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Differences of H4 and SAA2N #buying #features

 

Can anyone tell me the basic differences between these two devices. I mainly want to know which one would best suit me as a ham operator building wire antennas. I have watched numerous YT videos and I have not found one on the SAA2N which leads me to think it might be for a more advanced user. Also I am not sure if either of the software programs will run on Windows 10?
Thanks in advance
Ken
W0KRD
 

Ken,
The H4 works to about 1.5GHz, uses SMA connectors, a plastic box, and has a 4 inch screen.
The SAA2N works to about 3GHz, uses N connectors, a metal box, and also has a 4 inch screen.
The hardware designs are significantly different, and they use different firmware. Either one can
work either standalone or with Windows 10 (and other) software.
RANDL.com is a reasonable place to buy either if you are in the US.
--John Gord

On Mon, Jan 25, 2021 at 03:29 PM, Ken Davis wrote:


Can anyone tell me the basic differences between these two devices. I mainly
want to know which one would best suit me as a ham operator building wire
antennas. I have watched numerous YT videos and I have not found one on the
SAA2N which leads me to think it might be for a more advanced user. Also I
am not sure if either of the software programs will run on Windows 10?
Thanks in advance
Ken
W0KRD
 

John - Outstanding information. That is what I was looking for. Since I posted I did find a couple of SAA2 videos and it seems to work just like the others.
Thanks for the help
Ken Davis
 

On Mon, Jan 25, 2021 at 06:29 PM, Ken Davis wrote:


Also I am not sure if either of the software programs will run on Windows 10?
There are several programs for Windows (including 10), and one for Android.

The SAA2 would be preferable if you need measurements above 1.5 GHz and/or need to use type N co-ax connectors. I believe it's also a bit more expensive, and uses a different firmware version (I think).

I really like my -F, and also have a -H that was my introduction to NanoVNAs. The -H is much smaller and lighter, easily fits in a shirt pocket, but is harder to read and VERY hard to read in bright, outdoor light. All models seem to have very good PC software support.

Whichever you choose, be sure to also order connector adapters that you will need. A small case with dividers inside is also very handy for storing and organizing the adapters. I've added male & female adapters for BNC, UHF, and F connectors, plus a BNC-binding posts/banana jacks connector that's good for testing wire-lead components like toroid coils. (Like the Pomona 1269, for one example). The binding posts adapter was nice for testing toroid impedance matching transformers I was making, for use with high-impedance antennas. For the binding posts adapter, you'll also want a 50 ohm resistor for doing calibration.

And whichever you choose will bring you a lot of capability and probably a lot of fun. You will also learn a lot! It's a wonderful, amazing device.

--
Doug, K8RFT
 

I'm also wondering about these. I seem to be seeing that maybe the SAA2N is a little better for things like checking cavities and the like, which is one primary use I would have. True/false? Opinions?

On Tue, Jan 26, 2021 at 01:11 AM, John Gord wrote:


Ken,
The H4 works to about 1.5GHz, uses SMA connectors, a plastic box, and has a 4
inch screen.
The SAA2N works to about 3GHz, uses N connectors, a metal box, and also has a
4 inch screen.
The hardware designs are significantly different, and they use different
firmware. Either one can
work either standalone or with Windows 10 (and other) software.
RANDL.com is a reasonable place to buy either if you are in the US.
--John Gord

On Mon, Jan 25, 2021 at 03:29 PM, Ken Davis wrote:


Can anyone tell me the basic differences between these two devices. I
mainly
want to know which one would best suit me as a ham operator building wire
antennas. I have watched numerous YT videos and I have not found one on the
SAA2N which leads me to think it might be for a more advanced user. Also I
am not sure if either of the software programs will run on Windows 10?
Thanks in advance
Ken
W0KRD
 

From what I understand SAA2N has better dynamic range than the 1.5GHz nanoVNA and thus is better for duplexer and cavity filter tuning.
 

That is the kind of confirmation I was looking for, thanks Ismo! Between that and the fact that R&L is out of stock on the H4 right now, makes me feel good about getting the SAA2N instead.
Again, Thanks, Ismo!

On Wed, Feb 3, 2021 at 08:10 AM, Ismo Väänänen OH2FTG wrote:


From what I understand SAA2N has better dynamic range than the 1.5GHz nanoVNA
and thus is better for duplexer and cavity filter tuning.
bruiser419@yahoo.com
 

Glad I caught this thread. I was thinking of getting a S-A-A-2 but if it has N connectors that would be problematic short term.

I did hear though that the H4 uses harmonics above 300 Mhz or so, where as the S-A-A-2 doesn't use harmonics and is a straight measurement. Is that accurate?
 

There are versions of V2 with N and SMA connectors.
V2 switches to si5351 for frequencies below 140MHz so that
is correct.

On Fri, 5 Feb 2021 at 16:05, bruiser419 via groups.io <bruiser419=
yahoo.com@groups.io> wrote:

Glad I caught this thread. I was thinking of getting a S-A-A-2 but if it
has N connectors that would be problematic short term.

I did hear though that the H4 uses harmonics above 300 Mhz or so, where as
the S-A-A-2 doesn't use harmonics and is a straight measurement. Is that
accurate?

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