Using the NanoVNA to measure standing wave ratio (SWR) of an antenna.

Kylie Lamoree, Motus Biologist for Bird Conservancy of the Rockies, explains how to use the NanoVNA to measure the standing wave ratio (SWR) of an antenna.

In this video, Kylie describes how to calibrate the NanoVNA to measure from 432MHz to 436MHz, saves that calibration, and measures the SWR of a Laird YS4306 yagi antenna. This antenna is used on our Motus stations to detect tags that transmit at 434MHz (manufactured by Cellular Tracking Technologies).

You can follow the same steps to calibrate the NanoVNA to measure from 164MHz to 168MHz, and save that calibration in a different save slot. This will allow you to measure the SWR of an antenna on your Motus station intended to detect tags transmitting at 166.380MHz (manufactured by Lotek Wireless, Inc.). Saving the two different calibrations allows you to easily move back and forth between the two frequencies to measure multiple antennas at your Motus station.

[kgrant]

Just bought one and watched several videos by big ham radio channels, and this was the clearest and most concise demo I've seen. Everything I needed and nothing I didn't. Thanks!

[obnov]

Thank you very much! I have seen several YouTube videos, but nothing has been as clear and concise are your presentation. I’m going to be using it for my home-brew HF ham antennas.

[TheGeeMan]

WOW! Great video! You explain things in easy-to-understand simple terms, and not in Klingon.

[joeltangunan]

I just got my own NanoVNA and trying to learn how to use it. Very straightforward. Thank you for this video.

[StinzePlant]

During your calibration I observed at marker 3:48 in your video that you directly pressed the Calibrate button after the CAL button. Between those two the RESET button has to be pressed to empty old calibration data.
For a 1 port calibration you may skip the Isolation- and Thru button.
After you removed the CAL load from CH0 I saw a swr value of 1.37 at the cursor. Where was that value coming from? Because with an Open (or nothing connected) at CH0 this value should be very high (infinite theoretically). So the yellow trace had to be on top of the display. I hope this helps.

[USNAR]

One of the best tutorials - short and clear!
Thanks!

[kenmcmullan]

Perfect introductory video. Didn't assume any prior knowledge, but at the same time without talking to me like I'm a spongecake. Thank you!
PS - Did you know about connecting the two ports together for the "through" calibration? Hope this helps.

[PickedItMate]

I like the speed of your commentart - my adhd thanks you.

[BobSouthDakota]

The best video I've seen on this subject! Thank you

[HamRadioCrusader]

That was INCREDIBLY helpful!! Thank You!

[andreacontini]

Wow you saved me with your "shiny for short" I was confusing the load with it and I couldn't make it work

[Jack-whqk]

Fantastic video and well thought out. I got a Nano VNA for Xmas, but now confused as to how I delete stored data that I no longer want...thanks.

[FantaBH]

incredible good explained, thank you .

[astroEnthusiast]

Very nice, I'm wondering can this test be performed through an LMR 400 coax cable with an LNA & BPF connected, no antenna. Would that still provide an accurate SWR or would I need to add in a 50 Ohm terminator on the input end of the LNA (from the antenna)? Or should this test get performed with the LNA assembly connected to the antenna? This is for a Radio Astronomy telescope project.

[Index-o]

How do you know which SWR reading is good or bad for the frequency range you choose to save? I can only assume you are connecting the Nano to the wire that connects directly to your antenna outside with no other equipment attached to get it's SWR?

[Radplus]

Hello!
It's my question that how we can test an antenna for a bipolar monopulse uwb signal for example if that signal has a 5ns width and 100khz repetition..What is the frequency that I have to use as start and stop on nanovna to measure my antenna

[snatr]

Think you should have calibrated the thru as well by connecting the two ports together for a better reading. I had to at least 😉