#191 Optimizing Antennas using a cheap N1201SA VNA (Vector Impedance Analyzer), LoRa, Review

Knowing how your antennas work or build and optimize our antenna is very rewarding. Unfortunately, it needs know-how and some costly equipment to do that. Today we will change that, and I show you an affordable new tool that enables these tasks. This small device was one of my best investments I made so far.

At the end
- You know how to build and optimize a LoRa ground plane antenna
- You will know How to tune a commercially available antenna
- You will get a little theory behind it, as usual
And we will have a close look at this small gadget from China and compare it with a professional tester

Links:

If you want to support the channel, please use the links below to start your shopping. No additional charges for you, but I get a commission (of your purchases the next 24 hours) to buy new stuff for the channel

Please do not try to Email me or invite me on LinkedIn. These communication channels are reserved for my primary job

[romiolover]

i am an electronic engineer for around 20 years and I can tell that this tutorial is one of the best tutorials I had seen

[brunobraga]

This man is the best eletronics and DYI Youtuber, not only he explains why things work like they do but also tells the truth and shows what he means. Thank you Andreas for making these videos and helping thousands making little projects that seemed impossible before!

[FindLiberty]

The expensive equipment had unlocked the, "black art of RF" to me decades ago.
(It's easy with the right tools.) THANK YOU for your _perfectly_ concise explanation
of the theory, and FOR SHOWING THESE _DELIGHTFULLY AFFORDABLE_ DIY TOOLS!

[Starfishtroopers]

Now when I am working with electronics I have a Swiss voice in my head.. Dankeschön

[SteveWrightNZ]

This unit is excellent. This one of the most addictive radio tools I have every owned - just cannot stop making antennas!!

[pliniobass]

I watched this video in the past and now I went back to watch it again to ask questions. I'm just frustrated that I can't press the "Like" button again. Thank you again master.

[deangreenhough]

Ok, so once again you introduce me to another topic (I thought I had no interest in).

Once again your enthusiasm for the subject, along with the way you present, is just a dream.

At the speed you are going, I have to wonder what wonders you have for us in the future.

My life is enriched every Sunday by your work and often I spend the week thinking it over.

I’m surprised you hardly mentioned how much you loved your new tool
🤥

Keep going Andreas, you are an authority on so many subjects.

[StephaneHollande]

Thank you Andreas, as a French, I like your Swiss accent, and I remain admirative in front of the simplicity with which you can explain complex subjects ...I'll keep watching your multiple videos and keep learning ... Your experiments basically save me the hassle of trial and errors, and help me to go straight to the right solution. Bravo !

[chrisgreece]

I have learned more things from your videos on practical and theoretical electronics than in my 4 years in the EE school.

[waltsteinchen]

I *really* like how show some theorie, but always tied to practical usage! Had to order that device .. no chance to resist ;)

[JakeHarris]

"like a good politician, if a method does not work, we just use more of it"

[rodericksibelius]

I was a Microwave Technician and took a 9 month Special class about antennas, learned all the basics, theory and use of the Smith Chart and went on to work to help build 4-18 Ghz microwave amplifiers here in Silicon Valley, there were a lot of tuning using the microcope, tuning is like black magic with a skill using those little gold chips and soldering / tacking them when the desired SWR was achieved. I would like to buy one of these... hahaha... I'd like to learn how to use this HIGH TECH DEVICE 'AWESOME'...

[murrayzhong]

I have no experience and knowledge about antenna. But I am learning a lot from your tutorial. Thank you so much.

[ColeDedhand]

I have been using a nanovna for a couple of years and have found it very useful for tuning and troubleshooting antennas. Every time I use it I am amazed that such a cheap tool can give me the same information as the $80, 000 analyzer I use at work. Obviously I don't expect it to be perfect but I have compared it and found it surprisingly close.

[mikehudson]

That does it !!!
It's 40 years since I used a Smith chart. 15 years working with HF/VHF/UHF antennas with the old tools. What would we have given for tools like that?
Yes, I see why you fell in love with it! I'm off to your Patreon channel - give us more like this.

[northshorepx]

OH WOW, THANK YOU! !!!. This is one of your best videos to date. Antennae theory and practice is something that most of electronics hobbyists have to always rely on others, such as vendors and manufacturers, when we build with RF modules such as Lora etc. Using this video the theory and practice is now approachable. - IN A COLOUR GRAPH!!!! You have really showed us how we can optimise our own antennae using tools that even we hobbyists can consider getting. Thank you again!

One question please Andreas, please could tell us if this device can be used for wifi/ES32/ESP82xx, GSM and other similar modules that all play with. I know you said that the 2.2 GHz band is covered, but is it just as effective in that range? Sorry if I missed this the video but it wasn't clear to me.

Ps. The other thing that wasn't clear was whether you loved this new tool? :-)

[sethalump]

As a life long antenna building nerd, I really appreciated this video. I've had my eye on one of these inexpensive VNAs for some time. Now I'll be sure to get one.

[MoTown]

I typically transmit signals from 300 mW to 3 W when trying to communicate with my Amateur Radio. Prior to recent times the technology that you describe was not available to most hobbyists. Glad that technology is making measuring devices like this that I can afford on my retirement pension. I enjoy building my antennas, mostly for HF.

[JasonCarlson]

Again Andreas has surpassed all the others!! You earned my patronage!!! Keep up the good work!!

[gertux]

It seems you really like your new tool ;-) Thanks for the content, very interesting, as usual.