G4NSJ - Checking SWR Antenna resonance NanoVNA H4

In this video, I'm checking SWR Antenna resonance NanoVNA H4 vector network analyser. There's nothing technical here, it's all basic stuff for those new to amateur radio.
www.radio-workshop.co.uk/g4ns...

[@MirlitronOne]

Hi Ray. Three suggestions: 1. Buy a couple of SMA M-F adaptors (£5 a pair on Amazon) and fit them to the NanoVNA sockets. When you wear out the threads on the (cheap) adaptors, throw away and replace, saving wear-and-tear on the main sockets; 2. Always set frequency range and THEN calibrate; 3. W2AEW's KZbin videos on the NanoVNA are the best.

[@g4nsj]

Thanks for the tips. I'll check out the videos. Cheers, Ray.

[@toastnotoflondon8500]

Excellent Ray. I have used mine for a year or so and it's great. Every time yourself and other YT people post on the Nano VNA I discover something new about it. Many thanks.

[@g4nsj]

I don't know what I'd do without it now I've got it!

[@davidlucas6837]

Thanks Ray, your videos are at the 'just right' level for me! I have ordered a Nano Vna and the local club are doing a presentation on their use this week. Thanks for the introduction, keep up the good work, G8XDD

[@g4nsj]

Thanks, David. Great to hear from you.

[@charliesoffer]

Looks like the sort of tool you need to keep using and it’ll become second nature. Thanks for navigating us through, Ray! 73s

[@g4nsj]

Indeed!

[@anthonyduffy2440]

Excellent video as always Ray. Cheers.

[@tonym7cvk430]

I have just received my NanoVNA-H4 just completed the 1st calibration and tested my HT antenna fantastic bit of kit a lot to learn this video has help already, cheers sir M7CVK Tony.

[@g4nsj]

Hi Tony, that’s great. I’m glad the video helped. There’s a lot to learn about the Nano, but it’s worth it. Cheers, Ray.

[@phillipsmiley5930]

Its an endfed 430MHz 70cm 5/8 wave, 16 inch with a 3 turn 1 inch coil to make up the missing 3 1/2inchs of a 3/4 wave (19inch). it'll match as a loaded 1/4 wave on 145Mhz 2M so its a 2M and 70cm natural dualbander Gain about +3db on 70cm and -2db on 2M If you want to use it as a dualbanded you should add some 19 inch groundplanes for 2M

[@PaulStrickland]

I was looking for an antenna like like this but could never find one! Would love to know the name if anyone knows?

[@Ansedelargissement]

Many thanks, analogue SWR meter destined for the spares box now I have ordered the 4" model thanks to your clear practical demo

[@g4nsj]

Hi Malcolm, it's nice to hear from you. I'm sure you'll be happy with the 4" version. It's a great little device. Cheers, Ray.

[@d.jensen5153]

Great little intro to the NanoVNA! Between you and W2AEW I was able to get going with my new NanoVNA immediately. First thing I discovered (just seconds ago) is that the 2m mobile antenna I've had for decades is tuned to 156MHz. High time I loosened the grub screw and deployed more length!

[@g4nsj]

Wow, I’d better check my mobile antenna!

[@susancarter9862]

I'm a novice and really appreciated this video, thanks.

[@g4nsj]

Thanks, glad you found the video useful.

[@nigelbleddfa]

Excellent video, as always. Very helpful, thank you.

[@IrishvintageTVRadio]

I got a Nano VNA a while ago but haven't used it yet. I plan to use it primarily for making aerials for 2 meters. Nicely and simply explained Ray, thanks.

[@g4nsj]

Good luck with the aerials.

[@derrickgoodwin7078]

Hi Ray. Thanks for your video on the vna. I have just bought one myself and your demonstration has given me a good idea how it works. I shall be checking my aerials to see where they are resonant. Thanks Derrick GW0LJW

[@g4nsj]

Hi Derrick, that’s great. Glad the video helped. Cheers, Ray.

[@starman316]

Excellent, I have ordered one of these today and found this video very informative :-)

[@g4nsj]

Excellent!

[@eddyaudio]

Thanks Ray for a Excellent Demonstration of the VNA Regards Ian VK2IJ.

[@g4nsj]

Thanks!

[@JayN4GO]

Appreciate your honesty. Most you tubers just make shit up. Good job

[@g4nsj]

Thanks Jay.

[@stevenyemc]

Love my NanoVNA! The PC software is pretty handy. I have learnt so much from this tiny and inexpensive box of tricks. I built a J-pole from plumbing scrap and was really pleased when I hooked up the VNA and it was tuned nicely by dead reckoning alone. Happy days! £30 ha ha. how much 20 years ago! £10,000 or so.

[@g4nsj]

Happy days, indeed!

[@shawnchartrandva3gfy720]

Keep up all the good videos

[@g4nsj]

Thanks!

[@G0ogs]

They seem to be getting popular and I think a better way to check your resonant devices 👍🏼

[@timg5tm941]

Great video Ray. Thanks again 73

[@thisisus.504]

Trying so hard!! Thanks so much Ray. I got my FL back in May and don't know anybody else that is into amateur radio. I looked at joining a local radio club but felt wildly deflated when club members were saying...well of course you didn't have to set up your own radio set did you....(not my fault, it was covid)......and......well you can put out a CQ call all you want but as an M7.......(well I'm sorry I have to start somewhere). I'll not name the club, that wouldn't be fair....so a lot of my knowledge is from course work, Google searches and most commonly KZbin. I have a modest radio shack set up and have antennae that I now realise need analysing and tuning. I grip on by the finger tips as far as this side goes and have a Nanovna coming tomorrow. Thanks for your work, I don't feel so lonely. Its such a same as I really wanted to feel welcome. If I wanted to be judged...I'd join a Gym! 73 M7DKU (proudly so)

[@g4nsj]

Yes, we all have to start somewhere! Take no notice, some people are just crazy. Good luck with the VNA. Cheers, Ray.

[@markbroyles6912]

Thank you Ray🙂, just got my first VNA really enjoyed your video hope to give you a call sometime 73 Mark

[@g4nsj]

Excellent Mark, I’m sure you’ll find the VNA very useful. Cheers, Ray.

[@markanthony7184]

Excellent video! Thank you

[@g4nsj]

Thanks!

[@tatalito]

Thank you very much !

[@charlieoscar09]

Thankyou for the video very useful

[@fredshead3956]

What i like about your videos Ray is, you dont try an baffle people with science or pretend you the cleverest bloke in the world, just keep it simple thats easier for me to understand hi....Fred g4vvq Nr Chelmsford.

[@g4nsj]

Thanks, Fred. It’s nice to hear from you. Cheers, Ray.

[@paulcollins9839]

Hello Ray, there's also a Nano type of spectrum analyser out there, not to be mistaken for a bench S/A, but they do a fair job, both are good for filter characterisation , have fun with it. Paul M0BSW

[@g4nsj]

Thanks Paul, I'll look out for it.

[@Leonards_life]

Yes, thank you...I just got a nano VNA and it isn't all that complicated and turns out to be an ideal item to have on a filed day to help others who are ccondtantly changeing bands using an all band antenna. 73 N6ZKI

[@g4nsj]

Excellent!

[@A2kjb]

Very informative

[@g4nsj]

Thanks!

[@kengrey7263]

5/8 wave on 70cm. Quite a high quality aerial.

[@g4nsj]

You're right Ken, it must be 5/8.

[@WiltshireMan]

It looks a really good bit of kit that Nano VNA. I'm thinking of getting one

[@g4nsj]

Well worth the money.

[@buffalodiesel1809]

K9BW QRZ .... thanks... a very clear explanation on how to use a basic but very useful feature... Just got mine... never came with instructions 73's

[@g4nsj]

Thanks, I'm glad the video was useful. Cheers, Ray.

[@analiensaturn]

Ray have you got a link for that component box with the yellow border ?

[@g4nsj]

Yes, it’s here... www.ebay.co.uk/itm/141960490282

[@fretlessfender]

Nice!

[@MONTY-YTNOM]

Do you have to run calibrate every time you turn it on, or every time you change frequencies. ?

[@g4nsj]

Yes, you do need to calibrate with frequency changes. However, saving settings in the memories is useful for certain bands such as 2 metres 70cms etc.

[@fredshead3956]

Hi Ray i have just bought one of these, haven't used it yet seen a lot of videos on it, i suspect that antenna is a 5/8 wave on 70cms, its prob usable on 2 meters, with 5/8 wave the coil at the bottom acts as an 1/8 wave so is physically a 3/4 wave but electrically a 5/8 wave, so should work well, as for swr being different for different meters, yes indeed, i think some of that is due to the fact with some you connect the aerial straight to instrument and others have patch leads and connects that might cause a slight mismatch...from Fred g4vvq in Essex.

[@g4nsj]

Yes, I agree. That could well cause a mismatch.

[@lawrencethompson465]

Can the NanoVNA measure open wire fed antennas such as a doublet or is it only used for coax fed antennas? Thanks. Your video is helpful.

[@g4nsj]

I’ve not tried it but yes, it should be ok for that.

[@lawrencethompson465]

@@g4nsj Thank you. I appreciate what I have learned from your videos.

[@g4nsj]

@@lawrencethompson465 glad you found the videos useful

[@user-tc5nk6oq7u]

Hi thank you for thes video Im abdul razaq chalabi Iraq bagdhad 22 / 3/ 2021

[@BOBService417]

Dear Ray, we like this video so much. May I edit this video and upload to our amazon listing and Brand facebook page?

[@g4nsj]

Dear Becky, I’m pleased that you like the video. Yes, you may edit it and upload it to your Amazon listing and brand Facebook page. All the best, Ray.

[@yorkshirebikerbitsnbobs]

Excellent video.... I am waiting for a VNA from Amazon... Need to tune a Sirio Performer 5000.... Thanks..

[@g4nsj]

Let me know how you get on with it.

[@coltronex]

I use mine all the time,you need tools like this otherwise you can be in the dark as regard to antenna building and filter design,regards Colin G1PGI

[@g4nsj]

Thanks Colin.

[@phillipsmiley5930]

Test it again on 433MHz i would guess its a little long and will center around 420MHz? trim from the bottom of the aerial not the top

[@g4nsj]

Thanks Phillip.

[@phillipsmiley5930]

@@g4nsj No problem, i'm an ex PBR tech, we used to fit UHF 5/8 like that on a lot of vehicals, i'm surprised they arent used more by Radio Amateurs as conveniently small 2M /70cm dual band mobile aerials.

[@jessikaentwistle3145]

prob somthing like a 7/8 wave for 70cm ray... that by the way looks a brill piece of kit.. 73s M3ZEG

[@g4nsj]

I think you’re right, Jez. 7/8 on 70cms. Cheers, Ray.

[@laidman2007]

So you're going to put the 70cm aerial out in the backyard because it looks good? 🤣

[@g4nsj]

No… that was a joke. 🤣

[@shawnchartrandva3gfy720]

just ordered one . can't afford MFJ

[@g4nsj]

I'm sure you'll be pleased with it.