EU1KY VNA/ANTENNA ANALYZER  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / rf-microwave

author: AJ3G
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 09, 2019, 05:41:54 am
content: I recently ordered a the boards for the EU1KY VNA from ELECKITSORPARTS, who is the preferred distributor. Despite many attempts to communicate in writing with this vendor, I cannot ascertain what REV the RF PCB they are sending is. I am hoping for REV 3.2. Has anyone here ordered from recently the Analyzer, and can you confirm what REV PCB you received. I know it has to be a later revision, because it advertised with Real Time Clock (RTC). I already have the STM32 EVAL Board configured, loaded and ready. What I am trying to determine is if the Bluetooth Header is installed on the RF Front End they are sending me. If not, then I guess I had better prepare and order material to Hack a HC-05 onto the STM32 EVAL Board.73Rich, AJ3G

author: radiolistener
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 09, 2019, 10:48:34 am
content: I have old revision with no WiFi and BT (ordered official PCB and soldered myself). But NanoVNA works better. The only advantage of this VNA is a big display and more points.

author: AJ3G
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 09, 2019, 12:22:40 pm
content: Hello:Yes I am getting the same feedback, from others on the user group. No one seems to know what RF Front End Board they are working from at the moment.When you say “Works Better” are you speaking from a UI or RF/System Specification perspective? I have reviewed both RF Front End Topologies and they seem very similar. I know they both seem to have the same marginal performance much above 70cm. Can you be more specific?73Rich, AJ3g

author: radiolistener
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 09, 2019, 01:23:38 pm
content: NanoVNA smaller, it has battery and very comfortable usage. In addition, NanoVNA works good from 6-8 kHz and up to 1500 MHz, while EU1KY VNA performance below 1 MHz is poor and it can sweep max to 450 MHz.In 3-200 MHz range I didn't notice significant difference between these VNA. I didn't tested it deep, but NanoVNA is more comfortable in usage. With only exception that NanoVNA has smaller display and it's more hard to read text.The big advantage of NanoVNA is that it allows to measure S21.For example, with NanoVNA I can sweep my electromechanical filter for 500 kHz, with EU1KY VNA this is impossible. With NanoVNA I can sweep even 24 kHz ultrasonic transducer, with EU1KY VNA this is impossible.Another issue with EU1KY VNA is that it's port has about 2-3 kiloOhms impedance. While NanoVNA has 50 Ohm ports.

author: AJ3G
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 09, 2019, 01:36:24 pm
content: I am not sure if you have kept up with the recent firmware upgrades, and modifications to the RF Front End. The EU1KY also allows S21 measurements with the addition of the second port, and has extended the frequency range up to 1600MHz. Of course performance (like the NanoVna) is hampered in the High UHF region.I have been looking at the schematics, and it appears as though the RF Topologies are similar. With all that said, my main interest was the incorporation of Bluetooth, which i have an application in mind for. I was not aware of the improved performance at low frequency, but my interest lies above 1MHz anyways.73Rich, AJ3G

author: radiolistener
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 09, 2019, 01:42:21 pm
content: Quote from: AJ3G on December 09, 2019, 01:36:24 pmmay be my firmware is outdated, I didn't used it for a long time. Since I got NanoVNA, I'm prefer to use NanoVNAMy RF frontend for EU1KY is old and don't have second port.I have this RF frontent:https://bitbucket.org/kuchura/eu1ky_aa_v3/wiki/HomeQuote from: AJ3G on December 09, 2019, 01:36:24 pmBT or WiFi in VNA will affect measurements, so I think this is not a good idea

author: profdc9
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 09, 2019, 04:53:10 pm
content: I have made a VNA based on the EU1KY analyzer that is 2 port.https://github.com/profdc9/VNAIt is intended to be a cheaper alternative that does not use parts that are likely to be difficult to first in the future.I have experimented with adding bluetooth to it and there is a serial port broken out for that purpose (as HC-05 module), however, because of the high sensitivity of the mixers, adding the HC-05 makes the VNA almost unusable because the accuracy degrades to much.If there is a way to add such an adapter and not destroy the VNA's function I would be open to suggestions.

author: AJ3G
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 09, 2019, 05:09:13 pm
content: Yes, my purpose for Bluetooth is more for using WSPR and other Digital Modes the EU1KY analyzer offers. I was hoping to mount it externally, and simply plug in the HC-05 when I wanted to use the Digital Mode Feature.

author: AJ3G
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 26, 2019, 12:39:37 am
content: I just wanted to update anyone who may be tracking this post. The boards that come from ELEKITSORPARTS do not have the bluetooth broken out. That being said, it is very easy to add by simply “bodging” the wires to the appropriate connector point. Now that I have had a chance to look at this, it maybe preferable because I intend on using a module with an external antenna connector, which I will drill a hole through the case to support.Rich, AJ3G

author: DH1AKF_Wolfgang
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 24, 2020, 10:54:44 am
content: More informations about the EU1KY analyzer, and the extensions developed by DH1AKF and KD8CEC you can find here:(in German, with many links - english manual...)http://www.wkiefer.de/x28/EU1KY_AA.htmKD8CEC page:http://www.hamskey.com/Comparison with the NanoVNA is like to compare apples with pears. The EU1KY was not intended as a VNA, but as an antenna analyser and is optimised for this purpose.

author: DH1AKF_Wolfgang
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2020, 04:34:16 pm
content: Again new firmware(DH1AKF mod, 26.02.2020)Now you can find the newest source code (and the firmware files) here:https://github.com/ted051/Antenna_Analyzer_EU1KY_var_DH1AKFThe firmware, separate for each region 1,2,3 , is located in the folder Firmware-Archiv.The reason for the latest updates were user proposals, and a faulty calculation of the LC matching network (L style).

author: DH1AKF_Wolfgang
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 24, 2020, 03:30:50 pm
content: With the software from Ian Lee, KD8CECthe analyzer is able to send messages in some digi modes.The SI5351 delivers approx. 10 mW into 50 Ohm.With a radio friend, who lives about 500 m away (DH1AKG), it was possiblesuccessfully in FT4 and FT8 operating modes to decode my signal. We usedthe 30m band.Today a transmission to DK4RC (approx. 17 km distance) on 144MHz prospered. However, he had connected his EME antenna and exactlyaligned. I used a 3 element Yagi. The transmissionwas done in JT65A, my signal was perfect with -19 dB SNRdecoded. I am located in a valley, the area is hilly.Thank you, Ian (KD3CEC) for your great work!

author: DH1AKF_Wolfgang
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2020, 10:56:43 am
content: Until now were dozens of versions with various improvements deployed.My last improvents:- Two point calibration for the |S21| measurement. result is a quite flat line till 0.5 GHz.- Logo is visible until a) time escapes or b) user touch at the screen.- Better cursor movement

author: AJ3G
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2020, 03:47:31 pm
content: Hi Wolfgang:I have been tracking your progress in group.io with great interest. I would have loved to help you with your recent software vetting, but I have been working towards a deadline. Please keep up the great work!73Rich, AJ3G