[vna] VNA User Observations

[tom.mcdermott4 at sbcglobal.net]

Hi Chris,

The source code for version 2.0 was posted on Feb 14th.
Check the TAPR website,
http://www.tapr.org/software_library.php?dir=/pub/n5eg
 
The source is in the folder "sourceFiles".

S11 magnitude and VSWR display independently. You can
alter S11 dB/division separately from the VSWR scale
range. dB reads on the left side, VSWR on the right.

As to whether VS2005 Express will compile, I do not have
Express, so don't know; you'll have to trust in Microsoft
I guess.

Read the VNA FAQ, it mentions about how you can get the USB
driver header files needed to compile the VNA application.
I'm not permitted to distribute those.

Express cannot build the SETUP file, just the executable. I think
this should not be a problem if you just want to run the software
on the same computer it was developed on. You need SETUP to 
populate device drivers, set registry keys, install the proper
VC_8.0 libraries, check prerequisites, etc.

	-- Tom, N5EG






> -----Original Message-----
> From: vna-bounces at lists.tapr.org 
> [mailto:vna-bounces at lists.tapr.org] On Behalf Of Christopher Smith
> Sent: Monday, February 19, 2007 10:44 PM
> To: vna at lists.tapr.org
> Subject: [vna] VNA User Observations
> 
> 
> I should say from the outset that I love having this VNA available at
> such a reasonable price. I don't mean to be critical, but I hope to
> help improve the software and "user experience."
> 
> Is the source code for version 2 going to be available soon? Will it
> compile with  Visual Studio 2005 Express?
> 
> I find the detector calibration directions confusing. I think choosing
> this calibration sets the frequency range, integration and number of
> points - but the manual and help files don't say so. The manual could
> remove those points of confusion.
> 
> In use, frequency entry is awkward. I like the interface found on some
> of the HP models: select start or stop, enter a number (with decimal
> point), then choose "MHz," "KHz," or "Hz." I can code it in Fortran
> and Visual Basic 6, and maybe VB 2005.
> 
> The scales seem to be off. Under Trace and VertScale, choices can be
> made that don't seem to be reflected in the display. For example, if I
> choose Trace = S11 Magnitude (rectangular) and then VertScale = SWR 1
> to 11, the right scale displays SWR markings but the S11 (dB) scale on
> the left remains unchanged, the trace is in dB, and the SWR scale on
> the right does not match the scale on the left. I would expect the
> scale to be linear in SWR and the dB markings on the right to change
> to correspond with the SWR. (Except at SWR=1, and then S11=-100dB will
> do nicely.)  Instead, 0dB is SWR=11, -50 dB is SWR = 6, etc. Clearly
> something is wrong or I am missing the point of the display.   Again,
> I would be happy to help program the math, though I am rusty on the
> Visual Basic/C++ side of things.
> 
> I also think the polar displays have problems.
> 
> Still, the unit was a great help in setting up my 10m Ringo Ranger
> this past December, and will ultimately be of great benefit to the
> ham community.
> 
> 73,
> Chris, NX0E
> 
> 
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