Hi All!

I bought some amateur radio measurement tools, and thought you might be interested.

A NanoVNA v2
A really, really cool Vector Network Analyzer from 50 kHz to 3 GHz.
(attention there is a v1 that can reach only 900 MHz and is slightly worse)
It has 2 SMA jacks. 1 for output and measurement of reflected power, and the other for input.
So you connect an antenna to port 0 and measure SWR for example.
Or you connect a filter between the 2 ports and measure its characteristic.
The NanoVNA has a tochscreen and batteries and costs around 50 USD.
It can also be used with a PC program, so that you see the diagrams on the big monitor.
https://nanorfe.com/nanovna-v2.html

A TinySA
A Tiny Spectrum Analyzer.
It is a bit of a toy, but a very interesting one.
Very similar to the NanoVNA as it comes with its own touch screen and battery. Costs arounf 45 USD.
https://www.tinysa.org/wiki/

A "USB LTDZ 35-4400M"
That is really a toy.
A small USB PCB that needs a PC program.
A spectrum analyzer and tracking generator for 35 MHz to 4.4 GHz
It is not very sensitive. (USD 30)

A "jumbospot MMDVM hotspot"
Actually I have the big version with 2 radios. (only really needed for DMR I think)
But the above single radio version with shell costs 25 USD on Aliexpress.
You need a Raspberry Pi (Zero) to use it.
It adds a radio and small display and can act as a DMR/D-Star/Yease Fusion/NXDN hotspot and a POCSAG pager sender.
You can install pi-star on the RPi and add the radio onto the GPIO ports. During lock down I had some time to play with it again, and it works just GREAT!
https://www.pistar.uk/

CU, Ricsi

... Time may be a great healer, but it's also a lousy beautician.
--- GoldED+/LNX
* Origin: A want is a need with priority. (2:310/31)

Re: Some measurement tools
By: Richard Menedetter to All on Mon Jan 04 2021 01:33 pm

Hi All!

I bought some amateur radio measurement tools, and thought you might be inte

A NanoVNA v2
A really, really cool Vector Network Analyzer from 50 kHz to 3 GHz. (attention there is a v1 that can reach only 900 MHz and is slightly worse) It has 2 SMA jacks. 1 for output and measurement of reflected power, and the So you connect an antenna to port 0 and measure SWR for example.
Or you connect a filter between the 2 ports and measure its characteristic.

I got one myself, cool bit of kit. But I got it from Aliexpress, even though the manufacturer says not to get one there. Didn't notice any problems with it yet.

Hi Ivan!

04 Jan 2021 08:03, from Ivan Mikhalev -> Richard Menedetter:

A NanoVNA v2

I got one myself, cool bit of kit. But I got it from Aliexpress, even though the manufacturer says not to get one there. Didn't notice any problems with it yet.

I got mine also there.
Mine works great as well. (I also bought the v1 version previously.)
I have noticed 2 details. Some come without battery or without RF shielding. Mine has both, so I was lucky ;)

CU, Ricsi

... If you left without a reason, don't come back with an excuse.
--- GoldED+/LNX
* Origin: The shortest distance between new friends is a smile. (2:310/31)

Re: Some measurement tools
By: Richard Menedetter to Ivan Mikhalev on Mon Jan 04 2021 03:45 pm

I have noticed 2 details. Some come without battery or without RF shielding. Mine has both, so I was lucky ;)

Truly lucky. Mine comes in a metal case, which looks to be welded together. Part of the reason I chose to go the Aliexpress route.

Hi Ivan!

06 Jan 2021 04:42, from Ivan Mikhalev -> Richard Menedetter:

I have noticed 2 details. Some come without battery or without RF
shielding. Mine has both, so I was lucky ;)

Truly lucky. Mine comes in a metal case, which looks to be welded together. Part of the reason I chose to go the Aliexpress route.

Sounds better than mine :)
But at least it has RF shielding over the RF sensitive components.
Works nicely.

CU, Ricsi

... No one ever went broke underestimating the taste of the American public. --- GoldED+/LNX
* Origin: Even a small star shines in the darkness. (2:310/31)

Re: Some measurement tools
By: Richard Menedetter to Ivan Mikhalev on Wed Jan 06 2021 01:44 pm

Sounds better than mine :)

Definitely more durable. But my 50ohm load started malfunctioning recently, so gotta buy a new one. Don't know if I should go for cheaper or more expensive calibration kits though.