#314: How to use the NanoVNA to sweep / measure an antenna system's SWR and optimize its tuning

This video briefly shows how to setup and use the NanoVNA to sweep an antenna system (antenna, transmission line, transmatch, etc.) to measure its VSWR, Reflection Coefficient, etc., and then shows how you can use it to monitor the tuning behavior as you make adjustments. The basic steps include:
- Setting the traces that you want to display (SWR, Smith, S11)
- Setting the frequency range
- Running a Calibration
- Making the sweep
- Using Markers
Please see my previous videos on the VNA, Smith Chart, Transmission Lines, Terminations, etc. for more background.

[lambdaprog]

This video will be a reference for all amateurs for years to come.

[copernicus]

This is such an excellent presentation. He doesn’t waste time, like most do, with extraneous talk. He gets to the point right away.

[CHIPSpeaking]

I just got a NANO VNA-H4, and with videos like this I have invested well, thanks for all the help!

[carldavis]

From what I see in the comments and having bought one myself. The folks who sell this VNA should as least pay you as an instructor if not for the boost in their sales. Thanks for another set of helpful insights in both using this device and our equipment.

[Elephantine]

When I think back to how many hours I spent in the 80's with a noise bridge trying to get a tiny fraction of what these devices do in an instant, it just blows my mind.

[fourfortyroadrunner]

Absolutely stellar. I'm 75, have forgotten a lot of what I thought I used to know. ETR2, USN, 68-74, NAS Miramar, 70-74, maintained GCA RADAR and TACAN, unfortunately all old tube stuff back then. 9.8ghz RADAR

[ammocraft]

Easily the best videos on YouTube for this type of content....please keep them coming.

[grumpy_ken]

just dug out my older nano vna 3.5 and you refreshed everything I needed to reacquaint myself in 5 minutes flat

[gmcjetpilot]

THANK YOU.... I got my NanoVNA out to test an antenna and ground plane.... been a year? I forgot the basics, and watching video got it quickly,
SWR 1.03 and impedance 51 ohms... at target freq with a flat SWR with ripple and tight smith chart... (1090 Mhz aircraft transponder antenna)

[dougbas]

Well done. Nice watching the tuner affect. Thank you.

[BritishBeachcomber]

The best NanoVNA tutorial I've seen.

[davewells]

Alan, you're the best thing on YouTube - period. If only I could turn back the clock knowing everything you've taught me. Can't thank you enough.

[paulkeeton]

Great video! I bought a NanoVNA and was looking for info on its use. Looks like I found it! Nice job!!!😁

[rjollis]

One of the best videos on the NanoVNA in operation that I have yet seen. Thanks for presenting this.

[DerekMurawsky]

This made a lot of different things click in my head around antennas and tuning. Thanks for showing it!

[richardblanchard]

Excellent presentation. I ordered mine yesterday and I hope it works as good as yours.

[johnmarchant]

A great informative video which has solved a lot of the uncertainties I had with the NanoVNA as I only wish to measure the SWR of my loop antenna at different frequencies to enable the pre-setting of stepper motor positions.

[gusb.]

Everyone else presenting this confused me, and left me with more questions than answers. THANK YOU for straightening it all out in 6 minutes!

[kadgx]

That really helped me understand what the controls on a tuner do, as you said... thanks!

[mnmmnm]

I get amazed everytime I see your videos, a True Electrical Engineer at its best,