Matronics Email Lists :: View topic

Matronics Email Lists
Web Forum Interface to the Matronics Email Lists

Get Email Distribution Too! FAQ Search Memberlist Usergroups Register

Profile Log in to check your private messages Log in

antenna analyzer?
Goto page 1, 2 Next

Matronics Email Lists Forum Index -> AeroElectric-List

View previous topic :: View next topic

Author Message

ceengland7(at)gmail.com
Guest

Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2020 11:41 am Post subject: antenna analyzer?

Hi,



I just stumbledÂ upon a mention of vector network analyzers, which to my relatively RF-uneducated mind, appear to be more sophisticated versions of antenna analyzers.Â 

Any thoughts on purchasing something like this

nanoVNA



instead of a low end analog antenna analyzer? Purchase cost seems about the same, and at least some versions seem to allow some trick functions that used to be ungodly expensive, like TDR for measuringÂ lengths of wire & cable.

My short term personal motive is to get a cheap SWR meter that eliminates analog meter movements while possibly having some down-the-road uses beyond a once-a-decade SWR check.

Any thoughts from the RF-intelligent brain trust?

Thanks,

Charlie

finn.usa(at)GMail.com
Guest

Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2020 1:43 pm Post subject: antenna analyzer?

I ordered this https://www.ebay.com/itm/283898850600Â  ten days       ago. Will probably be several weeks before I get it.     

You can get them a lot cheaper, but I wanted one that'll also be       useful checking transponder (and ADS-B) cable and antenna. (1GHz)

          

Still haven't given up on the idea of putting VHF comm antenna       under the RV-4 canopy. Other than vertical polarization, ground       plane will probably be the biggest issue (and impedance matching       if I can't get the ground plane right). Got three 12"Â  5/32"OD       brass tubes from Hobby Lobby. Should give a reasonably wide       bandwidth.

          

Finn

          

     On 7/15/2020 3:38 PM, Charlie England       wrote:

     

      	  Quote: 	
		                Hi,         

         

                    I just             stumbledÂ upon a mention of vector network analyzers, which             to my relatively RF-uneducated mind, appear to be more             sophisticated versions of antenna analyzers.Â 

           

           

           Any             thoughts on purchasing something like this

           nanoVNA

           

           instead of             a low end analog antenna analyzer? Purchase cost seems about             the same, and at least some versions seem to allow some             trick functions that used to be ungodly expensive, like TDR             for measuringÂ lengths of wire & cable.

           

           

           My short             term personal motive is to get a cheap SWR meter that             eliminates analog meter movements while possibly having some             down-the-road uses beyond a once-a-decade SWR check.

           

           

           Any             thoughts from the RF-intelligent brain trust?

           

           

           Thanks,

           

           

           Charlie

           

         

       

     	
     

     	          		Virus-free. www.avast.com 		 	 [url=#DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2] [/url]

ceengland7(at)gmail.com
Guest

Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2020 2:04 pm Post subject: antenna analyzer?

Stay in touch when you get it; I'd like       to know if it proves useful.

       

       On the subject of the cockpit antenna: Contact me direct; I'll       send you some 1/2" copper foil tape to stick on the canopy. Works       even better for the nav side, if you install a nav radio (set up       as half-wave instead of quarter wave).

       

       Charlie

       

       On 7/15/2020 4:36 PM, Finn Lassen wrote:

     

      	  Quote: 	
		                

I ordered this https://www.ebay.com/itm/283898850600Â          ten days ago. Will probably be several weeks before I get it.       

You can get them a lot cheaper, but I wanted one that'll also         be useful checking transponder (and ADS-B) cable and antenna.         (1GHz)

              

Still haven't given up on the idea of putting VHF comm antenna         under the RV-4 canopy. Other than vertical polarization, ground         plane will probably be the biggest issue (and impedance matching         if I can't get the ground plane right). Got three 12"Â  5/32"OD         brass tubes from Hobby Lobby. Should give a reasonably wide         bandwidth.

              

Finn

              

       On 7/15/2020 3:38 PM, Charlie England         wrote:

       

        	  Quote: 	
		                    Hi,           

           

                        I just               stumbledÂ upon a mention of vector network analyzers, which               to my relatively RF-uneducated mind, appear to be more               sophisticated versions of antenna analyzers.Â 

             

             

             Any               thoughts on purchasing something like this

             nanoVNA

             

             instead               of a low end analog antenna analyzer? Purchase cost seems               about the same, and at least some versions seem to allow               some trick functions that used to be ungodly expensive,               like TDR for measuringÂ lengths of wire & cable.

             

             

             My short               term personal motive is to get a cheap SWR meter that               eliminates analog meter movements while possibly having               some down-the-road uses beyond a once-a-decade SWR check.

             

             

             Any               thoughts from the RF-intelligent brain trust?

             

             

             Thanks,

             

             

             Charlie

             

           

         

       	
       

       

                                                               Virus-free. www.avast.com                                           [url=#DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2] [/url]

finn.usa(at)gmail.com
Guest

Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2020 2:43 pm Post subject: antenna analyzer?

The reason I chose 5/32" tubing is that it's nearly 1" "wide".       5/32 * 2 * Pi = 0.98". I'm considering it a 1" wide strip rolledÂ        into a 5/32" tube.

          

But maybe I'm understanding it wrongly and it's only 5/32"       "wide".     

Finn

          On 7/15/2020 6:00 PM, Charlie England wrote:

      	  Quote: 	
		                Stay in touch when you get it; I'd         like to know if it proves useful.

         

         On the subject of the cockpit antenna: Contact me direct; I'll         send you some 1/2" copper foil tape to stick on the canopy.         Works even better for the nav side, if you install a nav radio         (set up as half-wave instead of quarter wave).

         

         Charlie

         

         On 7/15/2020 4:36 PM, Finn Lassen wrote:

       

        	  Quote: 	
		                    

I ordered this https://www.ebay.com/itm/283898850600Â            ten days ago. Will probably be several weeks before I get it.         

You can get them a lot cheaper, but I wanted one that'll also           be useful checking transponder (and ADS-B) cable and antenna.           (1GHz)

                  

Still haven't given up on the idea of putting VHF comm           antenna under the RV-4 canopy. Other than vertical           polarization, ground plane will probably be the biggest issue           (and impedance matching if I can't get the ground plane           right). Got three 12"Â  5/32"OD brass tubes from Hobby Lobby.           Should give a reasonably wide bandwidth.

                  

Finn

                  

         On 7/15/2020 3:38 PM, Charlie           England wrote:

         

          	  Quote: 	
		                        Hi,             

             

                            I just                 stumbledÂ upon a mention of vector network analyzers,                 which to my relatively RF-uneducated mind, appear to be                 more sophisticated versions of antenna analyzers.Â 

               

               

               Any                 thoughts on purchasing something like this

               nanoVNA

               

               instead                 of a low end analog antenna analyzer? Purchase cost                 seems about the same, and at least some versions seem to                 allow some trick functions that used to be ungodly                 expensive, like TDR for measuringÂ lengths of wire &                 cable.

               

               

               My                 short term personal motive is to get a cheap SWR meter                 that eliminates analog meter movements while possibly                 having some down-the-road uses beyond a once-a-decade                 SWR check.

               

               

               Any                 thoughts from the RF-intelligent brain trust?

               

               

               Thanks,

               

               

               Charlie

               

             

           

         	
         

         

                                                                         Virus-free.                   www.avast.com                                                   [url=#DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2] [/url]

user9253

Joined: 28 Mar 2008
Posts: 1921
Location: Riley TWP Michigan

Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2020 3:48 pm Post subject: Re: antenna analyzer?

I purchased a REDOT SWR meter.

Adapter fittings are necessary to convert to BNC.

It seems to work well.  It is very simple to operate.

There is only one button for all functions.

eBay item number:224059845597

Amazon has the best price: $53.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=REDOT+SWR+meter&ref=nb_sb_noss

The REDOT SWR measures power out to antenna, power reflected back to transmitter, and SWR.

I had started a thread titled "IS a COM ANTENNA GROUND PLANE NECESSARY"

http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?t=16775669

This Friday I will go to the airport and test the SWR of my friend's

antenna that does not have a ground plane

_________________
Joe Gores

user9253

Joined: 28 Mar 2008
Posts: 1921
Location: Riley TWP Michigan

Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2020 4:38 pm Post subject: Re: antenna analyzer?

The REDOT connectors are female type N.

_________________
Joe Gores

ceengland7(at)gmail.com
Guest

Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2020 4:56 pm Post subject: antenna analyzer?

On 7/15/2020 6:48 PM, user9253 wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   



 I purchased a REDOT SWR meter.

 Adapter fittings are necessary to convert to BNC.

 It seems to work well.  It is very simple to operate.

 There is only one button for all functions.

 eBay item number:224059845597

 Amazon has the best price: $53.

 https://www.amazon.com/s?k=REDOT+SWR+meter&ref=nb_sb_noss

 The REDOT SWR measures power out to antenna, power reflected back to transmitter, and SWR.

 I had started a thread titled "IS a COM ANTENNA GROUND PLANE NECESSARY"

 http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?t=16775669

 This Friday I will go to the airport and test the SWR of my friend's

 antenna that does not have a ground plane



 --------

 Joe Gores

Hi Joe,
	




Thanks for the link, but I'm hoping to get more functionality (features, 

uses) at about the same price point.



Charlie



-- 

This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.

https://www.avast.com/antivirus

nuckolls.bob(at)aeroelect
Guest

Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2020 7:52 pm Post subject: antenna analyzer?

At 04:36 PM 7/15/2020, you wrote:



  	  Quote: 	
		  I ordered this  https://www.ebay.com/itm/283898850600Â  ten days ago. Will probably be several weeks before I get it.



 You can get them a lot cheaper, but I wanted one that'll also be useful checking transponder (and ADS-B) cable and antenna. (1GHz)



 Still haven't given up on the idea of putting VHF comm antenna under the RV-4 canopy. Other than vertical polarization, ground plane will probably be the biggest issue (and impedance matching if I can't get the ground plane right). Got three 12"Â  5/32"OD brass tubes from Hobby Lobby. Should give a reasonably wide bandwidth.



 Finn 	


   Check out this article from a 1971 issue of QST Magazine



  http://www.aeroelectric.com/articles/Antennas/DDRR_Antenna.PDF



   A 2 meter (146 Mhz) version of this antenna

   is 6" in diameter and sets about 1" off the

   ground plane. An aviation version would be

   about 7" in diameter.



   It's bandwidth is probably pretty narrow . . .

   you'd have to build one and sweep it to

   see if it's usable. Would this fit on

   the deck just behind the rear seat?



   I've got one of those analyzers but haven't

   had time to make it sing, dance and do dishes.

   I've been using the VNA Tiny which is a good

   bit more expensive. It seems to work well.

   Let us know how that 'baby' VNA works for you!



 

 

   Bob . . .

merlewagner2

Joined: 01 Jun 2016
Posts: 18
Location: Spring Hill, FL

Posted: Thu Jul 16, 2020 4:47 am Post subject: Re: antenna analyzer?

For anyone interested in the VNA- 



First educate yourself on what to purchase. There are too many clones out there and you must be very careful in what you purchase. I have 3 different units which effectively do the same thing but the user interface is different in each. 



Go to the VNA user group at https://groups.io/g/nanovna-users and start researching the info. The WIKI has a TON of information.



Given you purchase the correct unit (the problem is they keep enhancing this on a weekly basis) you will be extremely happy with the capability and performance. And even happier with the price.



I just finished installing a NAV antenna on my Tailwind. Foil was used and attached to the Lexan windshield. I was able to tune the VOR and ILS portions of the antenna in real-time while watching the SWR for each frequency.  

you can check out antennas to the nth degree, components, chokes, torroids, coax faults, coax length, impedance, etc, etc 



Just educate yourself before purchasing.

_________________
KC1DNJ
General Radiotelephone
Commercial SEL
A & P
Building scale P51, rebuilding Tailwind W10

finn.usa(at)gmail.com
Guest

Posted: Thu Jul 16, 2020 5:46 am Post subject: antenna analyzer?

Oops. That should be:     

The reason I chose 5/32" tubing is that it's nearly 0.5" "wide".       5/32 * Pi = 0.48". I'm considering it a 0.5" wide strip rolledÂ        into a 5/32" tube.     

Finn

          

     On 7/15/2020 6:39 PM, Finn Lassen       wrote:

     

      	  Quote: 	
		                

The reason I chose 5/32" tubing is that it's nearly 1" "wide".         5/32 * 2 * Pi = 0.98". I'm considering it a 1" wide strip         rolledÂ  into a 5/32" tube.

              

But maybe I'm understanding it wrongly and it's only 5/32"         "wide".       

Finn

              On 7/15/2020 6:00 PM, Charlie England wrote:

        	  Quote: 	
		                    Stay in touch when you get it; I'd           like to know if it proves useful.

           

           On the subject of the cockpit antenna: Contact me direct; I'll           send you some 1/2" copper foil tape to stick on the canopy.           Works even better for the nav side, if you install a nav radio           (set up as half-wave instead of quarter wave).

           

           Charlie

           

           On 7/15/2020 4:36 PM, Finn Lassen wrote:

         

          	  Quote: 	
		                        

I ordered this https://www.ebay.com/itm/283898850600Â              ten days ago. Will probably be several weeks before I get             it.           

You can get them a lot cheaper, but I wanted one that'll             also be useful checking transponder (and ADS-B) cable and             antenna. (1GHz)

                      

Still haven't given up on the idea of putting VHF comm             antenna under the RV-4 canopy. Other than vertical             polarization, ground plane will probably be the biggest             issue (and impedance matching if I can't get the ground             plane right). Got three 12"Â  5/32"OD brass tubes from Hobby             Lobby. Should give a reasonably wide bandwidth.

                      

Finn

                      

           On 7/15/2020 3:38 PM, Charlie             England wrote:

           

            	  Quote: 	
		                            Hi,               

               

                                I                   just stumbledÂ upon a mention of vector network                   analyzers, which to my relatively RF-uneducated mind,                   appear to be more sophisticated versions of antenna                   analyzers.Â 

                 

                 

                 Any                   thoughts on purchasing something like this

                 nanoVNA

                 

                 instead                   of a low end analog antenna analyzer? Purchase cost                   seems about the same, and at least some versions seem                   to allow some trick functions that used to be ungodly                   expensive, like TDR for measuringÂ lengths of wire                   & cable.

                 

                 

                 My                   short term personal motive is to get a cheap SWR meter                   that eliminates analog meter movements while possibly                   having some down-the-road uses beyond a once-a-decade                   SWR check.

                 

                 

                 Any                   thoughts from the RF-intelligent brain trust?

                 

                 

                 Thanks,

                 

                 

                 Charlie

                 

               

             

           	
           

           

                                                                                   Virus-free.                     www.avast.com                                                           [url=#DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2] [/url]

finn.usa(at)gmail.com
Guest

Posted: Thu Jul 16, 2020 6:02 am Post subject: antenna analyzer?

On 7/15/2020 11:47 PM, Robert L. Nuckolls, III wrote:

      	  Quote: 	
		                At 04:36 PM 7/15/2020, you wrote:

         

               	  Quote: 	
		  I           ordered this                        https://www.ebay.com/itm/283898850600Â  ten days ago.           Will           probably be several weeks before I get it.

           

           You can get them a lot cheaper, but I wanted one that'll also           be useful           checking transponder (and ADS-B) cable and antenna. (1GHz)

           

           Still haven't given up on the idea of putting VHF comm antenna           under the           RV-4 canopy. Other than vertical polarization, ground plane           will probably           be the biggest issue (and impedance matching if I can't get           the ground           plane right). Got three 12"Â  5/32"OD brass tubes from           Hobby Lobby. Should give a reasonably wide bandwidth.

           

           Finn 	
       

         Check out this article from a 1971 issue of QST Magazine

       

                http://www.aeroelectric.com/articles/Antennas/DDRR_Antenna.PDF

       

         A 2 meter (146 Mhz) version of this antenna

         is 6" in diameter and sets about 1" off the

         ground plane. An aviation version would be

         about 7" in diameter.

       

         It's bandwidth is probably pretty narrow . . .

         you'd have to build one and sweep it to

         see if it's usable. Would this fit on

         the deck just behind the rear seat?

       

         I've got one of those analyzers but haven't

         had time to make it sing, dance and do dishes.

         I've been using the VNA Tiny which is a good

         bit more expensive. It seems to work well.

         Let us know how that 'baby' VNA works for you!

       

       

                

             Bob . . .                     	
     Thanks Bob.

     

     I did look at this earlier. There's a guy on VansAirforce.com that     put it in a wing tip. Appeared to work for his purpose (APRS     Tracking, which I assume use a single frequency)

      https://vansairforce.com/community/showthread.php?t=39797

     

     I dismissed it as being too heavy (and possibly narrow bandwidth),     but didn't consider putting it under the canopy. He used hardware     store copper tubing. But may be able to use some very thin plastic     tubing as a form and wrap copper foil around it. Then there's the     tuning capacitor: variable and high voltage. May be able to replace     that with a fixed cap.

     

     Finn

     	          		Virus-free. www.avast.com 		 	 [url=#DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2] [/url]

ceengland7(at)gmail.com
Guest

Posted: Thu Jul 16, 2020 6:55 am Post subject: antenna analyzer?

On 7/16/2020 7:47 AM, merlewagner2 wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   



 For anyone interested in the VNA-



 First educate yourself on what to purchase. There are too many clones out there and you must be very careful in what you purchase. I have 3 different units which effectively do the same thing but the user interface is different in each.



 Go to the VNA user group at https://groups.io/g/nanovna-users and start researching the info. The WIKI has a TON of information.



 Given you purchase the correct unit (the problem is they keep enhancing this on a weekly basis) you will be extremely happy with the capability and performance. And even happier with the price.



 I just finished installing a NAV antenna on my Tailwind. Foil was used and attached to the Lexan windshield. I was able to tune the VOR and ILS portions of the antenna in real-time while watching the SWR for each frequency.

 you can check out antennas to the nth degree, components, chokes, torroids, coax faults, coax length, impedance, etc, etc



 Just educate yourself before purchasing.



 --------

 KC1DNJ

 General Radiotelephone

 Commercial SEL

 A&amp;P

 Building scale P51, rebuilding Tailwind W10

That's the kind of info I've been hoping to find (failing someone 
	


telling me to 'buy *this one*). My biggest concern is exactly what 

you're describing; I want as dirt-simple a user interface as possible, 

and a manual written by an English-as-a-1st-language writer. It's great 

to see confirmation of all the other 'value added' features.



If you have a specific recommendation that would get me up and running 

for a sub-$100 price point, I'd love to see it.



Do you have a web site detailing your P51 & Tailwind projects?



Thanks,



Charlie



-- 

This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.

https://www.avast.com/antivirus

merlewagner2

Joined: 01 Jun 2016
Posts: 18
Location: Spring Hill, FL

Posted: Thu Jul 16, 2020 8:45 am Post subject: Re: antenna analyzer?

[quote="ceengland7(at)gmail.com"]On 7/16/2020 7:47 AM, merlewagner2 wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		  

telling me to 'buy *this one*). My biggest concern is exactly what 

you're describing; I want as dirt-simple a user interface as possible, 

and a manual written by an English-as-a-1st-language writer. It's great 

to see confirmation of all the other 'value added' features.



If you have a specific recommendation that would get me up and running 

for a sub-$100 price point, I'd love to see it.



Do you have a web site detailing your P51 & Tailwind projects?



Thanks,



Charlie



-- 

This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.

https://www.avast.com/antivirus 	




Charlie,



You are asking for a lot these days. I think you must be older than I am.....



OK, for what it's worth - I would purchase from 



http://www.randl.com/shop/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=75145



They are an official[?] U.S.  distributor of the Hugen version of the NANOVNA and the link is to the 4" unit. This site also sells a manual for the VNA.  They told me the shipment they just received is the latest version.



For $60 and $14 for the manual (or start reading on the groups link I provided earlier) you can start doing amazing things. 



I understand enough to be dumb but I have managed to get the unit functioning. You need to understand calibrations, etc but the book will get you started.  Again, go to the groups site and READ the wiki.



Sorry, no web site for my projects. I get really tired of all the "experts" and their opinions on how airplanes should be built.



Merle

_________________
KC1DNJ
General Radiotelephone
Commercial SEL
A & P
Building scale P51, rebuilding Tailwind W10

nuckolls.bob(at)aeroelect
Guest

Posted: Thu Jul 16, 2020 9:42 am Post subject: antenna analyzer?

At 07:47 AM 7/16/2020, you wrote:

  	  Quote: 	
		  --> AeroElectric-List message posted by: "merlewagner2" <wagnermerle(at)gmail.com>



 For anyone interested in the VNA- 



 First educate yourself on what to purchase. There are too many clones out there and you must be very careful in what you purchase. I have 3 different units which effectively do the same thing but the user interface is different in each. 



 Go to the VNA user group at  https://groups.io/g/nanovna-users and start researching the info. The WIKI has a TON of information. 	


   Great data point sir! Thanks.



 

   Bob . . .

user9253

Joined: 28 Mar 2008
Posts: 1921
Location: Riley TWP Michigan

Posted: Thu Jul 16, 2020 10:22 am Post subject: Re: antenna analyzer?

I have made homemade antennas in the past and wished that I could measure 

the resonate frequency.  Does the NANO VNA H4 do that?  If that is the only 

feature that I want, is there a less expensive alternative?  This may be wishful 

thinking, but is it possible to use a structural part of the airframe as an 

antenna?  An antenna analyzer could help locate where to attach coax cable. 

Of course such an antenna would likely have a skewed radiation pattern.

_________________
Joe Gores

nuckolls.bob(at)aeroelect
Guest

Posted: Thu Jul 16, 2020 10:38 am Post subject: antenna analyzer?

 	  Quote: 	
		    	  Quote: 	
		  



 Go to the VNA user group at  https://groups.io/g/nanovna-users and start researching the info. The WIKI has a TON of information. 	


   Great data point sir! Thanks.



   Bob . . . 	


   P.S. I've joined this group and took a quick look around.

   Heaven knows I don't need another 'time sink' but at

   first blush, this is a gold-mine of VNA-users practical

   information.



   I strongly encourage joining this group for everyone interested

   in adding a VNA to to their toolbox.



 

   Bob . . .

nuckolls.bob(at)aeroelect
Guest

Posted: Thu Jul 16, 2020 10:40 am Post subject: antenna analyzer?

At 01:22 PM 7/16/2020, you wrote:

  	  Quote: 	
		  --> AeroElectric-List message posted by: "user9253" <fransew(at)gmail.com>



 I have made homemade antennas in the past and wished that I could measure 

 the resonate frequency.  Does the NANO VNA H4 do that?  If that is the only 

 feature that I want, is there a less expensive alternative?  This may be wishful 

 thinking, but is it possible to use a structural part of the airframe as an 

 antenna?  An antenna analyzer could help locate where to attach coax cable. 

 Of course such an antenna would likely have a skewed radiation pattern. 	


   The VNA is a sweep signal generator teamed up with a

   network analyzer in one box. As you can see from

   the plots I posted earlier, you can glean a great

   deal of information about the radio frequency characteristics

   of a host of 'loads'.



   I have a nano-VNA that I've yet to exercise but

   have found the big brother VNA Tiny to be

   a powerful investigative tool.



  https://tinyurl.com/ybm5jxlp



 

 

   Bob . . .

merlewagner2

Joined: 01 Jun 2016
Posts: 18
Location: Spring Hill, FL

Posted: Thu Jul 16, 2020 10:46 am Post subject: Re: antenna analyzer?

 	  user9253 wrote: 	
		  I have made homemade antennas in the past and wished that I could measure 

the resonate frequency.  Does the NANO VNA H4 do that?  If that is the only 

feature that I want, is there a less expensive alternative?  This may be wishful 

thinking, but is it possible to use a structural part of the airframe as an 

antenna?  An antenna analyzer could help locate where to attach coax cable. 

Of course such an antenna would likely have a skewed radiation pattern. 	




The NANOVNA does that and MUCH more. You just have to learn how to use it. Groups wiki and tons of video via youtube. w2aew has some excellent videos on youtube.



Using the structure as an antenna - not a good plan. Structure is great for a ground plane. 



attaching photo of my NAV/ILS antenna. Used RG174 to feed. 



Merle

NAV ILS.jpg

Description:

NAV/ILS ANTENNA

Filesize:

178.27 KB

Viewed:

10664 Time(s)

_________________
KC1DNJ
General Radiotelephone
Commercial SEL
A & P
Building scale P51, rebuilding Tailwind W10

ceengland7(at)gmail.com
Guest

Posted: Thu Jul 16, 2020 11:13 am Post subject: antenna analyzer?

On Thu, Jul 16, 2020 at 12:00 PM merlewagner2 <wagnermerle(at)gmail.com (wagnermerle(at)gmail.com)> wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		  --> AeroElectric-List message posted by: "merlewagner2" <wagnermerle(at)gmail.com (wagnermerle(at)gmail.com)>

 [quote="ceengland7(at)gmail.com"]On 7/16/2020 7:47 AM, merlewagner2 wrote:

 > 

 > telling me to 'buy *this one*). My biggest concern is exactly what 

 > you're describing; I want as dirt-simple a user interface as possible, 

 > and a manual written by an English-as-a-1st-language writer. It's great 

 > to see confirmation of all the other 'value added' features.

 > 

 > If you have a specific recommendation that would get me up and running 

 > for a sub-$100 price point, I'd love to see it.

 > 

 > Do you have a web site detailing your P51 & Tailwind projects?

 > 

 > Thanks,

 > 

 > Charlie

 > 

 > -- 

 > This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.

 > https://www.avast.com/antivirus

 Charlie,

 You are asking for a lot these days. I think you must be older than I am....

 OK, for what it's worth - I would purchase from 

 http://www.randl.com/shop/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=75145

 They are an official[?] U.S.Â  distributor of the Hugen version of the NANOVNA and the link is to the 4" unit. This site also sells a manual for the VNA.Â  They told me the shipment they just received is the latest version.

 For $60 and $14 for the manual (or start reading on the groups link I provided earlier) you can start doing amazing things. 

 I understand enough to be dumb but I have managed to get the unit functioning. You need to understand calibrations, etc but the book will get you started.Â  Again, go to the groups site and READ the wiki.

 Sorry, no web site for my projects. I get really tired of all the "experts" and their opinions on how airplanes should be built.

 Merle

 --------

 KC1DNJ

 General Radiotelephone 

 Commercial SEL

 A&amp;P

 Building scale P51, rebuilding Tailwind W10

That's exactly the kind of recommendation I've been wanting! Hoping to get one in my hands soon, and I'll begin perusing the VNA group. Having access to that kind of support group is what I hoped for; an 'RF' group similar to the support we all get with basic electrical stuff on this list. Many thanks for both tips.

Congrats on the Tailwind. I've had the pleasure of flying several examples, and they are truly impressive performers, and at a great price point. If I could find one with the cockpit room and 'creature comforts' of an RV, I'd seriously consider trading in my RV-6.Â 

Charlie

(And while I'm not cheap, if I spend a nickel, I expect some change...)

N804RV

Joined: 20 Aug 2013
Posts: 6
Location: Mount Vernon, WA

Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2020 8:50 am Post subject: Re: antenna analyzer?

 	  merlewagner2 wrote: 	
		  For anyone interested in the VNA- 



First educate yourself on what to purchase. There are too many clones out there and you must be very careful in what you purchase. I have 3 different units which effectively do the same thing but the user interface is different in each. 



Go to the VNA user group at https://groups.io/g/nanovna-users and start researching the info. The WIKI has a TON of information.... 	




Outstanding!  There really is  "A TON of info" in the VNA user group.  



I was looking at these a couple of months ago.  But, was a little leary of them. I've been using the MFJ-259.  It does the basic job.



But, now after reading this thread, I bought the  Seesii NanoVNA off Amazon for $68.  Can't wait to start using it!

_________________
Ken W.
Sonerai IIL Bought and Flying
RV-8 Fuselage in work

Display posts from previous:

	Matronics Email Lists Forum Index -> AeroElectric-List	All times are GMT - 8 Hours Goto page 1, 2 Next
Page 1 of 2

Jump to:

You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You can download files in this forum