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From: Joerg <news@analogconsultants.com>
Newsgroups: sci.electronics.design
Subject: Re: Quarter-wave whip earth plane
Date: Tue, 11 Mar 2025 12:47:30 -0700
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On 3/11/25 12:20 PM, Phil Hobbs wrote:
> On 2025-03-11 14:58, Joerg wrote:
>> On 3/11/25 1:55 AM, Phil Hobbs wrote:
>>> Joerg <news@analogconsultants.com> wrote:
>>>> On 3/10/25 7:11 PM, Dave Platt wrote:
>>>>
>>>> [...]
>>>>
>>>>> Once again, I'd suggest investing in a NanoVNA if you don't
>>>>> already have one.  They're very handy and will let you
>>>>> tweak and test your setup without putting your radio at any
>>>>> risk.
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> +1
>>>>
>>>> Initially you could just borrow one from another ham. Ultimately I'd 
>>>> get
>>>> one (I did). They are particularly useful for the occasional camping
>>>> trip. Some day you might want to play with HF antennas and every new
>>>> location will be different. With a NanoVNA the tuning procedure will be
>>>> much faster, leaving more time for chats on the ham bands. Or to get 
>>>> the
>>>> steak started :-)
>>>>
>>>> Just an example: When I built a 2m yagi from scrap metal it took me
>>>> around 10 trips up and down the ladder to adjust the gamma match, 
>>>> always
>>>> with a run back into the house to check the SWR meter. When I built my
>>>> 220MHz yagi I had a NanoVNA -> one trip up and down the ladder, done.
>>>> Ok, so a NanoVNA might cause weight gain ...
>>>>
>>>
>>> I have one too. Get the real one (NanoVNA2 v4) and not one of the many
>>> knockoffs.
>>>
>>> The real ones are sold on Tindie.
>>>
>>
>> I got mine at one of the big ham radio dealerships here in the US. 
>> Cost me around $50 plus tax a couple years ago so it has to be the 
>> lowest grade version but it's perfectly fine for tuning antennas and 
>> stuff.
>>
> 
> Probably so.  The one I have ($180ish) has a nice low noise floor and 
> good stability.  The main thing I miss compared with a boat anchor VNA 
> is the calibration doohickeys.
> 

True. Still, my beloved HP3577A has become hardcore unemployed since I 
have the NanoVNA.

These new devices are totally silent, small and run on a little battery 
for an hour. And fit in a shirt pocket.

The boat anchors produce a robust "TUNGGGG" in their mains transformer 
when turned on, the ceiling lights in the room briefly flicker and then 
a jet engine style whoosh starts when the fans spool up. The occasional 
sheet of note paper goes flying. Then you have to let them idle for 
10mins or so to self-calibrate and reach temperature. And when you use 
them a lot you'll see a spike on the electricity bill :-)

-- 
Regards, Joerg

http://www.analogconsultants.com/