¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

ctrl + shift + ? for shortcuts
© 2025 Groups.io
Date

Re: Calibration result

 

If I understand correctly this will lead to interpolation
by Nano firmware which is not a good idea.

On Tue, 5 Oct 2021 at 15:32, Jim Lux <jim@...> wrote:

On 10/4/21 6:07 PM, Roger Need via groups.io wrote:
Rune had a good suggestion where you calibrate slot 0 in the NanoVNA for
the maximum frequency range you would ever need and then leave it that way
and use the other slots for other frequency ranges you might want.
That is a good idea.

Then you can calibrate for the desired range you want in NanoVNA Saver
using the number of segments (more data points) and degree of averaging
that you want. Now the two calibrations (hardware and Saver) are
independent and the saved calibrations in NanoVNA can be recalled and used
as long as the nanoVNA is set to slot 0 (power up default).

I tend to use NanoVNA app by OneOfEleven when I want to use the PC.
More features than Saver, easy calibration, more graphs, better scaling
(which is easier to use) and up to five traces at a time.

I just started using NanoVNA-saver because it's in Python, and I'm
familiar with scikit-rf.








Re: Calibration result

 

On 10/4/21 8:55 PM, DiSlord wrote:
NanoVNA firmware can send uncalibrated data, then calibration need use in external software
But by default NanoVNA send calibrated data (if calibration apply on NanoVNA) in this case not need made calibration in external software, and if need calibration in external soft better disable/reset calibration on NanoVNA

You can see this in NanoVNA-App, and select mode None/VNA/App
What commands make the NanoVNA send uncalibrated data?? I was casually looking around, and it seemed to me that you can turn off calibration with the menu, but there's no command that you can send over the wire to make that happen.


Re: NanoVNA Low-Z capabilities

 

On 10/4/21 7:14 PM, Walter Miller, AJ6T wrote:
I need to measure a very low impedance device for a non-ham application.....probably less than 1 Ohm.? Is the NanoVNA able to make an accurate measurement on such a load in the 14 MHz range?

73, Walt, AJ6T
It's all about how accurately can you measure the reflection coefficient: Gamma = (Zload-Z0)/(Zload+Z0)

For Z0 = 50, and Zload = 1

gamma = -49/51 = -0.96078

A 10% change in Zload would be

gamma = -49.1/51.1 = -0.96086

Not a huge difference. The NanoVNA calculates gamma by dividing reflected voltage by incident voltage (as measured by the two internal receivers) = gamma = Vr/Vi

In this case, the incident voltage will be pretty much the same (it's the measured source signal)

The reflected voltage is large (which is a good thing, large SNR), so to get 10% accuracy, you're looking at measuring the difference between -0.96078 and -0.96086 -> about 0.00008

To do that that implies the noise is at least 80dB below the signal.? That's probably "ragged edge" of the nanoVNA's capability.

On the other hand to measure the difference between 1 ohm and two ohms is between -0.96078 and -0.93208, a difference of 0.032, a sort of 30dB SNR need, which is more likely.


Re: Calibration result

 

On 10/4/21 6:07 PM, Roger Need via groups.io wrote:
Rune had a good suggestion where you calibrate slot 0 in the NanoVNA for the maximum frequency range you would ever need and then leave it that way and use the other slots for other frequency ranges you might want.
That is a good idea.

Then you can calibrate for the desired range you want in NanoVNA Saver using the number of segments (more data points) and degree of averaging that you want. Now the two calibrations (hardware and Saver) are independent and the saved calibrations in NanoVNA can be recalled and used as long as the nanoVNA is set to slot 0 (power up default).

I tend to use NanoVNA app by OneOfEleven when I want to use the PC. More features than Saver, easy calibration, more graphs, better scaling (which is easier to use) and up to five traces at a time.
I just started using NanoVNA-saver because it's in Python, and I'm familiar with scikit-rf.


Re: NanoVNA Low-Z capabilities

 

This is a tricky measurement even with a high grade VNA.

A compact article on the topic is at:

Note the erratum in the reply at the bottom of the page.

PeterS G8EZE


Re: Calibration result

 

Thanks Roger,


Op di 5 okt. 2021 om 03:07 schreef Roger Need via groups.io <sailtamarack=
[email protected]>:

Rune had a good suggestion where you calibrate slot 0 in the NanoVNA for
the maximum frequency range you would ever need and then leave it that way
and use the other slots for other frequency ranges you might want.
That is indeed good advice. This slot 0 will remove the 'large
errors/compensation' of the NanoVNA and hopefully it is also a reproducible
calibration on the NanoVNA (after say a factory reset of the NanoVNA).
A stable calibration of slot 0 of the NanoVNA is essential, as all the
saved calibrations in the NanoVNA Saver will refer to that NanoVNA
calibration.

I will need to redo my NanoVNA Saver calibrations with that in mind.

All the best,

Victor


Re: Calibration result

 

NanoVNA firmware can send uncalibrated data, then calibration need use in external software
But by default NanoVNA send calibrated data (if calibration apply on NanoVNA) in this case not need made calibration in external software, and if need calibration in external soft better disable/reset calibration on NanoVNA

You can see this in NanoVNA-App, and select mode None/VNA/App


NanoVNA Low-Z capabilities

 

I need to measure a very low impedance device for a non-ham application.....probably less than 1 Ohm.? Is the NanoVNA able to make an accurate measurement on such a load in the 14 MHz range?

73, Walt, AJ6T


Re: Calibration result

 

Rune had a good suggestion where you calibrate slot 0 in the NanoVNA for the maximum frequency range you would ever need and then leave it that way and use the other slots for other frequency ranges you might want.

Then you can calibrate for the desired range you want in NanoVNA Saver using the number of segments (more data points) and degree of averaging that you want. Now the two calibrations (hardware and Saver) are independent and the saved calibrations in NanoVNA can be recalled and used as long as the nanoVNA is set to slot 0 (power up default).

I tend to use NanoVNA app by OneOfEleven when I want to use the PC. More features than Saver, easy calibration, more graphs, better scaling (which is easier to use) and up to five traces at a time.

Roger


Re: Calibration result

 

On 10/4/21 9:19 AM, Victor Reijs wrote:
I fully support this view of Chris!

I also thought that the calibration of the NanoVNA Saver was independent of
the NanoVNA. Otherwise 'Save' of calibration in NanoVNA Saver makes no real
sense (as one seems also to know the NanoVNA calibration settings when
saving in NanoVNA Saver)...
Although I had read the remark of Rune. I had hoped otherwise. Stacking
calibration also does not sound very wise (and perhaps reduces accuracy)....
I'm not sure about the accuracy implications - there are some numerical precision effects that would need to be looked at.

So it would be nice if the NanoVNA Saver could get the results from NanoVNA
without any calibration, and of course it would be nice if NanoVNA Saver
could import the device (nanoVNA) calibration.
I believe there is a "scanraw" command in some of the firmware versions that does this (get uncalibrated data) - it's listed in that command list from 2019, but there's a lot of functions that have come and gone since then.

Likewise, some versions of the firmware can return the calibration tables, but I don't know what format they are in, off hand.



Reading the reaction of the people, it looks that such a distinction has
not been considered yet in the software (both NanoVNA and NanoVNA Saver).
Due to this present behavior, it might even be difficult to untangle and
stay backwards compatible...


Re: Calibration result

 

On 10/4/21 8:23 AM, Chris K2STP wrote:
Interesting discussion¡­. Me thinks the calibration procedure/protocols/software for BOTH the unit, and software (saver) need to be fixed/made more user friendly. Especially for non-tech users like myself that do not understand much of this stuff and just want basic results after following easy instructions without taking an EE course on it!
Well, saver and the device are two completely separate entities, with some versioning differences to boot (e.g. NanoVNA-Saver works with lots of different devices). But yes, some summarizing and restating would be useful.



I had thought when you did a cal reset in saver, it did a hardware cal reset (as if you did it on the Nanak nagar)? I guess that is not true¡­.
So did I, until I discovered otherwise. I think that's because not all nanovna type devices even allow you to reset the device cal, and there are some potential reasons why you might not want to do that (e.g. arithmetic issues)


A perfect example of why this cal stuff needs cleaned up a bit. Before all you smart guys jump on me for saying this, and state ¡°if you read the documentation¡­.¡±, I did read all the docs, as well as many of these threads. And, it gets very confusing for novice users like myself, and VERY easy to miss a simple hidden message about resetting the unit first, or doing a larger span cal on it prior to doing the software cal¡­.

If I hit ¡°reset¡± on something, it¡¯s customary to assume everything is ¡°RESET¡± and your starting from scratch. Now in this thread I find that is not the case¡­.
The trap is that you're hitting reset on NanoVNA-Saver so that resets NanoVNA-Saver, but not the external device.


A few simple checks in the software could solve many of these calibration issues/questions. For example, if you cal for a span 7.0 to 8.0Mhz, and then try scanning 7.5 to 8.5Mhz, it should NOT let you! You should get a message to the effect ¡°The scan is out of cal. range¡±!
Actually, though, it will probably work ok in that case - I don't know what algorithm the firmware uses to extrapolate beyond the cal range, but realistically, the calibration parameters don't vary that quickly from a straight line approximation.? If you had calibrated for 7-8 MHz and then wanted to go 0-900 MHz, that's a different story. It's a basic device, so some of the sophistication is not in the software, but in the user <grin>.


If saver then calibrates on top of calibration data already on the unit, it should should check for this and tell you ¡°Unit using calibrated data, are you sure¡­..?¡±

I know, your going to say you should check all this yourself¡­. BUT I should also check if my car has enough oil in it prior to every trip down the road too, but I don¡¯t. And thankfully, since around 1930, there has been a red light on the dash to tell me if the oil is low! NanoVNA firmware and it¡¯s app¡¯s like Saver, should add the ¡°red light¡± for us!! That is my 6 cents on the subject.
Like all software, I suspect that there is a much longer list of "feature requests" than there is capability to do it. And since nobody is making money from it, the changes tend to be those that the developer is personally interested in.? There's also the issue of "squeezing into the chip" - I don't know how tight a fit the firmware is.

My philosophy is to make the changes in the software running in the PC side (i.e. NanoVNA-Saver).? But even beyond that, you'll find that sometimes, the actual problem is in a library which it uses (I ran across a plotting bug, which turned out to be in the plotting library)



Re: Calibration result

 

I fully support this view of Chris!

I also thought that the calibration of the NanoVNA Saver was independent of
the NanoVNA. Otherwise 'Save' of calibration in NanoVNA Saver makes no real
sense (as one seems also to know the NanoVNA calibration settings when
saving in NanoVNA Saver)...
Although I had read the remark of Rune. I had hoped otherwise. Stacking
calibration also does not sound very wise (and perhaps reduces accuracy)....

So it would be nice if the NanoVNA Saver could get the results from NanoVNA
without any calibration, and of course it would be nice if NanoVNA Saver
could import the device (nanoVNA) calibration.

Reading the reaction of the people, it looks that such a distinction has
not been considered yet in the software (both NanoVNA and NanoVNA Saver).
Due to this present behavior, it might even be difficult to untangle and
stay backwards compatible...

I hope it can be better streamlined between naonoVNA and NanoVNA Saver
developers (thus easier for novices and less explaining to do in the manual
or by experts). I am willing to think about how to convert this behavior
(and hopefully stay backwards compatible). I am not good in coding in these
github environments...

All the best,

Victor



Op ma 4 okt. 2021 om 17:24 schreef Chris K2STP <ccarrara@...>:

Interesting discussion¡­. Me thinks the calibration
procedure/protocols/software for BOTH the unit, and software (saver) need
to be fixed/made more user friendly. Especially for non-tech users like
myself that do not understand much of this stuff and just want basic
results after following easy instructions without taking an EE course on it!

I had thought when you did a cal reset in saver, it did a hardware cal
reset (as if you did it on the Nanak nagar)? I guess that is not true¡­.
A perfect example of why this cal stuff needs cleaned up a bit. Before
all you smart guys jump on me for saying this, and state ¡°if you read the
documentation¡­.¡±, I did read all the docs, as well as many of these
threads. And, it gets very confusing for novice users like myself, and
VERY easy to miss a simple hidden message about resetting the unit first,
or doing a larger span cal on it prior to doing the software cal¡­.

If I hit ¡°reset¡± on something, it¡¯s customary to assume everything is
¡°RESET¡± and your starting from scratch. Now in this thread I find that is
not the case¡­. A few simple checks in the software could solve many of
these calibration issues/questions. For example, if you cal for a span
7.0 to 8.0Mhz, and then try scanning 7.5 to 8.5Mhz, it should NOT let you!
You should get a message to the effect ¡°The scan is out of cal. range¡±!
If saver then calibrates on top of calibration data already on the unit, it
should should check for this and tell you ¡°Unit using calibrated data, are
you sure¡­..?¡±

I know, your going to say you should check all this yourself¡­. BUT I
should also check if my car has enough oil in it prior to every trip down
the road too, but I don¡¯t. And thankfully, since around 1930, there has
been a red light on the dash to tell me if the oil is low! NanoVNA
firmware and it¡¯s app¡¯s like Saver, should add the ¡°red light¡± for us!!
That is my 6 cents on the subject.

--
Regards,
Chris K2STP






Re: Calibration result

 

Nanak Nagar = NanoVNA Autocorrect needs fixing also!! ;-)

--
Regards,
Chris K2STP


Re: Calibration result

 

Interesting discussion¡­. Me thinks the calibration procedure/protocols/software for BOTH the unit, and software (saver) need to be fixed/made more user friendly. Especially for non-tech users like myself that do not understand much of this stuff and just want basic results after following easy instructions without taking an EE course on it!

I had thought when you did a cal reset in saver, it did a hardware cal reset (as if you did it on the Nanak nagar)? I guess that is not true¡­. A perfect example of why this cal stuff needs cleaned up a bit. Before all you smart guys jump on me for saying this, and state ¡°if you read the documentation¡­.¡±, I did read all the docs, as well as many of these threads. And, it gets very confusing for novice users like myself, and VERY easy to miss a simple hidden message about resetting the unit first, or doing a larger span cal on it prior to doing the software cal¡­.

If I hit ¡°reset¡± on something, it¡¯s customary to assume everything is ¡°RESET¡± and your starting from scratch. Now in this thread I find that is not the case¡­. A few simple checks in the software could solve many of these calibration issues/questions. For example, if you cal for a span 7.0 to 8.0Mhz, and then try scanning 7.5 to 8.5Mhz, it should NOT let you! You should get a message to the effect ¡°The scan is out of cal. range¡±! If saver then calibrates on top of calibration data already on the unit, it should should check for this and tell you ¡°Unit using calibrated data, are you sure¡­..?¡±

I know, your going to say you should check all this yourself¡­. BUT I should also check if my car has enough oil in it prior to every trip down the road too, but I don¡¯t. And thankfully, since around 1930, there has been a red light on the dash to tell me if the oil is low! NanoVNA firmware and it¡¯s app¡¯s like Saver, should add the ¡°red light¡± for us!! That is my 6 cents on the subject.

--
Regards,
Chris K2STP


Re: Case for the Nano VNA

William Smith
 

I've had mixed luck with depending on the fit of the cover.

I can't find the one that was similar to that but included a cover. I ended up trimming off the storage compartment in my slicer, and it works much better.

73, Willie N1JBJ

On Oct 3, 2021, at 9:11 PM, KENT BRITAIN <WA5VJB@...> wrote:

My first 3D printing project.Any suggestions for a the file to print a good case for the Nano??
Kent





Re: Case for the Nano VNA

 

Mine came from thingiverse. I love it.

On Sun, Oct 3, 2021, 11:01 PM Larry Rothman <nlroth@...> wrote:

Do a search on Thingiverse for Nanovna - there are several designs to play
with


On Sun., 3 Oct. 2021 at 9:11 p.m., KENT BRITAIN<WA5VJB@...>
wrote: My first 3D printing project.Any suggestions for a the file to
print a good case for the Nano??
Kent












Re: Calibration result

 

It is perfectly clear now.

I firstly had made the calibration on the NanoVna and saved that in slot 0.

Then connected the NanoVna (by pressing the "Connecting to device").
Selected the wanted segments (let say 10) and frequency range.
Opened the calibration menu.
Pressed Reset in this menu (it does not reset the calibration in the device).
The cal components show Uncalibrated".
After the calibration the Cal Thru is perfect 0 db.
And that is what I expected.

Coming back on your remark " This was made clear by the the original author, Rune, in a post when he first released NanoVNA Saver.",? I had read the warning in BOLD? in Rune his opening window when you start with the calibration in NanoVna Saver.
So basically I was warned.....
Issue solved.

Kees

Op 4-10-2021 om 02:30 schreef Roger Need via groups.io:

From what I understand you are resetting the cal in the NanoVNA before connecting to NanoVNA Saver. When calibrating with the Calibration Assistant in the PC program NanoVNA Saver you should already have the NanoVNA calibrated over a range larger than the range you want. This was made clear by the the original author, Rune, in a post when he first released NanoVNA Saver. You can search the group for his post.
Roger






Re: Case for the Nano VNA

 

Several cases on thingiverse.com


Re: Calibration result

 

On 10/3/21 7:26 PM, Roger Need via groups.io wrote:
Jim,

Here is what Rune had to say about this in previous posts....

From his github -
"Before using NanoVNA-Saver, please ensure that the device itself is in a reasonable calibration state. A calibration of both ports across the entire frequency span, saved to save slot 0, is sufficient. If the NanoVNA is completely uncalibrated, its readings may be outside the range accepted by the application."

Other comments from this thread... /g/nanovna-users/topic/47415385#6642

"My personal preference is to have Cal 0 be full span, and then
making a calibration within NanoVNA-Saver, using the calibration assistant,
with the "Segments" count set to perhaps 10 or even 20 - which gives you
1010 or 2020 data points for the calibration. This calibration can be full
span, or for the range you are interested in. You can then save this, or
any other calibration you make, as files which you can name more
intuitively than "cal 0", "cal 1" etc. ;-)

It's worth noting, that any calibration in NanoVNA-Saver is in reference to
the particular calibration done on the NanoVNA: So if you re-calibrate your
NanoVNA, your NanoVNA-Saver calibration ceases to be valid, and may give
incorrect readings."


Roger
Exactly.. I'd go for "no cal" on the nano, and let -Saver deal with all of it.

I suppose in an uncal state it might go out of range (as Rune commented), but I've not seen that.

So maybe a good default is "cal over entire range" and store that as #0.


Re: Case for the Nano VNA

 

Do a search on Thingiverse for Nanovna - there are several designs to play with


On Sun., 3 Oct. 2021 at 9:11 p.m., KENT BRITAIN<WA5VJB@...> wrote: My first 3D printing project.Any suggestions for a the file to print a good case for the Nano??
Kent