[ARCHIVED THREAD] - ANTENNA ANALYZER for $50 (Page 2 of 5)
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Gold with a pin is short, gold with no pin is open, silver is 50 ohm. When I can pull it out I'll check. What I'm really looking forward to is to use it out on the hill to fine tune a borrowed 6BTV. And then when I have more confidence in it put up my next Carolina Windom 160-like homebrew and check/tune it. I'm hoping to have time to check it against an Array Solutions VNA if there's time and a friend I made during FD this year brings his. |
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I ordered this one from Amazon, only $54. I ordered it on 29 Aug, Amazon promised it 20 Sep - 11 Oct, and it shows delivered as of 12 Sep, but I am not home and can't confirm.
I will post a follow up in a few days when I'm home. |
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I saw that just the other day. I’m not quite ready for an antenna analyzer in my life, but I’d love to know how this works out for when I do. EDIT: Disregard, I see you already ordered one. |
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So I go out to the mailbox to find a VERY small padded envelope from China. It didn't feel like it had something in it big or solid enough to be one of the Nano VNAs. I open the envelope and find this: https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/22875/2019-09-13_21_41_27-1089329.jpg W. T. F. The tracking site is bogus, but the tracking number does show a package in transit on USPS.com from China and went through Chicago on the 10th. So I'm wondering...do I file a dispute with Ebay now or wait to see if something shows up tomorrow? |
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I have a pelican case kit with two analyzers that together cover 1 MHz - 2.7 GHz. If you need to borrow them just let me know. That way you aren't investing money into something you aren't needing all that much if just starting out. EDIT: Disregard, I see you already ordered one. Quoted:
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I saw that just the other day. I’m not quite ready for an antenna analyzer in my life, but I’d love to know how this works out for when I do. EDIT: Disregard, I see you already ordered one. 
Now I need an antenna network to analyze. |
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It's a gift -wait. Quoted:
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So I go out to the mailbox to find a VERY small padded envelope from China. It didn't feel like it had something in it big or solid enough to be one of the Nano VNAs. I open the envelope and find this: https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/22875/2019-09-13_21_41_27-1089329.jpg W. T. F. The tracking site is bogus, but the tracking number does show a package in transit on USPS.com from China and went through Chicago on the 10th. So I'm wondering...do I file a dispute with Ebay now or wait to see if something shows up tomorrow? |
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I ordered this one from Amazon, only $54. I ordered it on 29 Aug, Amazon promised it 20 Sep - 11 Oct, and it shows delivered as of 12 Sep, but I am not home and can't confirm. I will post a follow up in a few days when I'm home. Packaging was a padded envelope (not shown) and a heat sealed plastic pouch. Inside that the unit is secured in a foam sleeve inside a nice little plastic storage box with all of its accessories. Attached File Attached File It was a bit challenging removing the plastic protective film over the screen without taking it apart. After removing the film there was still some sort of gunk on the screen but an alcohol wipe cleaned it right up. All of the screws needed to be tightened. The short, open and 50Ohm load are identifiable visually by looking down into them. I may mark them externally for easier reference. Attached File The power switch is balky on mine. I have to move it to the ON position, then back towards the OFF position to get it to power up. Attached File I'm charging it now and plan to upgrade the firmware before actually measuring something. |
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The package really did deliver on 12 Sep, and I finally got around to fussing with it today. Packaging was a padded envelope (not shown) and a heat sealed plastic pouch. Inside that the unit is secured in a foam sleeve inside a nice little plastic storage box with all of its accessories. https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/16697/IMG_20190917_095702_jpg-1093232.JPG https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/16697/IMG_20190917_095859_jpg-1093233.JPG It was a bit challenging removing the plastic protective film over the screen without taking it apart. After removing the film there was still some sort of gunk on the screen but an alcohol wipe cleaned it right up. All of the screws needed to be tightened. The short, open and 50Ohm load are identifiable visually by looking down into them. I may mark them externally for easier reference. https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/16697/IMG_20190917_102808_jpg-1093234.JPG The power switch is balky on mine. I have to move it to the ON position, then back towards the OFF position to get it to power up. https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/16697/IMG_20190917_103259_jpg-1093235.JPG I'm charging it now and plan to upgrade the firmware before actually measuring something. thanks
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| Mine was here waiting on me when I arrive home last night. It was in an anti-static bag wrapped in foam in a small card board box in a larger box. Packaged very well. Used it to sweep the antenna from my FT-70 after watching a couple YouTube videos. These things are awesome considering that they cost $43. |
Mine was sitting at the door when I got home today...in a box that looked like it was delivered by Ace Ventura. 
Fortunately the smaller box inside was wrapped in bubble wrap and just had a small dent. It powered up fine. Now all I have to do is figure out how it works. 
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Wow, it looks like I got a pretty good deal, packaging-wise, from the Amazon seller I used (see link above).
I decided to postpone trying to upgrade firmware until I get a better understanding of the firmware landscape. I can't tell what's loaded in it right now and I'm not really sure what the best option is. And I need to come up with a right angle jumper header so I can properly jumper the programming pin when the time comes. I immediately put this thing to good use. I've been wanting to build a 530MHz three element Yagi to increase the range on my AKG WMS420 wireless microphone. I made some calculations and it seems my first effort, which I mocked up using some wire coat hangars, packing tape and cardboard, has missed the mark by about 100MHz But now I can probably make short work of this using a trim to fit approach with the NanoVNA 
P.S. a stylus really helps when running this thing, and good eyesight, too. Attached File Attached File |
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May be of interest.
A GUIDE TO COMPILING UPDATED NANOVNA FIRMWARE |
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I immediately put this thing to good use. I've been wanting to build a 530MHz three element Yagi to increase the range on my AKG WMS420 wireless microphone. |
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I just got one of these, and I like the capability they provide to a neophyte like me. I just got a Wolf River Coils TIA antenna and this should help make tuning a breeze! Any other tips or guides you guys stumble on, please share. The NanoVNA is tempting me to start homebrewing antennas too.
One thing I am not fond of is the durability. Any cases out there yet? Any recommendations for a 3D print service for a case like this? I stumbled on makexyz.com, but wasn't sure of other options. For the case I linked, it looks like $25 each. This ham stuff is starting to infringe on my gun fund
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I just got one of these, and I like the capability they provide to a neophyte like me. I just got a Wolf River Coils TIA antenna and this should help make tuning a breeze! Any other tips or guides you guys stumble on, please share. The NanoVNA is tempting me to start homebrewing antennas too. One thing I am not fond of is the durability. Any cases out there yet? Any recommendations for a 3D print service for a case like this? I stumbled on makexyz.com, but wasn't sure of other options. For the case I linked, it looks like $25 each. This ham stuff is starting to infringe on my gun fund Edit: lol, should have looked at the link you posted before I replied. This is the one I'm printing: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3736285 |
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There's a ton of cases on thingiverse. I'm printing one from there right now. Edit: lol, should have looked at the link you posted before I replied. This is the one I'm printing: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3736285 |
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I don't have any way to print something. But I really don't want to as I want a metal case, like any good piece of RF test equipment should have. I think it will fit in an Altoid's size tin, and I'm thinking of ordering one to do just that. |
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This thing is the best bang for the buck of all ham items I have ever bought. It is a better deal than any of the CCRs. The dynamic range is excellent and this may be useful to align duplexers. Will compare to an HP 8510C. |
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As long as you aren't anywhere crazy I can print off an extra one and send it your way. Quoted:
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I don't have any way to print something. But I really don't want to as I want a metal case, like any good piece of RF test equipment should have. I think it will fit in an Altoid's size tin, and I'm thinking of ordering one to do just that. Hint-Hint. |
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It is an amazing device for the $$. The dynamic range is excellent and this may be useful to align duplexers. Will compare to an HP 8510C. |
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I don't have any way to print something. But I really don't want to as I want a metal case, like any good piece of RF test equipment should have. I think it will fit in an Altoid's size tin, and I'm thinking of ordering one to do just that. |
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Now there's a thought. I might have to buy some Altoid's to check. Quoted:
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I don't have any way to print something. But I really don't want to as I want a metal case, like any good piece of RF test equipment should have. I think it will fit in an Altoid's size tin, and I'm thinking of ordering one to do just that. latching pencil boxes When Joann's is having coupons and the wife is buying stuff anyway I always just add a couple more of different colors. I also picked up a couple of SMA Male to UHF SO-239 Female Connectors 6'' to use with my NanoVNA. One also fits into the pencil box. No, the box is not waterproof. But if its that wet I'm probably not looking at little screens for resonance & SWR. Nor am I operating a regular HF radio under those conditions. I suppose a printed case that has been sprayed with conducting paint might be worth while. |
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If this review is any indication, you are going to be happy. |
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I think I saw somewhere that there is a version of these with a larger screen now? Looks like a 4.3" screen version is out now. |
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Thank you!  Quoted:
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As long as you aren't anywhere crazy I can print off an extra one and send it your way.
The Thingiverse page says "There seems to be a new version of the white NanoVNA with USB-C, and it won't fit in this case." Alas, mine is a newer version with black covers and the USB-C port, bought from Amazon (see my posts above). Nevertheless I was able to make it fit with just a little extra work. I had to file the USB notch in the lower half wider to fit the USB-C port. That was easy. I had to Dremel the interior surfaces on the left and right sides of both case halves where the top and bottom NanoVNA covers fit in, as the covers were just a little too wide for the print. It was fussy work because I don't have a variable speed Dremel and one false move would have ruined the case. I considered filing/sanding the top and bottom covers instead but was worried about chipping the painted/printed surfaces. The bottom fit perfectly after this. The top presented a problem in that the printed bosses in the top half were too high and the cover stands proud of the screen by something like 1/8". I considered going to town on those bosses with the Dremel but wimped out and simply added taller spacers in the corners and different hardware for now (I've got some sexier black oxide cap screws, M2.5x5, on order ).
The only other issue is that my version of the NanoVNA has a smaller power switch, I have to use the point of the storage cover to flip it on and off. The point of the storage cover also works as a handy stylus, just like the Thingiverse article says. In fact I've discovered that pretty much anything will work as a stylus, even a paper clip. A few coats of Krylon Fusion flat black and, voila! Thank you again, SmilingBandit! Attached File Attached File Attached File P.S. I still haven't updated the firmware. The bottom has to come off for that. |
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@SmilingBandit smiled in my direction and a few days ago a package showed up on my doorstep with these printed parts in it. Thank you good sir!!! What a super nice guy! I definitely owe you a cold one!
The Thingiverse page says "There seems to be a new version of the white NanoVNA with USB-C, and it won't fit in this case." Alas, mine is a newer version with black covers and the USB-C port, bought from Amazon (see my posts above). Nevertheless I was able to make it fit with just a little extra work. I had to file the USB notch in the lower half wider to fit the USB-C port. That was easy. I had to Dremel the interior surfaces on the left and right sides of both case halves where the top and bottom NanoVNA covers fit in, as the covers were just a little too wide for the print. It was fussy work because I don't have a variable speed Dremel and one false move would have ruined the case. I considered filing/sanding the top and bottom covers instead but was worried about chipping the painted/printed surfaces. The bottom fit perfectly after this. The top presented a problem in that the printed bosses in the top half were too high and the cover stands proud of the screen by something like 1/8". I considered going to town on those bosses with the Dremel but wimped out and simply added taller spacers in the corners and different hardware for now (I've got some sexier black oxide cap screws, M2.5x5, on order ).
The only other issue is that my version of the NanoVNA has a smaller power switch, I have to use the point of the storage cover to flip it on and off. The point of the storage cover also works as a handy stylus, just like the Thingiverse article says. In fact I've discovered that pretty much anything will work as a stylus, even a paper clip. A few coats of Krylon Fusion flat black and, voila! Thank you again, SmilingBandit! https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/16697/IMG_20190928_163518_jpg-1106664.JPG https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/16697/IMG_20190928_163539_jpg-1106665.JPG https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/16697/IMG_20190928_163606_jpg-1106666.JPG P.S. I still haven't updated the firmware. The bottom has to come off for that.
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I haven't calibrated yet and am just playing around but here is a plot of a lowband mil antenna I have. This is at the end of about a 75 foot run of cable so I'm sure it's not completely accurate but it seems close to what I've seen with other meters. Attached File |