DIY Radio NanoVNA Workshop

New for 2023 - DIY Radio Group
NanoVNA Small Group Hands-on Workshops 

Our NanoVNA Workshop participants gained experience using the ~$60 NanoVNA as a HF/VHF/UHF antenna analyzer, as an RF signal source, and to measure components, amplifiers, attenuators, filters and transmission line characteristics and faults and using SimSmith and NanoVNA computer software. Go to groups.io forum for discussion.

NanoVNA Workshop Syllabus

Two ports

o Reflected for measuring impedance

o Thru for measuring signal loss

 Basic model limitations

o 300 Mhz bandwidth

o 101 scan points

 Two usage methods

o Handheld

o PC software (Nano VNA Saver)

 Use of Reflected port

 First steps (handheld)

o Trace selection (4 possible)

o Format

o Scale

o Sweep frequency

o OSL calibration

o Saving options to memory location

o Exercise example

 First steps (Nano VNA Saver)

o Trace selection (4 possible)

o Format

o Scale

o Sweep frequency

o OSL calibration

o Saving options to memory location

o Exercise example

Intro to SIMsmith

o Purpose

o Entering measurement data

o Generating matching solution

 Using lumped constant components

 Using coax stubs

o Exercise example

 TDR Function

o Finding distance-to-fault

o Measure length

o Exercise example

 Use of thru port

o Measure coax loss

o Measure filter performance

o Measure filter return loss

o Exercise example

 Other uses

o GDO (grid dip oscillator) function

o Exercise example

RCARCS 2023-02 NanoVNA with SimSmith