#274

[@oldbassist60]

I have never used one of these because I just could not understand them. An expression comes to mind, "When you're ready to learn, a teacher appears." It took me over 60 years to get ready and it was worth the wait. I'm looking forward to digesting the rest of your well-versed series. Outstanding. AD6AE

[@bmacdoug]

Thank-you for a level of clarity that can only be achieved by someone who has a deep understanding of the topic. Two thumbs up!

[@RichardSchulting]

And this is THE ONE video that brings everything together, been studying this for a month or so but only now start to understand the matter. Thank you very much! PA1RAM.

[@nethoncho]

This is the best explanation of Smith charts I have ever seen. Thanks for sharing.

[@dwarslopers]

Thanks to this video, I will never forget!

[@TheCondoInRedondo]

Best explanation of the Smith Chart I've ever been exposed to. Just the right amount of explanation. Not too much so that it's confusing. Not too little so that it lacks meat.

[@moustaphamuhammad7013]

Exactly!

[@jamesleem.d.7442]

Dynamite presentation on SCT (Smith Charting Tricks)! Useful, terse, and crisply structured. Had even two people just like you been my colleagues at my first employer (3M Company) I would not have resigned in 1972 and gone off to medical school. But I did and the rest is history. Thanks for putting out this video. de NK7B

[@BASANTABHATTARAI]

And this is why i like this channel. I like how you are covering the electronics course bit by bit for students with “hands on”technique. I like very descriptive and precise videos of this channel.

[@niteshbushan]

I have been learning a lot from your videos. Working as an engineer in semiconductor org sometimes we forget the theory since we know practical stuff. But your videos are a bridge between the engineering theories and practical knowledge. Thanks a lot sir :) Please keep posting more and more videos.

[@w2aew]

Thanks! I am still doing them as I find time.

[@dominikgs]

Very nice demonstration Alan. Half a year ago I gave a lesson on smith charts and network analyzers in my company so I will share your video with my departement. Thank you.

[@acestudioscouk-Ace-G0ACE]

I've just bought a Nano VNA and was wondering how the Smith Chart worked so this was very useful... and being a video, I can watch it several times so that my old brain can absorb the information!

[@phrack9998]

I've just been thinking I need to learn Smith Charts, and here is one from one of my favorite channels.

[@shuansithsirikhan1387]

This is the best explanation of Smith charts and great demonstration. Thank you.

[@funkyironman69]

That's the clearest explanation I've seen yet, I liked the demos on the VNA.

[@billmoran3812]

The best lesson on Smith Charts, that I've seen.! That's one subject that I've always found difficult. Impedance matching network design would be a great follow up.

[@w2aew]

I certainly plan on that....

[@PaulOfford]

I did this stuff at university 40 years ago, but I have struggled and struggled to get my head back around it. Then I stumbled on this video. Absolutely brilliant!

[@royshashibrock3990]

The best, clearest explanation of Smith charts I have seen. A bookmarked video for reference this will be (as Yoda would say).

[@stevefoudray487]

Your videos always help me understand a new subject in a short video.

[@patmx5]

Excellent explanation (as usual), Alan - thank you. Hearing it explained always makes it clearer than simply reading about it.

[@TonyButchT]

Forget the new year's eve TV marathons...Im watching this one over and over! Happy and Healthy New Year! 73 Tony KD2HYA

[@bogywankenobi3959]

Clearest smith chart tutorial I have seen by at least an order of magnitude. But I can't plot that on a smith chart . .. yet.

[@watthairston1483]

Another great instructional video... Thank you W2AEW and the late and great Phil Smith.

[@stevew9945]

Best explanation of smith charts I've seen well done w2aew

[@Ronbob59]

Alan... Thank you for this video. I never understood the Smith chart until now. You make it all very clear. Thanks Ron

[@codebeard]

Very informative and interesting. As someone with no formal education in this topic I really enjoyed seeing it for the first time.

[@PaulaBean]

You're an excellent teacher, and I find this complex behaviour of RF systems very interesting!

[@sleeve8651]

It pays to have the correct tools for the job ! And the VNA has become accessible to most ! Very interesting, and nicely done ! Appreciate your calm demeanor ! You don't know how many of these I've walked by at a Hamfest, and figured they were merely toss aways from a Cell site ! Now I will pay more attention ! Too, I'm guessing these particular Duplexers are Low power ? And since they are essentially passive, does it matter which port is designated TX or RX ? As long as you understand how you choose to designate them ? Meaning how you assign the Low or High ports ?

[@w2aew]

Yes, these passive filters can often be used for TX/RX as needed.

[@NexxuSix]

Thank you for the explanation of Smith Charts. I’ve seen them before, but never knew how to use them, or how the worked. Your video offers a clear explanation for even a beginner like me.

[@bsalai]

I’m excited about what is coming next. How to use the Smith chart to solve complex impedance problems and design matching networks. Thanks so much.

[@andresgongoraYT]

Thank you so much. This is the best explanation about the Smith chart I have ever seen.

[@RapperBC]

As an introduction to what's going on in a Smith Chart, that is just a bit mind-blowing. How cool is *that*? Many thanks!

[@786jinga]

What a perfect video to end the year !!!

[@BonesyTucson]

Very helpful refresher. Thank you!

[@rodericksibelius8472]

Great video: Simple to understand, I had to learn all that complicated mathematics and explanations in Electrical Engineering books written in a very hard engineering jarjon when I was studying, this VIDEO explains it so easy to understand. Smith Chart makes it easy to use by Engineering Microwave Technicians or a Hobbyist.

[@SuperFritch42]

Thank you for going over this! I wish I had this a year ago, but now I can point my friends to it before they get to Smith charts.

[@DMckee-pb7jr]

You hit it out of the park! First smith chart explanation I fully understood.

[@patrickohara9901]

Very informative. I look forward to your subsequent videos on matching networks - a real problem for many.

[@7head7metal7]

I took RF and wireless communication lectures during my EE studies in university, but nowadays we don‘t learn this anymore. I still always wanted to learn this properly, so thank you for this video! :)

[@7head7metal7]

- Eth that's interesting! I'm in Germany, here I didn't stumble over Smith Charts anywhere in my daily work, but their use in classic analog circuitry is still there, at least for manually solving. But were you ever required to actually use it in your daily work after the interviews?

[@DoctorDon]

This is a very welcome video. I look forward to the sequels!

[@w2aew]

I've got several ideas for sequels...

[@brainkod]

FANTASTIC! Best explanation I saw around, very pedagogic. Eager to see followup videos since I would like to characterize/tune Sub-GHz (800-900Mhz) antennas myself with SDR :)

Very good practical demonstration of Smith chart !! I can " really see " what are effects of each component of complex impedance and how they are interact one with other. Thank you for sharing and construct this practical "geared elements demonstration circuit" - if it could be thereby named. :) Thanks a lot !

[@RobB_VK6ES]

Very good demo and explanation Alan. more on the Smith chart please.

[@TheBandScanner]

Great video. I just received a Peak-Atlas LCR impedance meter. It does the maths for you; but seeing a graphical chart is so much more satisfaction.

[@HansVanIngelgom]

Great demonstration! Best wishes for 2018 and thanks for all the video's you've created over the years. I have learned so much from you, you have no idea! You have a gift for clarifying subjects that have always seemed complicated.

[@W9KB]

Great job... love the juxtaposition of the clipboard & VNA. Your videos are the best!

[@AfdhalAtiffTan]

The live demo is very helpful. Thank you!

[@rfburns5601]

Thanks for taking the time to make the excellent videos that you do. You show theoretical principles in a practical real world light. I guess that's what I'd like to see with future Smith chart videos, is practical examples of matching problems. I'm sure you could come up with some real world examples I wouldn't dream of. Happy New Year!

[@Factory400]

I am so excited about this!!!! Your explanations are the BEST. Alan, if you were stranded on Gilligan's Island - they would have been saved before the second episode aired.

[@w2aew]

I think the professor could've saved them many times, but he secretly liked being stranded on a deserted island with Maryann and Ginger.

[@loueckert4970]

This is the BEST demo explaining a Smith chart I have ever seen. Everything is easy when you know how. Best 73 es Happy New Year de KT1R Lou in (figid) Maine

[@maro8D]

Awesome explanation Alan! You make the difficult stuff sound so easy WOW. Thank you for your videos and greetings from Poland!

[@wk2w]

Can't thank you enough, Alan. This video is a perfect complement to all the other info out there. Seeing the immediate effects on the VNA is invaluable. Appreciate your efforts in putting together the L/C network. A very nice introduction. Would be interested to see an "L" or pi network solution to a complex load like an antenna on the VNA, if you would be interested in doing something like that. WK2W

[@w2aew]

Yes, I certainly plan on showing how to design a matching network using the Smith chart, as well as a few other things... Stay tuned!

[@hughvalentine633]

Best, Best, Best Smith Chart visualization

[@hughvalentine633]

Do you have a Guide to "Which NanoVNA do I need" question? ham wanting to examine and Tweak my antennas. Thanks. All I have now is MFJ 259B. FA-VA5 too complex for this old Ham.

[@Luzt.]

This is a jewel of a video. Thank you Sir.

[@andygranis8780]

Great video! Really liked the Theoretical part combined with the practical demonstration with the VNA Anders/SM0IHR

[@ajithpeter3040]

Thanks a million for this one Alan !!! Cannt wait for the remaining videos in this series !!! Please keep them coming ! 73 de VU3EMX

[@tambechristian]

Thank you very much Alan!! You've made things very simple to undersand.

[@jimgolab536]

VERY clear and concrete. Beautiful job. Thanks!

[@Impedancenetwork]

Oh my god that is awesome. I just completed a EM waves course at school where we learned transmission line theory. It is very cool to see this on a VNA and your setup to model this.

[@MarkBaldridge]

A++++! As an EE student, I haven't taken any classes that discuss smith charts yet, but Circuits 2 was just enough background that all this makes sense! Very well done! Please make more smith chart videos!! 73, KC9DZT

[@w2aew]

You've found the other ones I've done already, right?

[@MarkBaldridge]

Yes! Since writing that comment, I found them! :) Thank you!

[@HaoJieChan]

Great video! Looking forward to your videos about SWR! Tried to take a peek into RF world but the maths are too hard to be visualised, your channel helps a lot, thanks!

[@Loscha]

Thanks again, Alan. Another really well made informative video. I don't ever use anything radio based, and I think I'm glad of that after watching videos like this. I do audio (music equipment - pedals, synths), and a lot of your videos have a good use in this community. I refer people to your videos a lot. Happy new Year!

[@p0k7lm]

Thank you for great video I will learn a lot more now than have in the past on impedance resonance &XL Xc etc. 🆒👍😃🔬📐📚

[@donnymac575]

Now I get it! Thanks for the very clear but thorough explanation.

[@vincei4252]

Thanks, Alan. And a very happy and prosperous New Year to you and your family.

[@PapasDino]

Been waiting for this one! Happy New Year Alan! 73 - Dino KL0S

[@josephandhis]

Astounding video! At my job I've been doing SAR testing and rely on Smith chart for calibration.

[@DonDegidio]

Hi Alan, WOW! Now I see, said the blind man. Best explanation yet. Happy New Year to you and the family. 73 WB3BJU

[@jasoneyes01]

I saw this and thought black hole..Caught my attention. Anyway I learned something new to end the 2017 year. Happy New Year!

[@robertcalkjr.8325]

Thanks, Alan. I'm glad that I have a Peak Atlas LCR45 for that. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

[@hoggif]

A very clear representations on subject. I'm sure the demo helped a lot beginners on the subject.

[@stuartmartin3408]

Awesome! The best basic workings of a Smith chart i've heard! They always had me confused! Happy New Year! 73 Stuart MM6LZR

[@rjordans]

Thanks, looking forward to the follow-up videos on this one!

[@alexscarbro796]

Good job! A clear and concise description.

[@campbellmorrison8540]

As always a brilliant explanation. Ive always wondered what these carts are all about, now I have a much better idea :)

[@rogerbarkley5034]

You are such a good teacher!

[@buffplums]

Such a fantastic demonstration. I have never actually used a Smith chart since I did my 3rd level RF Engineering course. I’ve decided to challenge myself and put the theory to good use and try to compare it with some experiments done using a series of L matching combinations to Z match an antenna at different frequencies. I don’t have access to an analyser so I guess some ingenuity might be called for ....I need to build a decent directional coupler so I guess it’s a case of a big learning curve coming up. Thanks again.

[@w2aew]

You can do it with a simple resistive bridge, see video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m4qxaJeemdlketk

[@OnTheWhistle]

Great video! Really looking forward to the future RF fundamental topics.

[@1903A3shooter]

Thanks Alen, much better understanding now. "I think" Dave.

[@tomraider6744]

Always interesting. Many thanks. Can you please make a follow up video on impedance matching using Smith chart with demo on VNA. Happy New Year.

[@esnam6557]

Many thanks for the great Introduction for the Smith Chart. Looking forward for more videos on its applications like reflection and impedance matching. I guess that it possible to estimate typical loss of signal energy from the chart as well?

[@kingsman428]

Excellent video made essential viewing by the cheapness of the NanoVNA. Reminds me of being at college 25 years ago when I programmed a scientific calculator to calculate and plot complex impedances but when the programme ran I just got a spiral graph. Anyway, I never figured out what was wrong with the programme but never forgot the spiral plot. Well, wasn't I chuffed when I saw that same spiral graph on the NanoVNA making me realise the programme was correct after all Yay. 😁

[@StreuB1]

This is one of those videos I will have to watch 5-6 times and do a little diagramming to actually wrap my head around lol. Thanks for the awesome video Alan!! Happy new year my friend! 73deN0BPS

[@TheRadioShop]

Very exciting demonstration Alan. I loved it. Thanks for sharing and wish you a very Happy New Year.

[@GrayMagellan]

Great Smith chart video series! You are my RF University!😍

[@vibra64]

Happy New Year ! Thanks for all the great videos.

[@johnc3403]

Very well explained, Thumbs up and keep making excellent educational videos... EI5JS John

[@Phil659]

Thanks Alan, happy new year!

[@gregorgman]

Alan, once I use my Smith Chart to analyze my antenna, what documents do you recommend so I can learn what to do in order to adjust or tune my antenna. Its one thing to have a new analyzer but I need to learn how and what to do to adjust the antenna system after the analysis...Any pointers to books, websites, etc? Thanks and thank you for the great Smith Chart explanation.

[@yamie414]

im going to pass electromagnetics because of you!

[@ahmetyusufsalim]

Love your nick name

[@yamie414]

@@ahmetyusufsalim thanks!

[@aswallace88]

Where did you get the inductor you used for the demonstration? Or did you make it yourself? I like the idea of it being infinitely variable compared to the tapped coils I’ve seen others build and use.

[@w2aew]

It is a commercially made "roller inductor".

[@IZ0MTW]

Hi and thanks for this amazing explanation. I was wondering why the variable capacitor has an asymmetrical axis in relation to the the plate’s perimeter?

[@amciaapple1654]

Thank you. Can we have more ? How do LCR circuits look on the Smith chart? What about Notch, LP, HP and BP filters ?

[@w2aew]

I will be doing more...

[@norbertstepien9185]

Excellent presentation...thank you.

[@zorantrajkoski3045]

You are the best, thank you for your lessons.

[@mickeyaslam5272]

Yet another great video. Thanks' for sharing knowledge and happey new year and best wishes.

[@kellingc]

You did a wonderful job, as usual.

[@hugocoolens]

Great video. Just one remark around 7:15: you write G=1/R, the R in that formule is _not_ the R you used previously when talking about the impedance, as using that R, the relationship between the two is: G=R/(R^2+X^2). It is also more common to write Y=G+jB , i.e. B is the susceptance and Y the admittance. (maybe that was a typo in your video?)

[@todkapuz]

Happy New year.. thanks ... while i knew how the chart works, sure is nice to actually "see" it in action persay.

[@roadkisserful]

Thank you for your demonstration. In regards to network analyser, do you have any recommendations? you make it look so easy. :-)

[@PixelSchnitzel]

Thanks, Alan! I've been struggling with Smith charts and other videos haven't really clicked with me. This did! Seeing the VNA representation live with the changing reactance was a huge help. ***BUT***, I think this is the tip of the iceberg. I'd love to learn more about interpreting a Smith chart to understand what my VNA is telling me about my antenna and how to use the chart to compute matching networks. In other words, practical application. Also, now I'm trying to understand admittance and susceptance. I get that they are the complements to resistance and reactance, but my brain needs to wrap around this. Any tips?

[@w2aew]

Yes, this is just barely the tip of the iceberg on the Smith chart. I do plan on doing follow-up videos that discuss and demonstrate the other axis available on the chart, as well as talking about VSWR, reflection coefficient, impedance transformation vs transmission line length, computing matching networks, etc. Books have been written about these things, so there's at least a few videos that can be made... Regarding admittance and susceptance. Think of it this way - starting with resistors. When you add resistors in series, the total resistance is simply the sum: Rtot=R1+R2+ etc... When adding resistors in parallel, the equation becomes 1/Rtot = 1/R1 + 1/R2 + etc. This equation is more difficult to work out, so it is easier to do it is stages. Convert each to a Conductance instead Gtot=1/Rtot, G1=1/R1, etc. Then, the equation becomes a simple summation: Gtot=G1+G2+ etc. Once you have the sum of the conductances, the invert Gtot to get the final total resistance (Rtot=1/Gtot). The same exact thing works for reactance! They simply add up when in series. But, when you put reactances in parallel, it helps to convert to susceptance values - then add them up - then convert back to reactance. When dealing with complex impedance, it still works the same way. Complex impedances in series will add up. But, when combined in parallel, it's easier to add the admittances. Admittance = 1/impedance. The tricky part is dealing with the complex numbers - that's where the Smith chart helps.