Table of contents
About NanoVNA V2
NanoVNA V2 (S-A-A-2) is a low cost 3GHz 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 original NanoVNA by edy555. Compared to the original NanoVNA, V2 does not use harmonics for measurements and achieves higher dynamic range.
Users group and discussion forum
groups.io/g/NanoVNAV2Where to buy
Only HCXQS and NanoRFE support the original developers of the S-A-A-2.
As of January 2021 most V2 devices sold on Aliexpress are clones, many of which perform badly, and some users have reported firmware incompatibility. See official stores below to ensure you get a supported version. 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 Aliexpress
- Official store on Taobao (NanoVNA V2 唯一官方淘宝店)
- Note: V2 Plus4 is temporarily out of stock in all stores, please check back after Chinese New Year.
Authorized distributors:
The following stores are known to sell clones:
- Passion Radio
- R&L electronics
Note that OwOComm does not manufacture V2 devices and does not provide direct technical support. Please use the below support forum or click "Contact Seller" on the Tindie or Aliexpress page.
Because of past disputes about unfair competition, we no longer permit a certain manufacturer from making and selling copies of the V2 PCB design and have issued a public statement in October 2020: https://groups.io/g/nanovna-users/message/17875
We currently wait and see if he will respect the wishes of the developers of a design he is making money from or if he will take your design and run with it. For all developers who are looking for a partner to produce and market your design, we recommend looking for a more trustworthy partner such as Seeed Studio, Elecrow, or Makerfabs, just to name a few.
Thank you for your understanding.
User groups / Forums
Discussion forum
https://groups.io/g/NanoVNAV2
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/nanovnav2/
Discord
https://discord.gg/mF8AZrY
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 |
V2_2, V2 Plus |
70dB |
f < 1.5GHz |
60dB |
f < 3GHz |
||
V2 Plus4 |
90dB |
f < 1GHz |
|
80dB |
f < 3GHz |
||
70dB |
f < 3GHz |
||
S11 noise floor |
All |
-50dB |
f < 1.5GHz |
-40dB |
f < 3GHz |
||
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 |
||
Sweep points (on device) |
All |
10 – 201 points, adjustable |
- |
Sweep points (USB) |
All |
1 – 1024 points, adjustable |
- |
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. For measuring crystals we recommend using an original NanoVNA by edy555.
Accuracy comparison between NanoVNA V2 and HP-8753E by DD1US
Basic usage
NanoVNA V2 Video TutorialsVNA 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
- 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:
- Enter the CAL menu and connect a SMA male-male cable to port 1 of the VNA.
- Connect the OPEN standard to the cable end and select "OPEN". Wait for menu highlight.
- Connect the SHORT standard to the cable end and select "SHORT". Wait for menu highlight.
- Connect the LOAD standard to the cable end and select "LOAD". Wait for menu highlight.
- Select "APPLY". Calibration should now be active and you can start performing measurements.
Documentation
User manuals
User Manual for all V2 versions
V2 Plus4 User manual by NC4BR
Menu maps
Menu Map for all V2 versions
V2 Plus4 Menu Map by NC4BR
Firmware downloads
Go to the Hardware versions page which lists the latest stable firmware versions for each hardware variant.
There are also experimental firmware releases at downloads.
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.
NanoVNA-QT:
https://github.com/nanovna/NanoVNA-QT/releases
NanoVNA Saver:
https://github.com/zarath/nanovna-saver
Schematics and PCB layout
The schematics and PCB layout files are available here:
https://github.com/nanovna/NanoVNA-V2
Permission is granted to use the design commercially and non-commercially without royalties. However, note that it is in your interest and everyone's interest to abide by basic business ethics.