#329

[@1911Gonzo]

BEST EXPLAINATION OF THE VNA EVER

[@ki4dbk]

Your Ham Radio KZbin is #1. No exaggeration, no kidding, no whammies! Thank you Alan, you're a real Elmer.

[@electronicatutorial]

ALAN THIS VIDEO IS THE BEST INTRO OF VNA I HAVE SEEN.

[@user-sb5vp3yu8m]

Thanks! Very helpful as are all your videos I’ve watched.

[@pierfrancescograzioli4080]

Hi Alan, i am a technician in the antenna field, i work with a VNA from 1990 HP8752C, your video is the best i can see! With my compliments 73 form Italy 👏👏👏👏

[@foruharfarah742]

I am an electronics technician as far as I know you are the best electronics teacher, especially in the field of amateur radio..... I learned a lot from you, thank you for that👍

[@njnear]

I’m a 50 year old Electrical Engineer and I love your content. Your videos are some of the most valuable content on KZbin. I work in the power industry and, while I love my job, I must admit that I’m a little jealous of what you get to do for a living, on and off KZbin. Thank you for great content!

[@kd4lok1]

I'm a retired EE and thoroughly enjoy Alan's videos. I have the H4 unit and can confirm it is an interesting and capable device.

[@njnear]

@@kd4lok1 I plan to purchase one. Glad to hear that.

[@jonmcadams5401]

Great presentation! This video is the most comprehensive explanation about the basic theory and use applications of the NanoVNA that I've found on KZbin. There are other KZbin video showing specific use cases (like SWR measurement) but so far this video is the best overview I've found. I'm trying to get up to speed understanding and using a NanoVNA H4. I'm glad you noted that software updates are available to increase the number of measurement points. Thank you!

[@357Shakey]

I always point new hams and engineers to your videos. Very informative and entertaining. Excellent job!

[@ki4dbk]

I do too. Let's keep supporting this folks!

[@nickwood4367]

Thanks so much Alan. Another clear and informative presentation. I always learn something new when I watch your videos.

[@samstiernhufvud1786]

I`ve seen many nanoVNA presentations but your is first which is totally didactic and logical. Keep up the good work .

[@w2aew]

Glad you enjoyed it - check out my other videos too!

[@t1d100]

I am not a ham and this tool is not much needed for the type of electronics that I play with.... But, your presentation was so great that I watched it all the way to the end. I learned a lot and enjoyed it. That just goes to show you how great of a teacher and KZbinr that you are. Thanks, Alan. Atta-boy!

[@clems6989]

It is a great learning tool as well...

[@gregorymccoy6797]

Very effective presentation. Your channel never fails to expand my knowledge.

[@ricardomatias5160]

Excellent material and presentation, as always. Thanks for sharing.

[@baconsledge]

I use my NanoVna only occasionally so this presentation really helps remember the process. Thanks!

[@purza95]

I was first introduced to VNA in Japan over 20 years ago when I was shown how my company tuned an NMR probe. Amazed at how much high tech, high price tech equipment has become available to the hobbyist!

[@matthiasmartin1975]

NMR Probe, huh? Like Bruker? With the liquid helium for cooling the superconducting electromagnet?

[@vne2328]

The best electronics content on youtube, all packaged in a great example of generous and pure value.

[@HitAndMissLab]

Thanks for this great overview. It makes me understand the big picture instead of trying to connect together patches of knowledge strewn all over the internet.

[@franciscoafonso6888]

Great job Alan, congratulations on your outstanding presentation.

[@perdidoanonimo]

Thanks a lot Alan, excelent video as always! I own a nanoVNA already since some time, and I am still so amazed by this little wonder device, for the radio amateur this gadget brings sooo many new ways to look at things and eventually understand them! Without any doubt this is the device of the year for the RF entusiasts!

[@brendonbentley6617]

Thanks for this excellent video. The time and effort that you invested in your presentation is much appreciated. And thanks for making it freely available to all.

[@Joe_KS1I]

Thanks Alan great presentation. Lots of information for me to digest going to have to watch it several times.

[@richardphillips2405]

I felt that your video was brilliant. I really appreciate your explanation on scatter parameters. Thank you.

[@tseckwr3783]

I appreciate your hard work and dedication to these instructional videos. Thanks!!

[@FreeStuffGuy916]

Bill-N6EF-Excellent presentation. I learned more about the NanoVNA from your presentation than any other video I've seen yet. I've been using it incorrectly for antenna measurements in relation to the calibration but now I understand what I was doing wrong. Thank you. Subscribed.

[@flashMXdesigner]

Thanks, can't say enough about how comprehensive and simple this intro to the NanoVNAH4 is! 73 OM de W2DAB

[@ronmorella6541]

Thanks for sharing Alan. Learned a few things I didn’t understand on my H4. Great presentation.

[@philippeversailles2170]

Great video, as usual. To have a Powerpoint support is really an help specifically for the non-native speakers like me. To produce all that in a so comprehensive way implies a lot of time and knowledge, so many thanks to share. Be sure this is very helpful and appreciated.

[@justinlewis2969]

There's no substitute for intelligence...keep up the good work!

[@chumbuddy100]

Best description and explanation that i have seen / heard yet. Thanks!

[@Vbeletronico]

Excellent presentation as usual, Alan! The NanoVNA is something present on my wishlist for quite some time ( I got the curve tracer this Christmas, thus the VNA is next ) It is good to see a clear presentation of its ups and downs, as well as a clarification on versions available in the marketplace. The discussions on fora often drift and span across many years, making it hard to reach a decision.

[@mnmmnm6718]

Frequent viewer, sir you are amazing and ur knowledge of the subject is mind blowing,,, again thank you

[@IamDerick]

Thanks, great intro to this gizmo. The calibration part probably saved me a couple of hours minimum. 73

[@lucienberton4538]

Cristal clear as always. Thanks a million! L.

[@acestudioscouk-Ace-G0ACE]

Very useful and well explained, thank-you!

[@wa4aos]

I always enjoy your WELL DONE and INFORMATIVE videos. Just like being back in EE classes in college without the cranky professors, course/book cost, commute and classroom distractions/goofballs.. Hi hi. 73, Glenn

[@ruhnet]

Fantastic video Alan. Thanks and 73s

[@W1RMD]

Alright, you've talked me into it. I"m GETTING one of these! Great video!

[@lasersbee]

Excellent Nano VNA Tutorial... Made it easy to grasp. Thanks.

[@AbuSous2000PR]

I have been watching you for over 7 to 8 yrs, and I learned a lot. Where can I send my $?

[@w2aew]

If you would like to make a donation, there is a link on the main page - copied here: www.paypal.com/paypalme/w2aew

[@AbuSous2000PR]

@@w2aew Done, & more to come You are doing a great service; plz keep up the good work

[@w2aew]

@@AbuSous2000PR Thank you very much for your donation - it is truly appreciated, and will help to fund additional content in the future.

[@AbuSous2000PR]

plz focus on digital communication...u have a great skill in communicating hard ideas in simple ways. I still remember ur IQ back to basics videos... they got me started on a great hobby i am a retired engineer & i value ur work cheers

[@karlgoebeler1500]

Decided to make your site a regular Very good presentation

[@JD-eq1gk]

Awesome Alan. Will look into tomorrow!

[@tav9755]

Brilliant stuff. Thanks for sharing your knowledge. Well presented.

[@LMerryman]

Excellent presentation and information, thank you!

[@kd4lok1]

As always, an excellent presentation. Thanks.

[@leroycasterline1122]

Thanks for the understandable presentation. 2:40: "I'm not going to get all this complex math." *Thank you!*

[@chrisabad6666]

Great job! Excellent presentation.

[@James_Bowie]

Phenomenally great presentation. I want to screen this at our radio club. 👍👍👍

[@randyelliott9495]

Excellent video Alan I just bought one of the nanovna, mine must be a very early model, but the price was right. Your explanation of functions was just fantastic!!! 73 Randy Ve3jpu

[@neilsheldon8355]

Wow, Alan! That's about 60 dB of information in a 1 dB package! ... Just sayin! :) ... Love it all, but my comprehension is just on the edge of understanding what all you're saying. I'm familiar with the Smith Chart, Complex Impedance, imaginary math and all that, but this is a whole new tool to me. So, I'm hoping you will pick it up again and spread it all out in a series to show us all how, why and when to use all of its capabilities. Thank you, as always, for sharing your expertise. Hope you are doing well. 73! Neil, K7WK

[@w2aew]

I do have a series of smaller, application specific videos on the NanoVNA - which can be found here: kzbin.info/aero/PL4ZSD4omd_AylEyNCQYR3RcEb0olukPEJ

[@k19radio13]

awesome video --- nanoVNA-F is 4.3" the largest of all nanoVNAs

[@williamstevens3029]

Excellent as always 🙂

[@TorLangvand]

Thanks. Excellent presentation.

[@jawaidmughalmhsh7012]

It's really very informative and I must say that you're way of teaching is very unique, God Bless you Sir, 73's. Jawaid Mughal, Karachi Pakistan.

[@jawaidmughalmhsh7012]

Thanks Sir, but it's really 💯 true, that I have been never seen a teacher like you. Jawaid Mughal. QTH is Karachi Pakistan.

[@rayerdinc2441]

Excellent video, thank you. I am learning about VNA having bought one you use. Will need a few watches though!

[@clems6989]

@26:40 +/-, The yelliw trace is the logMag of reflection coeff. If you ignore the sign, inverting the trace, would that then equal the return loss in dB ?

[@w2aew]

Yes it is!

[@adaml52]

Hi Allan, A fantastic video, thank you for all your efforts :) ATB Adam UK

[@glasslinger]

Outstanding introduction to VNA technology. Just like the "SDR" radios that are now all over for a hundred bucks this nano toy lets people wet their feet without breaking the budget. However, these toys are not even in the ball park to a professional HP VNA.

[@pedrocastillo7013]

Hello Alan. I am in the process of purchasing a VNA for a land mobile radio shop we own. We also work on ham stuff but mostly professional radio. I am looking at the TTR503A from Tek and at the Copper Mountain Technologies TR1300/1 and Copper Mountain Technologies M5045 for contenders. Our primary goal is to characterize VHF and UHF cavities, duplexers, filters, combiners. Transmission lines and antennas. Based on your expertise and opinion which of these units would you consider to be the best choice for a long-term investment? I thank you for your accurate response and insightful videos. 73 de HR2PAC.

[@w2aew]

I believe that Tek is going to be discontinuing the TTR500 series, so you'll likely be better off with the Copper Mountain unit.

[@pedrocastillo7013]

@@w2aew Thank you for the response. That is a shame if Tek is going to discontinue the TTR500 line. I was really looking forward to purchasing such a unit, but I am concerned now about the technical support that a discontinued product may or may not have. I am not familiar with the Copper Mountain Technologies gear and quality of products, maybe you can shine a light on that. Can you provide any insight into those CMT units I mentioned? Again, thank you and keep going with those great videos.

[@w2aew]

@@pedrocastillo7013 I agree with you. But, the Copper Mountain units are high quality units. I've seen them used in professional labs.

[@pedrocastillo7013]

@@w2aew I guess that the final decision to be made is to invest in a VNA that does 2-Port 1-Path measurements or 2-Port 2-Path measurements as well as the additional features it may have. I will have to analyze all the available options from Copper Mountain Tech and decide. Thank you again Alan for all your valuable insight.

[@pedrocastillo7013]

@@w2aew UPDATE 12/28/2021: As of today, our Copper Mountain Technologies VNA is in the mail and on its way to us! We bought the TR1300/1 with CAL kit and two phase stable N test cables. Cannot wait to "play" with it and start to characterize all of the RF devices we use. Thank you, Alan, for the excellent advice and valuable content. Happy Holidays!

[@radiow4qa71]

Excellent presentation....

[@norcaloutdoor5462]

Better than school professor

[@gordonwedman3179]

Another great presentation Alan. I am going to watch this while trying out the unit which I bought a while ago but still sits on the shelf. I bought one of those test boards that lets you measure different parameters. By the way, you probably have one of the most professional presentation styles on KZbin. Not one " Ummm " in 32 minutes😊

[@w2aew]

(that's because I edit all of the "ums" out now ;-)

[@gordonwedman3179]

@@w2aew HaHa, I don't believe that. I know part of your work for Tektronix is to do presentations so I know where your good presentation skills come from.

[@w5cdt]

Excellent presentation!

[@Sloxx701]

Great video. I hope you also do a video with the TinySA at some point as well!

[@w2aew]

If I ever get one, I will!

[@JacquesConradie]

Excellent as always - keep it up!

[@Sorawutn]

I am appreciate and Thank you very much for sharing.

[@Whopperjaw.]

Cool t-shirt!

[@seamusdemora5598]

Nice o'scope cart collection :)

[@AECRADIO1]

Both of my VNAs the 'F' and H4 use the SA602AD mixers. I think they are a better device according to the data sheet.

[@ki4dbk]

So item five under "Reflection" means you could do Time Domain Reflectometry via your NanoVNA. Neat.

[@TKomoski]

You made it sound so good Alan I want to buy one for my Ebike (Just Kidding). Always the Best *Cheers*

[@berndb.5097]

Hi Alan Very well explained, now I know a lot more :-) Thanks and 73 de Bernd

[@mikeZL3XD7029]

Allan, Do you have a video on Decibels, as in loss and gain, I've struggled with this concept for years. Cheers, Mike Trump.

[@w2aew]

Maybe this video will help: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z57YnYV_YqqNbpI

[@jeffzxy]

Very good video! thanks!

[@priestlocksport480]

Thank you for this video. If I install N to SMA adapters on the NanoVNA SSA-2N to test an HT antenna, do I need to calibrate with SMA Short/Open/Load caps, or can I calibrate using the N caps, then install the SMA connectors and proceed with testing?

[@w2aew]

If all you are doing is checking SWR, then either will work fine.

[@priestlocksport480]

@@w2aew Thank you for your reply. I’m new to RF, and I am finding a wealth of information on your channel. I’m currently building an RF sampler based off another one of your videos. I can tell I’m going to be spending a lot of time in your channel!

[@KA4UPW]

Can you put together a video for antenna phased arrays using short lenghts of 75ohm coax

[@PowderMill]

👍🏻As always... Great depth of tech info for the time // and easy to comprehend for us slow-cookedhams. 🤣

[@GodzillaGoesGaga]

So when doing a full cal the ISOL should have a 50R load on Port 2 and Port 1 is left open, is that correct ? I've only used it for Port 1 styles of measurements so far and am venturing into 2 port measurements. Thanks for the great instruction videos. Very helpful and educational as usual.

[@ivansemanco6976]

Thanks for video. Any advice where to obtain NanoVNA original at Europe? Thanks.

[@w2aew]

Unfortunately, no. You can ask on the groups.io message boards...

[@ivansemanco6976]

@@w2aew Thanks, on the internet one can find flood of different versions but find proper one... Thanks, will try.

[@georgetownsend3700]

va3get QUESTION. 😄good video. One thing I have noticed is no you tuber has shown the nanoVNA being used outside. I have 2, It is almost impossible to read when out side in the brightness cloudy or sunny, blanket over us, still cannot read them as easily as indoors. Any thouughts.

[@w2aew]

Yep, they're all lousy in the bright outdoor light.

[@eduardojacome9783]

Buen video señor.

[@2yiz]

Nice presentation...

[@n8lbv]

NanoVNA V2 plus4 "only around $130. Not seeing it for this price. Well over $230. + shipping. Did it go way up? Great video!

[@w2aew]

looks like it has gone up, but still under $200 on their officially recommended source: www.tindie.com/products/hcxqsgroup/4-nanovna-v2-plus4/

[@tritile]

You should make a video talking about misconceotions/legends (or maybe not so much) in RF. Like, cutting coax cables to length multiple of wave lenght... you know... this sort of things. I'd love to hear it from someone with your experience.

[@littlerhino2006]

Thanks for sharing!

[@Roy_Tellason]

You managed to touch on a few things in there that I wasn't aware of, even though I'm a regular in the mailing list. I have an H4 purchased from randl, but haven't messed around with upgrading the firmware yet. Is all of the stuff you talked about in here present in a "stock" nano?

[@w2aew]

Yes, it is in the stock -H and -H4. The DiSlord firmware (v1.0.39) brings you up to 401 points, a real nice improvement.

[@tomaszwota1465]

Wait, so... Can you measure the length of a coax cable that's open on the other end using this device?

[@w2aew]

Yes, here is a video on that topic. kzbin.info/www/bejne/b6XLk4d5bZJ9qqM

[@xoox870]

which higher performance VNA would be your recommendation for the best value for the money ?

[@w2aew]

I think the NanoVNA-H4, for $60, is the best bang for the buck. If you're willing to pay twice this amount, a lot more frequency range (to 4.4GHz) and much better dynamic range can be had with the NanoVNA V2plus4 - also a tremendous bang for the buck.

[@xoox870]

@@w2aew that sounds even better, but is there one that will cover up to 6 ghz for the wifi-6 band ?

[@xoox870]

@@w2aew I also came across this 1 ~ 6.2 GHz Russian made Arinst VNA-PR1 on ebay. What are your thoughts on this one? The specs look really good ! IS this too good to be true ?

[@therfnoob7697]

Hi w2aew! I just hooked up my NanoVNA (port 0) to my (200mhz) oscilloscope (using 50ohm coax, not probe). I was a bit surprised because the Smith chart does not look like the one of an ideal 1M Ohm || 18pF. Reading around in the internet, i found that this is actually normal. Oscilloscopes inputs are not really built as 1M Ohm || some pF. Maybe an idea for a future video on your channel? I'd love to hear your point of view! You are the best RF teacher in youtube :) ! Thanks

[@w2aew]

Did you perform the calibration to the scope-end of the coaxial cable? If not, then the impedance seen looking into the coax will be transformed (rotated around the smith chart vs frequency) by the transmission line.

[@therfnoob7697]

@@w2aew Hi! Thanks for the reply (I think my previous answer was deleted since it contained an external link to a picture?) Anyway: yes I think I calibrated it properly. The curve I get on the Smith chart looks very similar to the one you can see in a youtube video titled "NanoVNA - Measuring Impedances" by user MegawattKS, measured on a Tektronix scope input.

[@w2aew]

@@therfnoob7697 What part of that video are you referring to? kzbin.info/www/bejne/hpyaoYCdqrZ3r5Y

[@therfnoob7697]

@@w2aew at the very beginning of the video you linked the nanoVNA shows a Smith chart. It almost looks as a portion of the "constant R=60ohm" circle. I get something similar on my oscilloscope, sweeping from 1Mhz to 200Mhz (I will make a separate comment with a link to a picture, although I suspect it will be automatically deleted). I would expect an ideal 1M Ohm || 18pF to produce a clockwise curve on the outer circle. This is why I was surprised. The author of the video you linked above argues on why this result happens, looking at the schematics of his Tek. I'd love to hear your opinion.

[@therfnoob7697]

the link to my own Smith chart is: imgur####/a/KmYhaCE (replace #### with dot com). I had to do code the link this way to avoid automatic deletion. I wonder if there is a simpler way to share links on youtube. Anyway, thanks a lot again!

[@mkach2521]

Thanks for all you do!

[@georgethomas8138]

Are the slides from this presentation available for download? AE4PE

[@w2aew]

Send me an email using my call @arrl.net

[@Kilohercas]

would it be possible to add external amplifier with inverted loss curve on output, to make it more or less few dbm on full scale ? And if yes, will it cause bad measurements and will need to tweek it ? I just get SAA-2N for my project and thinking of ways to make it better. Any idea? Cost is not a problem :)

[@bfx8185]

Great summary! Thx

[@devilariez]

how accurate is nanovna compare to diamond swr meter

[@w2aew]

likely comparable

[@jstrunck]

Excellent sir!

[@Aleziss]

is your power point available for download somewhere ?

[@w2aew]

It is available on the Bay-Net website: www.bay-net.org/resources.html

[@paulhastings3109]

Been looking at these for sometime. My MFJ just don't cut it. The price makes it look good. Been off ham radio for about 20 plus years. The technology is mine bonding. At 75 years old don't help. Will be checking your KZbin videos KQ4CD Paul ⚓️

[@galmagen6212]

grate video, learned a lot from it

[@OhanSmit]

Thanks man this is awesome!

[@miketoreno4969]

Thank you

[@TOPTHL]

Thanks

[@hwj1822]

Much thanks. In the moment, I understand next to nothing, im not a RF-guy. But, you open the door... 😉👍 edit: Greets from Germany

[@rs440olli7]

it`s never to late!! u r welcome!!