NanoVNA H4 Setup and Usage with NanoVNA-Saver

Today I welcome TheSmokinApe onto the channel who has several good videos up about the NanoVNA device. We will walk through calibration of the NanoVNA-saver software and scanning 2 different antennas with the NanoVNA H4 device.
TheSmokinApe - / @thesmokinape
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[@josempantaleon]

Wow... Hey Jason, no BS this is one of my favorite collab videos. I hope that you and Ape do more together. The dynamic really works. Good job guys. 73

[@olivierconet7995]

Excellent tutorial. I appreciate the "novice" questions and errors point of view.

[@penzman]

Received mine minutes ago. Thank you both for your videos on it.

[@stevecampbell4118]

I've got one arriving tomorrow. This video really gives me a leg up on using it. Thanks!

[@mayimchaimqigongstudio6570]

Great video. I have been using my NanoVNA alone for a while. I downloaded the Nanovna saver software some time ago as well but just couldn't figure it out. Today I walked through with my set up as you did it in the video and it all came together. So much better to be able to see everything on a larger screen. So far I only have been using my NanoVNA for checking the SWR on my antennas. Thanks.

[@jamiecook5066]

Spiked my interests. I have been looking at these. Now I will probably pull the trigger and get one!!!! Thank you Jason!!!

[@HamRadio2]

Thanks for commenting.

[@quaildogusa]

I got my NanoVNA and just testing the device I learned a lot about my antenna

[@rd2082]

I bought one of these from R&L yesterday, wake up to see the notification for the video this morning. Sure I'll watch it again once I have one in my hands.

[@HamRadio2]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@AnglinTexas]

Thanks for this content. I had already watched TheSmokinApe video on this, but I got a lot out of this video from him walking your through it step by step. I have the SAA-2N on the way. I like the idea of the N being more rugged and the larger screen.

[@oldbassist60]

Just got an H-4. Anxious to learn some applications. Thanks guys. AD6AE

[@jeffcoomes7860]

just ordered mine today and will be playing with it sunday

[@HamRadio2]

Let me know how you like it

[@jeffcoomes7860]

@@HamRadio2 still trying to figure it out and i just got a pi and working to program that for ft8 and ham radio stuff

[@mcgrath16511]

Nice video.. been contemplating one of these little creatures,, this seals the deal. Plus I’m sure there’s a bunch more that can be done.. thanks to both of you!

[@brentjohnson6654]

Thanks Jason & Ape! Great video. My NanoVNA has quit working and I am looking which one to buy. I really like the nanoVNA - who knew I could have a network analyzer for home use for so cheap!! So I am probably going to get the H4 that Ape recommended on his video from RandL. Thanks again for the video. Now for the wind to die down in north Texas so I can put up my HF antennas. We have also used the nanoVNA to find a break in the feed line by using it as a TDR. Pretty cool!

[@quaildogusa]

This video is great. It really flattened the learning curve.

[@HamRadio2]

Thanks

[@thereare4lights137]

When you calibrate the NanoVNA and you're planing on using a short jumper and adaptor, you need to run the calibration having the jumper attached and using the open, short, and load on the end. The NanoVNA should have come with a female to female adaptor. Adding that short jumper will change the impedance of the line between your antenna and the VNA. You can test this by running the calibration the way you did, then add the jumper and measure with the load. The marker in the Smith chart will have moved away from center.

[@hightekkrednek]

Ya, if not calibrated with adapters one needs to use the electrical delay function to account for the added length between calibrated point and antenna. Not doing so WILL inevitably result in a false measurement and therefore incorrectly built/tested antenna.

[@tomsmith4100]

Thanks for the help understanding the NANOVna unit.

[@billfarnham1592]

If you were going to use he jumper, should you have done the calibration with the jumper attached and put the standards on the end of the jumper so it couldn't make any difference in your measurement?

[@HamRadio2]

NanoVNA says to do the calibration with just the standards attached, so that is what we did. You could do them with the jumpers too, if you wish...but it shouldn't matter much. We just followed the instructions from the manufacturer

[@bruceweight7319]

I Just got a Nano VNA H4 it seems like a wonderful device and quite complicated in it's capabilities. I notice my screen is dim when the USB cable is hooked up like yours, it might be a difference in firmware? One thing I am learning is that you set up all of everything, frequency range, markers, Smith chart, Logmag, SWR etc. then do the calibration and then save it. If you just turn it on and set the range and then calibrate it that is what it will save and the next time you recall it you have to go through all the setup of everything else. Also I am leaving the short cable attached to mine with the barrel connector attached, that way I wont wear out the device connector. I can just replace the jumper. I calibrate it with the jumper and female by female SMA attached, I noticed quite a difference in measurement if i took the jumper off and screwed the 50 ohm load directly to the unit and or if I connect it to the cable, so I calibrate it with which ever I am going to use. Just learning. Thanks for the nice video, I put the Saver software on my laptop and I will have to do some more learning. Again thanks.

[@captainmidnight5958]

If understand all correctly, wouldn't using the SMA adapter cable to the antenna coax feed change, or defeat, the calibration?

[@stevehildreth1934]

Got an H4 coming tomorrow.

[@donaldsmith3048]

I have some old RG8 and not sure if it is still good. I am thinking that if I connect the coax between the 2 connectors it should show if it is good. At this time I am making sure I have all my radios ready for the Hurricane that will be here in a little over a day. Must make sure I can talk to the local EOC and WX4NHC!

[@steventatum9327]

I just bought the one APE said on his channel now when I get it im going to lurk his videos hard LOL

[@tjalessi]

This was really great! Thank you two so much. Tom - K1TA

[@straightpride451]

You're my wittle nano!

[@arthurziegler6021]

I have an HP8754 and I like comparing functions

[@donaldsmith3048]

I have Nano VNA But have trouble seeing it. Thank you for the information. I will get the software to use.

[@HamRadio2]

No problem 👍

[@vanherridge9320]

somewhere there is a brightness control, I set mine to 2500 and it seems to be full brightness.

[@wa0kzqxxx154]

the other nice thing is you can test you cable for db loss and length

[@HamRadio2]

Agreed, there are lots of things this device will do

[@2wrdr]

We learned to measure SWR and saving calibrated frequency ranges. How about impedance? Is there simply way for that?

[@coolman1987us]

Don't be afraid to reset it! Calibration is finicky, just hit reset in the calibration menu and do the calibration again.

[@quaildogusa]

I found that I don't have to calibrate Saver v0.6.2. If I have saved calibrations in NanoVNA-H4, just recalling one in the VNA, Saver will pick it up. Don't have to shutdown or restart or anything. Just recall in the VNA and Saver will pick it right up. But I will add. Even if Saver picks it up for use, Saver will not let you save it. And that might be good. The next time you use Saver it might be with a different VNA.

[@jvignali1]

Excellent!!! Very good video, learned a lot!

[@HamRadio2]

Glad it was helpful!

[@davidlinux]

Super video! I applauded for $10.00 👏👏👏

[@HamRadio2]

Yay! Thank you!

[@hhampton]

The Android software is called NanoVNA WebApp. It doesn't have all the features of the NanoVNA Saver PC software, mostly just the basics.

[@dannydivine7699]

So how much of this stuff can you do on a Stick 500? It has capability to connect to PC also right??

[@w4mkh]

When you turn it on it defaults to the calibration set in slot 0. So I did a calibration for 3MHZ to 30MHZ then saved it in slot 0. So I could do a full HF scan.

[@KE8ODY-WV-Ares-Ham-Dad-3O4]

Would you recommend one of these over a more expensive mfj etc for a casual user

[@HamRadio2]

No

[@wa4aos]

If nothing else, the nanovna and the MANY excellent YT videos will help newbies to the hobby and those of us who have been around the block many times to better understand impedance issues and how this correlates to antenna design and operation. I am surprised how accurate these units are compared to commercial VNAs made by HP and others. These units are plenty good enough for much of the basic work most techies will need, less where you need more dynamic range for things like tuning duplexers. At the hundred dollar mark or way less for the smaller units, hopefully, many hams will roll their own antennas instead of buying them online. just saying !

[@SteveCholerton]

Great video

[@RGreyVanIngen]

Sir, What I.m looking for is a tutorial to upgrade the firmware for my NanoVNA-H 4 using my Mac Book. I think I have found and downloaded the correct DFU file but finding a Mac OS compatible bootloader has been unsuccessful. Thank you!

[@MrKvammen]

I got my Original SAA-2N NanoVNA V2 3GHz 2.2 Versjon today. I have found that they have sent me two Load plugs and one Open, no Short. Am I in trouble and have to ask for the Short before I can use the tool?

[@whitepinephotography5887]

I downloaded Ver 0.3.6. when I hit connect to device, the program shuts down. It does connect at first, comm port is correct and even loads pre configured freq data. Any thoughts?

[@bobflyer4346]

Could you share the URL/link for the NanoSaver H4 software, Tnx Maybe I overlooked it in this comment section or the links?

[@richardwhitcroftkc3rrw63]

I just picked up the H4 from amazon.... i am diving head first into the ham hobby pool ...rich - KC3RRW

[@rhwinner]

How does it connect to the computer to run the software: is it a Type C to Type C USB or a serial port? I'm not sure if my laptop has a serial port....

[@HamRadio2]

It isn't a serial port. I am pretty sure it is USB-C, IIRC

[@ve6kk]

@@HamRadio2 The H4 has a type C USB jack and comes with both C-C and C-standard USB cables to connect to the PC and to charge.

[@rohnkd4hct260]

Ok...........now I'm have to get one lol

[@bobflyer4346]

Nice Video: I have the H4 from R&L, works great. I have a question on the NanoSaver Software. I have heard comments on the number of sample points being greater with the Saver software vs the 101 points on the stand alone H4 (not connected to NanoSaver). If NanoSaver provides more sample points, where is the setup for the same? Any pointers as to where this sample point configuration is in NanoSaver, perhaps I have some sort of blindness? Thanks

[@wpiofm]

Can it do distance-to-fault?

[@jimchase7028]

I'm having trouble understanding how to download/install Nano vna saver to my PC. I've done all kinds of search engine searches but it evidently doesn't install like a conventional Windows PC program? Or am I overlooking something simple?

[@HamRadio2]

I believe the executable just runs, it doesn't install.

[@jimchase7028]

@@HamRadio2 Thanks, I finally figured that out. It just takes a while to run.

[@GunsandRadios]

Is there a link to the software / instructions on how to install?

[@elkhartcountyskywarn2879]

I just got my NANOVNA, and for the life of me trying to find the correct software for windows 10, 64bit is driving me nuts. can someone point me in the right direction? I am totaly lost.....

[@williamwinter3921]

i need to correct The Smoking Ape, he said that the H model doesn't come with a case but it does i just bought an H model and it did come in a case don't get mad at me i just thought you would like to know

[@HamRadio2]

At the time of this recording, it didn't come with a case. When I got my H4, no case was included. It is good to know they have updated that.

[@williamwinter3921]

i just got mine and the software i have is 3.8

[@LU9EZ]

Hi, I have a nanoVNA H4, in the screen appear this "error si5351_init failed" in all moment, so, I downloading the new firmware, the error disapear but I haven´t any calibration, the point green dance in the screen, I change the firmware for oldest that the original, nothing the error again apear, any idea? Thank you form LU2AEZ, sorry for my english!

[@coolman1987us]

about time, where have you been? I've had this for 2 weeks now. Your supposed to be whats new not whats a month ago

[@HamRadio2]

LOL the NanoVNA H4 has been out for much longer than a month...

[@coolman1987us]

Ham Radio 2.0 just screwin with ya. They are quite a nifty little toy. A+ on your content keep it up especially the DMR stuff!

[@HamRadio2]

@@coolman1987us Haha ok...sometimes it is hard to tell. I do get guys who just want to complain. Razzing is always welcome though, I laugh with you. 73 and thanks for watching.

[@r.hooper2355]

Talk about timing!! Received this end of last week and fixxen to learn how to use. Thank you for doing this. Awesome 😃 73 K4QJS hoop

[@timbellenfant5611]

R&L has this for $59.95 and Amazon is $102.95 . If this is correct it's no wonder R&L. can't keep them in stock. Unle I'm overlooking something. I'm getting one of those. KN6AAH

[@HamRadio2]

You are correct. R&L by far has the best price on them.

[@donaldsmith3048]

I got a nanovna from Amazon months ago. Will this software work with older versions of the nano?

[@HamRadio2]

Yes I believe so

[@nooneyouknow9399]

Why do VNA newbies refuse to say S 1 1? There is no s-parameter called S Eleven or S Twenty One

[@benjosevilla]

Nice tutorial please fix link to r and l

[@HamRadio2]

Fixed

[@j.trevorharris5645]

Anything other than 1 meter is plural. So 1.2 Meters is correct..FYI

[@blueoutside3394]

So would you suggest this to a new ham and can it be used as a swr? If it's not a swr do you have suggestions for a enexpensive swr?

[@ErwinSerle]

milli Hertz and Mega Hertz, ;-)

[@KellyMcNutt1956]

tnx!!! great tutorial!73 K8MCN

[@coziii.1829]

So I’m new What is this supposed to be or work for.

[@HamRadio2]

It analyzes antennas to see what frequency they work for

[@PropterH0C]

14 advertisements for a 40 minute tutorial?

[@HamRadio2]

No, there were 6, not 14. But 6 seems high also. KZbin adds those automatically, but I can edit them, so I removed half of them just now.