About NanoVNA V2

NanoVNA V2 (S-A-A-2) is a low cost 4GHz T/R vector network analyzer developed by HCXQS in collaboration with OwOComm. The V2 hardware is a new from-scratch design and is not based on the earliest V1 design from edy555. Compared to earlier NanoVNA versions, V2 does not use harmonics for measurements and achieves higher dynamic range.

The V2 Plus4 reaches >90dB dynamic range and can measure duplexers (see comparisons below).

Where to buy

Only HCXQS and NanoRFE support the original developers.

As of November 2021 all non-Plus/Plus4 hardware are clones (we have stopped producing V2.2 versions since October 2020), many of which perform badly, and users have reported software/firmware incompatibility. See official stores below and look for Plus/Plus4 versions only to avoid getting a bad clone. See FAQ | How to avoid a bad clone.

All board revisions before Plus4 are not compatible with a metal enclosure, which worsens dynamic range by 10dB at 3GHz. All original NanoVNA V2 devices before Plus4 use an acrylic or 3D printed enclosure, and only Plus4 has improved shielding that achieves high dynamic range with a metal enclosure.

Official stores:

• Official store on Tindie
• Official store on Taobao (NanoVNA V2 唯一官方淘宝店)

The following stores are selling illegal clones.

The clones sold by these vendors do not have permission from the original developers and are violating the non-commercial license of the design (CC-BY-NC-SA).

• Banggood
• R&L electronics - still selling clones despite being asked not to by the original developers

Important: Zeenko is selling S-A-A-2 based designs without permission and in violation of our non-commercial license, with exaggerated specifications. The original V2_2 design was open sourced to help hobbyists learn, but Zeenko's actions force us to close source later designs. Please reconsider supporting this vendor.

Noise comparison

Accuracy comparison

https://ae5x.blogspot.com/2021/07/1-to-4-ghz-nanovna-2-plus4-vs-keysight.html

Sample measurements (V2 Plus4)

User groups / Forums

Discussion forum
https://groups.io/g/NanoVNAV2

Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/nanovnav2/

Discord
https://discord.gg/mF8AZrY

Specifications

The specifications below apply only to devices manufactured by HCXQS or NanoRFE.
Beware of cheap clones that use salvaged or reject parts which do not meet specifications.

Parameter	Board version	Specification	Conditions
Frequency range	V2_2, V2 Plus	50kHz - 3GHz	-
	V2 Plus4	50kHz – 4.4GHz	-
Frequency resolution	All	10kHz	-
System dynamic range (calibrated)	V2_2, V2 Plus	70dB	f < 1.5GHz
		60dB	f < 3GHz
	V2 Plus4	90dB	f < 1GHz IFBW=40Hz (20xAVG)
		80dB	f < 3GHz IFBW=160Hz (5xAVG)
		70dB	f < 3GHz IFBW=800Hz (1xAVG)
S11 noise floor (calibrated)	All	-50dB	f < 1.5GHz
		-40dB	f < 3GHz
Sweep points	All	1 – 1024 points (with NanoVNA-QT software; 10-201 on device display). Note: beware of clone unofficial firmware using calibration interpolation which compromises accuracy, especially when calibrating with test cables.	-
Sweep rate	V2_2	100 points/s	f >= 140MHz
		80 points/s	f < 140MHz
	V2 Plus	200 points/s	f >= 140MHz
		100 points/s	f < 140MHz
	V2 Plus4	400 points/s	f >= 140MHz
		200 points/s	f < 140MHz
Power supply	All	USB, 4.6V – 5.5V	-
Supply current	All	400mA typ, 500mA max	No charging
Battery current, charging	All	1.2A typ	-
Battery capacity	V2_2 V2 Plus	User defined	-
	V2 Plus4	3200mAh	-
Operation ambient temperature	All	0℃ - 45℃ *	* by design, not tested in production
Ambient temperature during battery charging	All	10℃ - 45℃	-

Note: All V2 versions switch on and off the test signal rapidly and can not measure crystals or be used as a signal generator. See FAQ. A special firmware build for the V2 Plus4 that can measure crystals is posted here: https://nanorfe.com/forum/V2-Plus4-firmware-for-measuring-crystals.html

Accuracy comparison between NanoVNA V2 and HP-8753E by DD1US

Basic usage

NanoVNA V2 Video Tutorials

VNA basics

A VNA (Vector Network Analyzer) measures the frequency dependent reflected and transmitted power of a high frequency network (RF Network).

The NanoVNA V2 measures the following:

• Reflection coefficient: S11
• Transmission coefficient: S21

The following items that can be calculated from these can be displayed:

• Return loss
• Insertion loss
• Complex impedance
• Resistance
• Reactance
• SWR

Required components

To use the NanoVNA V2 for one port measurements (e.g. antenna impedance), you will need the following:

• NanoVNA V2 main unit
• SMA cable, male-male
• Calibration standards: Short, Open, and Load

Performing measurements

The basic operation and menu structure of the NanoVNA V2 is very similar to the original NanoVNA.

• Configure the measurement frequency range:

  Select STIMULUS > START and STIMULUS > STOP.

• Calibrate:
  1. Enter the CAL menu and connect a SMA male-male cable to port 1 of the VNA.
  2. Connect the OPEN standard to the cable end and select "OPEN". Wait for menu highlight.
  3. Connect the SHORT standard to the cable end and select "SHORT". Wait for menu highlight.
  4. Connect the LOAD standard to the cable end and select "LOAD". Wait for menu highlight.
  5. Select "APPLY". Calibration should now be active and you can start performing measurements.

Documentation

User manuals

Menu maps

Firmware downloads

For firmware releases go to the Hardware versions page which lists the latest stable firmware builds for each hardware variant.

There are also experimental firmware releases at downloads.

Firmware sources are at https://github.com/nanovna-v2/NanoVNA2-firmware

Software

There are two PC programs compatible with the S-A-A-2. NanoVNA-QT is the native V2 software and allows adjustable sweep points and firmware updating. NanoVNA-Saver was originally developed for the V1 NanoVNA but now also has support for V2.

Download

See Software downloads page.

NanoVNA-QT source code:

https://github.com/nanovna/NanoVNA-QT

Schematics and PCB layout

The schematics and PCB layout files are available here:

https://github.com/nanovna-v2/NanoVNA2

The design is licensed under CC-BY-NC-SA and commercial use without specific permission is forbidden. You need to obtain specific written permission every 3 months to sell hardware using this design.