NanoVNA vs RigExpert Comparison
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 16 июн 2020
- We’re getting close to giving one of these NanoVNAs or an HSGI Double Decker away. But first, let’s compare the NanoVNA against a RigExpert AA-35 Zoom. I just re-assembled my ATAS-25 vertical antenna and need to tune it.
Tags: #thetechprepper #nanovna #rigexpert #atas25 #prepping #hamradio #antennaanalyzer #vectornetworkanalyzer #swr #standingwaveratio #amateurradio #hamradiostuff #hsgi #giveaway
If you're new to the channel, welcome! I'm "The Tech Prepper" and I try to produce weekly videos on all topics related to preparedness. Thanks for supporting the channel! If you like the content, don't forget to hit the thumbs up icon, leave a comment, and subscribe to the channel. "Be strong, be safe and be prepared." -- The Tech Prepper
Products:
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. If you're interested in any items shown in the video, you can help the channel out by using the affiliate links below. (It doesn’t cost you anything)
1. NanoVNA - amzn.to/2UHbw6s
2. SMA Male to UHF SO-239 Female Connectors 6” - amzn.to/3d9EB0Q
Related Videos
1. NanoVNA for HAM Radio Introduction - TheSmokinApe - • NanoVNA for HAM Radio ...
2. NanoVNA a $50-$70 Amateur Radio Antenna Analyzer? - • NanoVNA a $50-$70 Amat...
Episode: #38
Follow Me:
1. Instagram: / thetechprepper @thetechprepper
2. Twitter: / thetechprepper1 @thetechprepper1
3. Companion Site: www.thetechprepper.com/
Pure gold!
Thanks for the video man, super informative.
Glad you enjoyed it! I may have to redo the video as I’ve learned a few things since then. You can’t beat the price of a NanoVNA.
@@TheTechPrepper looking forward to it then.
Keep on keeping on mate.
I came here for the zoom info and I left with the best new go bag tarp idea. Thanks dude!
I've got the NanoVNA and in the field its just fiddly and cumbersome to work with, it takes me time to calibrate then i cannot always be sure about the results. I already have the AA-55 - excellent for my main HF antenna, but having gone into VHF/UHF went for the rig expoert StickPro - i think this is a godo comprimse on price without loosing the quality of the AA-55, the phone app is particuarly useful. I'm still glad i have the AA-55, as it has a load of features (the mutliSWR for one) is excellent.
You're right about the NanoVNA being cumbersome in the field. It's also very fragile for the type of work I'm doing in the field these days (SOTA). My solution was pretty simple, I just switched to resonant wire antennas for field work. They're actually much better in terms of performance, lighter and take less room in the pack compared to that vertical. I think you found the right mix of tools for yourself. Thanks for putting the StickPro on my radar. I'm sure it's a great piece of gear If it's anything like the AA-35.
At first I was liking the nano vna. It seemed like a really affordable option. Thought I had essentially set up the tuning for my dx commander HF antenna. Then I got my radio (yaesu ft991a) and ran a tune on all the bands for my antenna. I got completely different swr readings. I retested all the bands with the NANO just before hooking up my radio just to double-check before I hooked up the radio. Everything on the NANO seemed to be working fine, calibrated, everything. I tested each band, specifically entering the bands starting and ending frequencies to be sure i was getting the data points only for the specific band. Now I'm wondering if I need to just bite the bullet, get the rig expert, and return the nano.
Something that I've only seen mentioned in ONE video about nanoVNA calibration is there's only so many "data points" to go round. So at minimum, to get an accurate sweep you want to calibrate and save those in smaller sections for the bandwidth the antenna or radio you're testing ACTUALLY covers, vs the whole range the nanoVNA can sweep! I think it was something like 200 data points if I recall? So cast that 'net' out over the whole spectrum range and you'll have some serious holes in your coverage, vs calibrating for say just the 2 meter or 70cm band portions individually.
400 data points
Lol just ordered that antenna!! So if you calibrate the nanovna and save it do you have to recalibrate it each time for best accuracy or just recall it?
Just recall it. I’m no expert, but I calibrated it once and have had no issues.
Thanks for the good video’s.
Thank you. You are very welcome.
Rig Expert analyzers are super duper expensive for what they offer imho. I mean you can buy a whole computer or a HF radio for the price of a RigExpert. All I need is to measure SWR and the NanoVNA does that fine for fraction of the cost. I only wish the's a NanoVNA had a device with dedicated buttons and no calibration needed every time. Until we have a good/cheap equivalent competitor device on the market, the price on the "big" brand analyzers will stay high. 73
Rig Expert Stick 230 - $320
Rig Expert Stick 500 - $400
Comet Antennas CAA-500 - $440
MFJ-269D Antenna - $450
RigExpert AA-650 - $700!
I'm really digging this NanoVNA. Unbeatable at this pricepoint
I am lookign to get the A-55 Zoom, and i see it has Bluetooth and an app. Does that mean i can stand on the other end of antenna, for example a 40m long wire and make adjustments (shortening or lengthening it) and seeing the results in the app? Because that would be perfect. Because it would save me a lot of walking back and forth.
Mine does not have Bluetooth and it’s a pain to run back and forth during tuning. I did a quick search and it seems that there is a version of the RigExpert AA-55 Zoom that has Bluetooth that is designed to solve the problem. Remember that Bluetooth does have a max range. If I recall, it’s around 30’, but don’t quote me on that. Good luck!
@@TheTechPrepper oh, the joys of tuning a long wire antenna :)
73s
Bluetooth well exceeds 30’. Shhh
Fantastic video👍 and thanks for the shout 👊
Any time. Thanks for the pointers. Removing the unneeded measurements was very helpful to clean up the display.
@@TheTechPrepper Glad they were helpful. Try using the NanoVNA-Saver software, it really opens up a whole new world for the NanoVNA.
Great vid. Which one is "better"?
If I had to trust one with my life, the RigExpert, in my opinion. But the smaller, NanoVNA is nice for making adjustments on backpacks. Also, the NanoVNA covers a much wider frequency range. There is a RigExpert model that will cover the same range, but it is considerably more expensive. For me, both have a place and use for my needs. 73.
Love my NanoVNA for my workbench. Once you take it out of one environment it becomes nearly useless. The RigExpert is perfect for travel and weighs nothing. I have a huge NanoVNA and it does weigh more. Also the NanoVNA hates humidity, you hands, anything that touches the screen, or someone sneezes and the whole Calibration is thrown off. Do you have to handle it like a baby and in SOTA and POTA you just don’t have that kind of time.
The NanoVNA certainly has its place. For the money it's hard not to have one in your toolkit. I've had mine for awhile now and stopped taking it on summits due its delicate construction. My solution was to ditch the manually tuned antenna (ATAS-25) and bring resonant wire antennas. Thanks for the view.
You can get a metal case for your NanoVNA off eBay to neutralize the outdoor environment. The NanoVNA uses a touchscreen, so yes, touching the screen does things. I use my NanoVNA everywhere. I have a small hard-shell case for it.
Once you have done a cal on a range of frequencies with the same cable setup, nothing gets "thrown off," and you can trust the readings.
When I go contesting I go with antennas I don't have to fuss with tuning.
BTW, none of the NanoVNA's are "huge," not even the ones with a 4" screen. That one, in an aluminum case weighs only 2/3 what a RigExpert weighs, and can analyze and troubleshoot basically anything in the radio system, from antennas, to coax, to filters - all for less than half the price of the RigExperts box.
Thanks for the video..
I was wondering what you think about the Mini-1300 antenna analyzer?
Also.. by any chance, are / were you a radio shop tech out in Kalifornistan?
Thanks
73
KD2MKZ
Could these be calibrated to a dummy load or some common metal object?
Would be awful to rrust this but have a swr meter not agree or just qso your finals to 0 continuity.
The NanoVNA has to be calibrated. It includes a dummy load and everything you need to calibrate it. The RigExpert did not require calibration out of the box.
Finally got to the NanoVNA - but didn’t really show or explain anything? Maybe need to zoom out a bit and explain the readings? I know how it works from watching many other vids, but was expecting more. Also please up the audio levels - can’t hear you! 😄
I’ll work on the audio level. I’m using a lapel mic in the newer videos. Thank you for all the suggestions. I’m really new to video production. Thanks.
The Tech Prepper 👏👏👏 You know much more than me on these topics and video editing, have yet to get experienced myself -- though audio levels + noise always tend to be the important for viewers!
I liked your puppy sir.
Thank you. Puppies are great!
I just purchased this Rigexpert analyzer. Far better than the MFJ junk.
100% agree. RigExpert analyzers are very high quality. They just skyrocket in price as you add more bands. I wish mine covered 2m. 73
The reading you're getting on the Nano VNA looks wacky for a measurement from 140 to 450 MHz.
I suspect you might not have configured delay for the plane of reference and thus your measuring the cable and not the antenna.
2 Fixes, 1) is the calibrate the VNA with a short / open / load at the end of the cable that connects to the antenna.
B) is to calculate the Edelay and enter that into the VNA manually.
Thank you for calling out the measurement. I am still a new ham and appreciate the pointers from the more experienced operators like yourself. I'll give your approach a shot. It's fun sharing my growing pains and experiences on RUclips with you all. I hope you'll stick around and join the channel. Take care!
@@TheTechPrepper All had to start somewhere mate. I'll dig up the link to where I learned it and share it when in not half asleep on my phone. Cheers!
@@TheTechPrepper This is the video i saw, was only a few hours before i saw your too, so it's also new knowledge to me as well.
I was trying to figure out why I was getting an unusually good reading on my VNA, that's how i found it.
ruclips.net/video/_pjcEKQY_Tk/видео.html
@@virtual812 Thanks for sharing this. It's on my list of things to do after work today.
On the NanoVNA sweep at the end of the video, I would expect to very obvious dips at the resonant frequencies for that antenna. It looks like you’re just looking noise.
Is that Scottsdale?
Just north of Scottsdale.
@@TheTechPrepper I don’t know if that’s a common back yard layout but I visited some people for a holiday party and their back yard layout was almost identical. Anyway awesome video, I just ordered a nanoVNA
@@iPsychlops This was a custom build by the original owner in 2006. This is the only area on the property with synthetic grass. Everything else is natural desertscape. No irrigation here. We do just rainwater harvesting and water collection in 50 gallon barrels throughout the property.
Interesting I have the zoom 35 and the VA is more accurate
Interesting. I tried the NanoVNA yesterday on 2m and for me it seems to be inconsistent across readings. The RigExpert doesn't have this problem in my experience, but then again I only use the RigExpert on HF and the NanoVNA for VHF/UHF. Personally, I would prefer to have a RigExpert that covers VHF. 73's
Esos nano vna son patito cua cua casi te los mandan gratis
Your accuracy experiment is flawed as you had the nano on 20mhz as opposed to 14.7hz on the first unit.