Category: NanoVNA

NanoFarfield: A Portable Far-Field Antenna Measurement Platform (Coming Soon to Crowdfunding)

Thank you to Antenom Antenna Technologies for submitting news about the upcoming crowdfunding campaign for their "NanoFarfield" antenna far field measurement system.

When building and measuring antennas, most people stop at measuring VSWR. However, VSWR is only a small part of the picture for antenna performance. The antenna's far-field pattern determines its gain in a particular direction. Measuring this is typically difficult as it requires a signal source, hiring and travelling to an expensive anechoic chamber, and some sort of automated system to rotate the antenna 360 degrees.

In recent posts, we've seen low-cost DIY solutions explored that use a NanoVNA or RTL-SDR to measure an antenna in an open field (to avoid multipath reflections like an anechoic chamber would) at various points, and then charting the results. However, this is a slow, manual process and requires purchasing and setting up various individual components.

NanoFarfield productizes the low-cost approach, providing a portable measurement system that can be brought into an open environment. The measurement process is automated, by using a motorized rotator which spins the antenna under test 360 degrees in front of a directional signal source. The team write:

As many SDR users know, building antennas is relatively easy, but measuring the actual radiation pattern is often difficult. Normally this requires an anechoic chamber or a large outdoor antenna range, which is usually inaccessible to hobbyists, students, and small labs.

We have been working on a portable antenna measurement system called NanoFarField, designed to measure antenna radiation patterns outside the lab using commonly available VNAs such as NanoVNA or LiteVNA.

Instead of requiring a full antenna range facility, the system allows users to perform radiation pattern measurements in open environments using a compact rotating platform and VNA-based S21 measurements. The goal is to make antenna pattern measurement accessible to:

• SDR and ham radio experimenters
• antenna designers and RF engineers
• universities and student labs
• field testing scenarios

The system effectively acts as a portable antenna range that can fit into a backpack.

Typical workflow:

The antenna under test is placed on the rotating platform.

A reference antenna is positioned at a fixed distance.

The NanoVNA / LiteVNA performs S21 measurements while the antenna rotates.

Software reconstructs the radiation pattern from the measurement data.

This allows users to measure:

• azimuth radiation patterns
• antenna directivity trends
• relative gain patterns
• beamwidth and nulls

without requiring an expensive measurement facility.

Because many SDR enthusiasts design and build their own antennas, we thought this tool could be useful for the community as a low-cost method to visualize antenna performance.

The frequency range is specified at 50 - 6000 MHz, with a typical angular resolution of 1 degrees, and it includes a wideband amplifier to improve results. The hardware is provided as open source, however, the software will be closed source, and provided as a Windows executable. 

NanoFarfield: Low-Cost Antenna Far-Field Measurement System (50–6000 MHz)

NanoVNA V2 Enclosure now Available on Amazon

Just a brief post to note that our third party NanoVNA V2 enclosure is now available for purchase on Amazon USA. The price is US$19.95. The enclosure is also still available on our own webstore with free worldwide shipping from China to most countries. We also note that that NanoVNA V2 is currently out of stock, but we expect the manufacturer to supply us near the end of February.

Includes 1x Plastic NanoVNA V2 Enclosure, 1x Carry Case 1x Battery Terminals (Optional to install), 1x Matte Anti-Glare Screen Protector, 4x Enclosure Screws

This is a plastic enclosure and protective case for the NanoVNA V2 and V2+. Protect your NanoVNA V2 with a rugged plastic enclosure and carry case. The case case can be used to store the calibration kit as well. A standard 18650 battery (flat top non-protected) can be installed via the battery terminals if desired. Requires assembly - please consult the installation instructions PDF.

Please note does NOT include NanoVNA V2, NanoVNA calibration kit or battery. These are displayed in the photos for demonstration purposes only. 

NanoVNA V2 Enclosure and Carry Case Now Available on our Store with Release Discount

We have just release for sale our latest product which is an enclosure and carry case for the NanoVNA V2. It is currently on sale until the end of this week for US$14.95 including free shipping from China to most countries. At the end of the sale the price will rise to US$19.95. Amazon will be stocked in 2-4 weeks, but will not be on sale. Please visit our store at:

www.rtl-sdr.com/store

The enclosure is made from rugged plastic (plastic was chosen as the NanoVNA designers note that a metal case may actually degrade performance). There is space included for a standard sized (non-protected) 18650 battery, and battery terminals are included for optional use (battery not included). The enclosure also has a holder for the NanoVNA V2's stylus, and as a bonus we're including a matte antiglare screen protector as we found the NanoVNA V2's screen to be quite reflective. Finally, a protective semi-hardshell carry case is also included in the set. If you are installing a battery, please consult the installation instructions PDF file.

 

NanoVNA V2+ Now Available in our Store + Upcoming Enclosure Preview

The original NanoVNA V2+ is now available in our store for a reduced price of US$64.95 with free shipping to most countries. This price will increase in the future. The NanoVNA V2+ is a low cost vector network analyzer which can be used to measure and tune antennas, filters and cables.

The model on our store is the ORIGINAL product manufactured and designed by HCQXS + OwOcomm, not a clone. So purchases from our store support the developer. It is also the newer 2.8" V2 PLUS version, which has a two times faster sweep speed compared to the older model. The price includes the calibration kit which consists of two high quality SS405 cables and a SOLT (short, open, load, through) kit. Note that in our current stock we do not include the optional acrylic case.

NanoVNA V2+ Kit

However, we do have our own third party enclosure for the NanoVNA V2 that will be released by January next year. Our enclosure will be made of rugged plastic, and will be part of a kit including an antiglare screen protector as well as a carry case. The case includes space for a standard sized (non-protected) 18650 Li-Ion battery, and will include battery terminals (the battery itself will not be included for shipping reasons, but you can find 18650 cells for a few dollars locally). Pricing is yet to be established, but we're targeting around US$14.95 to US$19.95 with free shipping included. We note that some people have requested a metal case, however after a discussion with the NanoVNA V2 designers it was noted that a metal case could actually hurt performance and is not recommended.

Prototype Enclosure Front
Prototype Enclosure Rear

Tech Minds: Testing Antennas with the VNA N1201SA / PS100

Over on his channel Tech Minds has uploaded a new video where he tests the N1201SA / PS100 vector impedance analyzer. This is a US$160 antenna analyzer from China that allows you to measure the VSWR of your antennas. In the video Tech Minds explains a bit about VSWR, and goes on to show the unit in action on several of his antennas.

Compared to the NanoVNA V2 these units seems less useful with a smaller frequency range, and are also more expensive. The unit is also only 1-port, meaning that it can only do S11 measurements and cannot analyze devices like filters. But on the other hand it does come in a metal case with a battery and has a fairly easy to understand and use interface.

Easily Check Your Antennas Tuning - VNA N1201SA / PS100

NanoVNA V2 Video Tutorials

The NanoVNA V2 (aka S-A-A-2) is a vector network analyzer (VNA) with 50 kHz to 3 GHz frequency range. Recently is has become readily available for around $60 + shipping from the Tindie store. We like this product a lot and are planning to get some for our store soon as well. (Update: A limited quantity of NanoVNA V2's are now available in our store)

A Vector Network Analyzer (VNA) is an extremely useful tool for radio hobbyists as it allows you to measure and tune antennas and filters, as well as measure cable loss among other applications. Until recently low cost VNA's cost hundreds of dollars. Then came along the original NanoVNA which brought expensive VNA capabilities to the masses with its low $40 pricing. But the original design is limited to a maximum frequency of only 900 MHz. The new V2 design pushes this maximum frequency up to 3 GHz officially, and unofficially up to 4.4 GHz with reduced performance. It also improves on overall dynamic range and maintains the affordable sub $100 price. We note that the NanoVNA V2 is unrelated to the original NanoVNA apart from being the inspiration, and sharing the same firmware base.

Over on YouTube Robert J. Meade has been uploading a series of videos demonstrating and teaching viewers how to use the NanoVNA V2 to measure various devices. For example in his videos he shows how to use the NanoVNA V2 to measure one of our RTL-SDR Blog Broadcast FM filters, how to measure a log spiral & clover antenna, use measurements to rebuild a variable attenuator, measure an active device (SAWbird+ NOAA), and how to measure a DIY microstrip L-band LNA. If you're just getting started with the NanoVNA V2, then these are some great videos to start with.

NanoVNA V2: RTL-SDR.com FM Bandstop Filter Measurements via NanoVNA-QT

NanoVNA V2 Now Readily Available for $60 + US Stock Available at R&L

The much awaited NanoVNA V2 is now readily available for around $60 + shipping from the Tindie store. Shipping is noted to begin on June 30th due to a public holiday and you must agree to possible pandemic delays, although feedback from earlier customers indicates that most countries appear to be receiving the packages in good time. You can also add a calibration kit for $10 extra, or a calibration kit and acrylic enclosure for $14 extra.

For US customers R&L Electronics have them in stock in "high end" for $59.95 and "low end" for $54.95 options. The high end option appears to have higher quality cables included. UPDATE: It has been brought to our attention that the stock at R&L is actually from a "clone" manufacturer and the clones do not support the original developer.

We note that the NanoVNA V2 is an open source project created by OwOComm, a research organization with a mission to further "intellectual communism". Therefore any factory is free to produce their own version from the designs, and hence several other versions have already been showing up on marketplaces like Aliexpress/eBay. However, for now it is probably safer to buy directly from the original manufacturers on the Tindie store. This is because according to the developer the quality of the "unofficial" clones that are showing up on Aliexpress and eBay is not yet known. The official version also supports the original developer and funds future software development.

NanoVNA V2 Available for Sale on Tindie
NanoVNA V2 Available for Sale on Tindie

A Vector Network Analyzer (VNA) is an extremely useful tool for radio hobbyists as it allows you to tune antennas, filters, and measure cable loss among other applications. Until recently a VNA would cost hundreds if not thousands of dollars. However, the original NanoVNA brought expensive VNA capabilities to the masses with its low $40 pricing. But the original design was limited to a maximum frequency of only 900 MHz. The new V2 design pushes this maximum frequency up to 3 GHz officially, and unofficially up to 4.4 GHz with reduced performance. It also improves on overall dynamic range and maintains the affordable price.

NanoVNA V2’s Now for Sale on eBay and Tindie

We've received a few notices that the NanoVNA V2 design that we've been following since last year is now available for sale on eBay and Tindie (or Taobao if you live in China). The original official sales appear to have been from Tindie, where it is priced at $58.25 + shipping, although it is now out of stock. On eBay resellers are selling it for up to $150. If you're interested in purchasing the V2 we recommend entering your email into the Tindie form as they will notify you when it's back in stock. Initial reviews posted on the Tindie store indicate that the unit has excellent performance for the price so we expect that it will be popular enough to manufacture many more in the future.

The original NanoVNA brought expensive Vector Network Analyzer (VNA) capabilities to the masses with it's low $40 pricing. A VNA is an extremely useful tool for radio hobbyists as it allows you to tune antennas, filters and measure cable loss among other applications. However, the original design was limited to only a frequency of 900 MHz maximum. The new design pushes this up to 3 GHz official, and unofficially up to 4.4 GHz whilst also improving dynamic range and maintaining the low price point.

The description and specs of the NanoVNA V2 are shown below: