Beware of cheap underperforming clones

As of 2022 there are many badly performing clones on the market. V2/3GHz NanoVNA uses parts like ADF4350 and AD8342 which are costly and clones have been cutting costs by using salvaged or reject parts.

See official store and look for V2 Plus4/V2 Plus4 Pro versions only to avoid getting a bad clone. We have stopped selling V2.2 versions since October 2020, so all V2 hardware that are not Plus or Plus4 are not made by us and we can not guarantee performance.

NanoVNA V2 Forum

Note: this page is a mirror of https://groups.io/g/NanoVNAV2.
Click here to join and see most recent posts.

NanoVNA Software by Joe Smith


Anthony 2022/03/14 17:28

I am trying fully understand the installation of this particular software. Going through the installation instructions in the manual, it's unclear to me which installation file(s) to do the initial installation with. One area suggests using a set of zip files as the inital installation and another area says to use the Main version.
Can anyone please clarify which file to use as the initial first time install as well as where to download it?  Also, there is mention about requiring drivers and additional software, but again it's not clear which install contains the necessary drivers and which install requires to download them separately.  Thanks for the help.

Francesco 2022/03/15 18:48

Hello. First make one folder on you desktop "NanoVNA V2"

1\. go to : https://github.com/joeqsmith/NanoVNA_Software/releases/tag/0.10

2. daunload all 21 Zip file and copy on the folder "NanoVNA V2"

3.Unzip _all file_ inside the NanoVNA V2 folder

4.You find two files neuw one "license" ond one other "
**NanoVNA_V2Plus_Installer " open and find VOLUME**

5\. VOLUME open ond you find the "setup" install the program.





This install all file necessary for the basic installation

Please read the manual to get on not tray short cut.





**Sent:** Tuesday, March 15, 2022 at 12:28 AM
**From:** "Anthony" <n2ki.ham@gmail.com>
**To:** NanoVNAV2@groups.io
**Subject:** [nanovnav2] NanoVNA Software by Joe Smith

I am trying fully understand the installation of this particular software.
Going through the installation instructions in the manual, it's unclear to me
which installation file(s) to do the initial installation with. One area
suggests using a set of zip files as the inital installation and another area
says to use the Main version.
Can anyone please clarify which file to use as the initial first time install
as well as where to download it? Also, there is mention about requiring
drivers and additional software, but again it's not clear which install
contains the necessary drivers and which install requires to download them
separately. Thanks for the help.

_._,_._,_

* * *

Francesco 2022/03/15 19:03

![](https://www.eevblog.com/forum/rf-microwave/nanovna-custom-
software/?action=dlattach;attach=1436335;image)





**Sent:** Tuesday, March 15, 2022 at 12:28 AM
**From:** "Anthony" <n2ki.ham@gmail.com>
**To:** NanoVNAV2@groups.io
**Subject:** [nanovnav2] NanoVNA Software by Joe Smith

I am trying fully understand the installation of this particular software.
Going through the installation instructions in the manual, it's unclear to me
which installation file(s) to do the initial installation with. One area
suggests using a set of zip files as the inital installation and another area
says to use the Main version.
Can anyone please clarify which file to use as the initial first time install
as well as where to download it? Also, there is mention about requiring
drivers and additional software, but again it's not clear which install
contains the necessary drivers and which install requires to download them
separately. Thanks for the help.

_._,_._,_

* * *

Anthony 2022/03/15 18:09

Francesco,

Thank you the information. In the manual it indicates the following:


*The installer, .INI, runtime engine and VISA drivers will*

*no longer be included. You may download these directly from NI, or just
install the originalrelease of the V2+ software*.


Do I need to also install these?


Regards,

Anthony (N2KI)









On Tue, Mar 15, 2022 at 2:32 PM Francesco <realfran@gmx.co.uk> wrote:

Anthony 2022/03/15 20:03

So I went ahead and downloaded NI-Labview 2021 -
runtime-engine-x86_21.1_online.exe in addition to ni-visa_21.5_online.exe.
These files installed ok.

As of version 1.0 there are now two separate programs. One supports the
original NanoVNA
and the other supports the new V2+. The installer, .INI, runtime engine and
VISA drivers will
no longer be included. You may download these directly from NI, or just
install the original
release of the V2+ software.
*Once these are installed, copy the executable files to yourdirectory.*



The part about dragging the exe files to my folder is where I am at.
There are multiple exe files in the installation location of ni-visa. The
instructions do not indicate which exe file to copy, presumably, into the
NanoVNA folder. Looking for a LabView exe file but there are
none that I can locate despite the program being installed successfully.

Thanks for any help.

Regards,

Anthony (N2KI)









On Tue, Mar 15, 2022 at 6:09 PM Anthony (N2KI) <n2ki.ham@gmail.com> wrote:

Francesco 2022/03/16 11:42

every-think is on those files for V.1.0 when install i go to tell you for the
latest version.

I'm computer illiterate not idea to LabWiu.

Follow the diagram for the installation 1,2,3,4

If you hare computer expert I have no way to help.

Best regards.

Francesco

G7OYO





**Sent:** Wednesday, March 16, 2022 at 12:03 AM
**From:** "Anthony" <n2ki.ham@gmail.com>
**To:** NanoVNAV2@groups.io
**Subject:** Re: [nanovnav2] NanoVNA Software by Joe Smith

So I went ahead and downloaded NI-Labview 2021 - runtime-
engine-x86_21.1_online.exe in addition to ni-visa_21.5_online.exe. These
files installed ok.



> As of version 1.0 there are now two separate programs. One supports the
original NanoVNA

>

> and the other supports the new V2+. The installer, .INI, runtime engine and
VISA drivers will

>

> no longer be included. You may download these directly from NI, or just
install the original

>

> release of the V2+ software. _**Once these are installed, copy the
executable files to your
> directory.**_

>



The part about dragging the exe files to my folder is where I am at.

There are multiple exe files in the installation location of ni-visa. The
instructions do not indicate which exe file to copy, presumably, into the
NanoVNA folder. Looking for a LabView exe file but there are

none that I can locate despite the program being installed successfully.



Thanks for any help.


Regards,

Anthony (N2KI)










On Tue, Mar 15, 2022 at 6:09 PM Anthony (N2KI)
<[n2ki.ham@gmail.com](mailto:n2ki.ham@gmail.com)> wrote:

> Francesco,

>

>
>

> Thank you the information. In the manual it indicates the following:

>

>>
>>

>> _The installer, .INI, runtime engine and VISA drivers will_

>>

>> _no longer be included. You may download these directly from NI, or just
install the original
> release of the V2+ software_.

>

>
>

> Do I need to also install these?

>

>
> Regards,
>
> Anthony (N2KI)
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

>
>

> On Tue, Mar 15, 2022 at 2:32 PM Francesco
<[realfran@gmx.co.uk](mailto:realfran@gmx.co.uk)> wrote:

>

>> ![](https://www.eevblog.com/forum/rf-microwave/nanovna-custom-
software/?action=dlattach;attach=1436335;image)

>>

>>
>>

>>
>>

>> **Sent:** Tuesday, March 15, 2022 at 12:28 AM
> **From:** "Anthony" <[n2ki.ham@gmail.com](mailto:n2ki.ham@gmail.com)>
> **To:** [NanoVNAV2@groups.io](mailto:NanoVNAV2@groups.io)
> **Subject:** [nanovnav2] NanoVNA Software by Joe Smith

>>

>> I am trying fully understand the installation of this particular software.
Going through the installation instructions in the manual, it's unclear to me
which installation file(s) to do the initial installation with. One area
suggests using a set of zip files as the inital installation and another area
says to use the Main version.
> Can anyone please clarify which file to use as the initial first time
install as well as where to download it? Also, there is mention about
requiring drivers and additional software, but again it's not clear which
install contains the necessary drivers and which install requires to download
them separately. Thanks for the help.

>>

>>
>>

>>

_._,_._,_

* * *

Anthony 2022/03/16 09:27

Francesco,

In following your procedure, these are the errors I receive when running the software.  Thats the reason I ask about the other softwares.

Francesco 2022/03/16 17:50

You have exstracted all 21 file on the same place?





**Sent:** Wednesday, March 16, 2022 at 4:27 PM
**From:** "Anthony" <n2ki.ham@gmail.com>
**To:** NanoVNAV2@groups.io
**Subject:** Re: [nanovnav2] NanoVNA Software by Joe Smith

Francesco,

In following your procedure, these are the errors I receive when running the
software. Thats the reason I ask about the other softwares.

![](cid:attach_2_16DCE94C28122FED_24928@groups.io)![](cid:attach_10_16DCE94C28FA10A9_24928@groups.io)![](cid:attach_9_16DCE94C28F6376B_24928@groups.io)![](cid:attach_8_16DCE94C28717A2E_24928@groups.io)![](cid:attach_7_16DCE94C2865F874_24928@groups.io)![](cid:attach_6_16DCE94C285FC7CA_24928@groups.io)![](cid:attach_5_16DCE94C28480FD4_24928@groups.io)![](cid:attach_4_16DCE94C28170818_24928@groups.io)![](cid:attach_3_16DCE94C28148438_24928@groups.io)![](cid:attach_1_16DCE94C2810139C_24928@groups.io)![](cid:attach_0_16DCE94C280932E5_24928@groups.io)

_._,_._,_

* * *

Francesco 2022/03/16 18:30

I have installed this software on different PC and laptop with Win10, Labviuw
is integrate on this files. Everybody make the same error (download labView)

Forget all think unistall LabViuew starting clean from the bigining with the 4
steps. You don't need install or use LabVIEW software.

Is ibended on this files.

**_exstract all 21 files on the same folder._**

Run the installation files from step 4







![](https://www.eevblog.com/forum/rf-microwave/nanovna-custom-
software/?action=dlattach;attach=1436335;image)

**Sent:** Wednesday, March 16, 2022 at 4:27 PM
**From:** "Anthony" <n2ki.ham@gmail.com>
**To:** NanoVNAV2@groups.io
**Subject:** Re: [nanovnav2] NanoVNA Software by Joe Smith

Francesco,

In following your procedure, these are the errors I receive when running the
software. Thats the reason I ask about the other softwares.

![](cid:attach_2_16DCE94C28122FED_24928@groups.io)![](cid:attach_10_16DCE94C28FA10A9_24928@groups.io)![](cid:attach_9_16DCE94C28F6376B_24928@groups.io)![](cid:attach_8_16DCE94C28717A2E_24928@groups.io)![](cid:attach_7_16DCE94C2865F874_24928@groups.io)![](cid:attach_6_16DCE94C285FC7CA_24928@groups.io)![](cid:attach_5_16DCE94C28480FD4_24928@groups.io)![](cid:attach_4_16DCE94C28170818_24928@groups.io)![](cid:attach_3_16DCE94C28148438_24928@groups.io)![](cid:attach_1_16DCE94C2810139C_24928@groups.io)![](cid:attach_0_16DCE94C280932E5_24928@groups.io)

_._,_._,_

* * *

Lena, DL9LC 2022/03/17 10:32

You can have LabView allready installed.
I have LabView Community Edition and several runtime versions installed on my Laptop and pc - both Win 10 pro 64 - without any problems.
As Francesco wrote, follow exactly the installation instructions and everything is fine.
The software is it worth to read all of the documentation - it's fantastic!

vy 73 de DL9LC, Lena

Anthony 2022/03/17 06:59

Like I said Francesco. following your instructions, I ended up with the
LabView errors I have already added to the thread. It is not as simple as
you describe. Steps must be missing. The instructions, which I read, and
copied to the thread, lacks clarity in areas about what to
download as there are multiple files which, in my opinion, not clearly
indicated which are for new install, etc, yata yata yata.

Yes, the 21 zip files are all downloaded. Yes, I used 7 Zip to extract.
Yes I executed the exe file to install. When I run the software, Labview
errors.

To your point, "everybody makes the same error", dont you think the
instructions should be addressed?


Regards,

Anthony (N2KI)









On Thu, Mar 17, 2022 at 12:29 AM Francesco <realfran@gmx.co.uk> wrote:

Lena, DL9LC 2022/03/17 13:06

I have made the installation here at my QRL-PC.
Attached 5 screenshoots - maybe you can see any difference.
It works in just a view minutes.

Jim Lux 2022/03/17 06:38

To be fair, Francesco found a way that worked for him, for Joe's software.  Installing a labview application is always a tricky thing with lots of dependencies, and what works for one person's configuration may not work for another's.

Things like "what's the default path or %PATH%" can make a big difference.  Another thing that can bite you on Windows machines is whether pieces are installed for a single user or for all users

Vladimir Lebedev 2022/03/17 07:15

Hello Lena!
Please see this pictures. I Have this programm installed - one EXE File for NanoVNA and one EXE file for NanoVNA-V2Plus4. Both file work.
But I have only NanoVNA-H4

73 de Vladimir, dl7pga

Lena, DL9LC 2022/03/17 15:51

Hey Vladimir,

thats the way to do it.
First do the base installation (from the 21 files) and after that you can download and copy to your installation directory the version you need (i.e. V2plus4).
I don't know, if the NanoVNA-H4 is fully supported, because i use a plus4, wich performs very well.

vy 73 de DL9LC, Lena

Francesco 2022/03/17 15:54

Hello, I get problem to install the first time this software (personally I'm
computer illiterate) I download Labviuw thinking whose the best idea and i get
on totally mess.

Then I clean the pc uninstalled all think and I starting again with the step
1, 2, 3, 4 and I ended on V.0.10. (this is old version) on this 21 files there
is the labwiu necessari files for this software.

I go to GitHub https://github.com/joeqsmith/NanoVNA_Software

Go to "main" and download the file version for the NanoVNA 2/plus/ or the
version of the classical NanoVNA.

I like to help more but I'm very limited for my ignorance on computer.

Best wishes.

Francesco.



**Sent:** Thursday, March 17, 2022 at 10:59 AM
**From:** "Anthony" <n2ki.ham@gmail.com>
**To:** NanoVNAV2@groups.io
**Subject:** Re: [nanovnav2] NanoVNA Software by Joe Smith

Like I said Francesco. following your instructions, I ended up with the
LabView errors I have already added to the thread. It is not as simple as you
describe. Steps must be missing. The instructions, which I read, and copied
to the thread, lacks clarity in areas about what to

download as there are multiple files which, in my opinion, not clearly
indicated which are for new install, etc, yata yata yata.



Yes, the 21 zip files are all downloaded. Yes, I used 7 Zip to extract. Yes
I executed the exe file to install. When I run the software, Labview errors.



To your point, "everybody makes the same error", dont you think the
instructions should be addressed?





Regards,

Anthony (N2KI)










On Thu, Mar 17, 2022 at 12:29 AM Francesco
<[realfran@gmx.co.uk](mailto:realfran@gmx.co.uk)> wrote:

> I have installed this software on different PC and laptop with Win10,
Labviuw is integrate on this files. Everybody make the same error (download
labView)

>

> Forget all think unistall LabViuew starting clean from the bigining with the
4 steps. You don't need install or use LabVIEW software.

>

> Is ibended on this files.

>

> **_exstract all 21 files on the same folder._**

>

> Run the installation files from step 4

>

>
>

>
>

>
>

> ![](https://www.eevblog.com/forum/rf-microwave/nanovna-custom-
software/?action=dlattach;attach=1436335;image)

>

> **Sent:** Wednesday, March 16, 2022 at 4:27 PM
> **From:** "Anthony" <[n2ki.ham@gmail.com](mailto:n2ki.ham@gmail.com)>
> **To:** [NanoVNAV2@groups.io](mailto:NanoVNAV2@groups.io)
> **Subject:** Re: [nanovnav2] NanoVNA Software by Joe Smith

>

> Francesco,
>
> In following your procedure, these are the errors I receive when running
the software. Thats the reason I ask about the other softwares.
>
>
![](cid:17f97802bbac204bfcc8)![](cid:17f97802bbac204bfcc6)![](cid:17f97802bbac204bfcc9)![](cid:17f97802bb9c204bfcc2)![](cid:17f97802bbac204bfcc5)![](cid:17f97802bbac204bfcca)![](cid:17f97802bb9c204bfcc3)![](cid:17f97802bbac204bfccb)![](cid:17f97802bbac204bfcc4)![](cid:17f97802bbac204bfcc7)![](cid:17f97802bb9c204bfcc1)

>

>
>

>

_._,_._,_

* * *

Anthony 2022/03/17 11:54

I understand what you folks are saying. Now, please, understand what I am
saying. Following Fransescos instructions only gives me errors. I have
tried twice whice yielded the same results. Following the software
instructions, I have also downloaded the ancillary software, but the
instructions indicate to copy the exe file to the "folder". For one, there
are multiple exe files in the folders. Which do I copy over?

I wish it was just that simple as you descibe. It's not, unfortunately.

Anthony - N2KI

On Thu, Mar 17, 2022, 10:15 Vladimir Lebedev <dl7pga@yandex.com> wrote:

Vladimir Lebedev 2022/03/17 09:37

Hello Anthony!
I have download all .zip files and unzip with program 7zip. I unzip the first file .001 and 7zip unzip all files to install folder. Then start setup.exe from install folder. It is all. As first - uninstall first (old) installation, then start new setup process. It was no error.

73. Vladimir, dl7pga

Dave (G1OGY) 2022/03/17 16:59

Anthony
Given you installed LabView separately (and perhaps another software
program too) alongside or in advance of Joe's software. I suggest that
you UNINSTALL these ancillaries before you reinstall the Joe stuff.


Dave, G1OGY

On Thu, 17 Mar 2022 at 16:38, Vladimir Lebedev <dl7pga@yandex.com> wrote:

Anthony 2022/03/17 13:45

Dave,

I tried that and get the same error windows that I shared earlier in the
thread. I'm stumped.

Anthony - N2KI

On Thu, Mar 17, 2022, 12:59 Dave (G1OGY) <g1ogy@g1ogy.com> wrote:

Anthony 2022/03/17 13:46

Vlad,

It's not an error on install. It's errors when running the program. It
seems It's looking for LabView. See the images I shared earlier in the
thread.

Anthony - N2KI

On Thu, Mar 17, 2022, 12:38 Vladimir Lebedev <dl7pga@yandex.com> wrote:

Jim Lux 2022/03/17 10:50

On 3/17/22 9:59 AM, Dave (G1OGY) wrote:
> Anthony
> Given you installed LabView separately (and perhaps another software
> program too) alongside or in advance of Joe's software. I suggest that
> you UNINSTALL these ancillaries before you reinstall the Joe stuff.

An excellent idea - it can be quite challenging to get rid of the
*entire* NI install (including various and sundry VISA drivers)

But at least then you're starting from a blank slate (which is what
Joe's installation assumes).



Jim Lux 2022/03/17 10:51

On 3/17/22 10:46 AM, Anthony wrote:
> Vlad,
>
> It's not an error on install. It's errors when running the program. It
> seems It's looking for LabView. See the images I shared earlier in the
> thread.
>
> Anthony - N2KI


But if you have an *existing* Labview installation, the default path
might be pointing to *it* as opposed to the one that Joe's files install.

I've been bit by that more than once.  The program doesn't run, because
it doesn't find the stuff it's looking for, because it's looking
somewhere else.

Anthony 2022/03/17 14:19

Jim,

I removed all instances of the NI softwares. Rebooted, reinstalled the
NanoNVA software and I get the same errors. So either the software is not
getting installed with the zip files, or it is in a different location than
where it is programmed to look.

Anthony - N2KI

On Thu, Mar 17, 2022, 13:51 Jim Lux <jim@luxfamily.com> wrote:

Jim Lux 2022/03/17 11:24

On 3/17/22 11:19 AM, Anthony wrote:
> Jim,
>
> I removed all instances of the NI softwares. Rebooted, reinstalled the
> NanoNVA software and I get the same errors. So either the software is
> not getting installed with the zip files, or it is in a different
> location than where it is programmed to look.


The error messages say what it's looking for, don't they?.  You could do
a file search of your disk and see if they're anywhere (or look in the
zips?)

Also, check your %PATH% variable and make sure there's not something
lurking there that's causing problems. The uninstall for some software
isn't perfect at fixing the path - they tend to err on the side of
leaving stuff on the path, because they don't know if something else is
also using it.

Jim Lux 2022/03/17 11:34

On 3/17/22 11:24 AM, Jim Lux wrote:
> On 3/17/22 11:19 AM, Anthony wrote:
>> Jim,
>>
>> I removed all instances of the NI softwares. Rebooted, reinstalled
>> the NanoNVA software and I get the same errors. So either the
>> software is not getting installed with the zip files, or it is in a
>> different location than where it is programmed to look.
>
>
> The error messages say what it's looking for, don't they?.  You could
> do a file search of your disk and see if they're anywhere (or look in
> the zips?)
>
> Also, check your %PATH% variable and make sure there's not something
> lurking there that's causing problems. The uninstall for some software
> isn't perfect at fixing the path - they tend to err on the side of
> leaving stuff on the path, because they don't know if something else
> is also using it.


I don't have a Windows machine handy today - What might be useful if is
someone has a working installation to generate a directory listing of
the files (and where they are, if in multiple directories).  Then
Anthony can compare his directory (post-installation) and see if
everything is there.

Looking at the error messages, it's hard to tell if there should be a
file called NI_AALPro.lvlib, for instance. I think there's a series of
libraries (NI_AALBase.lvlib) which have component .vi in there
(Histogram.vi, FIR FIlter (CDB).vi, etc).

I'm not a LabView guy, so I'm not much help on debugging specific LV
problems.

Anthony 2022/03/17 16:27

Jim

To your earlier point regarding a blank slate. That's what I started with
initially. I had not sought the NI packages until I started the software
after Francisco's method. The errors were numerous. So I went further down
into the software instruction manual and started digging for the NI
packages. Which of course, did not help or correct the errors.

So now I am back to installing as Francesco suggested, but with the same
litany of errors as it is searching for LabView.

Anthony - N2KI

On Thu, Mar 17, 2022, 14:34 Jim Lux <jim@luxfamily.com> wrote:

Anthony 2022/03/18 07:25

Vlad, Lena,

Thats what I did here. I started with the installation of the 21 files.
Those installed in two folders

[image: Intall.JPG]

Now, what are you suggesting to do? Drag which file into which folder?
Thanks!


Regards,

Anthony (N2KI)









On Fri, Mar 18, 2022 at 1:01 AM Francesco <realfran@gmx.co.uk> wrote:

Anthony 2022/03/18 08:04

In addition to the litany of errors I am already receiving, This is another
one.

[image: error.JPG]

Regards,

Anthony (N2KI)









On Fri, Mar 18, 2022 at 7:25 AM Anthony via groups.io <n2ki.ham=
gmail.com@groups.io> wrote:

Lena, DL9LC 2022/03/18 17:08

>From this point on accept all defaults and press "next" untils the installation is done.
After that you will find the executable in C:\Program Files (x86)\NanoVNA_V2Plus.
You can lauch it from there for the first time - it should run.
After that you can copy the update to this folder to get the desired version.

vy 73 de DL9LC, Lena

Anthony 2022/03/18 12:42

Lena,

That's exactly what I am doing.

First error window upon execution of the exe file followed by the rest of
the error windows. They are included here again. I am not sure what the
issue is.

[image: image.png]

[image: image.png]

[image: image.png]
[image: image.png]

[image: image.png]


[image: image.png]

[image: image.png]
[image: image.png]
[image: image.png]
[image: image.png]

[image: image.png]




Regards,

Anthony (N2KI)









On Fri, Mar 18, 2022 at 12:08 PM Lena, DL9LC <dl9lc@darc.de> wrote:

Bob W0EG 2022/04/25 08:01

Installing Joe Smith’s software for the NanoVNA V2Plus

Install 7-zip  (free)

Download all 21  NanoVNA_V2Plus_Installer.zip.nnn files from here:

https://github.com/joeqsmith/NanoVNA_Software/releases/tag/0.10

open NanoVNA_V2Plus_Installer.zip.001 with 7-zip (all 21 installer zip files will then be extracted.

Run the installer.  You will then have version 1 installed at C:\Program Files (x86)\NanoVNA_V2Plus

Confirm that it works than get the latest version of the exe at:

https://github.com/joeqsmith/NanoVNA_Software/blob/NanoVNA_V2Plus/NanoVNA_V2Plus_2p08.zip

Replace the version 1 NanoVNA_V2Plus.exe in C:\Program Files (x86)\NanoVNA_V2Plus

with new version exe.

To reply to this topic, join https://groups.io/g/NanoVNAV2

View this thread on groups.io