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It is clear from some of the comments I have seen here, that different
people have different uses for the NanoVNA. I'm just trying to get some
idea of what percentage of people have such uses, as it dictates whether
internal firmware or external programs like Nano-Sharp are of primary
importance to them. It is also likely to affect the screen size they want.

1) Some, like myself, want to use the NanoVNA away from a laboratory or
radio shack - most likely outside working on feeders, antennas or similar,
but maybe with antennas in loft spaces or similar.

Such people are likely to want at least some of the following.
* Bigger better screens readable in bright light.
* Support in the *firmware* for decent calibration standards
* Support in the *firmware* for other features like time domain
reflectometry (TDR)
* Such people are less likely to be interested in the capabilities of
external software such as VNA-Savert.
* Rugged device, suitable for outside use.

Rune's NanoVNA-Saver looks a lovely bit of software, but it is not much
good unless you work outside, unless willing to take a PC worth you.

*Please understand, I'm not getting at Rune here. In fact, I've been
thinking about the possibilites of using his sofware with HP VNAs. I'm sure
virtually any data that can be taken from the NanoVNA, could probably be
taken from the HP VNAs. Anything that could not be obtained from the HP
VNAs, could probably be ignored. Of course, all the command would be
different, but I don't see that as a major problem. Most of the work is in
the GUI I believe. *

2) Others are likely to use the instrument mainly inside a shack or
laboratory. For them
* The capabilities of external software, like NanoVNA-Saver, will be *very*
important.
* Facilities like TDR, or good calibration facilities in the firmware are
lunikely to be important, as external software can do this on a large
screen.
* NanoVNA screen size is possibly less importance, as being able to read
the screen outside clearly is no that imporant.

3) Some might be a mix of the two. In what case, what percentage of time do
you consider using the NanoVNA in such of the environments?

--
Dr David Kirkby Ph.D C.Eng MIET
Kirkby Microwave Ltd
Registered office: Stokes Hall Lodge, Burnham Rd, Althorne, CHELMSFORD,
Essex, CM3 6DT, United Kingdom.
Registered in England and Wales as company number 08914892

Tel 01621-680100 / +44 1621-680100

Up until now, I have used my $450 AIM-4170D for measurements made inside the shack and it is capable of being calibrated to make remote measurements from the shack. Calibrating for those remote measurements is a pain plus the AIM-4170D requires a 12v supply and a PC or laptop for it to function. My decisions have been (1) run back and forth between remote measurement point and shack in order to do the calibration or (2) Lug a 12v battery and laptop to the remote measurement point (sometimes on the roof or up a tree). Up until now, I have relied on my $120 Autek VA1 for those vest pocket difficult remote measurements but the Alpha-Numeric+ display is clumsy. Except for a couple of nagging problems, e.g. bright sunshine, the NanoVNA solves those problems. One idea I have had is to marry the NanoVNA to a portable RPi system (larger display) running NanoVNA-Saver. Some hams are already running WSJT-X and FLDigi on such portable battery-powered systems.

From: Dr. David Kirkby from Kirkby Microwave Ltd

Rune's NanoVNA-Saver looks a lovely bit of software, but it is not much
good unless you work outside, unless willing to take a PC worth you.
===================================

I've used a Windows tablet PC for demonstration purposes, and something like this /might/ suit you:



I run nanoVNA-saver on a 10-inch earlier model (the one where 1/3 of the 64 GB of storage is eaten by an unused Android partition).

73,
David GM8ARV
--
SatSignal Software - Quality software for you
Web:
Email: david-taylor@...
Twitter: @gm8arv

Fair questions.

My use will be 99% lab use.
This means that form factor is not important. A display is nice but not critical, and if the display is less than 7" it is more or less useless to me. I have not seen the 4,5" NanoVNA. I have an OK sight for my age. I am actually contemplating taking a v.2 apart, and build it into a desktop solution e.g. with a 7" display, if possible. Adding some more optional buttons could be nice, e.g. for faster selection of certain measurements/features, up/down and select functionality.

For antenna measurement use I will probably pre-configure a palm size unit, since I find it cumbersome to operate. The toggle-switch is flimsy and the touch screen can be difficult to operate with dirty or cold fingers. Thus both are tough and risky to operate in a tower or on the roof.

If the component target cost is 100 USD making a modular design may not add a lot to the basic model. A modular design may in fact reduce the cost of the basic unit, since it may be nothing but the RF and processor modules. Then users may add a display of different size, provided the resolution is supported, battery and enclosure. I.e. a bit like the Yaesu FT-817 when it comes to the myriad of accessories (tuner, stands, back-pack, power supply etc.)

Calibration standards and TDR functionality apply in both cases.

Bo