NanoVNA Custom Software

[joeqsmith]

That's correct, I fill the last two columns with duplicate data when there is no transfer relay.  With the transfer relay, you will get all four.

Come to think of it, do you think solver actually changed the IF on the nano to 800 Hz? I see in your settings where 800 Hz is used for the upper frequencies that solver tries to set the IF to 160 Hz for <= 400 KHz.  I wonder if the nano is just ignoring all that.

Looks like again the EEVBLOG forum is having problems with attachments.  Anyway, from OWO's site showing the data for your VNA, we expect 110 dBish average in the lower frequency range where your's is closer to 95.   My guess is this is not a problem with your VNA.  It is very possible that the commands used to set the filters is not the same.  OWO's firmware would have had to follow the same commands as what Dislord implemented or it will not be compatible with Solver.     My V2Plus4 doesn't have support for it, or several other commands for that matter.  The firmware is very dated and not supported. 

I would just join OWO's groups.io and ask there.  Keep in mind they may censor your posts, so if they don't show up you know why.   

***
BTW, I did go ahead and add an enable like I mentioned.  There are a few other problems that I have addressed.  I'm not aware of anyone using the software outside of yourself.  If you don't come across any problems in the next few weeks, I will go ahead and release these changes.   

[Fred_B]

I made some quick simulation models of the calibration standards that came with the nanovna and used them to create touchstone files for calibration with vna_Qt. I used 10x averaging for the calibration and 20x averaging for this screen shot. I was also using the 300mm cables on each port. For the one port measurements I used the thru with the male standards. It helped. Although, I thought calibration would get rid of the cable ripples more in the S11 results.

How does the touchstone correction of the calibration work?

[joeqsmith]

85dB for S21 in the low frequency range is not expected.   

For the most part, everything I have shown with the low cost VNAs has used the ideal model.    I think the only time I have shown using non-ideal standards was for testing the waveguides.   A viewer did call me out for having mistakes in my math but I walked through comparing results with the LiteVNA against my Agilent PNA.  That ended the discussion, so I assume the viewer was a bit lost or there really is a problem and they were unable to articulate their concern.   I'll leave that to other users to sort out as it appears correct to me.    For the waveguides, I have a few standards that I can use for a sanity check.  Actually, the new version of Solver has included the Agilent WR90 standards in the library.  I attempted to make a poor man's set based on them. 

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/rf-microwave/experimenting-with-waveguides-using-the-litevna/msg4796609/#msg4796609

[Fred_B]

I'm wondering if that's some kind of measurement artifact. I see these little discontinuities in the sweep here and there. I made another calibration with touchstone files for the VHF band for my project. And this is what I got, 20x averaging, 601 points, 143 Mhz - 149 MHz.

[joeqsmith]

That's a big improvement from your previous post and more what OWO claims.   I wonder why you can't sweep a wider range like they show and get roughly the same results.   Did they provide you with coefficients for their included standards? 

[Fred_B]

I'm just using the touchstone files I created from the sim models I made of the supplied standards, basically a models of the male standards with the thru attached so that it goes on the end of the 300mm cables.

From what I've seen so far, I would expect the more the bandwidth of the sweep is increased the more bumpy the measurements are going to get. I'm sweeping in 10 kHz steps for that. I'm working on the UHF band now in 50 kHz steps. 20x averaging for everything.

[Slide_Lock]

Yes sir....Giant red flag here, with the new user account. Sorry about that but I have been reading this blog for hours trying to find the answer(s).
I have a LiteVNA and would love to be able to get @joeqsmith 's software installed properly but come up short.

The steps I believe i need to follow are installing the original NanoVNA V2 software with the included packages, and then moving the requisite .exe's from the more current version of the software into the root directory.

My issue is that @joeqsmith github seems to be gone. I get a 404 Webpage not found on github when clicking on any link(s) that point to the original, and have not had any luck trying to search github for the same.

Forgive me if this has been beaten to death.

Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

P.S. I am on Windows 11 .

Thank you so much in advance for any help offered.

Respectfully,

[wasedadoc]

Obviously your hours of reading have not included the last few pages of this topic in which joeqsmith has explained that the files are no longer on github. His sig contains a link to their new location.

[Slide_Lock]

Obviously your hours of reading have not included the last few pages of this topic in which joeqsmith has explained that the files are no longer on github. His sig contains a link to their new location.

Obviously you haven't actually looked at his dropbox any time recently. on page 18 of his manual, in RED type the following instructions/options are given:

"As of version 1.0 there are now two separate programs. One supports the original NanoVNA
and the other supports the new V2+. The installer, .INI, runtime engine and VISA drivers will
no longer be included. You may download these directly from NI, or just install the original
release of the V2+ software. Once these are installed, copy the executable files to your
directory." (Which I referenced in my original post, clearly indicating I had in fact found and read the dropbox)

Problem with THAT instruction, is that the "original release of the V2+" version of the software/installation package is not listed in the dropbox. There is a Solver64 directory, a NanoVNA directory and an NI_Runtime_VISA directory. NOWHERE in the dropbox link, is "original release of the V2+ software" listed. Are we supposed to assume that the NanoVNA directory is the "Original V2 version" ?

Perhaps you can see the dichotomy?

Lastly, if YOU had actually read the last few pages of this thread, you would (or at least should have) seen THIS reply by Joe where he clearly states that he uses github:
 

GitHub is really for application development teams and individuals who compile applications from source code. For people who just want to grab a pre-compiled binary and go it is a good bit of a hassle. Have you had a look at Sourceforge?

No.  Only Github.  Easy for me and I suspect for most of the youth who grew up with PCs.  Nearly impossible for the old hams, even with explicit instructions.   They need something that works like their PC file manager.   Google Drive, Microsoft One Drive, Dropbox.   Of course we do have a few special people that try and use their cell phones.
 

P.S. the really interesting clue contained in all of ^ that....is the date/timestamp, which is what? 3 or 4 days ago now?

Restraint of pen and tongue is a conditioned response. Perhaps combined with a little humility, you will get there someday.

 

[Kean]

@Slide_Lock
Check out Joes recent video about the Dropbox move



He states that the NanoVNA folder on Dropbox includes the files that were up on Github and that may be what you want
He also states he isn't intending to update the manual and that any support is worth what you paid for the software (or something like that)...
So you may have to watch that video and make some educated guesses.

[wasedadoc]

Obviously your hours of reading have not included the last few pages of this topic in which joeqsmith has explained that the files are no longer on github. His sig contains a link to their new location.

Obviously you haven't actually looked at his dropbox any time recently.

Obviously I have looked.  How else could I have downloaded the files you seek within the last three days?  Joeqsmith akso stated in a very recent post, which your hours of reading missed, about the manual being out of date and that he will not be updating it.

[Slide_Lock]

@Slide_Lock
Check out Joes recent video about the Dropbox move

<snip>

He states that the NanoVNA folder on Dropbox includes the files that were up on Github and that may be what you want
He also states he isn't intending to update the manual and that any support is worth what you paid for the software (or something like that)...
So you may have to watch that video and make some educated guesses.

Thank you so much for the courteous reply.

 

[Slide_Lock]

Obviously your hours of reading have not included the last few pages of this topic in which joeqsmith has explained that the files are no longer on github. His sig contains a link to their new location.

Obviously you haven't actually looked at his dropbox any time recently.

Obviously I have looked.  How else could I have downloaded the files you seek within the last three days?  Joeqsmith akso stated in a very recent post, which your hours of reading missed, about the manual being out of date and that he will not be updating it.

It's ok man. You seem cranky. I hope you have a better day today than you appear to have had yesterday.

[Slide_Lock]

So this is the error I get when trying to run Solver64:




I was unable to locate this specific file on NI which is referenced in the dropbox readme: "ni-labview-2020-runtime-engine_20.1.1_offline.iso"
So I assumed (perhaps incorrectly) based on the compatibility chart provided by NI that the closest version (ni-labview-2020-runtime-engine_20.0.1_offline.iso) I COULD find, would actually work, since it aligns with the VISA compatibility shown here:



Can someone help me understand what the solution might be?

The program launches just fine, however, I cannot link to my LiteVNA, even when selecting the proper com port in the application as confirmed in device manager.

[joeqsmith]

Those pesky M-drive stepper motors.   Watch the video...

[Slide_Lock]

Those pesky M-drive stepper motors.   Watch the video...

Thank you Joe. I did watch the video. The "stage" checkbox was unchecked by default on mine, but I checked it, then un-checked it, saved the defaults and I still cannot connect.

A screenshot of the software on my laptop is shown below.

[joeqsmith]

LOL.  So the transfer relay, M-drive stepper motors and the VNA are all one in the same.  That's what you are telling the software.   Odd as Fred made the same mistake just a page or so back.   

[Slide_Lock]

LOL.  So the transfer relay, M-drive stepper motors and the VNA are all one in the same.  That's what you are telling the software.   Odd as Fred made the same mistake just a page or so back.

So I read that post and tried what Fred referred to here:

I've figured out how to operate solver better now. I have XferPort and StagePort both set to unused ports. It's prompting for a two port one path cal. I guess, I was just confused about the interface as I got to know it.

But I still get no joy when trying to connect. Below is a screen grab showing the VNA port (COM11) as well as having the Xfer and Stage ports to a random unused port, as well as device manager open in the background confirming that the VNA is on COM11, what else am I missing?

[joeqsmith]

And if you search NI's site for the error you posted, what does it tell you?

Code Description −1073807202 VISA or a code library required by VISA could not be located or loaded.

And notice how we have seen this before in your earlier post.   What do you think this means? 

[Slide_Lock]

And if you search NI's site for the error you posted, what does it tell you?

Code Description −1073807202 VISA or a code library required by VISA could not be located or loaded.

And notice how we have seen this before in your earlier post.   What do you think this means?

Not sure I understand here Joe. In your first reply, you eluded to the "pesky stepper motors". Now you are suggesting something else altogether?

Is it possible for you to be a little more specific? If you know what the issue is, I sure would be grateful if you would share it. It would be nice to skip the word salad guessing game if at all possible.
Not all of us out here are as intimately familiar with NI as you are.

[DrNefario]

I have upgraded to the version 4 Solver64.  I have firmware version 1.3.15 loaded on my VNA.  It seems the latest from DiSlord is 1.3.18 and the Solver64 zip folder has a 'firmware' subfolder with 'LiteVNA64 v1.3.12 fix1.bin' .  Which one should we be using?

[joeqsmith]

You can use any firmware you like.  Because there is no support, it's up to you to test your setup.  I stopped chasing the firmware of the week club years ago.  Once I find something that works, I don't change it unless there is a very good reason.   I provided the version I test with.   Keep in mind though, some of the features in the unreleased firmware may never have made it into a release (for good reason).  I think that last version removed all the limitations for using harmonics,  which I was using to experiment with the Waveguides.  I was given a warning about it's use and can fully understand not wanting to release something like that to the general user. 

I used to have a simple regression test for the original NanoVNA but because Dislord's firmware was so solid, I never incorporated it into Solver.  So I suspect your risk is low but it's all on you to do your job testing.   If you find a problem, don't expect me to address it.   

[joeqsmith]

And if you search NI's site for the error you posted, what does it tell you?

Code Description −1073807202 VISA or a code library required by VISA could not be located or loaded.

And notice how we have seen this before in your earlier post.   What do you think this means?

Not sure I understand here Joe. In your first reply, you eluded to the "pesky stepper motors". Now you are suggesting something else altogether?

Is it possible for you to be a little more specific? If you know what the issue is, I sure would be grateful if you would share it. It would be nice to skip the word salad guessing game if at all possible.
Not all of us out here are as intimately familiar with NI as you are.

When I posted 

You will need the correct files and can't just guess.

and

I was already asked about which files to get from NI.  Make sure you READ the readme file in the runtime directory.   This isn't something you can just guess at.

  From your post below, I'm guessing that went over your head.

I was unable to locate this specific file on NI which is referenced in the dropbox readme: "ni-labview-2020-runtime-engine_20.1.1_offline.iso"
So I assumed ...

[Slide_Lock]

joeqsmith

If ^^ THAT is my problem, then why not just say so outloud, in one sentence? I.E. "ni-labview-2020-runtime-engine_20.1.1_offline.iso is the REQUIRED file, and my software will not work with any other variation". perhaps combined with a helpful link to the correct file. Instead, you take 3 or 4 posts to run people in circles, I suspect for your own personal entertainment or enjoyment.

This seems to be a common theme with you Joe. You belittle the HAM radio community for being curious about your software, you obviously spend countless hours quoting peoples posts, and adding mundane irrelevant replies, where you constantly reference your ridiculous out of date manual which you demand people read, all while attempting to cover your bases by proclaiming that you have no intention of updating or maintaining it.

It appears that this software is your best effort at making some kind of a mark in life. It obviously gives you a superiority complex, which is actually a bit sad, because at the end of the day, it is trivial and insignificant. The offshore folks are just going to do it better, and offer their own version of YOUR software that does everything yours can do now and it will be compiled properly, with an installer package, and it will just work AND they will provide it free with the purchase of a new LiteVNA or whatever the flavor of the day is.

At that point, your buggy, nightmare to install app will fade into obscurity, just like you will, and you both will be forgotten. Relegated to the ash heap of history.

YOU will be responsible for that, because had you decided at some point to be friendly, courteous and helpful, as opposed to lourding over this 91 page thread like a J.R. Tolkien trilogy troll, you could have potentially left a positive mark in life, that people would have remembered long after you are gone.

Here is a clue: The only people that transition from GitHub to DropBox, are people who were misusing GitHub as their own personal cloud storage space and were warned, and then told to leave. Developers of real software don't do that.

Here is another clue: If you ever do decide to become even a little bit human with regards to how you interact with people, it might be a good idea, while you are creating a video, to actually stay on topic. Nobody wants to hear over and over again how bitchen you think you are because you created umpteen filters, air-gaps or whatever other insignificant widget you imagined, when the actual topic of your video is: "Solver64 on LiteVNA".  You spin off into unrelated diatribes that have nothing to do with WHY people clicked on your video in the first place. It's nauseating.

In addition to that, I did a quick run back through this entire thread and by far, you have the highest word count. It's not even close, yet oddly enough, there is so little relevant information on how to get your software up and running that it's actually laughable. You spend more time berating, belittling and demeaning people than you do actually helping them, I actually believe that you enjoy it. That is narcissistic and loathesome, and I sure hope you seek help for it at some point.

Good day sir.

[joeqsmith]

ROFLMAO!!