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- Опубликовано: 23 мар 2018
- Knowing how your antennas work or build and optimize our antenna is very rewarding. Unfortunately, it needs know-how and some costly equipment to do that. Today we will change that, and I show you an affordable new tool that enables these tasks. This small device was one of my best investments I made so far.
My HAM Radio channel: / @hb9bla
At the end
- You know how to build and optimize a LoRa ground plane antenna
- You will know How to tune a commercially available antenna
- You will get a little theory behind it, as usual
And we will have a close look at this small gadget from China and compare it with a professional tester
Links:
N1201A Antenna Tester: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/Nhr3Xedw
Calibration Set: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/q3VbiQ7 or s.click.aliexpress.com/e/VJeqJY7 (not tested)
N2201SS (2 ports): s.click.aliexpress.com/e/CHDgGnr2
Ground Plane calculator: www.buxcomm.com/ground_plane_c...
SMA connector for Antenna: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/RBAYzbU
What's inside the N1201SA: notes.superlogical.ch/?p=89
Supporting Material and Blog Page: www.sensorsiot.org
Github: www.github.com/sensorsiot
My Patreon Page: / andreasspiess
If you want to support the channel, please use the links below to start your shopping. No additional charges for you, but I get a commission (of your purchases the next 24 hours) to buy new stuff for the channel
For Banggood bit.ly/2jAQEf4
For AliExpress: bit.ly/2B0yTLL
For ebay.com: ebay.to/2DuYXBp
profile.php?...
/ spiessa
www.instructables.com/member/...
Please do not try to Email me or invite me on LinkedIn. These communication channels are reserved for my primary job
Equipment in my lab: www.sensorsiot.org/my-lab/ 
Наука
This man is the best eletronics and DYI RUclipsr, not only he explains why things work like they do but also tells the truth and shows what he means. Thank you Andreas for making these videos and helping thousands making little projects that seemed impossible before!
Thank you for your nice words!
i am an electronic engineer for around 20 years and I can tell that this tutorial is one of the best tutorials I had seen
Thank you for your nice words!
Maybe that's the difference. I do this stuff for a living. Lots of errors in the first 5 minutes.
@@BobDarlington Perhaps we could all learn something if you share what you believe these errors are?
Otherwise your comment is not only useless, but annoying.
Very true.... and that's when someone is super knowledgeable and super funny and knows how to combine them :)
@@martym2464 agreed!
I watched this video in the past and now I went back to watch it again to ask questions. I'm just frustrated that I can't press the "Like" button again. Thank you again master.
Thank you. Did you watch my newest ones about the topic?
Now when I am working with electronics I have a Swiss voice in my head.. Dankeschön
Bitteschön!
The expensive equipment had unlocked the, "black art of RF" to me decades ago.
(It's easy with the right tools.) THANK YOU for your _perfectly_ concise explanation
of the theory, and FOR SHOWING THESE _DELIGHTFULLY AFFORDABLE_ DIY TOOLS!
You might be aware that I was (sightly) delighted too when I made this video...
AGREED - #MeToo LOL >>> I relied on the maths and precision construction,... but was BLIND to the real / actual tuning.
.
This unit is excellent. This one of the most addictive radio tools I have every owned - just cannot stop making antennas!!
One of the best videos of 2018. Thank you for explaining things I’ve always wondered about my whole career.
Thank you for your nice words!
Super useful information presented in a clear, concise and convincing manner. Thank you once again! Anxiously waiting for the next video...
Order for the tester placed. My guess is that Shenzhen Boss Digital Electronic Co is going to be very happy for this video also. :) Tip for people not using the AliExpress app - very often products are discounted for mobile orders. In this case 6% discount. I've been wondering why this is with a tin foil hat in my head.
This was the last antenna video on this channel for a moment. Other topics are waiting...
Thank you for getting into antenna theory. Because your explanations are so easy to understand, I think I will be able to learn basics of antennae theory from this series
You are welcome!
Your videos are always interesting and I always learn something useful.
Thank you!
This is good work, Andreas. You explain things very clearly so that I can understand things that I have not understood for many years. Thank you so much.
You are welcome! Glad my videos help.
Again Andreas has surpassed all the others!! You earned my patronage!!! Keep up the good work!!
Thank you for your support!
It seems you really like your new tool ;-) Thanks for the content, very interesting, as usual.
Yes, it is very useful for me.
"like a good politician, if a method does not work, we just use more of it"
HAHAHAHA!!!!!
It is a little like an Englishman trying to speak Swiss. English Loudly, then more Loudly.
Spot on, we see that every day now.
I really enjoyed this as well as quite a few other videos you have produced, thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Andreas, you are a legend. I learnt more in the first 5 minutes of this video than I had in months of playing around with DIY antennas :)
Antennas are not easy and the knowledge is not widely spread. So I am glad the video was helpful.
Great video and simple description. I have a PS 100 model of it and I find it very useful for tuning the POTY antenna for QO-100
Did you see my videos about the QO-100?
I *really* like how show some theorie , but always tied to practical usage! Had to order that device .. no chance to resist ;)
Yes; resistance is futile. Now order yours right away, if you have enough capacitance.
+ Water: I am sure you will enjoy it.+ FindLiberty: I like your comment!
As a life long antenna building nerd, I really appreciated this video. I've had my eye on one of these inexpensive VNAs for some time. Now I'll be sure to get one.
I am sure you will enjoy it.
Excellent! I love the lesson plan and summary. It helps reinforce learning.
Great to hear! Thank you.
Like previous video on antenna, this video is really useful. I'd like to thank you Andreas for sharing useful videos.
You are welcome!
I have learned more things from your videos on practical and theoretical electronics than in my 4 years in the EE school.
Thank you!
You make very nice videos, for me some parts are review but some is new, kind of to radio stuff but have done electronics for years. Thanks again for sharing!
You are welcome!
Thanks Andreas, as usual, your videos are excellent and will save us lots of RF-hassle!
You are welcome!
Well explained.. Always your style of presentation is easy to understand and very useful for beginners..
Thank you for your kind words!
Ok, Ok....... so once again you introduce me to another topic (I thought I had no interest in).
Once again your enthusiasm for the subject, along with the way you present, is just a dream.
At the speed you are going, I have to wonder what wonders you have for us in the future.
My life is enriched every Sunday by your work and often I spend the week thinking it over.
I’m surprised you hardly mentioned how much you loved your new tool
🤥
Keep going Andreas, you are an authority on so many subjects.
I had 61 years to learn. So, some things are buried somewhere in my brains. Like antenna theory. I had to build my own antennas when I was a radio operator in the war zone of N'Djamena already in the 1980s ;-)
I have no experience and knowledge about antenna. But I am learning a lot from your tutorial. Thank you so much.
Glad to hear that!
Thank you Andreas, as a French, I like your Swiss accent, and I remain admirative in front of the simplicity with which you can explain complex subjects ...I'll keep watching your multiple videos and keep learning ... Your experiments basically save me the hassle of trial and errors, and help me to go straight to the right solution. Bravo !
Thank you for your nice words!
Super great video, I love this N1201SA device.
BTW: The open/closed SMA connectors are easy to build for everyone. For the 50 Ohm load, a 100 Ohm 0.1% (two parallel ERA-6AEB101V Panasonic) resistors will do the job.
So you were more successful than me. We did some tests with a "homemade and a "bought" open and short. The differences were noticeable already at 868.
Really excellent teaching here, learning points well made and useful information. Thank-you.
You are welcome!
Such a good tutorial,... I bought one for analysing my home-brew antennas I make for mobile coverage & repeaters.
.
.
You are not alone,. These cheap VNAs became quite popular. And very handy!
@@AndreasSpiess - Good day, and apologies for not responding to your kind reply above.
- Did you ever measure the FINAL cut length of your TUNED antenna ??? >82mm or
You best video so far! That explained a lot! Good work! Now the logical next step is to explain impedance even deeper.
This was the last video on antennas for a while. There are better channels for that if you are interested in antennas. I want to keep this channel broad, and not trivial, but not only for specialists.
I also purchased the N1201SA so I can fine tune my 915 MHz LoRa antennas. Your video is great.
KC2ORP
Thank you!
Great work... I'll be checking out your other videos for sure.
Welcome on the channel!
I learned more about antennas in this 16 minute video than I did from by Extra Class license course. Thanks!
Not good. They should learn you how it works before you buy a 1kW amplifier ;-)
They do, or at least they try. But it's presented as if you're an electrical engineering student. That's doesn't work with everyone. Definitely didn't with me, and I spent a career in technology.
Very nice, I've had this thing in my wishlist for about a year now. Guess it's time :)
Enjoy!
Again a very good video! Thank you very much. I ordered a N1201SA this morning via your link and hope, you'll get your "fee".
Thank you for your support! I hope you will like it.
Einfach super! Ich habe schon lange darauf gewartet.Vielen Dank!
Bitte, gern geschehen
LOL! I remember in trade school asking the head of the electronics department about antenna matching. "Complex impedance.... That is a dark art of the field"
Nice to see it described as such from you.
:-)
really amazing tutorial, congratulations and thank you very much!
Thank you for your nice words!
I have been using a nanovna for a couple of years and have found it very useful for tuning and troubleshooting antennas. Every time I use it I am amazed that such a cheap tool can give me the same information as the $80,000 analyzer I use at work. Obviously I don't expect it to be perfect but I have compared it and found it surprisingly close.
I agree. When the first cheap devices appeared on the market, I had suspicions and also compared it with an expensive instrument. Already then, the results were usable for my purposes.
I typically transmit signals from 300 mW to 3 W when trying to communicate with my Amateur Radio. Prior to recent times the technology that you describe was not available to most hobbyists. Glad that technology is making measuring devices like this that I can afford on my retirement pension. I enjoy building my antennas, mostly for HF.
Things changed considerably since we were young. And now I feel like living in a "electronics paradise"
Great video again, I will have to have one of those analysers, I was brought up on an HP VNA and have seen that the price of professional equipment has tumbled down in recent years. Remember the Anritsu Sitemaster? So helpful to have the comparison with a 'known good' analyser - better than any sales pitch. Now, what would be interesting (because you like testing outdoors and now have the tools) it would be really interesting to show the impact of antenna optimisation on your radio link budget in real terms of RSSI. Again, great video, keep it up. (Ian T) :-)
This was the last antenna video for a while on this channel. Many other topics are waiting...
I was a Microwave Technician and took a 9 month Special class about antennas, learned all the basics, theory and use of the Smith Chart and went on to work to help build 4-18 Ghz microwave amplifiers here in Silicon Valley, there were a lot of tuning using the microcope, tuning is like black magic with a skill using those little gold chips and soldering / tacking them when the desired SWR was achieved. I would like to buy one of these... hahaha... I'd like to learn how to use this HIGH TECH DEVICE 'AWESOME'...
Maybe you watch my video about the NanoVNA. This is a more modern version (which also shows the Smith chart)
Something else I didn't know I needed until now LOL This would have been awesome 30 years ago when I was doing VHF/UHF radio work.
You are right. We live in a wonderful world (electronically)
Thank you! So much useful info in such a simple way!
You are welcome!
Excellent presentation. Thank you!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Excellent video! It's worth adding that altering an RF transmitter's performance in any way can easily put you on the wrong side of the law in one's home country, and that doing so is obviously (and entirely) at their own risk.
Thanks for your info. I hope, my viewers know what they do...
Enjoyed your video. Very informative and entertaining. Thanks!
Glad you enjoyed it!
That does it !!!
It's 40 years since I used a Smith chart. 15 years working with HF/VHF/UHF antennas with the old tools. What would we have given for tools like that?
Yes, I see why you fell in love with it! I'm off to your Patreon channel - give us more like this.
This is the reason I like this part a lot...
Andreas, the length of the coax is also important. Perhaps you can make a video on how, some time is better to put the amplifier also with the antenna on the roof.. .. And measure the comparison on power reflected.
Thank you for this. Great presentation!
Glad it was helpful!
brilliant. We just got one of these for our Maker Space!
Good!
So Andreas, I was wondering, do you like the N1201SA Vector Network Analyser. Couldn't quite tell... 😜 Excellent video, sir.
I wanted to leave everybody uncertain about that fact. Glad I succeeded ;-)
John Burns Exactly my thoughts! 😂
OH WOW, THANK YOU! !!!. This is one of your best videos to date. Antennae theory and practice is something that most of electronics hobbyists have to always rely on others, such as vendors and manufacturers, when we build with RF modules such as Lora etc. Using this video the theory and practice is now approachable. - IN A COLOUR GRAPH!!!! You have really showed us how we can optimise our own antennae using tools that even we hobbyists can consider getting. Thank you again!
One question please Andreas, please could tell us if this device can be used for wifi/ES32/ESP82xx, GSM and other similar modules that all play with. I know you said that the 2.2 GHz band is covered, but is it just as effective in that range? Sorry if I missed this the video but it wasn't clear to me.
Ps. The other thing that wasn't clear was whether you loved this new tool? :-)
Concerning 2.4 GHz: We did not focus on that range so I cannot tell you if the results are as good as they were below 1 GHz. But I assume they are ok, too. I saw a video somewhere where the guy used it for WiFi antenna testing.
northshorepx p
@@AndreasSpiess Hello Andreas, Do you have experience with the management of Rigexpert? I have the AA-600, but it remains at 600mhz maximum. I was looking at several models, which at least could analyze the 2.4-2.5Ghz band, for wifi antennas, and have appeared yours N1201A, the Vna Tiny and another one that is much more expensive, the KC901V, which comes to cover the wifi antennas of double band.
I would like to know if the measurements of the N1201A are quite accurate, since I would like to use it to make high sensitivity Bluetooth antennas.
Thanks for your mythical tutorials.
I wait your answer.
Best regards from Barcelona, Catalonia.
Very educational, and well done, Fine presentation...Thank you...
:-) Did you see my other videos about this topic?
Eres lo mejor que le ha pasado a la Ingeniería Electrónica!!!
Thank you. Maybe you watch also my video about the NanoVNA...
Great video .. You should have included how to measure the antenna impedance using the NS1201SA. You can tune the radials by bending them at an angle and measuring the change in impedance at the specific frequency. You can also use the VNA to cut optimum length feed lines. Did I mention I love this tool too :-)
You are right. But the video should not get too long and I always leave something to discover by ma viewers.
Its a great time to be alive if you are in the electronics/technical/software fields
You are absolutely right. I enjoy it every day!
Brilliant video. Thank you Andreas.
Glad you enjoyed it!
An awesome video, Andreas. You have demystified the dark arts of antenna tuning. Northshorepx says it all and I support all he says.
Thank you!
I can only confirm: I own one and I love it - so much better than calculations ;)
Thank you for your feedback. It is very valuable for others
Thank you sir for such an informative video
You are welcome! Maybe you check my newer videos about the topic?
Again, a Very good and interesting video. Thanks!
You are welcome!
Today I got my Nano Vna and Joe Smith mentions you in his video!
VNAs are great! Enjoy.
Being a engineer this is a great video, love that tool as well for something simple and portable when I don't want to drag out the analyzer and extension cord.
Many of my viewers bought one and I got quite good feedback about it.
Fantastic Tutorial!
Thank you Andreas :)
You are welcome!
Very good! Excellent work.
Thank you!
Thanks, really enjoyed video, well done! I am 76 and a retired electrical engineer / technician. Never too-old to lean new technology!
You are right! I have a few viewers at your age. So our profession seems to be healthy for the brains ;-)
Nice timing. I ordered one a few days ago already 😁
Enjoy!
i compared it with some expensive analyzers. it seems quite accurate. really interesting for such a price.
thanks a lot Andreas, this video was awesome. please consider doing a video on cables and connectors like SMA, RP-SMA?
This was the last antenna video for a while. I have many other topics waiting...
Again a nice 'Swiss tube' tnx Andreas 73 de Germain, ON4SG !
Andreas, thanks for the great video. I think it would be a nice idea to set up a website where the performance, or resonating frequency of these antennas is documented. These VNA tools are still quite expensive for the regular maker, also because you usually have to pay custom fees for more expensive items. Maybe a simple public Google sheets will work for this, or a Google sites website?
You never know if our dealers change their suppliers. I can only test what I have on my bench.
Sometimes there are maker spaces that have all the fancy equipment. Maybe build your antenna and take it there! :) Then everyone shares all the equipment. I hear some places even have the thing that goes bleep! ;)
Very good for a digital guy! Congrats.
:-)
Thank you, very useful info on Antennas. I'd love to learn what are the things to be considered if you soldered a LoRa module to a PCB. So then routing a track from LoRa module to the antenna. I'd imagine you could make quite a mess.
Keep the distance between the module and the antenna short... Maybe you google about the dimensioning of transfer lines on PCBs.
Thanks a lot Professor Spiess! :))
You are welcome!
Hello Andreas!
Really amazing video - it really deserves three thumbs up! It help to solve problems people usually does not know it exists at all. By the way: do you think it is worth to invest additional 50 EUR into newer model N2201SS?
This is not a newer model, it has more features. But I do not know it (ant the software coming with it). I bought the miniVNA instead.
Just for antenna tuning, I cannot imagine you would see a difference between the two because you do not need the second port.
Great video as usual!
Thanks!
Thank you Andreas ! 👍👍
RF has always been "black magic" to me ...☹️
I wich i had your knowledge about antennas !
You are welcome!
I see that you are very close to explaining the Smith chart and it's usefullness :-) But it would be hard without complex impedance :-)
Very nice video!
This is why I shortened the video. First, it was in. But too complicated...
I find the N1201SA analyzer very usefull. I have one. I would recommend it too. I would prefer a good spectrum analyzer with larger bandwidth but I cannot justify the cost.
These devices are still quite expensive. I only bought one because it was a long-time dream...
After watching this video I ordered the N1202SA. And Sir, You were right, it is a great tool! I have tried to find an adapter that could be used to measure the IPX connector small antennas. Can You give some tips where to find adapter that makes it possible to test antennas having u.fl and IPX female connector?
You are doing excellent job helping people to get in to electronics. Oh, and did I already mention that I love Your videos ;-)
You find them on Aliexpress (IPX SMA adapter). I ordered 2 different and one was not good. But I do no more know which one was which :-(
Great teacher.
Thanks much!
You are welcome! Maybe you also watch my newer video on the nanoVNA? (if not already done).
Yes, you mentioned already that you loved it :)
:-)
Great to the point tutorial for people who know nothing about smith charts
Thank you!
Thank you...this is NEED TO KNOW info!
:-)
Again another useful and interesting video. So..do we get treated to the mini vna review next Sunday? :)
No. This is the last video about antennas for a while. I have other topics waiting...
Great video. Good work!
Thank you!
Wow, a wery god explanation
Thanks for sharing 😀👍
:-)
I'd not have trusted these things without your recommendation. Thanks for taking the risk on our behalf with such a wonderfully qualified response. Does this mean you have RAK troubles? :)
The RAK works now. I had a wrong board from Charles. Now I am trying to compare the performance of the two gateways. Not as easy as I thought...
No I've been playing with adding GPS and running things in Docker - now there is a whole track of video possabilities (have the antenna tester on it's way - I bet China is empty of the things after your commendation).
Andreas Spiess For President 2020
"Make America Smart Again!"
😂
I'm all in, for exporting our neutral policy, see my name...
:-))
Nope, we need him ourselves!
Thanks Andreas, awesome video as always. quick question .. can I change one of those common 2.4GHz antennas to operate on 900MHz with the help of N1201SA?
Not easy. It is Mitch too short.
Great information. Thank you
You are welcome!
Hi Andreas, this is a great video, I'm new to VNA's and this was very interesting and easy to watch. I love your humour, please keep it up, 73 Colin, G7KDM
Thank you for your nice words!
Hello Mr. Andreas! Excellent video very pleasant to watch and informative, but remains a question, what's the difference between N1201A vs N2201SA? Is there other feature available?
As a suggestion, could you please do some antenna construction videos? Thanks in advance!
As I mentioned it has two ports and also a Serial connection. But I did not look at it and if the software is good.
This video is awesome Andreas,
Just wondering who are those 6 jealous people which dislike this wonderful video?
1.4K(up to the present) is much much bigger than 6 !!!!
Probably their antennas are not adjusted exactly to your channel frequency !!!
I always get a few thumbs down. I have to live with it...
Hi and thank you for your very interesting video regarding antenna measuring and the VNA. I se that the vendor also have seveloped the N2201SS VNA with two ports.
Would you consider testing and reviewing the N221SS extra features as well? In addition to power meter, it is supposed to support some extra measurement features. S21?.
With so many poorly manufactured antennas for RC and FPV hobbyists, this kind of knowledge and tools are of great interest and benefit.
Thanks!
Kind regards
Torgeir
I do not plan to test the N2201SS as most of my viewers do not need two ports.
Hi,
thanks for the video, which introduced the N1201sa to me. I looked for further information and was astonished to learn there are not many information at all, beside of a few RUclips Videos.
E.g. There are many different models now.
N1201sa the one you introduced
N1201sa+ with an extended frequency range down to 37MHz
N1201sac which adds a ttl serial port for communication.
Then there seems to be a successor
N2201SS, which seem to add a TX port, but Infos on that is very spare and most is misleading, e.g. the description of the N1201sa is given albeit the N2201SS is for sale.
No infos whether different versions of the N2201 exists.
Finally some sellers offer a N2061SA which also seems to offer a TX port for a frequency range from 1.1 MHz to 1.3 GHz. Albeit no more infos can be found. Esp. Further spec differences between the N2201 and the N2061 would be interesting.
All Infos so fare are from Chinese sellers on the usual platforms. We all know how much we can trust those information... Heck, I couldn't even find the original manufacture homepage. No comparison tables, no reviews for the later two models. Nothing... even in Chinese information on the internet are rather spare.
Much interesting would be a miniVNA tiny vs a N2201SS comparison, to get an idea about the performance in this price range. Both follow different ideas about usability etc. but at the end those might be what a hobbyist is looking for.
Maybe that is a good idea for a part two of this video. ;)
I cannot Test VNAs. The only I tested with a colleague is the one I showed. The mini seems to be ok and the software works. For the moment I do not plan an additional video. I use the small one for my antenna tuning and the miniVna if I want to learn about Smith chart.
Well, I understand this. Was hoping that others can provide more information about all those different models.
Identifying the original manufacturer would be a good start already.
If you would have to decide for one, the N1201sa or the minivna tiny, which would you give a preference?
Hi and thank you for yet another interesting video.
Regarding the antenna you were showing that shifted resonant frequency when you removed / replaced the cover. I am wondering if it had something to do with the carbon content of the plastic / rubber used to make the antenna cover?
A long time ago, I read about building antennas and it said not to use black plastics to house antennas due to the carbon used in black plastics.
Well possible. I do not know the (chemical) reason. If it can be adjusted by cutting the wire it is still ok...
Another most interesting vid.
Thank you!