it is a bit confusing when all you want to do is test SWR and Impedance and resonance. It is just a bit over the top for what is needed.
@@TheSmokinApe Whats confusing about it? Its test gear learn how to use it. There is not a "easy" new ham extra class interface for all you appliance operators. Learn something.
@@TheSmokinApe I use a program called Nanovna saver on my laptop that makes job so much easier and with the firmware upgrade it can be used as a TDR for checking those long runs. It works great for tuning cavities also. 73 KC3EKL
Well 2 years later they still look the same lol.
Should the calibration be done with the coax jumpers attached or with the standards screwed directly to the nanoVNA? You demonstrate screwing directly but I've seen other videos where the jumpers were attached and the standards attached to the jumpers.
How frequently is calibration needed? Should you calibrate every time you use it?
You can do either but understand that your test plane starts from the point of calibration. I calibrate with each use or after a change in frequency. If you always test the same frequency sweep you can save and recall a calibration if necessary 👍
@@TheSmokinApe Can I save and recall different segments of the HF band?
I'm trying to setup my new Wolf River Coils antenna.
Yes, you can save them as part of the calibration. Good luck with the WRC!
I made a antenna for Noaa 137 MHz want to know if i made this antenna correctly for 137 MHz band how could i check the antenna freqency range ?
Use the NanoVNA to sweep a range of frequencies that include 137Mhz and they will let you know.
Can you please help me I want to find the resonate frequency using the NanoVNA-H4 any help I'll appreciate it
Hi how do u set a marker
From the top menu right below "Display" you should have the Marker menu.
Hey great video..
I’ve had my nanovna-H4 for a couple of days now, but I’m struggling to find the best way to measure the length of approximately 6 foot of Heliax, and then test a new piece of coax to get the same length. It’s for a 70cm phasing harness for 4 23el yagis and they need to be exactly the same length.
How do i?? Thanks,
Andy GD0TEP
This explains it better than I can: noji.com/hamradio/pdf-ppt/noji/Noji-Article-NanoVNA-Coax-Length.pdf
How do you know when the unit is charged? Does the red light blink,go out, change color or what? I plugged mine into my computer to charge, and the red light came on and stayed on for 3 hours until I unplugged it, at which time the light went out.
Mine blinks red while charging, solid red when done.
Hi there i am attemting to test a car ignition key fob that works on RF 430mhz, i am told that its possible to do with a VNA but i havent achived it yet, any ideas?...its for the central locking on the car,,,just to see if the key is sending out a signal when you press the buttons..thanks from Fred in England..
The TinySA is the tool for the job 👍
Ok, here is the confusion I have found on several nano videos. Most so far have said you do not calibrate until the start and stop frequencies are input. You started out calibrating with out your own start and stop frequencies.I do not have a manual on mine so I am not sure which way is right. I also wonder about reset...foes that clear the save spots? Some say it does and that you have to reset before doing more measurements.
It’s best to set the frequencies first, you can save the calibration to be recalled later 👍
it helps a lot to turn off all traces but one or two.. before you even calibrate. and you need to see the stimulus. Then calibrate
Fair point and great tip!
Why do you use the barrel conn with the coax jnstead of just connecting the single piece to the other connector?
Hey CB, it's because you use two cables for through measurements 👍
Nice video! What headset are you using?
It was an older Logitech, I do not have it any longer so I am unsure of the model number.
Must the nanovna-H4 be recalibrated for each band, or can you calibrate is for all the bands at once and it will stay calibrated when you turn it off?
It does have the ability to save and recall calibrations.
Very straight-forward and easy to understand presentation. Thank you! I bought one from R and L also, at around $80. Mine looks very similar to yours, but shows -H on the device sticker. Also, the type "C" port is on the top, to the left of the switch and adjustment pot. All cables and terminations seem the same as does the size. My case shape differs slightly. Guess mine is a "variation", as you mentioned in the video? It doesn't appear you participate in Patreon? How do you prefer to receive $ support? Thanbks again. N3JW
The have the H, H4 and the v2 over there these days. Without a pic I can’t saw which but when it powers up it should tell you. I should have a patreon up in a few weeks, thanks man 👍
@@TheSmokinApe This has got to be the H series. I will look at boot-up info again. Making a step-by-step guide now, based on your video. Looking forward to supplying some $ for channel support!!! Mike, N3JW
👍
Hey N3JW, just wanted to let you know the Patreon went live: www.patreon.com/TheSmokinApe
All i am interested in is an antenna analyzer that gives me SWR and Impedance characteristics using a 239 connector @ 144.250 Mhz, not a sweep of a band
I am going to guess that the NanoVNA isn't for you.
You spend some time on how to calibrate the unit but no time on how to run a test. If I want to swr of an antenna, I set the freq range and calibrate the unit. ThenI connect the antenna and then what do I do ???
Watched your video. Thanks for sharing. I bought a NanoVNA H Version 0.2- 2.2 -1. When I first used it I got good service results. Then I played with the scale and config option and now I get only a straight line when connecting to the antenna. Any advice?
Make sure you have the correct trace and format selected, also make sure you are calibrated correctly and connected to the right port. These things can be confusing at first.
@@TheSmokinApe, thanks for your reply, yes followed all the recommended settings and calibration procedures, got that covered but still no readings. Could it be that I wiped out the program when I accidently pressed the "reset" in the config tab?
@@KarlheinzOhm reset erases the calibration
I notice you have a short cable from the nano nz to your antenna coax . Does the device include this cable or do you need to make it ? Is it any specific length ?
The Nano will come with two short jumpers about 6” long 👍
can this be used with a computer program?Great info...
Hey Len, I use it with NanoVNA-Saver, I have a video on it 👍
I have this thing.
Any chance a 600w microwave on the low power setting could work for 3 minutes?
Not sure about that one...
Sir, What I'm looking for is a tutorial to upgrade the firmware for my NanoVNA-H 4 using my Mac Book. I think I have found and downloaded the correct DFU file but finding a Mac OS compatible boot loader has been unsuccessful. Thank you!
I’ll see if I can find one 👍
Will the usb cord on the nanovna that connects to a pc also charge the nanovna from the usb cable?
Yes
Got a question for you. I purchased the NanoVNA SAA-2N. I need to evalueate the SWR on a three band 3 wire center fed wire antenna that I set up in my attic. When setting up the VNA, should I do 20, 17, & 12 meters separately, or calibrate it to do a 3 band sweep 14 to 24 MHz? I was wondering if the the nano vna would work on each band individually, or if it has to be done as a sweep.
The SAA-2N is a sweet unit. Very easy to work with, and no need tor adaptors, I can go straignt to the 239 on the coax. The 3 point calibration adaptors are nice and big, nothing that can easily get lost. Good unit.
Louis
KK7AAG
Hey Louis. You can sweep all three bands at the same time but are limited to the same number of data points. If you sweep each band individually you can get more accurate data.
Great show! You always have great info on the unusual topics, ie the more complex stuff that most won't tackle. LOL
I wasn't sure if the antenna would allow the VNA to sweep each band individually. I wanted to get more detail. I found that the SWR on 20 meters is over 8, but below 9. I have to see if its a matter of adjusting the wire length, or if it is the way I have it set up in the attic. I did not have enough horizontal length, so I angled it at 90 degrees down the walls at a downward angle. That may be part of the high SWR issue, but I am not sure. Never messed with a dipole before, but the HOA is a royal pain, so I have to find a way to make it work for winter use.
Right now I have an MFJ TriMag on the roof of my Durango, the Durango is parked next to my garage, and I am running the coax under the garage door, and into my 7300. I just got my Gen License back on August 30th, so I both new and clueless with regards to the dipole. I am getting out with those Shark Whips, but the snow becomes an issue whent I want to change bands! LOL
KK7AAG
Louis
Hi everyone! I have 3 questions... It's only for 1 port devices? Can I measure a 2 ports devices? The calibration it's only for port 1?
Hey Juan, you can use it for 2 port devices and calibrate it for 2 ports.
HOW do I do a calibration and span of say 50 to 54 mhz and have it saved into say slot one. Can that be done?
It can, just set the span before you calibrate.
How do I set the sweep for 10mm Band? Thank you
Just set the start and stop frequencies to cover the band you want 👍
I just got my H4 today. I purchased it through RandL and asked for them to give you and Jason (Ham Radio 2.0) credit for pointing me to them. Do you know where I can find a carrying case for it? I would like to have a zippered pouch with pockets for the gear. I love the size of the H4. Way bigger than my original. Thanks and 73 de KI5HXM
Hey Brent. I'm not sure about a case my backpack has a pocket it fits into perfectly. My best guess would be to check Amazon or ebay.
@@TheSmokinApe Thanks for the reply. I will have to figure out some pockets and sandwich bags to carry this nanoVNA in. I have looked on amazon and my search parameters need work. I get too many suggestions from amazon (don’t you love it when these systems try to be so helpful - haha).
Tnx for the video. Vy nice. BUT.... My H4 model never shows correct readings. Followed your guide, but still.. I have to miss something! Used your video on my other earlier model vna, and everything works just fine. Maybe the new vna is broken. Who knows. Any ideas? Tnx again. 73...
Try calibrating with the standard from the first VNA, it could be a bad standard 👍
Tnx... Already done that. Seems like a faulty vna, so sending it back to the shop for a refund. Tnx agn..
Can I use this Nano VNA on a hf radio antenna? Thanks, keep up the good work. KN4TNT
Yes you can, check out my playlist. It has a few videos showing how.
@TheSmokinApe i have a question about some letters on the left side of the screen about halfway down, the letters you normally see C0, D,R,S,T,X. mine also has in red Pa all the time. would you chance know what the Pa stands for and how to turn Pa letters off? thank you
C0 C1 C2 C3 C4 : Each indicates that the corresponding calibration data is loaded.
c0 c1 c2 c3 c4 : Each indicates that the corresponding number of calibration data is loaded, but the frequency range has been changed after loading, indicating that the error correction is using complement.
D : Indicates that directivity error correction is applied
R : refrection tracking Indicates that error correction is applied
S : source match Indicates that error correction is applied
T : transmission tracking Indicates that error correction is applied
X : indicates that isolation (crosstalk) error correction is applied
@@TheSmokinApe I have a Red Pa letters also
Sorry Byron, I missed that. P - power level used on calibration.
Px is for Calibrate-power
a - auto, power level depend from frequency at measure point.
If after calibration change output power, Px text show as red
This is due to bug in that version X text rewrite by Px (power level)
Does this accurately measure HT antennas? According to Retevis and Signal.Stuff, most other SWR meters give faulty readings because of reflected RF. But what about this device? When many HT antennas rely on the chassis for readings, is it possible to accurately measure HT antennas? If so, can you do a video? Where would one hold the antenna, also, how can one tell the difference between the adaptors? Several on the video look the same. Cheers!
Hey John, there are some nuances to measuring HT antennas as the manufacturers claim that in their tests the HT is supposed to be held. These will measure any HT antenna as well as any other meter.
@@TheSmokinApe Thanks!
Help! When I turn this thing on it appears to be some demo screen and I can't get past it to use the thing. What do I do?
Hey Steve, I've never seen one of these go into a demo mode. They do open with 4 traces active which can be confusing. Use the menu to turn off the ones you don't need and move on from there. My playlist so get you started off using these. Thanks for the comment.
Can this be used to measure spectrum purity like the tinySA?
No, to separate instruments
Cool, it'll be here tomorrow and I'll be watching your video on the tiny SA Ultra!
Nice, good luck with it 👍
@@TheSmokinApe
I tested my Baofeng 5RM and got:
1st (set) 146.52 10 dBm with the 40 dB attenuator
2nd 146.4 -14dBm with the 40 dB attenuator
3rd 292.9 -17dBm with the 40 dB attenuator
4th 439 -27dBm with the 40 dB attenuator
5th 585 -27dBm with the 40 dB attenuator
6th 732 -48dBm with the 40 dB attenuator
There was a 7 and 8 but both under -40
As I interrupt this is that the -14dBm is actually +36??
Could you please let me know what the 250 in yellow before the swr reading relates to, as I have not been able to find an answer. Thanks for the help and time, with with the video! @HamRadioHobbyist
Hey Nathan. The is the setting for SCALE / DIV, you can adjust this for the active trace by going to DISPLAY > SCALE / DIV. Hope that helps...
Is the nanovna saver software needed for specific functions, and firmware updates, or can the nanoVNA be used on its own for all its functions, similarly to the function you show in your video ? I have not purchased the NanoVNA yet as after trying to install its software on Ubuntu for over an hour I am unable to get it to run at all, so I would need to use it as a standalone device, or seek an alternative device if this cannot be done.
You can use it just fine as a stand along device 👍
@@TheSmokinApe Thank You for your help
Good luck with it 👍
I just got my tech license last week and looking to make/buy my first antenna so that I can transmit from my home office. Would I need one of these to configure an antenna to hit my local 146.880 repeater?
Nah, just buy a decent antenna for 2m/70cm and you will be fine 👍
@@TheSmokinApe what antenna would you recommend starting with?
What radio are you using? I really like the Ed Fong db2 roll up j-pole.
@@TheSmokinApe A superior antenna that is easy to set up and take down.
@@TheSmokinApe I have a baofeng bf-f8hp and an anytone 878 is on its way to my door
I was wondering...some of the yagi’s I make , I use 75 ohm Beldin catv coax. How would I calibrate this for 75 ohm so I can check the swr on my yagi’s? Is the 50 to 75 ohm difference not enough to affect the swr that much?? These yagi’s I use are receive only. I have a boatload of sma adapters of all types here cause I use a lot of sdr radios...I also have a 75 ohm terminator F connector that i could put on my female F to SMA Male adapter, would that work in place of the 50 ohm terminator you used in this video??? thanks
75:50 would be a 1.5:1 SWR, which is manageable. Are you feeding these yagi's with 50 ohm coax? I'm sure the radio is expecting 50 ohm and the jack.
@@TheSmokinApe I am using 75 ohm on the yagi’s since I don’t transmit on them, they are receive only. I have a 250’ spool of beldin high quality 75ohm coax I’ve had for a while and it’s pretty low loss coax. I just didn’t know if the wire being 75 ohm would make much difference when measuring swr with this nanovna.
You we see a 1.5:1 match which shouldn't make a bit of difference on a RX only antenna, good luck with the project!
@@TheSmokinApe i always thought an antenna or yagi would receive a signal better if its tuned close as possible to the target frequency you are trying to receive. I made a yagi to receive ATCS frequency 897.9375 and it does ok but im not sure how close it is to being on that frequency. I used a yagi calculator to build the antenna and i was going to put it on this nanovna just to see how close it is to frequency. I used the rg6 75 ohm instead of rg-8x cause the rg6 has lower signal loss at that high of frequency (to my understanding that is). thanks for the answers
New subscriber I have a question for you I have a new nano VNA-H. Verizon 3.5.
On the screen far left in the middle there are some letters
CO
D
R
S
Pa
The last two letters PA is that normal all of the videos I have seen it is not PA it is TX how do I change it.
Hey Mike, this will explain this codes nanovna.com/?page_id=46
I looked at the link you sent me I cannot find a PA anywhere on that list please help
I no nothing about cb radio and wanting to start up the reading below is direct off my antron 99 aerial can you tell me what is wrong please, i did calibrate nano vna first
Hey Gary, do you have a link to the chart?
@@TheSmokinApe Yes i have just bought the nano vna so the chart came with it.
@@TheSmokinApe Please look at attached charts do they mean anything to you and is there anything i can do to get a better signal
Can the VNA be used as a Field Strength Meter?
Nope, but I have a video on how to easily build one czcams.com/video/DuVeyyWjoaE/video.htmlsi=ZCgbsiIYxj0vBxYD
PS. Is there a current version of NanoSaver for Mac OS?
You would have to compile the code, you can fine a pre compiled executable a few versions back 👍
How do you get rid of the circles
Turn the Smith trace off, I believe it’s the third one down 👍
Is it worth the extra money for the larger screen?
The H4 is IMO 👍
so would you recommend the H4 or the original kit ?
Yeah, so far I like it much better. Keep in mind my original is about a year old and I never updated the firmware 👍
@@TheSmokinApe thats just as bad as me and my g90 firmware lol
Haha 😂
At the top of my screen, the swr is displayed as- swr 250m/1.5
Shouldn't it be- swr 1.00/
How do I change that?
Thanks. 73
Is trace 0 set to the SWR format?
I think so, I’ll have to double check. I know the top trace was set to swr not sure on mine if it was trace 0 or trace 1. I was following along with this video and some of my menu options are a little different. I’d assume different firmware? Thanks for the reply I’ve had my callsign less than a month and have learned a great deal from your channel. 73
It very well could be different firmware
Solved the issue I ended up needing to change the scale. Thanks.
I just got my H4 today from R&L and I am having an awful time finding a Firmware update that works. The dfu file i down loaded does not work. Do you have any suggestions for a useful alternative?
Are you trying the Dislord firmware?
@@TheSmokinApe I think that was one of them. Do you have a link I can follow? The newest on from Dislords is 0.8.0 from 2020. The newest one available that I can find is 3.0.6. from .dfu (?) will download but will not go into a file to download like describe here: czcams.com/video/NcXzITPPTyA/video.html. Am I doing something wrong?
github.com/DiSlord/NanoVNA-D/releases
@@TheSmokinApe
@@TheSmokinApe I just found your message. I have this update, but the newest one that I found is 3.0.6. Will this one add that release to my device?
Nice shirt! KB1KXJ
Thanks 👍
Dag! R&L is much cheaper than Amazon.
Yeah R&L is great 👍
You have you should have discharged your antenna and coax to a ground before you connected to that device
That’s true 👍
5:42 the "short" calibration cap that you use sure as hell looks like the 50 ohm cap.
They are NOT labeled.!
You have me confused as hell 5 minutes into the series.
You also failed to show the insides of the "load" cap.
I think I have it straight but the video didn't help.
Lost me again at 9.01
My H4 unit does not display SWR at all!!!
Did I miss something?
I have gone back twice and did what you did but I do not have a SWR displayed anywhere on the screen!!
DId you skip a step?
All I have done is waste 45 minutes and gotten frustrated following exactly what you show to do....
except no SWR showing!! Went in and changed "traces" and still no SWR!!!
Petty damn bad when the "easiest" thing to do on the VNA won't even work!
Do you try to EXPLAIN how to use the SWR function anywhere else?
This damn thing is likely going back to Amazon.
6 ads in 4 minutes! Thats out of control!
8 within 8 minutes
That is BS, I will see if there is something I can do to change it...
NOT MUCH INFO LOOK FOR BETTER HOW TO.