Don't know if this is the best place to rant about this, but here goes... Make sure to select DISPLAY->CHANNEL = "S11 (REFL)", not "S21 (THRU)", for measurements like SWR and SMITH charts made on PORT 1 (S11). For HF calibration, use 1 MHz -to- 30 MHz stimulus range: STIMULUS->START = 1 MHz, STIMULUS->STOP = 30 MHz. By all means use a smaller range for higher accuracy if necessary. Always reset calibration data before performing another one: CALIBRATE->RESET. Perform Open-Short-Load calibration and save result: CALIBRATE->OPEN..SHORT..LOAD..DONE->"SAVE 0". All settings and calibration data stored in "SAVE 0" will be loaded upon power-up. Verify good calibration by placing Open-Short-Load devices on PORT 1 and observe that "dot" position appears at right-left-center on SMITH chart center axis. If calibration was done right at the SMA connector on PORT 1 but an open coaxial jumper and/or adaptor is later added, the SMITH chart will show a rotated arc instead of a "dot". By introducing an electrical delay the calibration reference plane can be moved to the end of the jumper/adaptor to compensate. Automatically: MARKER->OPERATIONS->E-DELAY Manually: DISPLAY->SCALE->E-DELAY = "value" (+/- nS or pS) Re-save to include in location of choice, e.g. "SAVE 0", "SAVE 1", etc.
@temporarilyoffline2 жыл бұрын
This is good info.
@MidlifeRenaissanceMan2 жыл бұрын
I picked up a used Nano VNA F that had some similar issues. Buttons were all out of whack, but calibration was fine. I replaced the lithium battery and now it works like a champion. Problem free. Try replacing the battery, or giving it a reliable supply
@temporarilyoffline2 жыл бұрын
Very good idea!
@TonyLing11 ай бұрын
I've just tried unplugging the internal battery on mine and running off USB-C. No change observed.
@jeffreyfritz586611 ай бұрын
You have descirbed exactly the way that my NanoVNA is acting. It acts like your bad one. R&L is replacing it with a newer version. Your video and testing was immensely helpful! 73
@temporarilyoffline11 ай бұрын
Glad it helped!
@astrawally84484 ай бұрын
My biggest learning with these is that you need to be wary your own interactions and how they impact what you are measuring (capacitive coupling, induction effects etc), how well it is shielded (your Norcal looks hip but it is not shielded) and any grounding effects. The NanoVNA uses a few mW of power to make its measurements/sweeps, it doesn’t take a lot of interference to impact those. To show this, get your good NanoVNA and connect a known good VHF/UHF whip. Find best VSWR and start to interact with it. Point here is that there are so many factors at play that it is going to be difficult to blame the NanoVNA purely. I do agree with the other comments about battery and firmware updates but I don’t believe that any one supplier or manufacturer is intrinsically building dud hardware beyond the odd faulty units.
@temporarilyoffline4 ай бұрын
Thanks for commenting!
@barrykery11752 жыл бұрын
My NanoVNA H4 is build time Jan 31 2021 Version 1.0.45 and I don't have any issues at all. I have a RIG Expert AA-230 Zoom, AA 650 and a SARK 110. All four give me pretty much the same readings. This is not the firmware version that came with mine. I bought mine from R&L Electronics thinking they did their research before they went out and bought junk. I also purchased the TInySA from them. The TinySA had a slight glitch on the display on 40 meters when I narrowed the span down to 10 khz. I updated the firmware and the little glitch went away. Your video was very interesting and glad you posted it. Barry, KU3X
@temporarilyoffline2 жыл бұрын
Thanks Berry! I wish it was easier to spot the "fake"... but it could have also had an ESD or something... I'm holding on to it for fun.
@n8mail76 Жыл бұрын
I've had mine for several years now. I've always made excuses for why it sucked. It works. But it makes you pay patience to get results
@temporarilyoffline Жыл бұрын
I have a second one that works well.I use it a lot and it is great.The one in this video just seems to be a fake.
@Number4lead Жыл бұрын
I bought a nano VNA on amazon. I have attempted to build several antennas from quagis to moxons to j poles. My vna always measured poor to mediocre performance. I always assumed I did something wrong, although I measured everything to a T. Now I'm wondering if my vna is faulty all this time. I'm going back to the good old reliable SWR meter.
@temporarilyoffline Жыл бұрын
I've been happy with the aursinc label on Amazon. You could try a second one for something to compare too and return it if it doesn't work as expected. The Nano has so much functionality (when it works), but the cloners have gotten ugly. Amazon link: amzn.to/3ezESBc
@jamescoleman47472 жыл бұрын
Try and remember to ground the coax before connecting your vna or other kit.
@temporarilyoffline2 жыл бұрын
That's a great idea!
@ronalddang7507 Жыл бұрын
If you're using a regular stick antenna on an HT, do you need to ground it? If so, how?
@temporarilyoffline Жыл бұрын
Usually you are the ground in an HT. But you can add a "tiger tail" and get greater range. When you take the antenna off the HT to test, you need to replace that missing human factor.
@ronalddang7507 Жыл бұрын
@@temporarilyoffline I see, so how would one replace that "human" factor? Sorry if these are simple questions, I'm quite new to electronics myself
@temporarilyoffline Жыл бұрын
@@ronalddang7507 No problem with the simple questions, that's what I'm here for. That's the "tiger tail" I mentioned earlier. Check out this short from my buddy Hayden - Ham Radio DX channel:kzbin.infoccJHdmSE7D4 What are you trying to accomplish? testing the antenna on the nanovna?
5 ай бұрын
You should set the stimulus, or change the band before calibration.
@temporarilyoffline5 ай бұрын
I go over that in the video.
@peterdekeles.2 жыл бұрын
Would love to see a video on updating the firmware
@temporarilyoffline2 жыл бұрын
Its on the table. I found a really good firmware to install during this diagnostic process. I'm very impressed with how well it gets installed and the "polish" it puts on the device. It just seems like the creator thought about the interface a bit and rounded off the rough edges.
@peterdekeles.2 жыл бұрын
@@temporarilyoffline I look forward to it. Thanks Steve
@ToNzHoLtZ Жыл бұрын
My nano vna was glitching until I installed the new firmware, and it now seems to work okay, except for the fact it does not have a DTF option ..
@temporarilyoffline Жыл бұрын
I'll try that!
@Randy-xs4wm2 жыл бұрын
I actually need to buy a NanoVNA and would appreciate your recommendation (link) for which one to buy. By the way, affiliate links are ok with me (because the price doesn't increase for me if I use a link you sponsor, AND I get to support your efforts as well)!
@temporarilyoffline2 жыл бұрын
Thanks, there is a link for R and L electronics in the description
@tomstrum6259 Жыл бұрын
Can't believe you opened up your buddies Vna & pulled shielding cans off !!
@temporarilyoffline Жыл бұрын
When it starts out broken, you've got nothing to lose! :-D
@izzzzzz6 Жыл бұрын
lol
@TonyLing11 ай бұрын
The shielding cans thankfully are not soldered in place, and pop on and off very easily
@xiaonguyen66938 ай бұрын
great video, love the adhd extras :)
@temporarilyoffline8 ай бұрын
Extras? That's all natural 😄😄😄
@bertbronson83956 ай бұрын
I am curious as to why the curves werent flatter given the swr was set to 1.0/ division on both devices (later in the video) instead of the 250m/ division you had on your device at the beginning of the video. 1.0/ gives a full range of like 10 vs 250m/ a vertical range of 2. That may not affect the readings or results, but it is curious...
@temporarilyoffline6 ай бұрын
I don't remember changing that setting either...
@bertbronson83956 ай бұрын
@@temporarilyoffline 1.0 is the default setting. The IMSA guy goes thru that on his 'intro to the nanovna' video - thats the only reason I know that - had no idea what SWR was used for at the time LOL.
@dannelson85569 ай бұрын
By far the number one killer of nano VNAs is static discharge. hams unfamiliar with working with VNAs will foolishly connect their VNA to an outdoor antenna without a pad or without discharging any static on the center conductor and poof goes the front end of your VNA. If you did this in a laboratory with $100,000 VNA you get fired and sued for the cost of the repair. vector Network analyzers are generally considered laboratory grade equipment not field equipment so they almost never have protection against static discharge. It is expected that the user is properly trained in their operation and knows how to discharge any static charge before attempting to connect the DUT. So several mistakes I see in your video, one is you connected an external antenna to lab equipment without properly discharging any static buildup. two you connected lab equipment to an external antenna without an appropriate DC blocking pad You should always use a 3db DC blocking pad on the front end of your VNA. And of course one of the very first things to look for when experiencing erratic performance with microcontroller devices is input voltage. In other words you need to check your battery' voltage as low voltage or inability to supply the required current can cause erratic performance. As a ham radio operator I would expect you to already know this.
@temporarilyoffline9 ай бұрын
You give hams a bad name.
@troymilleraz23 сағат бұрын
He is just one of those Sad hams
@temporarilyoffline22 сағат бұрын
It's all in the delivery. "You should have known this" vs. "hey, you might not know this, but..."
@bill-20188 ай бұрын
I also experienced having to press the screen several times. I think in my case the battery voltage was a bit too low as it seems better now I keep it topped up after every use no matter how short. G4GHB.
@temporarilyoffline8 ай бұрын
Thanks Bill! Looks like you've got a good answer.
@rilosvideos8778 ай бұрын
I am missing the red thread in test test procedure - looks more like try and error. Its essential to have proper shielding in place (esp. for higher frequencies) and to have a proper calibration first. When i buy from ebay or ali how can i know what i get? You probably should omit the lowest price offerings ;-)
@temporarilyoffline8 ай бұрын
Good idea💡
@user-uv4xe3cq2y5 ай бұрын
Before jumping to conclusions, replace the battery with a fresh one. Tnx for the video.
@temporarilyoffline5 ай бұрын
Would that make a difference if it is plugged in?
@uzaiyaro3 ай бұрын
Calibrate the touch screen if you're having problems with the touch.
@temporarilyoffline3 ай бұрын
I did that in the video.
@uzaiyaro3 ай бұрын
@@temporarilyoffline I must have skipped over that part, and I must have had good luck with mine for a moment because it started being touchy again (pardon the pun) after I wrote this comment. I’m trying a firmware update tonight and will see if that has any effect. It’s not my nano anyway, so this might just push me towards a non-clone if I can’t get it to cooperate.
@darylcheshire1618Ай бұрын
You can re-calibrate the touch screen.
@temporarilyofflineАй бұрын
You can see in the video that I did that.
@frequencywatchers Жыл бұрын
I Have My NanoVna Working Good, But The First Thing I Did I Changed The Basttery So Now It Works 3 Times As Loonger On A Field :) Sorry For You problem, Maybe I Can Figure It Out If I Put My Mind To It, Sadly I Would Have To Have Your VNA To Figure TThe Problem Out, I Bet Its Easy One:)
@temporarilyoffline Жыл бұрын
I'm open to any suggestions!
@frequencywatchers Жыл бұрын
@@temporarilyoffline Well, You Can Send It To Me And I Can Try To Fix It And Send You Back The VNA, I Have Some Smart Heads Over Here To So I Will Not Be The Only One Figuring Out Your Problem And We Could Maake Videos About This Thing :) I Can Make A Video How I Figured Out The Problem And You Can Make A Video About How Its Changed And Whats Changed And What You Are Doing With It Now And All That Stuff :) Ofcorse You Will Be Allowed To Use My Footage In Your Video Aswell To Show What You Want To Show
@temporarilyoffline Жыл бұрын
Message me on the discord or via email
@DonzLockz2 жыл бұрын
what was the end result? Did you return it?
@temporarilyoffline2 жыл бұрын
This one was a fake, it was also a channel donation and I've kept it hoping that I can fix it someday. I need to do a firmware update on it to use a 3rd party firmware and see if that helps among other things. If your a ham and you're bored... you're doing it wrong!
@bryantwalley Жыл бұрын
@@temporarilyoffline all the components in these are relatively cheap to begin with. I would be curious to know if it was truly a fake or if they (Chinese manufacturing) are just buying components in bulk and relying on the law of averages to produce good ones and just accepting that they may have to eat a few returns.
@temporarilyoffline Жыл бұрын
@@bryantwalley This is exactly how I feel about the MMDVM boards - we bought about a dozen of them from Aliexpress and half didn't work - requiring some surgery, etc. Finally I got tired of being QA and just ordered a complete unit from a known brand on amazon. I paid more, but I knew it would work when I got it... and it did.
@ur5gqf4 ай бұрын
Купи очки, там масштаб scale/div разный на графике swr. Видно же что одинаковые платы...
@temporarilyoffline4 ай бұрын
2-minute rule.
@PhilLeith Жыл бұрын
I have one a friend gave me ... and I am getting results I would not expect. SWRs in the 10:1 range in the range this dipole is cut for. I'm thinking maybe it's a bad one
@temporarilyoffline Жыл бұрын
I had to run a side by side comparison with another analyzer to prove it
@vidasvv2 жыл бұрын
How does it compare if u slap a 75 or 100 ohm load ? tnx 4 the upload! 73
@temporarilyoffline2 жыл бұрын
I need to get a set of those and find out.
@Screamingtut2 жыл бұрын
mine comes up with the Blue logo like your friend's NanoVNA. I cannot read the version because I did not have my reading glasses handy.
@temporarilyoffline2 жыл бұрын
There are a lot of different versions of the firmware out there.
@izzzzzz6 Жыл бұрын
I just picked up a nano for €45 inc. delivery. Hoping it's a good one. It's white.
@temporarilyoffline Жыл бұрын
Me too! Good Luck!
@Tommyr2 жыл бұрын
I just bought one on Amazon and can return it if it doesn't work right within 30 days. Need it for VHF/UHF antenna testing. I already have an AA-55 zoom for HF.
@temporarilyoffline2 жыл бұрын
It's a great gadget at a great price
@izzzzzz6 Жыл бұрын
it only goes to 1 Ghz i think. Better get a newer vs they go much higher in frequency.
@Tommyr Жыл бұрын
@@izzzzzz6 I don't need one that goes higher.
@TonyLing11 ай бұрын
Can it actually be counterfeit? I understand that it is an open source design. My H4 behaves in a similar way. The interface can be unresponsive, and the measurements are not consistent. I think I'm going to buy a V4.
@temporarilyoffline11 ай бұрын
Counterfeit in the sense that it was made and sold by somebody that didn't know what they were actually making.
@prestonshute72432 жыл бұрын
Had to send mine back to Amazon, it was doing lots of strange thing. The screen was not operating correctly, lots of retouches on back. Did not agree with either MFJ meters. So I did a screen cal and that made it even worst. So back it went and they gave me full refund to my account. That unit was about $105.00. I may try buying another 🤞 73 Wd4dda
@temporarilyoffline2 жыл бұрын
I got a second one and it has been good to me. The fakes are a problem. Glad to hear you got your money back with no hassles.
@richardblanchard27438 ай бұрын
You didn't say what scale you have in swr per division.
@temporarilyoffline8 ай бұрын
You're right
@bulldogloverlover5496 Жыл бұрын
Incredibly long and not very clear. It was so long I forgot exactly what we were comparing.
@temporarilyoffline Жыл бұрын
Good thing there are chapters on the video.
@TonyLing11 ай бұрын
It is nobodies fault but your own that you have a short little span of attention
@curtw8827 Жыл бұрын
I've learned that updating firmware sometimes results in a brick.
@temporarilyoffline Жыл бұрын
I don't know if this was upgraded before I got it.
@djdommes9302 Жыл бұрын
How about scale setting ?
@temporarilyoffline Жыл бұрын
Wouldn't that have returned to "normal" after a factory reset?
@rickeaston32282 жыл бұрын
Why did you keep it? I would have sent it back when the screens would not come up right. Why? It could be a legit unit but broke or it's a crummy clone. Either way, you should have gotten rid of it. It also has a dim display. Not very bright.
@temporarilyoffline2 жыл бұрын
I kept it because a friend sent it to me and one day I might learn of a way yo fix it.
@rojirrim729817 күн бұрын
Great video on how NOT to test if the device is broken or not because you're comparing decimals of SWR against an antenna that only you happen to have. FYI, they sell such things as "RF Demo Kit" VNA test PCBs at 5€ a piece in online stores, which you can actually use to compare against the known reference circuits of the PCB. By the way, you're doing the callibration at the plane of the PCB's output directly, and then you're attaching the antenna using an extension cable, so your callibration is bollocks if you don't add the extra E-Time on the settings to compensate for the increased length of conductor... Please, don't make videos talking about things you really don't know about with certainty, because often you'll end up spreading myths and false ideas. 41k people watched the video and are now left wondering whether they have a faulty NanoVNA without any real evidence from what I've seen that there are brands making copies with false hardware.
@temporarilyoffline17 күн бұрын
Great comment on how NOT to make comments on a youtube video. If you don't understand the concept of the test, don't bother making comments. You'll only end up spreading myths and false ideas. Not many will read your comment, but those that do will probably point out that even the original manufacturer of the NanoVNA indicates there are faulty clones.
@rojirrim729817 күн бұрын
@@temporarilyoffline Thanks for not answering to my point about your calibration being faulty since you made it at the plane of the NanoVNA and not of the DUT. As for the clones being "faulty", it's more about a clash between the original makers splitting and one of them remaking the design and selling it to a chinese factory, but the devices they make still work, albeit with more noise than the $300 alternative that the original makers offer...
@temporarilyoffline17 күн бұрын
If you understood the concepts laid out in the video, you'd know that the DUT is the NanoVNA, not the antenna. You'd also understand that even if the viewer didn't have the antenna I have, they could repeat the A/B comparison of the NanoVNA with any antenna, or even a dummy load. Just because you don't have all the facts or understand the concepts laid out in the video doesn't make /me/ wrong.
@tmiller90992 жыл бұрын
Do you need to set the range/stimuls before calibration?
@temporarilyoffline2 жыл бұрын
Yes, you should set it to what interests you in the testing you're doing. Gotta ask the right questions to get the right answers.
@dombernal1399 Жыл бұрын
Use a HB pencil as a stylus.
@temporarilyoffline Жыл бұрын
Good idea
@daviddahlgren9603 Жыл бұрын
Is that a dent in the case ?
@temporarilyoffline Жыл бұрын
Naa, just the way the plastics are made.
@KingLoopie12 жыл бұрын
If you have time, or a friend that has a hot air reflow station... You might want to try reflowing that board and cleaning it before updating it again. 👍
@temporarilyoffline2 жыл бұрын
Good idea! So much to do in this hobby!
@KingLoopie12 жыл бұрын
@@temporarilyoffline you ain't a lying there!
@stevetotaro32192 жыл бұрын
Why am I half way through the video and have no clue how to tell if I have a bad NanoVNA?
@temporarilyoffline2 жыл бұрын
Check the description for chapters
@stevetotaro32192 жыл бұрын
@@temporarilyoffline You could have made a 30 second video. Compare your suspect VNA against a known a good VNA.
@temporarilyoffline2 жыл бұрын
Your right, I could have.
@stevetotaro32192 жыл бұрын
@@temporarilyoffline You HAM guys really love the sound of your own voices. Bunch of chatty Kathies
@k94536 Жыл бұрын
@@temporarilyoffline nooooo the more info the better thank you k6rys
@yavamaystudio80453 ай бұрын
I had Hughen version, ...Very bad, 🤯 freazing, send back for refund
@temporarilyoffline3 ай бұрын
Oh no!
@A_scope2 ай бұрын
its most likely the bms and a failing lipo
@temporarilyoffline2 ай бұрын
Interesting idea! Just not enough voltage to make it run well enough?
@DirtyPlumbus Жыл бұрын
About 10 minutes into dealing with this the 24oz hammer would have come out and put the VNA to bed. Lol
@temporarilyoffline Жыл бұрын
Sometimes you just have to know for sure...
@DirtyPlumbus Жыл бұрын
@@temporarilyoffline I get that, but after reloading firmware you have to start asking yourself if you're gonna replace components on it or if it's better to just spend $60 on a new one from a different seller. Made for an interesting video anyway.
@temporarilyoffline Жыл бұрын
I bought another one anyway. Needed a control for the test!
@DirtyPlumbus Жыл бұрын
@@temporarilyoffline you got me hoping the one I just ordered isn't junk. Lol Honestly didn't even cross my mind before the video. Atleast now I'll have an idea of what to look for. Thanks
@temporarilyoffline Жыл бұрын
@@DirtyPlumbus no problem, good luck!
@baconsledge Жыл бұрын
Pretty much cannot conclude anything.
@temporarilyoffline Жыл бұрын
Might need to take some notes or ask some questions.
@nortonics5745Ай бұрын
Next time please take your meds first.
@temporarilyofflineАй бұрын
You win!
@MountainMan7.62x394 ай бұрын
Whats wrong with you. Whats wrong with you. Asked three times, whats wrong with you. Oops missed asking whats wrong with you. Oops missed asking whats wrong with you again. Oops missed asking whats wrong with you again for the third time. Opps, didn't need to ask whats wrong with you, intended to ask something else.
@temporarilyoffline4 ай бұрын
Show me on the wheel of feelings where...
@BigDamGun3 ай бұрын
Hey dude, set the stimulus first before cal and your problems will go away and you won't waste the viewer's time ...
@temporarilyoffline3 ай бұрын
I realize you don't have the staying power to get to the point in the video where do the exact thing you accuse me of missing... let me make it really easy for you: 14:26
@domfilap8477 Жыл бұрын
Well that was a waste of 10 minutes.... told me nothing!
@temporarilyoffline Жыл бұрын
Some people's kids man
@TonyLing11 ай бұрын
Yes Dom, you could have been giving it the five fingered knuckle shuffle for 10 minutes instead