[Elecraft] OT: Nano VNA

[David Gilbert]

4X6GP didn't say what he wanted the nanoVNA for, but if he didn't need 
2-port capability I would strongly recommend the FA-VA5 also designed by 
DG8SAQ.  It currently sells for about $190, is rated for up to 600 mHz.  
It works fine as a standalone unit, but it will also work with a 
computer and SAQ's software for some additional capability (like TDR).

https://www.sdr-kits.net/VA5-Antenna-Analyzer-Kit

I also own a nanoVNA and an older HF-CIA, but the FA-VA5 is my go to 
tool for measuring just about anything (even resistors).  For me, it has 
the right combination of size, accuracy, and convenience.  The output 
can be displayed as either SWR or R +/- jX, and can be done so for 
either a single frequency or as a graph across a frequency range.

73,
Dave   AB7E




On 6/25/2021 2:00 AM, Jim Brown wrote:
> On 6/25/2021 1:18 AM, Victor Rosenthal 4X6GP wrote:
>> Only marginally Elecraft related, but I want to buy a Nano VNA.
>
> In a different price range, but I've been VERY happy with the VNWA 
> designed by DG8SAQ, built and sold as a finished product by these hams 
> in the UK. One of the HUGE pluses is SAQ's software, which is able to 
> compute and plot complex impedance from S11 and S21 measurements. The 
> company also sells very good calibration kits at very reasonable 
> prices, and calibration is key to meaningful measurements. This unit 
> is a serious lab quality instrument, not a toy.
>
> https://www.sdr-kits.net/introducing-DG8SAQ-VNWA3
>
> I paid about $700 for the unit with the cal kit, shipped, about 7 
> years ago. The Brexit stupidity has made it about $100 cheaper.
>
> 73, Jim K9YC