Welcome to nanovna-users. This group is intended as a discussion forum for users of nanovna small VNA devices. A co-moderator will be needed (please contact if you'd like to participate.)

My NanoVNA was ordered May 18, 2019 and delivered (US) June 3, 2019. ebay seller was "vrg5612" (selected with no particular research) and price paid was US$ 85.21 shipped. I have near-beginner-level experience with HP 8753 series.

Included:

Translucent plastic carry box (might be sufficient to carry it around.)
NanoVNA unit (has transparent plastic peel-off screen protector.)
Two ~30cm SMA M-M patch cables (appear to be LMR100 or similar size coax, fairly flexible.)
SMA-M open, short and load; SMA F-F adapter (all are "standard" SMA, not RP type.)
USB-C cable
No documentation nor software.

Physical observations:

1. The "enclosure" is not a full enclosure - the sides are exposed; only a top, bottom and middle layer cover exists between the circuitry and the outside world. Major disappointment.
2. The thumbwheel switch (upper right corner) is very very poor quality and may not survive normal use. Fortunately, it seems like it isn't often necessary to use, but not sure if unit remains usable if the switch fails. Major disappointment.
3. Handy size and definitely usable without a PC (I haven't tried attaching PC yet.) If it works suitably, will meet my need for a quick tool for non-critical measurements within it's limitations.

Start-up/first use observations:

0. Plug it into a USB charger immediately. Not sure if the battery had an initial charge. Started it after sitting on charger for a few minutes. No idea about battery life yet, but kept going for some minutes after I unplugged the cable. Haven't tried connecting to a PC yet.

1. Boots in a bit over 1 second from power switch on to an initial default start state (50 kHz - 900 MHz sweep, all 4 trace colors enabled - first order of business is to disable the unneeded traces as the screen is very busy otherwise.) Pleased about boot time (although it probably does little if any self-testing, and I saw no menus that lead to any sort of self-testing.)

2. Screen intensity, resolution and size are adequate for my needs (size any smaller and I'd regret it.)

3. Touch screen navigation works sufficiently so far. Slightly small for my fingers, but I'll probably get used to it (I hate typing on my cell phone but I survive, after a fashion.) Menu (upper right corner touch) and direct numeric input (lower right corner touch) activation areas and buttons are large enough. The numeric input screen has no method for minus sign input (i.e., reference value = -20 dB wasn't possible, still puzzling over this one). I *think* the screen buttons are also time sensitive (short vs long press) but not sure yet (sometimes a menu disappears, other times is transitions to the next menu; seems likely this is just a "get used to it" situation to figure out what the author intended.)

4. Menu hierarchy is loosely patterned in some areas after HP 8753 (in a few cases very similar). During first-hour so navigation (with the non-supplied documentation) navigation was sufficiently "figure-outable" to examine a SAW filter I'm playing with right now. Some trial-and-error was necessary but within the first hour I was making an uncalibrated measurement (haven't tried calibration yet). Discovered (fortunately) that the (expect to be cursed) thumbwheel seems unessential, at least so far. The 8753-inspired (generous term) menu system was a relief to see as it did speed up the learning curve.

5. I was looking for something analogous to the HP 8753 "preset" button to quickly return to a default state. Found nothing. Turning off and on (slide switch; no apparent menu entry for this) has the same effect. Don't know if any data can be preserved across a reset (didn't try).

Summary first thoughts - $86 (I've since seen some cheaper offers) was OK price for the item received (I wouldn't have paid much more than this). My only significant complaints at this point are the incomplete enclosure and the thumbwheel control. My biggest relief so far is that I am able to make some (uncalibrated) measurements similar (enough) to the HP 8753, so it is probably going to be useful for the purpose intended (quick go-to device when I don't want to power up the HP and don't want to be tethered to a PC, tablet or power supply such as with VNWA or similar.) I saw screenshot of associated PC software (somewhere, on one of the ebay pages offering this device) and the screen text was all Mandarin.

Other note - the github page for nanovna doesn't appear to have a windows (or better, linux) binary for this device, and I'm not sure if the (python) scripts there apply to this device. Not sure at this point how this device and the github page project are related.

Thank you for your interest in this device, and I look forward to reading other user experiences, observations and questions.

Dave

(PS if you are interested in being a co-moderator, please let me know.)


Dave

My configuration error has been corrected.

You should be able to post without error, however, your first two posts will require moderator approval, beyond which your posts will be unimpeded.

Thank you for your patience.

73 Dave WB0GAZ wb0gaz@...

Dave,

Why the first TWO posts?

DaveD

That configuration error is now corrected - it's set as first (one) message only moderated.

73 Dave WB0GAZ wb0gaz@...

Happy some one made this Group the cost of nanoVNA really interested, but I do not buy it yet until I find the PC software really working

I ordered one from Bangood, and am waiting for delivery. This is a link to some additional information for the Bangood model, I think they are all about the same. From there you can follow links to download the user manual and the PC software that goes with it.


https://m.banggood.com/NanoVNA-Vector-Network-Analyzer-50KHz-900MHz-Digital-Display-Touch-Screen-Shortwave-MF-HF-VHF-UHF-Antenna-Analyzer-Standing-Wave-p-1471576.html?rmmds=buy&cur_warehouse=CN&p=I901131716567201506N&custlixnkid=312598-#popupStatedetail

--
DuWayne  KV4QB

Much appreciated!

FYI here's the (currently active) URL for direct file download should it be difficult for anyone to find:

http://myosuploads3.banggood.com/products/20190527/20190527043616NanoVNA.rar

The device attached to my Windows 7 32-bit machine with no additional device driver required, and the application program NanoVNA v1.01 ran and attached to my NanoVNA with no additional libraries or runtime components required.

###

so, how is your impression of this thing?

happy to hear PC software actually working no reason not to try it by myself
Pada Minggu, 9 Juni 2019 23.03.33 WIB, amirb <amir.borji@...> menulis:

so, how is your impression of this thing?

My initial posting at start of group had some impression about physical device and package, you can read it.

About the RAR file with software and documentation, that is new for me today, I have downloaded it and started to use it.

So far I think it (device and software) will be useful. Software has english and chinese (Mandarin?) option for navigation language, that is good. The software seems stable (no crash, no hang yet), and seems run well (fast enough) on my very old low-function Windows 7 laptop (small display, slow CPU, small memory, etc.) Software application exe file is very small about 150K, has a few files required with it, just copy small folder from RAR to machine. No need for windows MSI/EXE install, it is not in your start menu. Device driver was not required on my machine (STMicroelectronics serial port), but .INF file is included in RAR. PDF document is english language, I have started reading PDF documentation and I think so far it is helpful. NanoVNA device and PC software both pretty easy for me to start using without documentation.

Users with more experience and expertise about VNA can provide more precision detail than I can right now. I hope more people will try it and provide advice for uses.

Small detail noticed - Smith chart display mode on the software uses a bit-map background from PNG file (rather than draw the smith chart outline using vector graphics in software) - all other format is vector - so smith chart image is not great, and when measurement data causes data display to only single point (like ideal load, open or short), single point is not clear on display, sometimes not even possible to see on display (small dot with weak color), but maybe that is my very old computer. Also, marker function in software is basic, you hover mouse pointer where you want on smith chart then you see small window with parameter - it is useful.

I just received my Nano yesterday. Using it standalone in the 10-20 MHz region measuring the S11 of an antenna, I am pleased to find that the smith chart matches my HP 8752.
Much more testing to follow.

However, I am unable to connect via the USB/serial link. I pulled the file: nanovna-cdc-acm.inf from the zip file from the banggood site and direct windows to that file when attempting to update the "ChiBios/RT Virtual COM Port". However, windows(win 7 64bit) complains:

"Windows found driver software for your device but encountered an error while attempting install it.
NanoVNA
The system cannot find the file specified."

There appear to be references to other files in the .inf file. Does anyone have any hints on what other files I may need to get this up and running?

Thanks!

I had to remove the driver, and reinstall it. I was able to get it to load. I found NanoVNA v1,01. which works, but not stable.
Is there a way to tell what rev the firmware is? I got mine on Monday, but the eBay seller I got it from sent only the unit and the cal kit
Frank

Is there a instruction that is not in Chinese? I asked the vendor for some info and got a Chinese PDF
Frank

I found this set of instructions.
Any use?
My unit not yet arrived.
Clive F5VHS

All,
I won an auction on eBay for my NAno VNA from the eBay seller pincei-de.
According to his positive Reply he seems to be new.
They sent the item very fast via air mail.
But: instead of the VNA I only got a gift and the promise that they will send the vna in a a second parcel.
Concerning their tracking number they gave me in an acompaening letter this number does not exist.--- yet????
Very strange!
https://www.ebay.de/itm/50KHz-900MHz-Vector-Network-Analyzer-NanoVNA-HF-VHF-UHF-Antenna-Analyzer-2-8/382978147325?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649

Who in this group has already received his Nano VNA?

never seen such a thing before, sending a "gift" first and promising the item for a future shipping!
well, yeah I have been the victim of fraud where the guy sent me a spark plug for a GPIB-USB adapter for example
but he never promised me another shipping! and of course I got my money back from ebay.

I hope I am wrong but honestly I don't think there will be another shipping

I would definitely file a claim on ebay with picture of the "gift" and its package
to get my money back

I think it is a tariff thing. I bought batteries for my drill , and they came with some white gloves

Hello to the group,
I am impatiently awaiting my NanoVNA. Meanwhile: has anyone successfully run software V1.01 on a PC running Windows 10 x64? Almost all my PCs are running under this operating system. Have only one old, lame horse left running Windows 7, which is no fun.
Another question: are there other resources for firmware updates, PC software etc. besides the banggood web site?

By the way I have found some videos on YouTube explaining some features of the NanoVNA. They are in chinese language, but the pictures are almost self explaining.

Regards Ernst

I just received my NanoVNA yesterday and it was shipped without the battery. I noticed there are unused pads directly below the coil, one of which connects to VCC batt. There is also a spot for a TF card slot.
I would appreciate if other NanoVNA owners could post photos of their boards for a comparison to see if there are different versions being sold.
Also, does anyone know if there is a touchscreen calibration routine available?
Mine is way off.

Thanks
Larry

Mine looks the same.What does the front look like?Does it have a black or a white front with a gekko on it.The rear will have the old original github address.
72
DomM1KTA