Aursinc SysJoint SV4401A Vector Network Analyzer Overview

In this video, we take a look at the SV4401A Vector Network Analyzer.
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This VNA was provided free of charge from Aursinc in exchange for this video review.
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[@ronwa8yih937]

Great overview - Thank you! I followed along and did a calibration and poked around the menus of my new SV4401A. I purchased this VNA based on watching your review before buying. It was purchased to test some BPF's I am building. So much easier to work with the larger format of this unit. Very solid, and the touch screen is fantastic. Keep up the great work Ape!

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks Ron, yeah this big boy VNA is pretty sweet.

[@FEPLabsRadio]

I like a big VNA I cannot lie! Dang that this is freaking gorgeous. Good job.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks man, I sleep with it on my night stand 😳

[@markashley5074]

Thanks for this overview, very helpful. Mine just arrived today .. it's a beauty!

[@TheSmokinApe]

Congrats Mark, I really like using mine.

[@markashley5074]

BTW, the styli with the soft rubber tips work fine.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Nice, I will have to check that out!

[@dariocetrari4076]

Hola, que rango dinamico posee el SV4401a? veo solamente 70db o la escala visual es progamable ? ya que se anuncia 100db,gracias por el video ,saludos.

[@hpsmith2010]

It looks like there's a lot of high frequency noise (as per the LogMag S21 trace when it boots up). Does it meet the dynamic range spec. of 75 dB < 3 GHz and 60 dB > 3 GHz?

[@KK6USYHamRadioAdventures]

Looks like a real nice vna Ape, thanks!

[@TheSmokinApe]

It is pretty sweet, thanks for checking it out Chuck 👍

[@phils2180]

I've had one of these for a couple of months now but I had to buy mine! Nonetheless I'm very impressed with it and believe it's worth the money.👍This is one versatile piece of test kit with, if I'm honest, probably more functionality than I will use but I needed a VNA, liked the big screen, the large onboard memory and ease of use once you're familiar with it. I've just done the latest firmware upgrade which has added a few tweaks.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Hey Phil, I need to do that FW upgrade. I do love the device, used it earlier today.

[@patriceh6316]

Hi, where did you found the FW upgrade file?

[@BasicFace]

Hello! Great video! I can't seem to figure out how to change the frequency step size for the markers and direct input. The precision is stuck at 10kHz. Does anyone know how to change this? Thanks in advance!

[@Garthinyus]

Thanks for the review!

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks for watching Garth 👍

[@Garthinyus]

It would be great to see the differences between this one and the smaller ones. See what justifies the price difference.

[@HamRadioDX]

I'm gonna have to consider something like this - will make tuning my microwave antennas an absolute breeze!

[@TheSmokinApe]

It sure would. Thanks for stopping by Hayden 👍

[@wa4aos]

Good video, Thanks. QUESTION was the out of focus effect at the bottom of the screen and to the extreme right and left an issue with your camera, lighting or was the screen just poor in quality at the extremes? 2nd concern is the specs read frequency accuracy above 140MHz was off < 5 KHz. Have you checked the accuracy against a counter? 5KHz at jut 140MHz seems really rough. tnx es 73, Glenn

[@TheSmokinApe]

It was from the camera / lights. I haven’t checked it with a counter 👍

[@AndyAAzeroAM]

Nice looking VNA. I may never have a chance to own one like this, still nice to see what they can do and how it works. Thanks Ape!

[@TheSmokinApe]

Howdy Andy, thanks for checking out the video.

[@Tump2010]

That bad boy is HUGE!!!! it isn't going into a go bag but it is cool

[@TheSmokinApe]

It is rather sizable and it's heavy.

[@45auto]

I like this Large Print Edition. 😉

[@TheSmokinApe]

Good for old eyes!

[@technishn]

Nice. What is it like at lower frequencies. It says below 140 MHz the number of points are reduced. At narrow spans what is it like, like for checking SSB filters and such like?

[@TheSmokinApe]

I think it says the scanning speed, if you are looking at the chart not the points. That said I am not sure how narrow of a sweep you can perform. I can check.

[@technishn]

@@TheSmokinApe Looks like it uses a Si5351 at lower frequencies and ADF4350 at higher frequency, which may explain the difference in that spec.

[@vishalverghese]

Hi... One quick question.. Will there be any issues if I use 915 Mhz Frequency Antenna in India, which according to my knowledge of it is 865 MHz. Even if I get this, can I retune the frequency that is compatible in India.

[@TheSmokinApe]

You can use this meter to test in that range

[@DonDegidio]

Hi Ape, Great review. Nice unit for the shack. Does your battery indicator for the NanoVNA show fully charged when you recharge it? My new LiteVNA64 only shows 2/3 full when the charge led goes out. Stay safe. 73 WJ3U

[@TheSmokinApe]

Hey Don! From what I can tell the battery level meter works as you would expect it to.

[@DonDegidio]

@@TheSmokinApe Hi Ape, I went to Config-Version and can read the battery voltage. it's 3.58V and won't charge any higher. I think it should be 4.1 to 4.2V. Stay safe. WJ3U

[@ToNzHoLtZ]

Good day sir, Does any version of the NANO VNA have a DTF function? If not is that something that could be implemented in the firmware, or would it need hardware ? CHERRS I hope you and your family are well !

[@TheSmokinApe]

Hey HOLTZ, I’m pretty sure they all have it 👍

[@09keller]

Very well done! One question, do you know if there is a warranty with this? Tim K5TGS

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks, I’m not sure about a warranty. You might be able to get one through Amazon 😳

[@davidjohnstone4424]

I would like to find a tinySA Ultra in this package. N connectors, 7 inch display and metal case. How about it Erik?

[@TheSmokinApe]

That would be fantastic 👍

[@W4OP]

I see in the specs they mention Smith/R+/-JX. I think it also displays R+/-JX in a rectangular format- but I do not see that specifically mentioned. Can you confirm that the R+/-JX rectangular format is one of the S11 supported graphs? I ask, because I own a $5K Siglent VNA that does not support that format. Tnx, Dale

[@TheSmokinApe]

Not sure what you mean?

[@W4OP]

@@TheSmokinApe Touch DISPLAY. Tocuh FORMAT S11 f are there options to display the real and imaginary components of S11> Resistive and Reactive

[@TheSmokinApe]

@@W4OP yeah, under smith you have R + LC, you can also pick real or imaginary

[@davidgoodell4298]

I am interested in getting one of these but I am confused why the price varies so much. Ebay lowest is $349 to up above $500. Your Amazon link price is $538. Are all these units the same? I dont see a difference. I would rather spend $349 than $500. I wonder if some units are counterfeit? Any input?? Thanks...

[@TheSmokinApe]

I do think some are counterfeit, unfortunately that's the world we live in these days...

[@glaros0]

I saw one photo somewhere on internet with its internal construction and apparently there are 2 SMA to N connector adapters (for S11 and S21 ports respect.), which means that when you then connect an N to SMA adapter externally there are in effect x2 transformations per port! Also, the S11 dynamic range is not so good around 50dB means that you might not be able to see the actual response of a performance e.g. filter or a good coaxial cable. With these, the price is a bit spicy IMO, 73

[@TheSmokinApe]

They are pricy, thanks for the info Kostas 👍

[@davidbrowne1588]

Hi ape How are you getting on with this VNA now that you have had it for some time, is it still ok, have you had any problems with it, Thanks Dave 2E0DMB

[@TheSmokinApe]

I used it yesterday, so far I am very happy. I have heard that some people have had the USB-C plug become disconnect and require re-soldering. Also, I have heard some units have a bug where it doesn't start right away if the batteries are fully charged but I haven't seen that.

[@davidbrowne1588]

@@TheSmokinApe Thanks for getting back to me, yes I have read the same about the problems some had, glad yours is ok, I am like you I have a few VNA,s but I do like the size of this one and the spec is nice, I also like the look of the menu settings keys on both sides , like most of the other VNA are hidden to give you more display room, but it is good that you do not have to play find were the setting is that you want to use, I also have a mini1300, that I will probably keep as I really like the software, it has a home screen that you use to go from, for whatever test you want, Thanks Dave 2E0DMB

[@hamradiohef]

Great video as always Ape. I will check it out. I have the original one as well. 73, K4HEF

[@TheSmokinApe]

Hey Hef, thanks for watching the video!

[@bb_37]

Did you say "logmatic" when showing the trace format selection? That should be "log magnitude".

[@TheSmokinApe]

You mush have good ears, if only my kids could listen to me that closely!

[@Soupie62]

Very nice. At $600 you go from " definite buy" to "hmmm". If your main interest is below 1GHz you will probably find a standard NanoVNA good enough and about a third of the price.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Must ham work can be done with the H4 which is about 75$

[@temporarilyoffline]

Another Sysjoint, word.

[@TheSmokinApe]

You dang right 🤔

[@germanjohn5626]

I played around with one last week, it is nice and I do love the 7 inch display. But frankly, i.m.o. 500 bucks kicks this piece of hobby gear right out of the hobby market. Especially with contenders like the LiteVNA64 that even though it has a smaller screen, has a larger frequency range and comparable dynamic range and functions at about 1/3rd the price.

[@TheSmokinApe]

I can't argue with that logic, thanks for watching GJ!

[@petersvideofile]

Thanks for the tip about litevna64, this is exactly what I need :)

[@karlbesser1696]

Such a large box could have too great an impact on the measurement results in the GHz range of the antenna-cable-radio system.

[@TheSmokinApe]

I guess. Thanks for watching Karl.

[@hpsmith2010]

If it is designed properly the size of the instrument case has nothing to do with it.

[@karlbesser1696]

@@hpsmith2010 I agree with you on 2-port measurements, such as filters, attenuators or amplifiers in a shielded housing. But as soon as you measure an antenna reflectively, the ground conditions play a decisive role and a device with its capacitance to ground can greatly falsify the measurement result. Many greetings. 73|55

[@spacemountain08]

Very informative video! The device is way too expensive!!

[@TheSmokinApe]

Hey TMR, I won't disagree that $600 is a lot of money. That said, you compare the feature this has to other "antenna analyzers" that we use in ham radio and it's quite a bargain. Thanks for checking out the video!

[@qutips33]

it is expensive, good video

[@TheSmokinApe]

They ain’t cheap, that’s for sure. Thanks for watching qutips 👍

[@marcoscostato7885]

GOOD VIDEO ... QUESTION .... MEDIA ( R.O.E ) THROUGH READING ( DIRECT ) TYPE O ( MINI 1300 ) ..... EX : FUNCTION ( MULT SWR ) , FUNCTION ( FREQUENCY SWEEP ) , FUNCTION ( SINGLE FREQUNCY ) ? ? ? COULD YOU SHOW US THESE FUNCTIONS IF THEY ARE SIMILAR? ? ? OR EVEN A MEASUREMENT OF (R.O.E) ON A (HF) AND (VHF) ANTENNA? ? ? ...... THANKFUL .

[@kevinkc3onohelijeepworld953]

Man Ape that big Screen, you must be compensating for a small antenna ☺️ just kidding😉

[@TheSmokinApe]

lol. Hope you are doing well Kevin!

[@BosssyBear]

The form factor and N connectors are great but it is too bad the dynamic range is no better than a NanoVNA. There was a real chance to differentiate this from the rest of the crowd.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Fair points 👍

[@solarflare4259]

Just ordered one from AliExpress. Hopefully will get it since that site is quite strange; prices change every half a day. and customer feedback for the stores who sell stuff does not not look very "encouraging"..:😀 I do not think they have these items in stock ,they just order them as they receive orders themselves I guess...We'll see...

[@TheSmokinApe]

Good luck with the purchase, I do get stuff from them from time to time and most had positive experiences.

[@solarflare4259]

@@TheSmokinApe Thanks for your post. Today I received the message "shipped" .Will post my impressions when it arrives ...

[@solarflare4259]

@@TheSmokinApe Got it today, It took 10 days for shipping but it worth the wait. The 4401A looks and works great... It says V. 0.2.1 firmware; it must be the latest...

[@TheSmokinApe]

@@solarflare4259 awesome, glad to hear it made it 👍

[@radiotests]

Way out of my league! But I was wondering as we get into these expensive VNAs and not a 50 buck chuck have you ever watched Joe Smith's video on how to protect your Nano from getting surged by connecting straight to the antenna without ESD? Im still ťrying to figure the components to measure MW gear. His circuits are for saving your Nano 300mhz and under. Simple device using a gas tube, tsp, cap and pi R in a snuff tin. Only for SWR. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qqDXqKhqfseUrKc

[@TheSmokinApe]

Hey Craig. Joe is awesome. On thing I try to always do is short out anything I connect to the VNA in an attempt to discharge and static buildup. I have not attempted his mod.

[@marcpruitt7299]

Not go me. Geek Equipment !!!!

[@Nobody-ld7mk]

$349.00 x 6.5:1 exchange rate =$2275.00 Everybody wins.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Exactly

[@rbrazil1000]

Pretty spendy

[@TheSmokinApe]

I won't disagree that $600 is a lot of money. That said, you compare the feature this has to other "antenna analyzers" that we use in ham radio and it's quite a bargain.

[@williamgreenleaf9302]

KD2QOJ. Impressive looking vna unit

[@TheSmokinApe]

Hey William, you ain't kidding. Thanks for checking it out!