TinySA vs NanoVNA: The Ham Radio Showdown

Join us for a showdown between two powerful tools for ham radio enthusiasts: the TinySA and the NanoVNA. In this video, we’ll dive into the features, specifications, and real-world applications of both devices. Whether you’re a seasoned ham operator or just starting out, you’ll discover which tool is best suited for your needs.

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[AdamSWL]

Buys a Tiny SA.
Cries when the Ultra version is released a month later!
Another great video Ape!

[KOVNX]

I have both, been using both, but it is easy to get lost in the details, so I keep coming back to your videos to walk back through each process!

[silvermica-ud]

I retired after 42 years in the electronic repair business. I never thought i would be able to carry my whole shop around in a briefcase.

[johnwest]

A summary:
The TinySA is a spectrum analyzer. It shows you almost real-time RF signal strength over a specified frequency range. In addition to measuring all sorts of radiation pattern characteristics of an antenna it's handy for measuring signal strength changes, tuning up radio filter stages, and for identifying problems with harmonics from a transmitter. In conjunction with a cheap ($5 or $10) noise bridge (a random RF noise source) it can show you the wave shape (pass-band, stop-band, ) of a filter. A noise bridge is a dirt cheap substitute for a tracking oscillator to use with the spectrum analyzer that will usually work just fine for hobbyists. A critical parameter for hobby-grade spectrum analyzers is the highest frequency it will measure.

The NanoVNA is a network analyzer. It measures all sorts of characteristics of any sort of electronic network over a frequency range, including resistance, reactance, and phase relationships over that frequency range. It can be used to test and characterize everything from resistors, capacitors, and crystals, to filters, impedance matching networks, and antennas. It can find the location of problems in coax or just measure how long a piece of cable is. A critical parameter for hobby-grade network analyzers is the highest frequency it will analyze.

Basically, over the period of a year or 2 a hobbyist will want to acquire 1 of each device, a multimeter, and an oscilloscope to have a good starter equipment set to do ham radio measurements and a variety of electronics projects. Add in a soldering station and a function generator (if one isn't built into your 'scope or other gear) and you're set up to do all sorts of things. Of course, if you just want to talk on the radio all you'll need is a radio, coax, and an antenna, and someone to check your SWR when you first set up. But where's the fun in that? The hobby is radio electronics, not talking. You don't even need a radio to just talk.

[Swamp-Fox]

You just confirmed my determination that I need both!

[KSJD]

Thanks Ape! Good explanation on the differences and uses of both tools. Thanks for the video! 73

[stevedewsnap]

I've just brought the Tiny ZS407. Im waiting for it to be delivered. Great video thank you.

[johnwest]

A $10 return-loss bridge is easy to use with a TinySA to determine the reflection of an antenna system at various frequencies and calculate the SWR value if the return loss value isn't sufficient for your taste. Return-loss bridges were used for decades with SA's before the advent of the $50 network analyzer. I still use mine when it's more convenient to use than the NanoVNA.

[youtubeaccount]

Another banger video by the Ape. I got the nanoVNA and its been really useful.

[oldfartonabmx]

Damn, wish I’d seen this video 2 hours ago; just bought a Nano VNA!

[ashemoski]

These are great examples of tools which you may not use very often, but are very handy and useful when you need them. I have the NanoVNA H4 and picked up the TinySA on a black Friday sale. The Ultra's larger screen was desirable (for the same reason as you state, dammit), but I couldn't justify the price difference for my limited usage which will ge mainly noise-chasing in the house.

[hughpatterson]

Wow, great video explaining the difference between the two. I have a small NanoVNA and it is extremely useful but the screen is too small for my 63 year eyes. However, I use a magnifying glass so I get by. This is a great time to be involved with amateur radio because equipment is so inexpensive compared to even six year ago. I build a lot of my own radio gear and I was able to put together a fully stocked electronics work station on the cheap. I've learned so much from this channel so thank you! I now build my own Balins and Ununs, loading coils, etc. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us...73...Hugh...KN6KNB

[mcgrath]

thanks, , another straight to the point video!

[DavidJohnstone-hikr]

Thanks Ape for another very informative video ! It is somewhat confusing to a newcomer since they look very similar on the surface. For the cheap money, both these gadgets are very fine additions to test equipment for ham radio. I still want to see a tinySA Ultra with a 7 inch screen.

[karlbesser]

The 'miniVNA pro' from Radio Solution, which has been around for a long time, has the advantage that it has a Bluetooth interface and can therefore be attached directly to the base of the antenna. This means that the influence of physical proximity can be prevented.

[SoCoguy]

Always appreciate your informative, easily understood videos. Navy metrology & calibration lab retired fart😊

[ianwalker]

Most modern spectrum analysers (Keysight, and Rohde & Schwarz) do not have a tracking generator because a network analyser is better suited to transmission gain and loss (S12 & S21) measurements. I have worked up to 67 GHz.

[jorgezuni]

Looking how to use a tiny vna to look at spectrum to visualize what frequency are been Transmited on .

[TheGmr]

Both so cheap, get Both, I come from a world where a hp network analyzer costs 200k, now I can get a nanovna for 100 bucks 😅😅

[donnakano]

Isn’t that like, “Which is better, a hammer or a screwdriver?”