nanoVNA: A Practical Menu Walk Through (068a)

So you have just got a nanoVNA and it's a bit confusing. I don't blame you!
In this video I will walk through the menu of the nanoVNA with an eye to what it takes to get it set up to make a measurement of some sort.
I will explain all of those FORMAT options like:
LINEAR, REAL, IMAG, DELAY, POLAR, RESISTANCE, REACTANCE, SMITH and so on.
Some of these are a bit mysterious to those who are new to the whole VNA world.
My intent is that this will have some real practical implications for you.
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=== PROMISED LINKS ===
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Go-Along-With-The-Video-Sheet
drive.google.com/file/d/16rig...
nanoVNA Official Site (so they claim)
nanorfe.com/nanovna-v2.html
nanoVNA Manual (with menu map)
nanorfe.com/nanovna-v2-user-m...
Purchase nanoVNA V2 Plus 4 at
www.tindie.com/stores/hcxqsgr...
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==== VIDEO LINKS =====
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VIDEO: VNA Foundations (first video in the series)
• VNA Introductions: Wha...
VIDEO: Q-Factor
• Quality Factor (AKA: Q...
VIDEO: Measuring Inductance, Capacitance and Impedance with the nanoVNA
• Measure Impedance, Cap...
VIDEO: Measuring stuff outside the 50-Ohm World of the nanoVNA
• Making VNA Measurement...
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Time Markers for Your Convenience
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00:05 Introductions
01:43 The Main Menu-An Overview
03:54 Getting Ready to Measure: Planning!
05:01 Setting up the nanoVNA
05:18 Configuring what I see on the screen.
05:35 The TRACE Option
07:26 Trace Format
08:22 Channel Selection
09:21 Reflection Coefficient: A little Background
11:36 Display Formats
11:37 LOG MAG
12:51 Phase
13:18 Delay
15:06 Smith
18:05 SWR
18:37 POLAR
20:29 LINEAR
21:16 REAL
21:49 IMAG
22:25 RESISTANCE
22:45 REACTANCE
23:07 Q FACTOR
24:46 Next Steps: Configure other Traces
25:08 Defining Test Frequencies
25:18 Start & Stop Frequencies
27:26 Center Frequency & Span
28:33 Setting up Markers
28:34 What is a marker?
29:09 Marker Setup
29:17 Select Markers
30:02 Marker formatting
30:38 Marker Use
32:09 Calibration
34:49 Parting comments and Toodle-oots

[@WECB640]

Ralph, you really are the Elmer's Elmer. This was so well done. Thank you! PS. I'd like to see the VNA used to check a plate choke for non-resonance in a tubed amplifier. We are truly blessed to have these powerful measuring tools that are inexpensive today and were completely out of reach just a few decades ago. 73 OM

[@eie_for_you]

Thank you so much! Hmmm... a plate choke ... that would be an R.F. Choke, an inductor specifically wound to prevent self resonance. I've used these before. I *might* even have one kicking around the "junk box." I will have to do some looking. I would think that this would be a similar measurement as we might make on any inductor with an eye toward self resonance. Hmmm ... I've added it to the video queue. I'm with you, these are way awesome instruments! 73's! 🙂

[@SpinStar1956]

@@eie_for_you I think this would be an excellent video for sure!

[@eie_for_you]

@@SpinStar1956 I'm looking forward to making it. 🙂

[@SpinStar1956]

Definitely a worthwhile and useful video! I have been using mine for some time but still picked up useful/further descriptive information from you. Thanks Ralph & 73...

[@eie_for_you]

Thanks so much! I'm really glad there was something there for you! That's my goal. 🙂

[@haraldlonn898]

Thanks for these informative videos. I just got a older version of a nano VNA for test to see if I can use it as I want. $40 was what I could afford. There is so much food in this video so I have to look at it several times to understand. Big thanks.

[@eie_for_you]

Yes, there is a LOT to learn there, for sure! Be sure to work at understanding the meaning behind it all, too. That is why I point folks back to my other videos where I explain things in a lot more detail so they understand exactly what Reflection Coefficient is, for instance. 🙂

[@arnoldgrubbs2005]

A very educational video! Thank you! This is going to take a few more replays to get everything absorbed in to my brain! 73

[@eie_for_you]

You are very welcome! Yeah, there is a lot to take in. You will get it! 🙂

[@ornithopterindia]

👍Thank you sir.

[@eie_for_you]

You are very welcome, my friend! 🙂

[@cold3lectric]

you have this kindly concerned raised-eyebrow look on your face, letting me know it's indeed tricky material and my bafflement is valid lol, thankya my goodman!

[@eie_for_you]

You are very welcome! Yeah, there is a LOT there and it *can* be confusing. 🙂

[@cold3lectric]

I'd go as far as to say "it can't NOT be confusing (at first)." I'm attempting to characterize a Tesla coil using my new DG8SAQ VNWA 3, and its like "how many resonant frequencies does this have!?", turns out it has a series mode and 2 parallel mode resonant peaks. Persistent uncertainties (apparently i like a good challenge - eek), thus i arrived here. Thanks for lending me your perspective!

[@eie_for_you]

@@cold3lectric That is a very interesting project! My cousin created one of those MANY years ago. I never did anything like that. In some ways, that Tesla coil is like the RF choke they put in linear amplifiers. It is wound specifically to create several self-resonant frequencies. That's cool, too! 🙂

[@fvxw]

Thanks!

[@eie_for_you]

You are very welcome! 🙂

[@watthairston1483]

Outstanding video Ralph; however, the yellow pencil annunciator frequency may have been set a little too high....LOL!!! Many thanks! 73' de K4WRF

[@eie_for_you]

Thanks man! The "yellow pencil annunciator frequency"... yup, a bit out of range of the antenna, I think! ...LOL! 🙂

[@wb7ond]

Great video, I'd be interested in your take on how and when you make the three types of impedance/component value measurements. The S11, and the two S21 (shunt,series) through measurements with the NanoVNA.. Thanks

[@eie_for_you]

Thanks! I'm noodling on the whole"through" measurement of components thing. They would form the input impedance to a frequency dependent voltage divider with the input impedance of port 2 (ch 1) being the output side of things. It'll be a very interesting study and experiment on the bench. Know that if I come up with something cool, there will be a video on it.🙂

[@wb7ond]

@@eie_for_you Yes from what I've read, whether the impedance is much greater or less than the 50 ohm center impedance determines which S21 method is used, for the most accuracy. Copper Mountain has some good info... Cheers...

[@eie_for_you]

@@wb7ond Hmmmm...I'll have to check that out when I get to investigating this. Thanks! 🙂

[@user-em7lp1sb4k]

Nice video Ralph personally I don't own a VNA just a antenna analyzer maybe someday I'll pick one of these up looks to be a powerful tool.

[@eie_for_you]

Thanks! You are right, it is a very powerful and affordable (now) tool! In the coming weeks I plan on demonstrating various measurements using it. This should be a lot of fun and *far* less complicated than the walk through.🙂

[@user-em7lp1sb4k]

@@eie_for_you Well I'll be dipped my RigExpert AA-200 just went belly up it will no longer measure anything. Was in the process of measuring a delay line for a 40 phased array when it decided to quit working....Bummer! I hear the RigExperts are real sensitive to static electric charges so I may have somehow zapped it. Question now is do I finally go the VNA route?

[@eie_for_you]

@@user-em7lp1sb4k Well ... a couple of things ... first, antennas build up static, so ALWAYS short and ground the antenna to dissipate the static before connecting it to any analyzer or nanoVNA....But you know that and, if you are like me, occasionally forget and (most of the time) get away with it. On the whole nanoVNA front. Their are a LOT of real cheap copy-cats out there ($49!). I paid a bit more for my nanoVNA V2 +4 version from nanorfe.com/nanovna-v2.html Then I got a small pelican case for it. If you are new to VNAs, I strongly recommend at least taking in my video on VNA terminology found here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qIPOo3p7Yppoj6M There is a LOT to learn, (The entire VNA Playlist is here: kzbin.info/aero/PL27hd2cDvPRubW4VEujzoEFwo2m9PpoFZ) Once you get your nanoVNA, then the nanoVNA menu walk through will help a lot (kzbin.info/www/bejne/lWqZf2alfKuUqqc). Take the time to learn your nanoVNA, it will become a valuable tool for you. If I can help anywhere along the way, let me know! 🙂

[@user-em7lp1sb4k]

@@eie_for_you Hi Ralph, Well I decided to go with the Rigexpert AA-230BLE this time just seems to fit my needs right now. More than likely I will purchase a Nano VNA in the near future both devices have a place in the shack. The weird thing about my AA-200 failing is I wasn't even measuring directly to an antenna I was measuring a delay line that was on the bench disconnected from anything that may have had static build up. I was standing on a carpet floor maybe my body itself had a static charge from standing on the carpet who knows. Sometimes its best to not ask questions and just move on.

[@eie_for_you]

@@user-em7lp1sb4k Enjoy your Rig Expert. Let me know how it works for you. 🙂

[@daveengstrom9250]

I just ordered an SWR meter to use on my 2-meter stuff. Did I waste my money?

[@eie_for_you]

It depends on what you are trying to do. If you are looking to monitor the swr of your antenna while applying real transmitter power, then you are set. Be aware that, depending on the frequency and the make/model you may be introducing it's own SWR and loss into the transmission line. (see my video on the subject: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z5fToImfqt2hacU) If you are doing antenna creation and characterization, then the nanoVNA is most definitely they way to go. Plus it will do a **LOT** of other jobs for you,too. 🙂