Re: Is the NooElec nanoVNA any good?
First of all, I am a total newbie. I ordered in the blind, only looking for the "NanoVNA" word or label:
This particular package had the added cabling, which was of interest to me. My needs are minimal; -At this point, I only have an interest in sweeping my HF ham antennas.
Question: As in the RS-918 (SDR) and related, the firmware "is the radio," and so I am assuming that this might possibly be true with this unit as well. (Look me up in QRZ.COM for more info: ) There is a LOT to learn and digest with the NanoVNA, and I am not there yet. Will the (or ANY) NanoVNA be upgrade-able to some common point or ability? -Or, have I purchased a limited device?
I was unable to locate a source that mentioned "hugen." Apparently, this is the best source of this fine unit. What is the URL for the better source, or is it worthwhile for me, as a low-end user?
Thank you from Mike, K0JTA
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I'm wondering if hugen is able to verify that the replacement battery control chip he is thinking of using will prevent over charging any cells.
I've translated and attached a copy of the FM9688 Mobile Power Management IC spec sheet.
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On Tuesday, November 19, 2019, 11:17:19 a.m. GMT-5, Nick <g3vnc@...> wrote: On Mon, Nov 18, 2019 at 01:58 PM, RFy wrote: 450mAh is... Not suitable for NanoVNA
2. Charge circuit pushes over 1A( over 2C rate )
My battery already swelled( PCB/LCD curved slightly ) Yes.? This issue has been reported before (posts #3096, #4533, #6288 etc.) Supplied nvna battery spec is here... Maximum Charging Current specified as 450mA. IP5303 Charging current specified as 1.2A typ and 1.4A max.? There does not appear to be any way to reduce this without additional circuitry. So worst case the 450mAh battery might be charged at 1.4/0.45 = 3.1C ! Qualifies as ultra fast charging... Charge rate might depend on the source. If the nvna is being charged from a standard downstream USB2 port, such as those fitted to this computer, then the charge current could be limited to 500mA which is ~1.1C. Might explain why my battery was fine until I subjected it to an iPad charger! Looking longways on the nvna I can see that the pcb and rear panel are deflected by the battery swelling.? Easily verified by removing one screw in the rear panel where a gap opens up between the panel and the brass spacer. I have now removed the 450mAh battery and temporarily fitted a 1100mAh ex call phone battery stuck on the rear panel. I will fit a "quality" protected 18650 cell when I assemble the repackaged nvna.
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Re: running nanoVNA-saver under Linux Mint XFCE
It's Python that's a mess, as bad as java.
It promises app portability, and its anything but.
We need something like good old QBASIC, where we can load source into an interpreter and run it.
Python and java are one big con.
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Re: Some required setting for NanoVNA-saver using female calibrations
Hi Kurt,
Sorry for taking long to reply to your email.
The issue in your earlier tests seem to be with C0=0: the calibration
corrections divide by a value that is dependant on C0, and for that reason,
C0=0 is not a valid standard - and the custom settings for the "open" is
disabled, including delay.
--
Rune / 5Q5R
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On Tue, 19 Nov 2019, 16:02 Kurt Poulsen, <kurt@...> wrote: Hi All
In the NanoVNA-saver the calibration settings, when doing a female
calibration with the supplied NanoVNA calibration kit, where the male SOL
parts are fitted to the FF adaptor, need some special settings until Rune
gets fixing the following:
The Open delay does not work and substituted by a C0 setting as shown in
attached image of 1022.3 fF Do not use the open calibration standard just
leave the FF adaptor open
As Shunt C for the load not yet implemented an inductance og 205pH
introduced as temporary fix
The data are for the NanoVNA-H delivered after end October. The earlier
delivered kits are for Short and Load identical but the delay of FF adaptor
is a bit longer and 70.3ps
Remember the NanVNA internal C0 calibration must be done prior to using the
NanoVNA-saver with the same setup as when calibration with the
NanoVNA-saver
Kind regards
Kurt
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Re: BH5HNU NanoVNA-F Aliexpress site no longer there?
Hello David. I have a very specific use for the NanoVNA-F, basically the VNA-H is too small to be useful with my poor eyesight. I have a VNA-H and it compares very favourably with my HP-8712B. The VNA-F will be used for outside antenna work from 50-432MHz, that's all. These things are really great for such a cheap piece of kit! I also have some proper cal kits to check them with ? 73 Conrad PA5Y ________________________________ From: [email protected] < [email protected]> on behalf of Dr. David Kirkby, Kirkby Microwave Ltd via Groups.Io <drkirkby@...> Sent: 19 November 2019 03:14 To: [email protected] < [email protected]> Subject: Re: [nanovna-users] BH5HNU NanoVNA-F Aliexpress site no longer there? On Mon, 18 Nov 2019 at 17:43, hwalker <herbwalker2476@...> wrote:
Dave,
Yes, Hugen's product is the 2.8" NanoVNA-H, and BH5HNU's is the 4.3"
NanoVNA-F. BH5HNU has been so busy with orders and production that he
hasn't had a chance to devote a lot of time to documentation and software
development. Because the NanoVNA-F and NanoVNA-H have a lot of
crossover, not only in how they operate, but in user's who own both
models, ssome NanoVNA-F owners join the discussions on this board looking
for information.
It leads to confusion at times because the NanoVNA-H's firmware is more
advanced than the NanoVNA-F. The NanoVNA-F owner then begins to wonder why
a feature described in the NanoVNA's operating manual isn't available on
his device.
Herb
Yes, I got the feeling that the -F version was a bit less advanced. I have the standard model, and will eventually upgrade, but I will make a decision about what to upgrade to later. -- Dr. David Kirkby, Kirkby Microwave Ltd, drkirkby@... Telephone 01621-680100./ +44 1621 680100 Registered in England & Wales, company number 08914892. Registered office: Stokes Hall Lodge, Burnham Rd, Althorne, Chelmsford, Essex, CM3 6DT, United Kingdom
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Re: running nanoVNA-saver under Linux Mint XFCE
Very interesting!
I had essentially the same problem trying to run nanovnasaver on Windows Vista and was assured that i I installed Linux, I'd be golden! But I have already installed Linux and tried it a bit. Maybe fine for a trained I.T. person!
Doug
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On Mon, Nov 18, 2019 at 01:58 PM, RFy wrote: 450mAh is... Not suitable for NanoVNA
2. Charge circuit pushes over 1A( over 2C rate )
My battery already swelled( PCB/LCD curved slightly ) Yes. This issue has been reported before (posts #3096, #4533, #6288 etc.) Supplied nvna battery spec is here... Maximum Charging Current specified as 450mA. IP5303 Charging current specified as 1.2A typ and 1.4A max. There does not appear to be any way to reduce this without additional circuitry. So worst case the 450mAh battery might be charged at 1.4/0.45 = 3.1C ! Qualifies as ultra fast charging... Charge rate might depend on the source. If the nvna is being charged from a standard downstream USB2 port, such as those fitted to this computer, then the charge current could be limited to 500mA which is ~1.1C. Might explain why my battery was fine until I subjected it to an iPad charger! Looking longways on the nvna I can see that the pcb and rear panel are deflected by the battery swelling. Easily verified by removing one screw in the rear panel where a gap opens up between the panel and the brass spacer. I have now removed the 450mAh battery and temporarily fitted a 1100mAh ex call phone battery stuck on the rear panel. I will fit a "quality" protected 18650 cell when I assemble the repackaged nvna.
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Re: Is the NooElec nanoVNA any good?
I think it's 3.1 based on the "V3.1" that appears under the battery. This one was purchased directly from nooelec on 10/12/2019.
I don't know what the differences are between versions, nor am I aware that I should care, nor would I know how to determine which version a seller has in stock, nor would I think it fair to the seller to return a product for being the wrong version of a product that has no version control process.
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Re: running nanoVNA-saver under Linux Mint XFCE
On Tue, Nov 19, 2019 at 02:51 PM, Andy wrote:
I now remember that I also had the Mate desktop installed on that LM 18.3
machine, so I'm now wondering if there
were additional files installed with that, which allowed it work on Cinnamon.
Darn, I just tried it, and failed. Everything appears to be installed if I follow the messages. Same old story, NVNA-S complains about pyqt5 or pip. Install the required. Console tells me they are there, nothing to install. Back to square one. I seem to have a lot of issues with Python stuff in the past, and getting disillusioned with anything Python related. From now on, if something is going to work then fine, but life's too short for Python stuff if it don't from now on. I can think of a more productive way of life than chasing Python errors. 73 de Andy
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Some required setting for NanoVNA-saver using female calibrations
Hi All
In the NanoVNA-saver the calibration settings, when doing a female
calibration with the supplied NanoVNA calibration kit, where the male SOL
parts are fitted to the FF adaptor, need some special settings until Rune
gets fixing the following:
The Open delay does not work and substituted by a C0 setting as shown in
attached image of 1022.3 fF Do not use the open calibration standard just
leave the FF adaptor open
As Shunt C for the load not yet implemented an inductance og 205pH
introduced as temporary fix
The data are for the NanoVNA-H delivered after end October. The earlier
delivered kits are for Short and Load identical but the delay of FF adaptor
is a bit longer and 70.3ps
Remember the NanVNA internal C0 calibration must be done prior to using the
NanoVNA-saver with the same setup as when calibration with the NanoVNA-saver
Kind regards
Kurt
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Re: running nanoVNA-saver under Linux Mint XFCE
Runs OK for me with Debian 9 and XFCE, but I did follow the installation instructions and carefully installed all the recommended support. On Tue, Nov 19, 2019 at 2:51 PM Andy via Groups.Io <punkbiscuit= [email protected]> wrote: A few months ago I managed to get nanoVNA-saver running using the
instructions on Rune's Github page.
This was on a Linux Mint 18.3 machine and Cinnamon.
Then I had a catasrophic PC failure, known as the laptop hinges finally
failing after 6 years.
Built a new machine, but it failed, erors about no pip modules and qt5
stuff.
But they were there, so I was baffled.
But, now some of you guys are mentioning what desktops seem to run OK etc.
I now remember that I also had the Mate desktop installed on that LM 18.3
machine, so I'm now wondering if there
were additional files installed with that, which allowed it work on
Cinnamon.
Lack of time to test the theory, but it's a thought.
73 de Andy
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Re: running nanoVNA-saver under Linux Mint XFCE
A few months ago I managed to get nanoVNA-saver running using the instructions on Rune's Github page.
This was on a Linux Mint 18.3 machine and Cinnamon.
Then I had a catasrophic PC failure, known as the laptop hinges finally failing after 6 years.
Built a new machine, but it failed, erors about no pip modules and qt5 stuff.
But they were there, so I was baffled.
But, now some of you guys are mentioning what desktops seem to run OK etc.
I now remember that I also had the Mate desktop installed on that LM 18.3 machine, so I'm now wondering if there
were additional files installed with that, which allowed it work on Cinnamon.
Lack of time to test the theory, but it's a thought.
73 de Andy
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Re: Increasing measurement range (ohms) ?
Just for info, I *AM* reading all this with interest, and still formulating my thoughts.
Just a lack of time here, I can't devote every day to the same thing.
It's day will come when I can start to experiment again.
73 de Andy
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Re: Increasing measurement range (ohms) ?
Tiny 9:1 ununs, with sma and screw terminals, are available for a few $ from
several rtl-sdr vendors such as nooelec and rtl-sdr.com. Beware that some eBay alternatives, e.g. from directimports1899, are wired incorrectly.
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Re: Increasing measurement range (ohms) ?
Alan,
Thanks for the additional info. I understand what you're doing there, and can easily put the circuit in SimSmith and play with it.
However, the original poster (Andy) indicated an interest in measuring impedance of an end-fed half-wave (EFHW) antenna, which we know will be 2000-4000 ohms at resonance (and harmonics thereof), being fed at the voltage antinode.
Andy,
I'd probably try a little broadband 9:1 unun to step it down to within range of the nano, as that should be fairly accurate, easy to implement, and easy to understand. But now I'm wondering if nano (with 9:1 unun attached) could be could be calibrated with open, short, and 450-ohm load, placing the unun behind the calibration plane and removing its irregularities; and also, how the various parameters might be converted...
Tiny 9:1 ununs, with sma and screw terminals, are available for a few $ from several rtl-sdr vendors such as nooelec and rtl-sdr.com.
73, --kv5r
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Re: Increasing measurement range (ohms) ?
Thanks. I had a blue one on order but have a green one on order too, now.
At least they're cheap ! A blue bridge can be rewired to work: * unsolder all coax wires near OUT * measure resistances from Input center pin to DUT and REF - should be ~ 50 Ohms but are probably ~ 100 Ohms - short resistor pairs at ends towards ferrites to correct * disconnect and trim center conductor of one coax * make other connections according to attached schematic
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Re: Increasing measurement range (ohms) ?
Thanks. I had a blue one on order but have a green one on order too, now.
At least they're cheap !
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On Tue, Nov 19, 2019 at 12:44 PM Oristo <ormpoa@...> wrote: Hi Adrian -
A green (not blue) ~US$10 reflection bridge
e.g. from eBay
with matched SMA references (want a matched pair to calibrate nanoVNA
CH1)
Why is a green reflection bridge better than a blue one ?
(Presumably it's not just a matter of preferred colour ..)
Blue are bad clones of transverters-store design and are wired wrong.
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Re: Increasing measurement range (ohms) ?
Hi Adrian - A green (not blue) ~US$10 reflection bridge
e.g. from eBay
with matched SMA references (want a matched pair to calibrate nanoVNA CH1) Why is a green reflection bridge better than a blue one ?
(Presumably it's not just a matter of preferred colour ..)
Blue are bad clones of transverters-store design and are wired wrong.
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Looking at the datasheet I'm wondering if I am not mixing up two devices. Can't find anything there. Bridge design was a the green ebay resistive 3GHz bridge module driven through the REF and DUT inputs and INPUT was used to observe balance. I only remember I could not get good balance but it was a very quick test and you may be more persistent . -- NanoVNA Wiki: /g/nanovna-users/wiki/homeNanoVNA Files: /g/nanovna-users/filesErik, PD0EK
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Re: Increasing measurement range (ohms) ?
On Sat, Nov 16, 2019 at 5:59 PM Oristo <ormpoa@...> wrote:
A green (not blue) ~US$10 reflection bridge
e.g. from eBay
with matched SMA references (want a matched pair to calibrate nanoVNA CH1)
Why is a green reflection bridge better than a blue one ? (Presumably it's not just a matter of preferred colour ..)
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Mike K0JTA
Kurt Poulsen
Oristo
