Do I need a (nano)VNA for secondary issues - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: m k
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 22, 2022, 11:27:35 am
content: I don't generally have any literal RF-stuff to deal with.Can it improve my possibilities with general repair cases?If not then is there some non RF special cases?For off circuit component tests it has a place but what else.Can it occasionally replace signal generator and oscilloscope pair?Is it practical?

author: bob91343
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 22, 2022, 05:42:05 pm
content: I have used my nano to measure components over a wide frequency range. It has shown me the limitations of various types of components. You can measure capacitance, ESR, self resonant frequency, etc. Inductance and resistance as well and see how they change with frequency. You can measure filter response.Yes, many uses.

author: m k
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2022, 11:10:23 am
content: Have you seen resistor irregularities that are not available otherwise?Unknown construction stylish stuff can be one, I guess.So if DUT has analog input and output and input is operational with powers the VNA is putting out, let it fly.A bit more controlled wide band situation than signal generator and oscilloscope can give.Can it get meaningful response if output is disturbed?Like dummy loaded amplifier or something more complicated.I guess the situation is quite unknown pretty fast.

author: Grandchuck
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2022, 02:25:06 pm
content: For anyone willing to invest some time investigating and learning, the nano VNA gives about as much or more bang for the buck as anything. It is, however, more useful for investigating high frequency behaviors. I recommend that you look at Joe Smith's videos and software. He is a member here.

author: m k
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2022, 05:25:11 pm
content: Have you had any interesting low frequency results?I think low here is about audio or 8 bit computer tops.I've checked the thread every now and then.https://www.eevblog.com/forum/rf-microwave/nanovna-custom-software/msg4021555/#msg4021555In my opinion nanoVNA should be tooted more.

author: bob91343
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2022, 05:44:55 pm
content: An interesting measurement would be to show the limitations of components. For example, very few electrolytic capacitors are useful above 100 kHz. Resistors have parasitic inductances and capacitances that limit their use to low frequency in many cases. You can measure a wire wound resistor to determine its characteristics at high audio frequencies.If you purchase carefully, you can get a nanoVNA that goes as low as 10 kHz.Apart from finding limitations of components, it is useful for ordinary measurements. Just testing L, C, and R at low frequency can be handy.For what these cost, they are unmatched in usefulness.

author: m k
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2022, 03:53:48 pm
content: I should have known.https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/affordable-low-frequency-(lt-1mhz)-network-anayzer/