Budget Antenna Analyzing - NanoVNA

I found the most affordable way to analyze an antenna using a NanoVNA
#NanoVNA #hamradio #hamradioantenna
Here’s a link to the NanoVNA I got:
www.amazon.com/Seesii-Analyze...
***UPDATE: here’s an Amazon discount code the seller sent me that is good for the rest of April 2024:
105H022A
Here’s a link to the instructional videos mentioned in the video:
• NanoVNA Calibration an...
• Measuring Antenna SWR ...

[@daveh7720]

I resisted buying a VNA for a long time but I finally broke down about 3 years ago, and I haven't regretted it. Besides SWR sweeps (which are great because you can see near-real-time results from antenna adjustments in the field), I use mine to check home-made baluns and chokes. I 3D printed a case for mine and at the time it was big enough to hold the analyzer, jumpers, calibration plugs, and USB cables. But now that I have a big collection of adapters for most amateur RF connectors, I need a bigger case. You might want to get a couple of SMA male-female adapters for the inputs on your analyzer and leave them on there. They save wear and tear on the soldered-in connectors. If one of the adapters gets dinged you just unscrew it and toss it. You can still use the analyzer until you can get a replacement adapter. One other thing: there's software for smartphones and Windows to control the nanoVNA over a USB connection. It gives you a bigger display and you don't have to fiddle with the tiny controls and touchscreen on the analyzer itself.

[@WECB640]

Good for you Walt! The NanoVNA (in my opinion) runs circles around any other analyzer for the amateur market. I've used mine as a signal generator for alignment on HT's and scanners. It will also work perfectly as a LCR meter! By far the best bang for the buck of any item on my workbench. People are intimidated by them because of their complexity and need to align for each band sweep. I love mine. I own the MFJ-259 and a Rig Expert zoom-55, and those are good, but for true analysis the NanoVNA is at the top in this category. PS. For anyone contemplating purchase, I would recommend getting the genuine one and not a knock-off. Just google the name and you'll see the company page that shows you where to buy and what to look out for on the copies. 73

[@michaelrosebud]

Congratulations Walt, I am also thinking about purchasing a Nano VNA, It would be fantastic, for me and others, if, when you have this thing all figured out, to take an antenna / wire, and demonstrate how to use the VNA from start to finish, many people comprehend by visual reference, rather than verbal explanation....Thanks Walk, and looking forward to your next video...:-) KI4TOL

[@JReed305]

Absolutely one of those multi tools every Ham should have.

[@Don008Ramon]

I got the same one few month back, still haven’t got around to learning how to use it, but as always Walt you push me to learn, going to watch some videos on it now

[@xxMTxxDEWxx]

Congratulations Walt! You'll really love this thing. I got me one about 2 months ago and I am blown away at what I can pull in on Rx and reach on Tx when I make my antennas perfectly resonant for the frequency I'm targeting. Truly has been a game changer for me. I'm learning right along with ya. There is a plethora of KZbin videos out there on this thing. The stuff it can do is truly amazing. I must admit, I got hooked and bought me an H-4 version (bigger screen) and a TinySA spectrum analyzer as well. Been having a blast learning and playing with antennas. You already reach great distances with the antennas you make on your own. Imagine what a guy like you will be able to do with this thing? LOL. Enjoy!

[@Frank_K4FMH]

Bravo Walt! Getting measurements and selecting the correct benchmark to compare with is key!

[@bob-N4REE]

Great vid Walt, esp since so many people watch your antenna trials. SUGGESTION: you don't need to calibrate every time. There's room for 5 "Recall" calibrations. Keep the 7-30 you already have for the "big picture." Then, make and save a calibration (just a bit wider) for each of the bands you like to use, i.e. 6.5 to 7.5, 13.5 to 15, 20.5 to 21.5, etc. That makes it real easy to hone in on specific bands. One more hint: calibrate the most used band and save it first. That will be the one the NanoVNA displays on startup. Keep havin' antenna fun. It's perpetual. :)

[@corsavic1]

ive got the same one walt well worth the price like you say they are small lol great purchase, this is the way of the ham

[@acestudioscouk-Ace-G0ACE]

Hi Walt, I'm surprised you haven't bought one before, after a while you will wonder how you ever lived without it! That's certainly the case with me and your VNA will do more than the expensive analysers you showed at the beginning. If you can, calibrate at the end of your patch lead when it is connected otherwise the lead itself will be included in your measurements and may distort your readings. Alternatively get an SMA/SO239 adapter and put it on S1, then calibrate. Best 73 Ace

[@labcat73]

Wow... How could you survive without this thing for soo long. 😆 It is such a blessing to know with one look if you are too short or too long with your antenna builds. - Let's talk about it tomorrow when you can make it to the livestream.

[@PatchVa]

the nanoVNA was the first and only antenna analyzer I have, Tuned up my first dipo[e and never looked back,. have used it on all antennas to find the best tune

[@warplanner8852]

There are two downsides to these, Walt: one is that they are vert complex and have a moderate learning curve and the other is that the display is hard to read in bright sunlight in the field. The former can be overcome with practice and watching the many fine videos available. The latter is more problematic if shade is not available. Neither points are show stoppers and these little instruments fall into the "better to have and not need versus need and not have" category. Go for the larger 4" screen though.

[@daveh7720]

You can get Android and PC software to view and control the VNA over USB. Much easier on my old eyes!

[@MirlitronOne]

Piece of advice, Walt - those connectors are not designed for multiple connects and disconnects. Invest five bucks in a pair of male-to-female adaptors (also available from all good online rivers) and add them as "socket savers". When they wear out, the replacement will be another $5, not $50! The NanoVNA is great, and for the price - why not have one? Same goes for the TinySA spectrum analyzer.

[@sn0ren]

Never heard of anyone actually wearing out SMA connectors by hand tightening them. On the contrary, having a big adapter sticking out is more likely to break this tool, which is so cheap it's hardly worth the trouble, even if it did make any difference in saving the connectors.

[@christophermarshall5765]

Both my handheld radios use SMA plugs and sockets. I used to use my VX6R on a mobile antenna using a SO239 socket to SMA adapter. It is fine.

[@akiddoo8113]

Happy that you have been enlightened and advanced from the deep darkness of SWR.

[@dreupen]

FYI For just a few dollars more (i.e. $59) one can get an original nanoVNA-H (manufactured by nanoVNA) from R and L Electronics (a nice ham supply outlet). I originally purchased a white gecko nanoVNA. I mainly use it with nanoVNA-Saver on my laptop, but I have been considering getting an upgrade. Curious to know why you did not go with the H4. I had an H4 on my list, but I may rethink about the H. It only $30 more, but that is 50% more. Thanks for your honest input.

[@waynevk3xf7]

Congratulations on the nano vna what this does is endless.

[@wb6msa]

Great timing Walt, I just dusted off my nano vna and checked swr on a portable setup. They are cool little units. I like it better than my MFJ 259 which was a lot more expensive. Another great video. Thanks! 73

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thank you! 73, Walt

[@DarkShadowCustoms]

I plan to get one of these at some point this year.

[@genevievehoulton5433]

Awesome video.Thanks for your sharing. It is a nice tool.

[@castle5711]

That's the one I just bought. Wish the pix/specs were clearer about the connections and adapters needed for coax leads

[@jamesemery1]

great bit of kit. it's a steep learning curve but it really helps tuning antennas.

[@kjb_tennessee]

I have one and honestly didn't use it much since I got the G90.

[@mobiltec]

I'll watch you play with it for a while..

[@patthesoundguy]

Download the software for the PC for it 😎. I got my Nano VNA a bout 2 weeks ago and the software makes it even more of a game changer. You can set up a sweep super fast and see the results on the huge PC screen.

[@RonanCantwell]

Love my little Nano VNA. It's an amazing bit of kit! Dead handy when tuning antenna traps too.

[@jameyevans29]

Nice. Thanks for the discount code!

[@thomashardy9994]

You really do need an analyzer for HF. I bought a Rig Expert on sale last year before I even bought a radio. I’m now getting the hang of it. I also learned that it really helps to know what to expect from various antennae designs even while analyzing them.

[@m7trsradio]

Nice work Walt. I also have one it give you an idea where you are with things. 👍🏽

[@DonzLockz]

Fun toy to play with Walt. Mr Ape showed in a video how you can save and recall calibrations for certain frequencies that can be quickly reused in lieu of calibrating everything. I don't have a link but it was maybe a few months ago or so. Hope that can help you buddy. :) VK1DON ⁷³

[@markkoehler5110]

I got the same one this week. I love it for quick SWR

[@VictorJenks]

Thanks man ! I’m now subscribed as well . Sounds like we’re around the same level experience with radio so I’ll be following. 🤠

[@brianfields4479]

Thanks for sharing. Don't have one, never needed one.

[@VE9ASN]

They are a very handy tool, and I still use mine even after buying a stick pro.

[@VA2KFU]

Very useful tool, just need a little patience to learn😂! At first i taught it wasn’t working but now i know it works well when you set it right!

[@joelwray1071]

Hi Walt. I have owned a nanovna for about three years with no complaints. They are really great especially for the money.

[@VariXx]

Portable HDD cases can work. I bought one at hamfest last year for dirt cheap and it's already survived a few drops.

[@ErikTheVikingMechanic]

I have one of those.. very useful, it literally takes minutes to tune an antenna and a very nice visual of where the resonance is etc.

[@thork0tjt515]

I received one identical to yours from another ham who “hammed it forward” to me. I was a little intimidated by it at first. Seemed complicated. But like you suggested, there are some great videos out there on YT that can guide you through, step by step, how to do an swr sweep. Just follow along, do it a few times, and a person will catch on to how it works. Great bang for the buck item for any ham! Great video Walt! Happy weekend! 73

[@PatAutrey]

It is amazing how well the Nano VNA works! It's difficult to see the screen in daylight, So you'll want to find a shady spot or inside your car to read the answers. By getting a section of coax that's exactly one half wavelength long, you'll be able to determine the measurement at the feed point, instead of having to connect directly on the antenna.

[@garygogo9048]

I bought one as well, I really like it.

[@robertmeyer4744]

very good. a VNA will take some time to learn it. I have the H4 . same just bigger display. them are SMA connectors like the HT's use. get a bunch of adapters. Smoking Ape on you tube has lots of video's on the VNA. so does Coffee and ham radio channel. and bunch more. their is a 3D printed case for them. you can save data to PC . and so much more. for $$ best thing you can buy for antenna work and much more. 73's

[@RicksHamShack]

Setting one up with S11 SWR and S11 impedance traces (with or with out a Smith chart) is one of the best tools for tuning horizontal dipoles that I've found. Really helps nailing a 50 ohm match.

[@chipweather]

Ive been eyeing one of these. Very informative video! 73

[@Steven_VE9SY]

I love my nano VNA, as it is great for quick readings for SWR out in the field. Home as well. It does a lot of what the Ultra nano VNA does for field work. Yes the newer bigger version gives you more, but when I set up out in the field I really don't need any other features than SWR and how many ohms thee antenna is sitting at.

[@Philip-KA4KOE]

One is serious when you get a three slug calibration kit....got mine today.

[@Tom.N]

Use mine all the time for trimming antenna's, testing UnUn's, and testing filters, one of the best tools an experimental ham can have.

[@jamesgenn6469]

I use a Nano VNA H-4 which has a 4" screen - a little easier to see and read outside. Use it a lot up on the roof and to check SWR on my UHF and mobile antennas as it fits in my pocket and my MFJ-259D doesn't cover UHF. You can save your calibrations for quick recall so not necessary to calibrate every time. Good move Walt, Love your channel!

[@Bruce_VK2EM]

Walt, buy a bag for a 3.3" HDD, they are all over the net and are about the right size to take a NanoVNA. It's what I use, all the bits fit inside. Turn the VNA screen down to protect it. 73 Bruce

[@lawrence3242]

I bought one about 9 months ago. I can find the SWR but am still trying to figure out the other features. I put mine in a RubberMaid plastic box but first put a piece of foam in the box and cut out the unwanted parts. The devise rides tight in a hard plastic box surrounded by foam material. Thanks for the video.

[@tomdonahoe3539]

If you have a NanoVNA & a manual antenna 📡 tuner, you can tune almost piece of junk antenna. The Nano is an amazing little instrument.

[@weather_wizard67]

An invaluable tool for antenna analysis. Sure wish I had this back in the 90s. It takes the guesswork out of SWR. I used this on one of your antenna designs that I made. 73 K3RDF.

[@REXOB9]

Thanks for the video. With all the antennas you've made, I thought maybe you just felt the aura off the antenna to measure the SWR ;-)

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Hahahahaha

[@tonym7cvk430]

Used mine the first time last weekend invaluable Walt my DX Commander Rapide was close with Cal cutting chart was spot on. Using a Nano VNA V4 impressed with both M7CVK Tony

[@MatthewAE4JC]

Did a similar thing. I enjoy playing with the nano VNA. 73!

[@dr5674]

I have a nanovna-H4, and I absolutely love it! You mentioned you may eventually buy an expensive one. Not me, the nanovna does everything a ham needs it to do. I need to research the TinySA, that would make a nice addition to the ham tools.

[@unclemikeyplays]

I agree totally that people should start with the NanoVNA. It's complicated and finicky, but it's inexpensive, and it shows you what you need to know! Having the G90 like you do, it's not QUITE as vital, since that thing'll tune anything, but it's still good to be able to analyze what you're using in more detail. I wound up getting the RigExpert 500 (which I like to call the Antenna Banana, for its shape and colour) as well, and I tend to use that more because it's simpler, but if I were actually BUILDING antennas more often, I'd probably use the NanoVNA more for that. Both are great tools!

[@johnorrells3797]

They are great. Before I retired I use to use professional VNA mainly by HP/Agilent. Within limitations these little unit can do most of what the big ones do. Just note across the screen is only 100 points

[@Ron_pd3ron]

Yes that's one thing you must have

[@MyTube4Utoo]

These things are great, especially for the money. I have seen a few people that seem to have purchased some bad ones, however. "Bad ones" in design/ manufacturing, not just individual bad units.

[@KeystoneInvestigations]

I always thought VNA stood for Very Nosy Attorneys. 🙂 But when I studied electrical engineering in college, I found out what it really meant! The VNA's I used in college and my job cost around 80 thousand dollars but these chinese knock offs are good enough for ham radio use. I think you will enjoy using it Walt...good luck! 👍 There is a Polish proverb that sez: Lepiej zapobiegać niż leczyć !

[@quadcam24v]

I still use the G90's SWR sweep, its a great in the field dummy check for wiggling wires and whatnot. One day I'll need to build my NanoVNA into a stronger enclosure with fixed BNCs, its really let down in the field by its lack of sturdiness.

[@johnnorth9355]

Exactly the same one I bought a few weeks back and I 100% concur - it's a bargain and like you my compromised vertical produced exactly the same sweep across the bands - very encouraging in one way but shows how rubbish they are without a tuner. Sadly my compromised EFHW did not fare much better so I now have to rethink my shack antennas completely. At least I can use a modicum of science now LOL. 73 M7BLC

[@seanfoley7097]

I got one it works great

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Yeah, for the price it’s a pretty cool little device.

[@ke4cci]

How does the Xiegu internal readings compare? I bought the H4 with the bigger screen. Gotta build some adapters.

[@Tommyr]

I bought the H4 model for VHF/UHF only. I already have the Rigexpert AA-55 zoom which is a GREAT analyzer for HF work! WAY better than the MFJ models IMHO.

[@MikeN2MAK]

If you find a good bag/case solution for it, please share. I don't have the best case for it.

[@n0vty873]

Dam thought you had one! Can almost use it for blood pressure and blood sugar! Check out the prices on R&L electronics. I got 3 or 4 of them to compare the results, only one was crap

[@VE9ASN]

Not sure it was mentioned in the comments, but if should be compatible with the rig expert software......

[@philryder966]

Thanks, was wondering if there was something out there that you didn't have to make a bank loan to get!😎👍👍👍

[@slappomatthew]

My nano vna swr readings don’t match my g90. Yes I calibrated

[@540Baseball]

I have put it off long enough. I just made the purchase….

[@SixOnTheSideBand]

What about auto tuners?

[@wildweasel6898]

Also the nano NVA does the same things but wears black pajamas at night and builds swinging log traps in the jungle while your sleeping. I don't recommend that one 😂

[@christophersmith1155]

What is that ? an Antron 99 ?

[@K5LBJ]

Welcome to the dark side Walt! We've got cookies!

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Hahahahaha

[@David-km8in]

Once you have programmed the band and calibrated the nana VNA you can save it to memory. No need to recalibrate it for that band again. David M0DUU

[@agoraphobicadam1171]

Great price. KO4HPC 73

[@ki6kobra]

Can you teach us how to use it?

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Learning myself, that’s why I put the link to those two great videos I found in the description.

[@olrobertadams8650]

Thanks buddy

[@daveengstrom9250]

One should NEVER tuna an antenna w/o a box of doughnuts and some hot coffee. Its in the rule book (I think).

[@wildweasel6898]

I bought an expensive rig expert and tested it against a 5$ swr meter I got from a thrift store.....they were the same. The antenna analyzer can do a lot more than just swr and power but you don't really need more than that for building simple antennas. I did see a guy analyze coax and like 5 or six other things I don't understand but for getting a wire in the air it's not needed. Should get some more folks watching your channel tho and give you way more understanding of how all this stuff works!

[@scrubdog1421]

Sorry, bought the wrong one. Mini1300 smokes the VNA. If you’re going the Chinese route.