NanoVNA accessories - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / rf-microwave

author: todorp
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 04, 2020, 05:00:48 pm
content: Hi all, I just started playing with NanoVNA and would like to expand the set of cables/calibration set/connectors that came with the NanoVNA. Also I saw that some people use "SMA thread protectors" on the inputs to the NanoVNA. My question is the following: could anyone suggets a decente distributor/seller where to buy this stuff? I have already looked on Amazon but the variety is bewildering and I presume also the quality varies consideraby. Is there no single place where one can buy prepackaged calibration kits + cables? I am in Europe.Thanks a lot,Tod

author: hagster
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 04, 2020, 05:39:26 pm
content: Personally I wouldn't bother. It's a cheap bit of kit and you will probably want to buy the new model by the time your nanoVNA breaks, but the following adaptor should do the trick.https://uk.rs-online.com/mobile/p/coaxial-connectors-rf-connectors/5463298/

author: OwO
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 05, 2020, 03:50:11 am
content: Unless it's a hugen Nano, it most likely doesn't come with SMA connectors with real gold plating and will be rusted in 6 months. The good thing is it's very easy to desolder with a hot air station, so I personally don't bother with connector savers.

author: todorp
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 05, 2020, 10:07:48 am
content: Thanks for the tips guys. I have the hugen Nano so I hope to make it last a bit :-). Ok even if it is not worth buying "thread protectors" I would like to get a secondo calibration kit, another pair of cables, and some other bits and pieces (attenuators maybe)... So (hagster) to be sure of the quality do you always get these things from RS or some other distributor or you have a "verified" seller on amazon whome you could recommend?

author: OwO
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 05, 2020, 12:57:49 pm
content: Most SMA cables on ebay and aliexpress are bad quality (Z0 way off, crimping issues, fake gold plating), but cables and SMA connectors from name brand distributors are priced sky high (~$15 for a short rg316 cable). I would recommend some SS405 cables which I have tested for good phase stability and are $6, but I just checked and unfortunately it's not easy to get outside China. Aliexpress cables will do the job below 1GHz, but expect it to rust or become flaky after 6 months.

author: hagster
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 05, 2020, 02:04:15 pm
content: Quote from: todorp on February 05, 2020, 10:07:48 amI have tried various brands. Amohenol, telegartner, Huber shuner etc through to cheap AliExpress. Occasionally I see a bit of swarf on the cheap ones that need cleaning up and they are definitely not as strong. But up to a couple of GHz I haven't seen any performance differences. The RS brand are better than the bargain basement.At the end of the day you are not using a NIST traceable bit of kit, or probably making measurements that need to be within a tenth of a dB, so don't worry too much. You will never turn the nanoVNA into a metrology grade instrument no matter what you spend on expensive connectors and cal kits.

author: galileo
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 29, 2020, 04:57:32 pm
content: If you don't mind semi rigid cable get RG402 from AliExpress. I got this one (https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000426931605.html) a few days ago, actual Teflon insulator in the connector and in the cable.Look for PTFE dialectic cables, easy to solder (without melting) and easy to sort out the fakes from the real (or at least not the worst kind of junk) ones.If you get a fake one (melts easily) AliExpress staff will sort the dispute without issues.For connectors and adapters be prepared for crap quality. So far 80% of the ones that I got were junk. Only exception to the rule were male SMA pcb mountconnector. For some reason a few bags that I got from different sellers on ebay, were all good, PTFE dialectric, do not rust etc.

author: NY2KW
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 01, 2020, 04:33:12 am
content: I took a chance and bought a few cables from an Ebay seller:https://www.ebay.com/itm/1-x-SMA-Male-to-SMA-Male-STRAIGHT-RG405-BLUE-JACKET-JUMPER-CABLE-4-36-INCH-USA/131055723438?hash=item1e8387a3ae:m:mSEHM8PCiQ9iChhjWCKZjWAThese are semi-flexible RG405 rated to 11GHz and I got some N connectors and some SMA. On my Siglent analyzer out to 3.2GHz they seem to be made well. I don't know how long the connectors will hold up but the price was right

author: vk4ffab
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 03, 2020, 10:27:34 pm
content: Depending on what you are using the vna for, an rf sampler and a bunch of test jigs for measuring parts will come in handy and you can build them yourself.