Hello to all,
After a couple of hours searching on web, I still don’t know much about what version of nanoVNA to get, from what manufacturer, and where to buy…

I would like to offer a nanoVNA to my father for Christmas. The main purpose will be to teach him analysing RF transformers and antennas on HF and VHF, but I would like some precision and accuracy.
Probably I am requesting too much, but, what versions should I look, made by who?
I am in Europe, so it will be better to purchase from European stores or Chinese sellers on Aliexpress, I think.
The screen size is not important because it will be used connected to the computer. On screen I see it can only perform 200 points of measure and on computer it can do 1024. Is not a nice rate but it is what it is.
Can you please give me some recommendations?

Thank you all in advance!
Best 73

Pedro Madeira
CT7AHV/C91AHV

I would go for a litevna64
https://www.ebay.de/itm/355082531241
https://de.aliexpress.com/item/1005006814410937
or the saa2n
(eBay, banggood or AliExpress)
depending if you want 3.5 or 6 GHz max frequency.. but not one of the older nanovna ( call them v1) cause those have one clock with 300mhz and up to 900 or up to 1.5g is made with harmonics... while the litevna and ssa2n have TWO CLOCKS ... one for low end and one for vhf, UHF, shf (and above)
dg9bfc sigi

Am 29.11.2024 14:14 schrieb Pedro Madeira CT7AHV <pedro_transistor@...>:

I'd agree. The LiteVNA64 would be my choice as well.

When you order any of the NANOVNAs, be sure you also order connector
adaptors to go from the native VNA connectors to what your dad uses, for
HF, that's likely SO-239s / PL-259s. As such, the VNAs come with either
SMA or Type-N connectors.

Dave - WØLEV

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On Fri, Nov 29, 2024 at 3:59 PM Siegfried Jackstien via groups.io
<siegfried.jackstien@...> wrote:

I would go for a litevna64
https://www.ebay.de/itm/355082531241
https://de.aliexpress.com/item/1005006814410937
or the saa2n
(eBay, banggood or AliExpress)
depending if you want 3.5 or 6 GHz max frequency.. but not one of the
older nanovna ( call them v1) cause those have one clock with 300mhz and up
to 900 or up to 1.5g is made with harmonics... while the litevna and ssa2n
have TWO CLOCKS ... one for low end and one for vhf, UHF, shf (and above)
dg9bfc sigi

Am 29.11.2024 14:14 schrieb Pedro Madeira CT7AHV <pedro_transistor@...

:

Hello to all,
After a couple of hours searching on web, I still don’t know much about
what version of nanoVNA to get, from what manufacturer, and where to buy…

I would like to offer a nanoVNA to my father for Christmas. The main
purpose will be to teach him analysing RF transformers and antennas on HF
and VHF, but I would like some precision and accuracy.
Probably I am requesting too much, but, what versions should I look, made
by who?
I am in Europe, so it will be better to purchase from European stores or
Chinese sellers on Aliexpress, I think.
The screen size is not important because it will be used connected to the
computer. On screen I see it can only perform 200 points of measure and

on

computer it can do 1024. Is not a nice rate but it is what it is.
Can you please give me some recommendations?

Thank you all in advance!
Best 73

Pedro Madeira
CT7AHV/C91AHV

--

*Dave - WØLEV*


--
Dave - WØLEV

I have the opposite opinion:
If you are mostly interested in HF and VHF, then there is no need to pay the additional money for a unit that will work well at multiple GHz. Instead, get the nanoVNA-H4, which works excellently, has current firmware support, and costs much less. I recommend the -H4 rather than the smaller -H, because it's processor has greater capacity, allowing it to support features of the newest firmware, and it will do 401pts per scan. And it works flawlessly with the computer programs like nanovna-app and nanovna-saver and others.

Yes, as the previous poster mentioned, it does use harmonic mode clocking above 300MHz, but that is part of its genius design to keep it inexpensive - and it works very well up to 600 or 800MHz, and with decreasing fidelity up over 1GHz.

Agree with Stan! The higher end models are MUCH more expensive for a few % more accuracy at frequencies over 300MHz. I have an H4 and work with VHF & UHF related equipment. I'm very happy with it. If your dad is a hobbyist and doesn't run a certification lab, he will be very happy with an H4

or even the original one with the small screen   Sent via the Samsung Galaxy S24, an AT&T 5G smartphone

Yes, The H4 is very popular. I also have one and it's my "go-to" VNA when
I need to measure something outside at the antenna(s). However, having
78-year old eyes, I much prefer the larger screen. That's up to you.

Dave - WØLEV

On Fri, Nov 29, 2024 at 4:39 PM Matthew Rapaport via groups.io <quineatal=
gmail.com@groups.io> wrote:

Agree with Stan! The higher end models are MUCH more expensive for a few %
more accuracy at frequencies over 300MHz. I have an H4 and work with VHF &
UHF related equipment. I'm very happy with it. If your dad is a hobbyist
and doesn't run a certification lab, he will be very happy with an H4

--

*Dave - WØLEV*


--
Dave - WØLEV

Please consider the SAA-2N analyzer for your father. The type N connectors and steel case are sturdy and the cables and calibration standards are of high quality. It has a 4" screen.
The SMA connectors on many analyzers are fragile in comparison. I have two of the smaller VNAs and the SAA-2N is the one I always seem to reach for.
73, Don N2VGU

Pedro-

That's a great Christmas gift... I t is amazing what is packed in that little box..

Since so many hams in the USA read this blog, and if you were in the USA, I would recommend R & L Electronics in HAMilton, OHIO.
They not only offer the "genuine article", but at least 2 flavors, the 3 inch and the 4 inch screen. Plus a warranty, and depending on what you spend, free shipping.
Their web site is: http://randl.com

In case there is a US ham interested in leaving hints about the house got Santa..

I believe the 4 inch screen -H4 model sweeps more than 101 points.

When using the computer you can set the sweep to at least x5 or more.. it takes longer for the nanoVNA to draw a graph on the computer but you have 500 or more points. This is especially grand when tuning filters, notches and duplexers.

Enjoy The Christmas holidays, one and all.

Larry W8LM
Mulvane, KANSAS USA.

Hi Pedro,
since you are from Europe, I would like to recommend Eleshop in the Netherlands.
I am planning to replace my current NanoVNA and they are my first choice for order: https://eleshop.eu/catalogsearch/result/?q=NanoVNA

73 from DL
Willi, DK6DT

I'll second Larry M's recommendation for the SAA2N. It and all the accessories are very well made and come in a protective case.

https://eleshop.eu/catalogsearch/result/?q=NanoVNA

It is very well documented and not expensive at all.

Isn't it an old model (V1 actually) because it says Build Time: Jan 1 2020. For use up to 900 Mhz is it not enough?
--
F1AMM
François

De la part de Willi, DK6DT
Envoyé : samedi 30 novembre 2024 20:07

Hello Francois,

I agree with you. The requirements for the usable frequency range are of course a primary selection criterion.
As far as I know, this device supports up to 1.5 GHz and is a HW revision of the NanoVA-H4, which already has an externally accessible SD card slot. It is inexpensive and judging by the discussions in this forum, the community support for the H4 is very good, not least because of the comparatively large number of firmware updates.

Best Regards

Willi, DK6DT

up to 900 is third harmonic and up to 1.5 gig us fifth ... v1 only have one clock up to 300mhz
so grab a V2
Dg9bfc sigi

Am 01.12.2024 09:21 schrieb "Willi, DK6DT" <foeckeler@...>: