Getting Started with NanoVNA-Saver - Ham Radio
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- Опубликовано: 10 июн 2020
- Getting Started with NanoVNA-Saver - Ham Radio - TheSmokinApe
In this video we take a look at the NanoVna and use it with NanoVNA-Saver to perform a quick analysis on a DBJ-2 J-pole antenna from ED Fong. We will perfom this analyst on a Windows 10 Home Edition PC, it is meant to be a "quick start" type guide for NanoVNA-Saver.
Links to products in the video: www.amazon.com/shop/TheSmokinApe
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Get NanoVNA-Saver Here: github.com/mihtjel/nanovna-saver
NanoVNA for HAM Radio Introduction: • NanoVNA for HAM Radio ...
Get the DBJ-2 Antenna Here: edsantennas.weebly.com/about....
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TheSmokinApe
![Getting Started with Meshtastic [BONUS] - NanoVNA](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/k5hBr6ada-I/mqdefault.jpg)
Very helpful! No music, no fluff. Thanks!
Glad you liked it 👍
Your videos are very helpful and - furthermore - are succinct and to the point WITH NO BULLSHIT OR WANDERING and, mercifully, no gawdy intro. Thank you very much!
Thanks, glad you like the channel!
That was great! Thanks! Now I can tune my EFHW antenna while on remote desktop on a laptop outside!!!😁
Super handy right?
@@TheSmokinApe super!! I tried to keep it on continuous sweep mode after calibration but it just crashed and it just wouldn’t start up again! I had to disconnect everything and shut down my desktop for a minute. I kept it at manual sweep mode and it was stable! It was interesting playing around with the sloper and finding the best swr for the mfj 80m efhw. I will resume again once i have time. Had a good location folding the wire over to shorten it on 10m!
Thanks so much. Appreciate all your straight forward tutorials.
Thanks Kelly, glad you like the vidoes!
Great tutorial! Thanks for taking hours of fumbling around simplifying it so nicely.
Thanks Marc, glad you liked it 👍
Clear and to the point. Great help. Thank you for your professionalism.
Glad it was helpful 👍
Great video! Exactly what I was looking for to make using my NanoVNA easier to use. Thanks so much for sharing this!
Awesome Tom, glad it helped 👍
Ape, went back and rewatched this with one of my analyzers tonight. Worked great. Thank you sir.
Awesome, glad it helped!
This video is at the top of my playlist. I reference it often as I am still learning the ways of the VNA. Thank you Ape!
Awesome ppb, glad to hear it's helpful 👍
Your technical videos are among the best I have seen. They are very helpful.
Awesome, thanks David
A very well presented and informative tutorial. Thankyou.
Glad it was helpful 👍
This was absolutely fantastic. I have had my VNA for over a year and just discovered the software. It works like a champ. Thanks again and will be watching more videos from you. 73-AF4AY
Glad it was helpful, thanks for watching 👍
Now I get it!!! thank you 73
Glad it was helpful 👍
Extremely helpful. I just purchased a Nonovna v2. I installed the software and was a little lost until I watched this. Now on to analyzing some antennas!!!! Thank you!!!
Awesome, glad it was helpful 👍
Thankyou very much for these vid's. Much appreciated.
Kris Whitney VK2KWW glad you like them 👍
This really helped me. Thanks so much. I bought the V2 and then imported into Excel. Fun and nerdy.
Glad it helped Mark, thanks for watching!
Thanks!
Actually learned how to use the thing... what a concept. Love your stuff.
Thanks Mark, glad you liked the video 👍
Excellent video!👍 Thanks.
Glad you liked it Patrick 👍
Ok I'm throwing an Insta - like on this one just because I recently bought one of these and have only calibrated it.
Too many toys! Thanks for posting this!
Michael Thompson haha, thanks man 👍 you should check this software out 👍
Thank you very much for your clear explanations
Glad it was helpful, thanks for watching!
Great overview of using the software to operate and read the NanoVNA. This will be very helpful as a I sweep and tune my 80m loop through the bands. Downloading the software now!
Good luck with it CTC 👍
Thanks for this, really helped me lots!
Glad it helped Kev 👍
Thank you so much for the instructions. Helped me alot.
Glad it was helpful Paul 👍
Thank you for the informative tutorial great❤it
Glad you liked it Ben 👍
Great video, just the key information, very concise.
Glad you liked it Rob 👍
Thank you for this video. It reduced my level of frustration somewhat!
Glad it helped! Thanks for watching Mark.
Great video sharing ❤️
Great video! Intreresting and informative. Thank you!
Thanks Robert, glad you liked it 👍
Just got a Nanovna-f for the school. Great video Ape! Starting to understand it better.
Great to hear!
Great piece of work, just made my life easier. VNA only arrived 2 hours ago. Now set to go.73 VK2TEV
Glad it was helpful, thanks for watching Stephen 👍
Thanks for another great video. I have a NanoVNA but it didn't come with the calibration standards. Nice job explaining the software, much appreciated.
Thanks Rob, glad you like it 👍
bright videos !! Thanks so much !
Thanks for checking it out 👍
That was helpful❗️ Appreciate it👍🏻
Glad you liked it Harlin 👍
Very cool man great info thanks
Thanks man, glad you liked it 👍
This was really helpful, I think I’m gonna have to get one of these things
Glad you liked it 👍
very helpful video, much appreciated
Glad you liked it Terry 👍
I've had my nano VNA for a few months and find it an excellent device. It agrees EXACTLY with my Rig Expert. Until now I've operated the nano VNA manually until a ham friend told me about the software. Your explanations and demos are EXCELLENT - no more and no less than what's needed........what all videos should be like ! Keep up the great job of explaining things on RUclips!
Thanks Jim, glad you liked the video!
This was the best video on starting with the Nanovna I have found! I am a visual learner and showing as well as talking is how I learn! I just wished I had found the newer 4in screen, BUT with using the Saver software the current nano is working great! 73's WW1ACE
Awesome man, glad you liked the video Jim 👍
clear and easy to understand. thanks! basic tech class here, just want to tune some VHF antennas and dont want to sit through a calculus thesis lecture on the complete history of electricity and RF like some other videos. :)
Glad the video was helpful, thanks for watching Matt 👍
very helpful , thank you
Glad you liked it 👍
Ah. That's what you did. Very interesting. Thanks
Yep, hope it’s helpful 👍
Absolutely awesome video, and I really like the NanoVNA Saver app because now this OLD GUY can read the data that is being presented. THANK YOU
Glad you liked the video Mike 👍
Thanks for this video,
I've had this application on my computer for a while and mucked around with it, but never really understood how it worked with all the settings and what-not.
Watching this video has been a real "light-bulb" moment!
73,
de ZL3XD
Awesome Mike, I use it in a bunch of videos 👍
Great content, thanks.
Thanks ZH, glad you liked it 👍
Nice video Mr Ape, I think I will need one of these VNA's and re-watch your video. :)
I do like them, thanks for watching Don. Feel free to hit me up on TOADS if you have any questions.
Good video!
Thanks Paul, glad you liked it 👍
Thanks , nice video. Question, I have heard that you can scan more data points when using NanoVNA-Saver, more than the 101 standard points for a given sweep. What I have been doing, as long as I know what frequency I am interested in, limit the sweep to narrower bands, or use the center freq. Is there a way to use more data points over a given range via NanoVNA-Saver, or was this just mis-information. Thanks again
nice video!!
Thanks Gene 👍
I would like to recommend the creation of a new video that explains how to download and install the saver software as everyone seems to assume we all know how, so skip over this. While some people are really good at most radio things, not everyone is great at computer things. I think there’s a need to be filled here and you are one of the best people to fill it because of your relaxed way you present things. Love your videos and have been a subscriber for years. Cheers from Moose Jaw.
Tim VE5THF
Hey Tim, great feedback and I will add it to the list.
Helpful? Very helpful. I was totally lost before I watched your video. My big problem was that I was in full screen and the icons needed to get this working were not shown. Once I saw your full screen, I realize something was missing. I made the screen smaller and the needed icons showed up. Once I found the needed icons, I was off and running. I also had to set the bands since 40 meters stopped at 7.200 khz. I also added the 220 band.
Thanks for posting. You were super helpful.
Barry, KU3X
Awesome Barry, thanks for watching 👍
Hi! Fantastic video. I appreciate the introduction to this tool! Do you know if this program is able to be used to record and export the log magnitude of the reflection coefficient and frequency as an antenna is perturbed by a conductor inside the resonant cavity? This would be tremendously helpful in an application I am helping to develop. Thanks in advance!
sorry to be so offtopic but does any of you know of a trick to log back into an Instagram account..?
I stupidly lost the password. I appreciate any tricks you can give me!
@Eric Bryan Instablaster =)
@Gibson Javier thanks for your reply. I got to the site through google and im in the hacking process now.
Seems to take quite some time so I will get back to you later with my results.
@Gibson Javier It did the trick and I finally got access to my account again. I am so happy!
Thank you so much, you really help me out!
@Eric Bryan happy to help =)
TNX 4 the upload ! 73 N8AUM
No prob, glad you liked it 👍
Thanks for a great video. Curious: does saver allow you to print plots?
Yeah, you can save the graphs to your PC and you can actually screen cap the VNA 👍
Good job as usual. Ordered an H4 from Amazon. they left out the open calibrate unit.
Ugh, that kinda is a kick in the pants.
excellent nano van basics....... thanks!!!!! Rich - KC3RRW
Thanks for watching Richard 👍
Hey. Please tell me, besides calibration, is it possible to save the setting of the position of markers and frequencies. In order not to re-expose everything every time you start ...
Great demo Sir! 73, phil KF6IF
Glad you liked it 👍
great video. Have you done any work with "estimated cable length? if so what were your thoughts about accuracy?
No, I really haven't played around with it. It seam that you either need to know the length or the velocity factor which if I knew that, I am not sure I would need the VNA...
Very helpful introduction!
I recently purchased the SAA-2N, and the shading for a selected band is always gray. I can't change the band color, as you demonstrate in this video. Is the SAA-2N not cable of selecting a custom color for the band shading?
It’s a setting under display options 👍
tnxs
No prob 👍
Great video! Did you say you can not sync the things done on the actual Nano with the NanoVNA software? For instance, if you calibrate the Nano thru the software, that's only good if you are taking measurements thru the software? If you were to take measurements with just the unit you would have to re calibrate the unit? Thanks
That's my understanding, you calibrate on the device when you use it without the PC and on the PC when you use NanoVNA-Saver 👍
@@TheSmokinApe Thanks 🙏
There is for sale a VNA with a larger screen. Have you seen those and if so have you heard any good or bad about them? Thanks
I have the nanoVNA-h, the 4” nanoVNA-h4 is the larger one and I ordered one yesterday 👍
Great video. Question: I have been recalibrating each time I reset the frequency range. Why are you not doing this? Sorry if it is a stupid question.
You should calibrate or used a saved calibration when you adjust the frequencies. I didn't for brevity... It's less of a problem if you narrow the bandwidth from a previous calibration.
could you do a video about how to save / store sweeps to a File so can be recalled later ? and how to look at files that were saved on the NanoVna-F itself in the storage Save S1P , Thank you 😊
Sure, I can put that one the list 👍
Great vid ... is the VSWR changed if the Antenna is wet ?
It shouldn't, thanks for watching!
Does adding a 1:1 BAlun increase the length of antenna? Which without an Afu means another dipole haircut
@@user-sw7oh9oy6f no
@@TheSmokinApe OK thanks cut again I love the nanovna 73.
Hello ApeMan,
Thank you for your time and high quality reporting.
Question: Do you have or would you make a video ... Step by step of where to get and how to install the PC based software for the Nano AVG H4. I have downloaded the Python software but cannot figure out how to Install it. Thank you,
Barry
Hey Barry, I don’t have that video. Have you tried NanoVNA-Saver?
Thank you! I now have my nanoVNA running on my computer thanks to you! Now I need help in interpreting the information I have. Gain in db vs losses? I got the (V)SWR, but there’s more than that here! Thanks again for your help! 73 de AE1R
visitinghere glad it’s up and running, the different information is relevant to what you are measuring. Are you looking at something in particular?
TheSmokinApe well, I have a long run of RG-8 (270 feet!) and ran a TDR test. Part of my NanoDNA results showed Return Loss of -15.7 dB. Do I divide that in half (the signal goes up, then is reflected back) or break my piggy bank and replace my feed line. Sorry, Noobie question.
visitinghere what frequency did you test at? You might want to watch my video called “the meter don’t lie” I cover issues with loss in that one 👍
TheSmokinApe thanks so much! Will do!
Where do you download the NanoVNASaver PC software for USB connection? From Japan
What about using custom calibration cables using SO239 connectors?? Would your calibration be closer to actual loads?
You could do that and yet it would be closer.
The USB charging cable for the Nanovna doubles as a data connection cable between the Nanovna and a PC/Mac/Linux machine. So, when you connect the Nanovna thru that cable to a PC/Mac/Linux computer for use with the Saver software, does the computer continue to also charge the Nanovna battery at the same time? Or, when the cable becomes a data connection, does it cease to charge (and therefore the Nanovna’s life is limited since it will eventually run out of power)?
That’s a lot to try to explain - hope my question makes sense.
It does continue to charge 👍
Thanks @thesmokinape !
Almost a year late, but I got around to following up on this video. For reference, I have a NanoVNA-H. Besides following The Smoking Ape's Excellent Guide [ aka TSAEG for all the cool kids.... just rolls off the tongue ], I also found the NanoVNA group.io site helpful, thought a little overwhelming at first.
My experience was marred by the fact that I do work on other STM32 boards and had inadvertently loaded a conflicting USB driver. While I was able to use the other driver to successfully update the firmware on my device (DFU), the USB driver did not enumerate the device as a com port in Windows 10. In my case, I saw USB device driver entries for ChibOS. I nuked that driver from orbit (it's the only way to be sure), and reinstalled the STM32 USB driver.
NanoVNA Saver is now working, and I'm enjoying the more complete (and more legible!) display of data. You're a scholar and a gentleape. 73
Ugh, I bet that driver issue was a pain. NanoVNASaver is the way to go, so much easier.
Hi Just wondering? Lets say I am testing some balun's transformers etc. and I am using one of the little cables that come with the unit to connect to the balun transformer etc., should I calibrate it with this cable attached so as to eliminate that influence from the calibration? I have done this and when the calibration is done and you connect the 50 ohm load the marker snaps to the center dead on at 50 ohms and when you go open it goes out to the edge and when you short it it goes to the other edge right on. Where as if you don't include the cable and calibrate right at the machine with no cable and then add the cable and put the short, open or load on the little piece of coax it shows some capacitance etc. on the reading so that the stub of coax is added into the picture of the device under test. Do you know, if there is any official ideal way of doing this?
You should use the cable in the calibration if you only want to measure the DUT or Device Under Test. Calibrate without it if you wanted to include the transmission line in you test.
@@TheSmokinApe Thanks for the tip.
While I love my NanoVAN and NanoVNA Saver, the software lacks a feature that’s embedded in its very name. There’s no way to save an image or a file of any type for later comparison or analysis. I save snipped images, but is sure would help if it had this feature. I enjoy playing with antennas and transformers. This makes it super-easy.
That would be a handy feature, I do screen captures but that's not the same. Thanks Steve!
I stand corrected - you can save if you right-click a chart. Still, raw data would be even better, but it beats snipping.
@@gravestonemyth I had no idea you could. Thanks man 👍
Nice job.
Picked up my Nano for 40 dollars but touch screen doesn't work. Going to use this sw and make it my bench unit.
Sorry about the screen, I most use mine with the software as well 👍
nyworker, try this to get the screen working. ( I did this on my NanoVNA SAA 2N) Open it up and slide the unit out of the case. Then find the inch-long ribbon connector for the screen and lift the black clamping bar, then run a plastic tool along the edge of the bar. This reseats the pins of the connector; flip he black bar back down, turn on the VNA and try the touch calibration step. If the connector is reseated properly, you can reassemble the VNA. I learned this trick from repairing a couple of iPods that use similar ribbon connectors. Or if that doesn't work,or you don't want to mess with it, the VNA makes a great bench unit attached to the computer. Good luck! 72/73 de k1qed, bob.c qrp 4evr!
Excellent video. Thanks for sharing. 73 de KB1HQS
Thanks man, glad you liked it 👍
Great video Ape!! I purchased my NanoVNA FROM Wal-mart (of all places). but it will not connect. serial port says COMS (NanoVNA)--will not connect nor rescan. I looked at the device manager and it shows COM1 and COM3 active. COM3 being a USB device. Did I get a cheap knock off buying from Wal-mart? Any suggestions guys??
Any error message when you try to connect? Do you have a second cable you could try?
@@TheSmokinApe yes...just tried a different cable--seems to load and connect but then shuts down....The verison I found on the web was V0.3.8....
Which NanoVNA did you get?
@@TheSmokinApe all it says is "NanoVNA" and "Very Tiny Handheld Vector Networkk Analyzer" on the back.....thats it
Yeah man, not sure I can help with this one. Sorry bro, maybe try a different computer?
Do I have to calibrate after making changes to the sweep range?
Yes, but you can save a calibration for use later, thanks for checking out the video 👍
Ape, when I follow the links, there does not appear to be any software to download.
I am not a tech guy so I am assuming I am doing something wrong. Is there a new location perhaps for the download?
Hey Harold, try this: github.com/NanoVNA-Saver/nanovna-saver/releases/latest
What headset are you using? Good
It was a Logitech, sorry I don't have the model number
Have you used the NanoVNA WebApp for Android? Is there a manual anywhere?
I have not tried it yet 👍
Este software sirve para el nano vna H .
When I load that in my computer do I have to have enet to use it? thanks,
No
either Im missing it or just cant find it, how do you change the color of the line...the one that connects the dots??
Under display setup 👍
@@TheSmokinApe I was changing it and the color would change but when I restarted the program, it change. Thanks
It's supposed to save to an ini file, that's odd that it didn't.
I enjoy your videos. This one helped me a lot. However, my Nanovna Saver crashes more often than I like. Being old with AIDS, seeing aids walking aids, and hearing aids. it isn't enjoyable lol any suggestions would be a help . thanks
Hey Dave, one of the problems I have seen are settings on the Nano not matching. Try deleting NanoVNASaver.ini from C:/Users/xxxxxx
xxxxx/AppData/Roaming/NanoVNASaver/
I made a mistake when calibrating , I can not seem to find a way to eliminate the bad cal , or do another cal ?
Thanks
In the calibration menu you should (might) have an option called "reset." It would depend on the model and firmware version. If not just re-calibrate.
@@TheSmokinApe I'll recheck , but did not see a reset button and no response when clicking on calibrate again , the reason the question .
Thanks anyway
Found the reset , went through cal twice , once added the through , it seems that the vna does not communicate - nothing on screen , I done 4 cals and no change .
I was suspect of a dead unit , but lack of familiarisation I wasn't sure up until now just worked with the vna [ nanoVNA v2 Plus4 ] this time using saver , the only indication is the screen on vna say operating through USB .
Hi, in Manage bands I do not seem to be able to enter 2400000000. The program does not let me enter the last 0. like the 23cm band. Has anyone else had this problem?
m7 bdm just bought vna 4 h but cant find software
Thankyou nfor your very goood explanation about this difficult subject Nanovna!
Now orient me which brand NanoVNA V2 prefers with a 4" display. So many NanoVNA s on the Chinese market, clones? and which Nanovna s are built according to the specs of the developer of the V2 types? As a HAM radio amateur I want to use the NanoVNA V2 for antenna measurements. please purchase tips , advice ! thank you kindly ! Theo, PA0HTY
Here is a video where I compare the various models: ruclips.net/video/xNNtM_mUAqc/видео.html
can we start frequency from 10Hz or 1Khz
You would have to check the spec on your VNA.
@@TheSmokinApe actually I have not vna. if you have then kindly check it. confirm then i will buy vna for myself
sir i export S1p return loss, smith chart from this software then i open in Excel but the value show in excel is not same as i seen in pc software. sir please tell me how to convert these values in Excel. Thank you sir
Sorry, I have never tried that.
hi cant find the web page for saver can u help
I'm hoping I can get some help with NanoVNASaver. Using Win 10 and the .exe the program opens a blank dark screen and nothing else. Help...
When you unzip the file you should have an EXE file. Clicking the EXE file will spawn a command.com window that is black, it should also then open up a second window which is the NanoVNASaver interface. That's not happening?
@@TheSmokinApe The second window never opens. If I click in the open window a pixel appears but that's all...Do I need to install Python? I also ran the program as administrator...
Both of my computer’s win 7 & win xp are not recognizing the nanovna saver .
Bro, even Microsoft doesn't support those operating systems anymore.
Hi, I cannot find a way to install nanovna saver. Everything I find is old and does not match what I get on my github screen. Can you give me a current URL to install it on Windows 11? /Thanks, wb7wbw, Jerry.
Hey Jerry, try this: github.com/NanoVNA-Saver/nanovna-saver/releases/download/v0.6.2/NanoVNASaver.win.x64.zip
Well, that worked. I downloaded the .zip file and extracted it. Then I spent an hour or so trying to open Nano Saver with no joy. Is there a .exe file or what?
there should be an exe in the zip file
@TheSmokinApe There was not. If I remember correctly I just double clicked nanovna-saver main after I unzipped the file I downloaded. A very nice gentleman on the Montana Ham Radio Facebook group helped me out and I've got it running
Thanks for all your help!
I can not get the NANOVNA-H to work through any com port. The com ports do not show up on my Dell laptop Studio running Windows 10. All I can get is software that is the code. I've been out of coding for a very long time and did not keep up with it. I could not find a .exe program except version 3.8. 3.9 is all code, as far as I see it. I only have a 3 USB ports and one is used for my wireless roller mouse. The other cable is useless to me on this. I have an 2 very old Macintosh computers and the Windows XP is on this Mac that I'm on.I know Mac better than Windows operation, but I have learned allot. With this, said, I have to figure out what happened to the list of the com ports. It is just not showing up, but other programs like fldigi works with com 5, where the Nano does not work there. I think that about covers it with my frustration of it all. I am on Windows XP now through Parallels. Thanks for listening. //... Joe
Are you sure the USB cable is good?
@@TheSmokinApe No I'm not sure, but I got it from R&L Electronics. Thanks for the reply.
@@TheSmokinApe It does charge the Nano batteries.
how do you do a reset to default?
groups.io/g/nanovna-users/topic/reset_to_factory_default/75416737#:~:text=To%20reset%20the%20nanovna%2C%20connect,in%20a%20serial%20terminal%20session.&text=Power%20cycle%20and%20the%20unit,calibrate%20for%20RF%20and%20touchscreen
thanks
where can I get this software with a exe. file?
github.com/NanoVNA-Saver/nanovna-saver/releases/
@@TheSmokinApe I tried this link NanoVNASaver.x64.zip
but there is no exe file within the files
Hi, has anyone had luck with the MacOS version?
I haven’t tied it but the Linux version works great 👍
Well, I am completely stuck. The file is not where you show it is (they must have moved it), and all 3 downloads that I could manage to find will not install, after 3 hours of repeated attempts in spite of following all the instructions. Is there just a simple .exe file I can download and install without having to go through files and directories only to hope I have the correct one? The zip files are the worst, I have no clue what to do there. All this knowledge and expertise, and we can't get a simple downloadable exe file?
Download this and then right click and pick extract all. There will be a new folder in your download location, in that folder is the .exe
@@TheSmokinApe Not finding what you mean by "Download this". There is nothing there, or some formatting did not go through to click on.
I am a big ole dummy: github.com/NanoVNA-Saver/nanovna-saver/releases/download/v0.6.2/NanoVNASaver.win.x64.zip
@@TheSmokinApe Thanks for the file. I found the exe, extracted, then attempted to install but I got "Unhandled Exception in script". There was a DLL error while importing QT Widgets. The specified procedure could not be found. I will have to figure this one out because at this point I think it's my computer. Oh well, maybe some day when I get time.
@@perspectv1 make sure you extract it and the run it, don’t run from within the zip file
sir please help me my nano vna cannot connect to pc
Can you see it under comm ports in device manager?
@@TheSmokinApe sir i see there is a serial port but rescan can't work
please sir help me to connect to software
@@faheemwani1996 you need to get the correct comm port from device manager
yes sir there is a serial port (COM3) in a device manager