NanoVNA Software Enhancements (ESR, Crystals & RADAR)

[@bvernoux]

Seems nice but COM port does not work ... I really hate LabVIEW bloated install/libs ... If you have a version without external dependencies it will be perfect

[@joesmith-je3tq]

Good post. I will pin it to remind me to update it. Lets start with COM port does not work. I have been using LabView for about 26 years now and bought a license for my home use when LV5 came out. Of course I use the serial ports with it and I doubt very much I am the only one using them. To suggest they don't work seems rather ignorant. Now I can believe that you personally have been unable to get them to work for some reason or another. It doesn't seem like you are looking for help though. I can certainly understand your hatred towards bloated installs. Let's put some numbers to it. The installer for this software is 250MB which includes the program, runtime and VISA. A quick search on Google, VS2019 looks like it needs 800MB, .Net, 231MB , Java 124MB, Python 115MB. What's Windows 10 require? It's hard to believe anyone running a modern PC would consider any of these bloated. It sounds like you would like to go back to the days of DOS where we write .COM files that talk directly to the hardware. Sorry, that's not going to happen.

[@bvernoux]

@@joesmith-je3tq In my previous job I have developed a native windows com port DLL (for native or usb com port) interfaced in LabVIEW as LabVIEW was full of issues with integrated com port on tons of different PC ... it is why I hate LabVIEW stuff and I prefer native C/C++ (which are often less bloated) stuff like Qt/Dear ImGui... Maybe let's continue that issue in github github.com/joeqsmith/NanoVNA_Software/issues/2 (my computer use Windows 7 Pro for information and I have tried to install/uninstall tons of different version of Labview Runtime without success with com port error all the time when I try to connect ...) Anyway I have big respect for your amazing work and very good video

[@joesmith-je3tq]

@@bvernoux Your post hit the filter as I don't normally allow embedded links. Back in XP and prior, I was writing my own interface in C for that motorcycle HIL simulator I've shown. Once I moved to Windows 10, I ditched all the C and now have the model running in LabView and use their driver wizard to create the driver for the hardware. I've used that driver wizard a few times now with custom hardware. I ran into problem with one version of LabView where they rewrote the serial interface. It turned out that out of the various USB/serial dongles I had, the ones from FTDI were fine. So I ditched all the other dongles. Since then, I have not had a problem. But if it's as bad as you suggest, I would guess the NI forums are buzzing. I am not sure why you would be trying "tons of different" versions of the runtime. If you wanted to run my software for example, you need to run the correct runtime and VISA or I wouldn't expect it to work. You can't just install things at random and expect good results. When I first posted my software, I didn't include NI-VISA. I was surprised a few people caught it and were savvy enough to get it running. Of course, I submitted a new release shortly after that which included the proper library. If I had to guess, you did not install the software from that ZIP that contained VISA and then started trying different packages to get it to work. Just install it clean, oh, and read the manual! That software is NOT for the beginner. Failing to follow the detailed instructions and randomly pressing keys may not work very well.

[@johnnorton6085]

Thanks Joe. Really appreciate the time you've put into this.

[@0x07AF]

What an amazing gift and service you've given to the community! Thank you for this!

[@joesmith-je3tq]

2.0 is nearing release which has some improvements and added features. The main one is the ability to measure PDNs (within the limits of the NanoVNA hardware).

[@pyromen321]

Awesome stuff! I actually just got a NanoVNA a couple weeks ago and haven’t played around with it yet. I’ll have to try out your software when I have time!

[@Evanturar]

Absolutely love this and all of your videos. As you describe electronics as one of your “hobbies” I laugh to myself. I speculate you either did or do work for Fluke, HP, Keithley, Lockheed, etc. in some deep engineering skunkworks. There’s clearly a lifetime of experience behind your “hobbyist” voice. Sincerest thanks for sharing. Hmm Joe Smith. Kind of sounds like Bruce Wayne.

[@py2jpa307]

Hi Joe, I ask if you could make the software available, 73's

[@joesmith-je3tq]

It has been available for a few years now. Follow the link to the EEVBLOG forum and use the link in my signature.

[@kb7skb]

Really enjoy your videos Joe! Very helpful and interesting. Thank you!

[@jR060t]

Very nice demonstration and software. Thank you!

[@no5x937]

Will your new SW work with the latest nanoVNA with the N connectors? What language's did you use to write the code? Did you use Visual Studio, Qt Creator or other IDE to develop the GUI screens?

[@joesmith-je3tq]

I use LabView for all of my PC software. If you checkout my github account, there is a fairly lengthy document for the software. There is also a link in the description to the EEVblog site where I posted about the development since starting the project.

[@joesmith-je3tq]

Your 2nd response hit the filter. I don't normally allow embedded links for ads. This channel runs out of pocket with no donations or ads. As far as will this software work with different VNAs, again, take the time to read the manual. If you can't be bothered, I suggest not wasting any time with it. Its a bit of a mess, filled with problems and is a bad choice for the beginner. I suggest running the software supplied by the manufacture or one of the many supported open source interfaces. Join the groups and ask for support there. I'm sure you will find people who have bought the same unit you are looking at that can help answer your questions. Good luck.

[@timothytapio4252]

Hi Joe, I just got my V2PLUS4 and I don't see a version fot it posted, maybe Santa will pop it onto my computer? Enjoy your videos, very informative.

[@joesmith-je3tq]

I assume you are asking about my software. There is a version that supports it. Make sure you read the README file first if you plan to try and install and run it. By far most of the problems people run into are due to their lack of reading. Enjoy your new VNA.

[@bobmorris5971]

Joe, thanks for all of your work on this. Will your VI's compile in the LabView Community edition? Do you intent to go commercial with this at some point? If not, will you make the source VI's public? It would be interesting to have a look at code. Any way to add a direct print on the graphs by right clicking on the graph?

[@joesmith-je3tq]

I could create what ever sort of printing but anymore it is VERY rare I go to paper. Instead I use snip and add what I want to my document. I have no plans to charge for the software. There is no reason to offer the source. I've had several people wanting to do some sort of collaboration. That is until I start asking about their skill set.

[@bobmorris5971]

@@joesmith-je3tq Thanks, Any plans to add group delay? Useful for tuning some types of filters. I see that you are adding k-factors to your solver64 software, I know that I can calculate these from the S-parameters, but it can be useful to see in real time when adjusting an amplifier design on the bench.

[@joesmith-je3tq]

@@bobmorris5971 Group delay has been supported since it was released. As a matter of fact, most of my recent posts have been using group delay.

[@bobmorris5971]

@@joesmith-je3tq OK, I'll review more videos. Doing a search on the manual, I did not find any mention of Group Delay and I did not see it explicitly and an option for transmission parameter display. I'll look further.

[@joesmith-je3tq]

@@bobmorris5971 Most people don't expect older software to support all the features of the latest release.

[@vandersonpc]

Great software Joe! Any chance to have it compiled to run natively on MacOs? Thanks

[@joesmith-je3tq]

NI has been provided support for the Mac for about 10 years now. I am using LabView 2011 which if you follow this link, you will notice is not listed. www.ni.com/en-us/support/documentation/compatibility/18/labview-and-macos-compatibility.html We would need to procure a new license for Labview as well as the same exact Mac/OS you want to run it on. In order to continue to support it, I would want to upgrade the other software to the new release of LabView as well. I doubt this will go smoothly based on the last two times I tried to deal with Apple. Lets assume a couple of weeks to port and test it. Of course, you could just buy a Windows based laptop or: "NI recommends using Boot Camp to natively run Microsoft Windows on a machine running Mac OS X and using the Windows version of LabVIEW."

[@bfx8185]

Nice progress! Even I really don't like Labview gui the features you implemented is impressive. Thx

[@joesmith-je3tq]

Saying you don't like something is not very helpful. I am interested in seeing your GUI. Maybe you have ideas I can adopt. LabView is pretty flexible.

[@vincei4252]

Hi Joe, I got one of the newer Nano-F's which I'll give a try. I do have the older Nano's knocking around that I use for ham stuff so will be interesting to see if they work out of the box if the F doesn't play ball. Great stuff as always.

[@joesmith-je3tq]

If you check that EEVblog thread, the person attempting to measure their crystals had posted what version of firmware they tried to used. You may need to play around a fair amount to find a version of firmware that is actually stable enough to use. Good luck.

[@vincei4252]

@@joesmith-je3tq Noted. Haven't been on the forums in a log time but this is more than enough motivation to get me back on there.

[@joesmith-je3tq]

@@vincei4252 You may find their post here: www.eevblog.com/forum/rf-microwave/nanovna-custom-software/msg3525596/#msg3525596

[@craigpetku8341]

Joe, Do you think the nanoVna-F can characterize ultrasonic transducers (40-60Khz)?

[@joesmith-je3tq]

Sorry but I do not own an F and really have no idea as to how well it performs. I also do not work with with ultrasonic transducers and am not sure of the typical methods are to characterize them.

[@bobkozlarekwa2sqq59]

Will this software work with the NanoVNA-F version?

[@joesmith-je3tq]

Without testing it, I have no way of knowing. Start by reading the manual and README if you plan to try it.

[@stanholmes4293]

Thanks for the great software package. I have a VNA 2 plus 4. Will you be beinging out a version foe Dislord version of software?

[@joesmith-je3tq]

Stan, I had recently evaluated DisLords most recent firmware along with an older version on an H4. This combination has problems. You may read about it in the attached link. www.eevblog.com/forum/rf-microwave/nanovna-custom-software/msg3585459/#msg3585459

[@stanholmes4293]

@@joesmith-je3tq Hi Joe Thank you for your response. I will be rolling back my firmware so I can use your application again. Could you give me advice on a butterfly air variable capacitor. Would the ESR change significantly if I would add a mica disc (or any other insulating disc), slightly larger in diameter than the butterfly fins to prevent flashover. My objective is to create a physically smaller variable capacitor with higher flash over voltage for use with a magnetic loop antenna where resistance needs to be kept as low as possible. I have not been able to find any papers or articles on this construction. What other factors would influence this constructed butterfly variable capacitor in the magnetic loop antenna? Could the same process for measuring ESR on fixed capacitor as shown on your KZbin be used as there are no armature wiper blade losses on the butterfly variable capacitor.

[@joesmith-je3tq]

@@stanholmes4293 Stan, I wasn't aware DisLord had made firmware for the V2Plus4. I have not tested that combination, or any others beyond what I mentioned. Does my current software I have today work? Do you have to use the one for the old hardware or for the V2Plus? What was your reason to install different firmware? For your air capacitor, I am by no means an expert in the subject of radios. While your research may have come up short, you have the Nano and could attempt to run your own experiments. The problem you may run into is what I demonstrated in this video. The Q is normally going to be fairly high for your application. You may find that the V2Plus4 is not up to the task. You may want to broaden your search to exclude references to the VNA. Limit it to something like "variable air capacitor ESR " and you may find details on how it could be measured. If you read the latest manual for my software, I am attempting to make some PDN measurements. You may find that section of interest as I was attempting to determine how low of values I could measure with the original NanoVNA. Good luck with your project. Post a link if you decide to post about it.

[@stanholmes4293]

@@joesmith-je3tq Joe, I'm using your latest software. It connects and calibrates. In the sweep if shows checksum error. I loaded DiSlord mainly for the addition point and display grid. Thanks for the pointers on the ESR. Regards

[@joesmith-je3tq]

@@stanholmes4293 Just to be clear, my software shows a checksum error when used with your V2P4 running the original firmware? If that is true, what software and firmware versions are you running? What is this addition point you mention.

[@cacacaoh7181]

Thanks Joe, and is that possible to share some SCPI code? so people can have other method to access the device, such as a python terminal.

[@joesmith-je3tq]

There are a few open source projects that I suggest you have a look at. I thought they had used Python so you may be able to use what is there. I have not looked at any of the other interfaces so I can't comment on them.

[@cacacaoh7181]

@@joesmith-je3tq Oh, really? Will look into it. Thank you

[@sebastianfernandez9211]

Good Afternoon Joe. Is there anyway to get your wonderful software. Thank you again for all your help to the community. Sebastian K4BAC

[@joesmith-je3tq]

Read the description. Follow the link to my Github account. Read the README. Download and read the manual.

[@krawutzimon]

Thank you for your efforts!

[@PY4SR]

Hi Joe, great video! Did you already check the LibreVNA project? If possible, could you comment? Thanks

[@joesmith-je3tq]

Hello Rob, I have been following it. Recently someone asked about porting this software to support it. I spent some time looking at their documentation and joined the group.io. Sadly, they never approved any of my questions and would not allow them to be posted. The person who was asking did provide some details about the project's status. Based on emails from the designer, it seems the protocol used to communicate with the device is still under development. If you read the posts on the groups, it seems they are also having a lot of basic problems. It may be too early to get involved. As far as porting this software to support it, or any other VNAs, I don't see a problem as long as the design is stable and well documented.

[@avejst]

Great job👍 Looking great Thanks for sharing 👍😀

[@MegaCadr]

Great stuff!

[@vidasvv]

TNX Joe, GREAT STUFF !!! 73 N8AUM

[@co7ev6]

Hola amigo saludos cordiales como puedo octener el software esta muy interesante gracias....

[@joesmith-je3tq]

Hola, Tómese el tiempo para leer la descripción del video.

[@co7ev6]

@@joesmith-je3tq gracias .....

[@soulrobotics]

this video is resonant and selective. Txs!. j(ωL−1/ωC)=0,... pure resistivity.