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Component Measuring Adapter for NanoVNA

This page was last updated : 14-Sep-23 18:06:47

 

Introduction

As a hamradio homebrewer I often use my NanoVNA to measure filters, antennas and crystals. But a NanoVNA is much more than that, you can also measure components with it. For that I  use a improvised adapter which plugs into my QRP-Labs filter adapter for NanoVNA.

A small strip of PCB is cut to the size of a QRP-Labs adapter PCB, the copper on one side is separated in half and one half is separated again in the middle. A small piece of experiment PCB with holes is used as a template to drill the 16 holes for the female headers.

To connect various sizes of components, it contains of a 2x4 female header connected to ground, a 2x2 female header connected to CH0 / IN and a 2x2 female header connected to CH1 / OUT. 

Top and bottom are connected to ground (note the IN and OUT section are cut free from the ground plane.

And it fits perfect to my QRP-Labs filter adapter for NanoVNA.

But you don't need a QRP-Labs filter adapter for NanoVNA to test components. You can also buy a NanoVNA Testboard Kit on various online sales platforms like AliExpress which can also be used to measure components.

 

But because my improvised adapter works, and I already have designed  1206 PI network Attenuator PCB's  I didn't buy one. 

So I designed my own

But hamradio is also building your own tools and improving them. So on a free afternoon, I designed one for my own and just like my QRP-Labs filter adapter for NanoVNA, it has build in calibrations support to get the maximum out of it. 

 

Schematic

PCB design

PCB Design in 3D.

With the design was ready,  I ordered a set of prototype PCB's and now I'm waiting for delivery.

 

PCB's in the house

After just 6 days, the postman delivered a small batch of PCB's (25 pieces which I ordered at JLPCB's) for my NanoVNA new component tester.

So I picked the components and placed them (excl the SMD resistors) to see how it would look. For now I'm very happy with the result.

 

I assembled one, tested it, and the results looked good. Very happy with the end result.

So I started writing a construction / usage manual for it.   

Component adapter for NanoVNA (V1, V2 and H4) Kit building and usage manual
 

I wrote a manual on the construction and how to use it. This manual can be download here : link to manual (PDF). 

 

  

Base plate

Because it's based on the my QRP-Labs filter adapter for NanoVNA I can re-use the 3D printed base plate again. 

The design of the base plate is publicly available so you can print your own but licensed it Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0).
Meaning : 

• Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
• NonCommercial — You may not use the material for commercial purposes.
• NoDerivatives — If you remix, transform, or build upon the material, you may not distribute the modified material.

It's not to be childish but it now happened a few times that a 3D design I made was sold by other people just because is was "Open source, so I can do anything I want with it" without any credits or even a token of appreciation. 

 

When you want it to be used Commercial, please contact me.   

 

Where to buy 

I have ordered a larger batch of PCB's and sell these bare PCBs (physical and gerber files) and also kit or ready build and tested versions. When you interested use the form on the For-Sale page. 

When they are sold out and there is a demand, I might be ordering a new batch of PCB's to sell them, make new kits or even sell full assembled adapters. So when they are sold out and your interested, let me know through the Contact form.   

 

The design of this adapter (Component Measuring Adapter for NanoVNA) is publicly available (use the For-Sale page  to request GERBER files) so you order your own PCB's at OSHPark or a other PCB factory of your choice, but licensed it Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0).
Meaning : 

• Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
• NonCommercial — You may not use the material for commercial purposes.
• NoDerivatives — If you remix, transform, or build upon the material, you may not distribute the modified material.

It's not to be childish but it now happened a few times that a  designs I made was sold by other people just because is was "Open source, so I can do anything I want with it" without any credits or even a token of appreciation. 

When you like the design and PCB's. a small fee as a token of appreciation / commission to support my work is very appreciated (see : Support & Tip Jar).

 

User Gallery

When people buy one of my PCB's, kits etc. I ask then if they send me a picture when they build it or using it. Below you find images some OM's send me.
OM's thanks for the pictures. All pictures (c) to the OM. 

 

Patrick PD1JAZ

When Patrick PD1JAZ received his package he send me e-mail. 

 

Beste Lex,

Even in navolging van je brief die bij het pakketje zat: ondertussen is de adapter klaar en al meteen in gebruik.
Montage is vlekkeloos verlopen dankzij je zeer gedetaïlleerde handleiding. Ook de Magic Smoke test is
moeiteloos doorstaan. De displaybeelden en waarden zijn quasi copy conform met wat in de handleiding staat.

In bijlage enkele foto's. Twee ervan een beetje uit focus merk ik nu. Nochtans niets gedronken.

Dank ook voor:
1. voor het monteren van de SMD weerstanden
2. de (gele) spare pins voor je weet maar nooit
3. het bonusmateriaal! (QRP-Labs PCBs)

73 Patrick PD1JAZ

Translation : 

Dear Lex,

Just following your letter that came with the package: the adapter is now ready and has been used immediately.
Assembly went smoothly thanks to your very detailed manual. Also the Magic Smoke test is
endure effortlessly. The display images and values ​​are quasi copy in accordance with what is stated in the manual.

Attached are some photos. Two of them a bit out of focus I notice now. Still didn't drink anything.

Thanks also for:
1. before mounting the SMD resistors
2. the (yellow) spare pins for you never know
3. the bonus material! (QRP Labs PCBs)

73 Patrick PD1JAZ

 

Thanks for sharing the pictures and the building report Dr OM Patrick.  

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