nanoVNA V2 - a low cost 3GHz open source network analyzer

[an007_rld]

Hi All,

I find a very interesting project which I think is worth to share:

Project webpage: https://nanorfe.com/nanovna-v2.html
Discussion page on EEVBlog forum: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/nanovna-v2-aka-s-a-a-2/
Discussion page on groupsio: https://groups.io/g/NanoVNA-V2/topics

An improved version up to 6GHz: http://www.yl3akb.lv/content/vna_v2/vna_v2.php

hope this helps,
-an

[optikon]

Hi All,

I find a very interesting project which I think is worth to share:

Project webpage: https://nanorfe.com/nanovna-v2.html
Discussion page on EEVBlog forum: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/nanovna-v2-aka-s-a-a-2/
Discussion page on groupsio: https://groups.io/g/NanoVNA-V2/topics

An improved version up to 6GHz: http://www.yl3akb.lv/content/vna_v2/vna_v2.php

hope this helps,
-an

Yes, I have been watching this develop on EEVblog.

Where can we buy one?

[pickit2]

Yes, I have been watching this develop on EEVblog.
Where can we buy one?

https://www.tindie.com/products/hcxqsgroup/nanovna-v2/

on the page it says there are many clones on Aliexpress and eBay.
Many of these perform poorly, can not meet the specifications,
and do not go through any quality control!!!

so take your pick...

[egstudio]

Very good V1 and V2 test in German and in English (V2 in preparation, for now only German)

http://www.gunthard-kraus.de/

[mEErEck]

For those who would prefer a PC-based VNA that is reasonbly-priced, please check this 4 GHz VNA:
https://pocketvna.com/
Still, its software is open-source.

[egstudio]

https://pocketvna.com/

"High performance: up to 80 dB dynamic range in the MHz range; up to 40 dB in the GHz range
Broadband: 500 kHz to 4 GHz"

not a valid choice IMHO.

Current nanoVNA 2:
Frequency range: 50kHz - 3GHz
System dynamic range (calibrated): 70dB (up to 1.5GHz), 60dB (up to 3GHz)

there will be a 2nd nanoVNA revision in 2-3 months with more dynamic and less noise





Posted on: 04-08-2020, 02:43:33 - Automerged


another "extreme" diy vna:

https://erikkaashoek.blogspot.com/2019/02/tuning-25ghz-cavity-filter-with-home.html

https://github.com/erikkaashoek/Tapr-VNA

[anotherandrew]

my pick is https://hforsten.com/improved-homemade-vna.html

[bobcat1]

Hi
For most VNA toy's isolation is the main issue , isolating the main circuit and cuplers are essential to accuracy and sensitivity.
And isolation require putting the circuit in a farady cage metal box who will increase the total cost

Al the best

Bobi

[Caaarlo]

Hi
For most VNA toy's isolation is the main issue , isolating the main circuit and cuplers are essential to accuracy and sensitivity.
And isolation require putting the circuit in a farady cage metal box who will increase the total cost

Al the best

Bobi

Yes, the design can get as refined as we want, a better layout, better oscillator, better mixers, a 24 bit ADC, but costs skyrocket.


Even the Nano VNA V1 is quite capable for its price using basic cheap components, and the mixers are shielded in the original version. But since the useful dynamic range is around 50dB, then this isolation can be ommited without noticeable x-talk... so for the price, it's unbeatable.

For those who would prefer a PC-based VNA that is reasonbly-priced, please check this 4 GHz VNA:
https://pocketvna.com/
Still, its software is open-source.

Nano VNA has several software tools. I am using NanoVNA SAVER that runs on Windows.

https://github.com/nanovna/nanovna-saver-v2-support

[mEErEck]

FYI, the NanoVNA v2 is already available - https://nanorfe.com/nanovna-v2.html
I am quite interested in NanoVNA V2 Plus4, the parameters do not look bad:
50kHz – 4.4GHz range, 90 dB range for freq<1 GHz...

[optikon]

FYI, the NanoVNA v2 is already available - https://nanorfe.com/nanovna-v2.html
I am quite interested in NanoVNA V2 Plus4, the parameters do not look bad:
50kHz – 4.4GHz range, 90 dB range for freq<1 GHz...

Thanks, avoid bad clone? I guess its a thing.
If you find less than $129 USD then I would be suspicious.


Official product as below:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001688889730.html

https://www.tindie.com/products/hcxqsgroup/4-nanovna-v2-plus4/

[solutions]

Not to be a snob, but anyone know of a 4 port VNA that costs less than a house?

[bobcat1]

Not to be a snob, but anyone know of a 4 port VNA that costs less than a house?

Dear Solutions ,
The answer is Yes , I bought one some time ago, cost me several $$$$, made by Agilent E8357 (keysight) ,You can get good price at Ebay if you know how to bargain and not directly except the price tag.
You also need to know that buying the instrument is not enough , you will also need a calibration kit and low phase test cables who can cost no less.
Anyhow the "toys" above are no mach for a professional instrument.

All the best

Bobi

[PM3295]

What bobcat1 said is very true. I once watched a nice R&S 4GHz ZVRE on eBay. The seller wanted about $6k for it. I took a chance and put in a bid for $2.5k with a message that these instruments were no longer supported by R&S (I phoned them). I never heard back from the seller. The auction closed a day later. The next day I get a message from the seller that he only saw my offer after the auction closed. He was new to selling on eBay and did not know how everything worked.
He said he will accept my offer. I told him to relist and send me the new link. Well a long story short is that I got it for $2.5k, multi-port with options. When the shipment arrived, it had the expensive coax cables, and an R&S N-type cal kit included in the box! 
After speaking to the seller, I found out that they were manufacturing some kind of antenna for the military, and they upgraded to a new model R&S VNA.

Before that bargain, I also bought a HP 8753A with S-param test set and SMA cal kit on eBay for $1.2k. I found out that the unit was used for a contract, and they were selling off all the equipment after completion of the contract.

You just have to put in a watch and be ready to strike. It takes some time for the right bargains to come up, so be alert.

[andybiker]

As a "lapsed" radio ham, dipping my toe into RF again after many years of software and digital, I needed something cheap for filters, preamps and aerials at vhf (137 Mhz - weather sat)
I bought a V1 nanoVNA. Superb for the price.
The nanoVNA V2 looks even better for the price.
Yes, they cannot compete with the "cost-a-house" proper ones. They have "real" RF sections and proper screening and isolation. There's only so much you can do in software.
If you are using a VNA for serious business use, buy a "cost-a-house" one - you will need it.
If you are an "enthusiastic amateur" who will get good use out of it (and the finances) then look for a second hand and older model "cost-a-house"
For the rest of us, the nanoVNA is superb - it gives us access to measurements that are otherwise impossible.
 

[solutions]

Sure

But what about non-serious, non-business, enthusiastic amateur, money-goes-out-but-nothing-comes-back, use to characterize 4 port networks? I haven't much use for a 2 port, but a 4 port accurate to a couple of dB would be very useful for diff signals stuff.

[an007_rld]

a more powerful version 3 will coming.
See here:https://groups.io/g/NanoVNAV3

-an

[Old_but_Alive]

can the NanoVNA be used as a spectrum analyser, to pre-test for EMC compliance ?

any help would be appreciaated

[Xwing]

Old_but_Alive, I don't think Nano VNA is usable as a spectrum analyzer.
I got the Tiny SA, https://www.tinysa.org/wiki/, it's a real spectrum analyzer, and I'm satisfied.
Obviously the Tiny SA cannot compete with a professional analyzer, but for simple uses, without too many pretensions, it is suitable.

[egstudio]

https://youtu.be/xMQZTy3iV9o


https://groups.io/g/nanovna-users/topic/34079496


For EMC precompliance, it isn't an option. Too much hardware limits. The Adalm Pluto is  much better and can go up to 6 Ghz (with this fantastic program: http://www.albfer.com/en/2020/02/21/satsagen-2/  .