Vector Network Analyzer
Looking for some help…
All - I’m looking for a vector network analyzer that covers 1296 MHz and preferably up to 2304 MHz. I’d like a 2-port device, to be able to do more than just antenna return loss/impedance measurements etc. But most cost way too much for my budget. I've narrowed my choices down to a few used by hams, that require a pc/laptop to run/display the software. Does anyone have any suggestions or comments?
Gerd- Do you know someone in Germany who might be able to find out when the following VNA might be available? It is currently out of stock per the website.
PocketVNA: See http://www.pocketvna.com http://www.pocketvna.com/
Contact info for this pocketVNA is: Martin Nirschl, Ludwig-Thoma-Weg 18
D-83224 Grassau, Germany. tel.: +49 8641 9518540 tel:8641%209518540
Registered in Germany; VAT number DE295185839
These VNAs are in the $400-500 range:
miniVNA Tiny http://miniradiosolutions.com/54-2/ – support frequency up to 3 GHz, and software runs on all platform (Windows, Linux and Mac). See: http://www.wimo.de/download/MiniVNA_Tiny_hardware-manual_en.pdf http://www.wimo.de/download/MiniVNA_Tiny_hardware-manual_en.pdf
http://miniradiosolutions.com/54-2/DG8SAQ VNWA http://sdr-kits.net/VNWA3_Description.html – one of the earliest USB VNA, support frequency up to 1.3 GHz, and software runs on Windows only. See: http://sdr-kits.net/VNWA/RadCom_VNWA_Review.pdf http://sdr-kits.net/VNWA/RadCom_VNWA_Review.pdf
http://miniradiosolutions.com/54-2/pocketVNA http://www.pocketvna.com/ – recently launched product, support frequency up to 4 GHz, and software runs on all platform (Windows, Linux and Mac). See: http://www.pocketvna.com/product/ http://www.pocketvna.com/product/
The Array Solutions VNA UHF Vector Network Analyzer looks good - like an accurate lab-grade instrument. But it’s much more expensive (about $1300) and covers up to 1200 MHz only.
Thanks,
Joe Burke - WA8OGS
There is a new product just being released called LimeSDR. It currently has
a range from 100 KHz to 3.8 GHz. They are planning an option to take it to
12 GHz. One of the current apps for it is a vna. It's cost is $299, but
you have to come up with your own case work. It has transmitters and
Recievers in it.
There are ham radio apps to turn it in to a low powered radio.
See:
https://www.crowdsupply.com/lime-micro/limesdr#products-top
On Feb 7, 2017 11:19 PM, "Joe via mvus-list" mvus-list@febo.com wrote:
Looking for some help…
All - I’m looking for a vector network analyzer that covers 1296 MHz and
preferably up to 2304 MHz. I’d like a 2-port device, to be able to do more
than just antenna return loss/impedance measurements etc. But most cost way
too much for my budget. I've narrowed my choices down to a few used by
hams, that require a pc/laptop to run/display the software. Does anyone
have any suggestions or comments?
Gerd- Do you know someone in Germany who might be able to find out when
the following VNA might be available? It is currently out of stock per the
website.
PocketVNA: See http://www.pocketvna.com http://www.pocketvna.com/
Contact info for this pocketVNA is: Martin Nirschl, Ludwig-Thoma-Weg
18
D-83224 Grassau, Germany. tel.: +49 8641 9518540
tel:8641%209518540
Registered in Germany; VAT number DE295185839
These VNAs are in the $400-500 range:
miniVNA Tiny http://miniradiosolutions.com/54-2/ – support frequency up
to 3 GHz, and software runs on all platform (Windows, Linux and Mac). See:
http://www.wimo.de/download/MiniVNA_Tiny_hardware-manual_en.pdf <
http://www.wimo.de/download/MiniVNA_Tiny_hardware-manual_en.pdf>
http://miniradiosolutions.com/54-2/DG8SAQ VNWA <
http://sdr-kits.net/VNWA3_Description.html> – one of the earliest USB
VNA, support frequency up to 1.3 GHz, and software runs on Windows only.
See: http://sdr-kits.net/VNWA/RadCom_VNWA_Review.pdf <
http://sdr-kits.net/VNWA/RadCom_VNWA_Review.pdf>
http://miniradiosolutions.com/54-2/pocketVNA http://www.pocketvna.com/
– recently launched product, support frequency up to 4 GHz, and software
runs on all platform (Windows, Linux and Mac). See:
http://www.pocketvna.com/product/ http://www.pocketvna.com/product/
The Array Solutions VNA UHF Vector Network Analyzer looks good - like an
accurate lab-grade instrument. But it’s much more expensive (about $1300)
and covers up to 1200 MHz only.
Thanks,
Joe Burke - WA8OGS
mvus-list mailing list
mvus-list@febo.com
https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/mvus-list
I don’t see where to purchase apps. So it is unclear to me how to use the thing. It looks great.
Dave, K4TO
On Feb 8, 2017, at 7:22 AM, Jim Bacher via mvus-list mvus-list@febo.com wrote:
There is a new product just being released called LimeSDR. It currently has
a range from 100 KHz to 3.8 GHz. They are planning an option to take it to
12 GHz. One of the current apps for it is a vna. It's cost is $299, but
you have to come up with your own case work. It has transmitters and
Recievers in it.
There are ham radio apps to turn it in to a low powered radio.
See:
https://www.crowdsupply.com/lime-micro/limesdr#products-top
On Feb 7, 2017 11:19 PM, "Joe via mvus-list" mvus-list@febo.com wrote:
Looking for some help…
All - I’m looking for a vector network analyzer that covers 1296 MHz and
preferably up to 2304 MHz. I’d like a 2-port device, to be able to do more
than just antenna return loss/impedance measurements etc. But most cost way
too much for my budget. I've narrowed my choices down to a few used by
hams, that require a pc/laptop to run/display the software. Does anyone
have any suggestions or comments?
Gerd- Do you know someone in Germany who might be able to find out when
the following VNA might be available? It is currently out of stock per the
website.
PocketVNA: See http://www.pocketvna.com http://www.pocketvna.com/
Contact info for this pocketVNA is: Martin Nirschl, Ludwig-Thoma-Weg
18
D-83224 Grassau, Germany. tel.: +49 8641 9518540
tel:8641%209518540
Registered in Germany; VAT number DE295185839
These VNAs are in the $400-500 range:
miniVNA Tiny http://miniradiosolutions.com/54-2/ – support frequency up
to 3 GHz, and software runs on all platform (Windows, Linux and Mac). See:
http://www.wimo.de/download/MiniVNA_Tiny_hardware-manual_en.pdf <
http://www.wimo.de/download/MiniVNA_Tiny_hardware-manual_en.pdf>
http://miniradiosolutions.com/54-2/DG8SAQ VNWA <
http://sdr-kits.net/VNWA3_Description.html> – one of the earliest USB
VNA, support frequency up to 1.3 GHz, and software runs on Windows only.
See: http://sdr-kits.net/VNWA/RadCom_VNWA_Review.pdf <
http://sdr-kits.net/VNWA/RadCom_VNWA_Review.pdf>
http://miniradiosolutions.com/54-2/pocketVNA http://www.pocketvna.com/
– recently launched product, support frequency up to 4 GHz, and software
runs on all platform (Windows, Linux and Mac). See:
http://www.pocketvna.com/product/ http://www.pocketvna.com/product/
The Array Solutions VNA UHF Vector Network Analyzer looks good - like an
accurate lab-grade instrument. But it’s much more expensive (about $1300)
and covers up to 1200 MHz only.
Thanks,
Joe Burke - WA8OGS
mvus-list mailing list
mvus-list@febo.com
https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/mvus-list
mvus-list mailing list
mvus-list@febo.com
https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/mvus-list
They are or will be in a app store.
From the details page:
LimeSDR is usable by anyone familiar with the idea of an app store - it’s
the first SDR to integrate with Snappy Ubuntu Core. This means you can
easily download new LimeSDR apps from developers around the world. If
you’re a developer yourself, you can share and/or sell your LimeSDR apps
through Snappy Ubuntu Core as well.
Next batch of boards are in transit. New orders are currently being
scheduled for delivery in March.
LimeSDR really does look like a VHF/UHF/SHF wish come true at a good starting price. I found mention of the VNA development/use with it at:
https://myriadrf.org/blog/lms7002m-python-package-vna-example/
Dave - So it sounds like the apps do not exist yet or are under development. I lack in the programming area, so that would be a challenge without some coaching or team effort work.
Jim - I’m tempted to get the LimeSDR. Do you think the 12 GHz option would be an add-on or a total new board version? I see that they just recently started shipping the initial units.
Good discussion!
Joe Burke - WA8OGS
On Feb 8, 2017, at 8:00 AM, Jim Bacher j.bacher@ieee.org wrote:
They are or will be in a app store.
From the details page:
LimeSDR is usable by anyone familiar with the idea of an app store - it’s the first SDR to integrate with Snappy Ubuntu Core. This means you can easily download new LimeSDR apps from developers around the world. If you’re a developer yourself, you can share and/or sell your LimeSDR apps through Snappy Ubuntu Core as well.
Next batch of boards are in transit. New orders are currently being scheduled for delivery in March.
I've been keeping an eye on the LimeSDR and it is pretty cool.
One thing to remember is that in addition to whatever "app store" they
come up with, the board can also be used with the Gnuradio software that
lets you literally "drop and drag" on the screen to build a radio.
There are also a bunch of applications (of varying quality) for Gnuradio
that should work with LimeSDR with minimal change.
One thing to note is that there are a lot of receive applications for
the various SDR systems, but not many implementations of really usable
transmitters or transceivers. So apart from the PowerSDR-based programs
you're not going to find plug-and-play "ham radios" at this point.
John
On 2/8/2017 10:07 AM, Joe via mvus-list wrote:
LimeSDR really does look like a VHF/UHF/SHF wish come true at a good starting price. I found mention of the VNA development/use with it at:
https://myriadrf.org/blog/lms7002m-python-package-vna-example/
Dave - So it sounds like the apps do not exist yet or are under development. I lack in the programming area, so that would be a challenge without some coaching or team effort work.
Jim - I’m tempted to get the LimeSDR. Do you think the 12 GHz option would be an add-on or a total new board version? I see that they just recently started shipping the initial units.
Good discussion!
Joe Burke - WA8OGS
On Feb 8, 2017, at 8:00 AM, Jim Bacher j.bacher@ieee.org wrote:
They are or will be in a app store.
From the details page:
LimeSDR is usable by anyone familiar with the idea of an app store - it’s the first SDR to integrate with Snappy Ubuntu Core. This means you can easily download new LimeSDR apps from developers around the world. If you’re a developer yourself, you can share and/or sell your LimeSDR apps through Snappy Ubuntu Core as well.
Next batch of boards are in transit. New orders are currently being scheduled for delivery in March.
mvus-list mailing list
mvus-list@febo.com
https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/mvus-list
My understanding is the 12 GHz module is a add on. There is minimal
discussion, other than a Amsat project that was a contest winner that made
mention of it.
They bought 2500 parts and have shipped the first 500. The second batch is
1000 and is in transit from China. The next batch of 1000 likely will ship
from China about the end of the month, pure guess on my part. Most of the
first two shipments went to those who supported the project.
On Feb 8, 2017 10:07 AM, "Joe" gojoe55@gmail.com wrote:
LimeSDR really does look like a VHF/UHF/SHF wish come true at a good
starting price. I found mention of the VNA development/use with it at:
https://myriadrf.org/blog/lms7002m-python-package-vna-example/
Dave - So it sounds like the apps do not exist yet or are under
development. I lack in the programming area, so that would be a challenge
without some coaching or team effort work.
Jim - I’m tempted to get the LimeSDR. Do you think the 12 GHz option would
be an add-on or a total new board version? I see that they just recently
started shipping the initial units.
Good discussion!
Joe Burke - WA8OGS
On Feb 8, 2017, at 8:00 AM, Jim Bacher j.bacher@ieee.org wrote:
They are or will be in a app store.
From the details page:
LimeSDR is usable by anyone familiar with the idea of an app store - it’s
the first SDR to integrate with Snappy Ubuntu Core. This means you can
easily download new LimeSDR apps from developers around the world. If
you’re a developer yourself, you can share and/or sell your LimeSDR apps
through Snappy Ubuntu Core as well.
Next batch of boards are in transit. New orders are currently being
scheduled for delivery in March.