[bars] Fw: Notes from ARRL VHF contest

Fri Jun 16 23:42:30 EDT 2023

Being a cheapskate I also bought the Nano VNA in preference to the Rig
Expert.

It is a general purpose Vector Network Analyzer.  It can measure the
network parameters for just the input side or by using both ports both the
input and output.  SWR can be directly computed from the return loss (S11)
in the plots.  Both can be plotted.  The complex impedance can be plotted
on a Smith chart.  You can use the Smith chart to figure out how to match
the impedance at a desired frequency.

The image attached shows the end state when I was trimming an end fed half
wave antenna for the 20 m band.

It shows SWR, return loss, and complex impedance (Smith Chart) vs frequency.

It is a fun toy, but it needs to be manually calibrated each session.  If
you have an antenna analyzer that you are happy with I don't know that a
Nano VNA would add much value.

73
Chris Lennon
W2BPL

On Fri, Jun 16, 2023, 8:49 PM KC1SOZ <kc1soz at bd5.com> wrote:

> How do you use the analyzer? I already have SWR info on mine, what does
> this add to the little pile of data? I mean, I understand the concepts, I
> was maintaining avionics and electrical systems on Marine aircraft starting
> back in 1979, and our helos had HF, VHF and other equipment on it, but the
> maintenance did not include deeper analysis for maintenance and repair,
> which was done at the depot level.  :)
>
> 73,
> KC1SOZ
> Juan
>
>
> On Thu, Jun 15, 2023 at 10:52 PM Nori Kajita <nkajita at outlook.com> wrote:
>
>> It's works fine for me. The thing is this first one and only one I ever
>> used, so I cannot compare with the other one. It's because of much less
>> expensive than RigExpert or MFJ's antenna analyzer, many new ham like me
>> using this unit. You can find many info at YouTube. If you want to see
>> this, I can bring it to Field day.
>>
>> 73,
>> AA1NK Nori
>> ------------------------------
>> *From:* KC1SOZ <kc1soz at bd5.com>
>> *Sent:* Friday, June 16, 2023 0:14
>> *To:* Nori Kajita <nkajita at outlook.com>
>> *Cc:* BARS Reflector <BARS at w1hh.org>
>> *Subject:* Re: [bars] Fw: Notes from ARRL VHF contest
>>
>> How's that antenna analyzer working for you? Do you like it?
>>
>> 73,
>> KC1SOZ
>> Juan
>>
>>
>> On Thu, Jun 15, 2023 at 7:51 PM Nori Kajita <nkajita at outlook.com> wrote:
>>
>> I haven't got the hang of this mailing list yet, and I habitually just
>> replied to email. I forward my reply to Joanne just in case.
>>
>> 73,
>> Nori
>>
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------
>> *From:* Nori Kajita <nkajita at outlook.com>
>> *Sent:* Wednesday, June 14, 2023 23:53
>> *To:* Joanne Dolan <dolans.family at gmail.com>
>> *Subject:* Re: [bars] Notes from ARRL VHF contest
>>
>> Hi Joanne,
>>
>> That is Nano VNA, I am using for antenna analyzer. I attached the photos
>> of the unit and result of my 6m antenna.
>> 73,
>> Nori
>> ------------------------------
>> *From:* Joanne Dolan <dolans.family at gmail.com>
>> *Sent:* Wednesday, June 14, 2023 13:17
>> *To:* Nori Kajita <nkajita at outlook.com>
>> *Cc:* BARS Reflector <bars at w1hh.org>
>> *Subject:* Re: [bars] Notes from ARRL VHF contest
>>
>> Nori, what’s the unit on the stool?
>> Tim, can you send a picture of your antenna setup?
>> Thank you both for sharing!
>> 73,
>> Joanne
>> KC1NMX
>>
>> Sent from my iPad
>>
>> On Jun 13, 2023, at 9:49 PM, Nori Kajita <nkajita at outlook.com> wrote:
>>
>> 
>> Tim,
>>
>> Thank you for your report and summary. I enjoyed it as well. I planned
>> to make a home drew antenna for 6M. But unfortunately, Glassfiber fishing
>> rod I planned to use as pole did not come on time, so I just use paracord
>> and speaker wire and make kind of 1 λ loop antenna. I attach a photo of
>> antenna how I set up. I set up this antenna on my deck which is only 9 feet
>> from ground. It's very simple but the antenna works just fine and able to
>> QSO to one of west coast station with FT8. I never work other than FT8 yet
>> on 6M, so I will try other mode as well on September!
>>
>> 73,
>> Nori - AA1NK
>> ------------------------------
>> *From:* bars <bars-bounces at w1hh.org> on behalf of Tim KC1RET <
>> kc1ret.radio at gmail.com>
>> *Sent:* Tuesday, June 13, 2023 12:16
>> *To:* w1hh <bars at w1hh.org>
>> *Subject:* [bars] Notes from ARRL VHF contest
>>
>> My station is solidly in the 'little pistol' category. I have a 4el 6M +
>> 11el 2M + rotor mounted on top of a 10 foot pole mast on my deck. I manage
>> about 100W on 6M and only 50 on 2. It was also my first attempt at SO2R and
>> it was a bit bumpy. I did find it valuable to monitor two bands at the
>> same time, but my software setup (N1MM + JTAlert) isn't 100% yet.
>> I was only able to operate on Sunday for about 12hrs so my score is quite
>> modest. I heard very little in the way of SSB here - I only managed a
>> handful of phone contacts. FT8 was the most productive for me, by far. I
>> managed ~90 Qs in over 30 grids. My highlight QSO was W1FET/MM in FL66.
>> Lessons for next time:
>> - Sort out the software! I duped several stations because N1MM wasn't
>> getting the call from WSJT-X. It did log it fine, just didn't populate the
>> active call window and therefore didn't show dupes correctly.
>> - Remember to check the FM segments
>> - Pay more attention to the spots.
>> - Finish the build of 2 & 6M LNAs.
>> - Add 432 (222?) to the mix.
>> I did enjoy it very much -- I look forward to improving for September!
>> --
>>
>> Courageously sent from a non-Apple device that *includes* a headphone
>> jack.
>> ------------------------------
>> <https://kc1ret.com/img/kc1ret-qsl-card-front-v3.png> Tim Carter - KC1RET
>>
>> +1.978.710.0133 <1.978.710.0133>
>> kc1ret.radio at gmail.com
>> https://kc1ret.com
>>
>> "Computers are incredibly fast, accurate and stupid; humans are
>> incredibly slow, inaccurate and brilliant; together they are powerful
>> beyond imagination." -- *Albert Einstein*
>>
>> Warning: Spelling errors in this message are the product of a poor school
>> system. Pay teachures more than athletes.
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>> <loop antenna.jpg>
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