Arduino Vector Graphic Antenna Analyser

Since the Project is very popular and I get a lot of inquiries , it is necessary here to clarify something.

The newest Firmware is on this side at the end as a link ! So please don’t ask me to send firmware! Thanks !

So please READ every LINE on this side !!! 

  • I’m NOT the Author of this project!!! For questions like eagle files or changing parts in the circuit, please ask DG7EAO !!!
  • I does not selling parts or finish analyzers
  • Software support no matter of course . This is a private project and I have a 12 hour job. If I like, I will answer your mails. But you can not count on it!!
  • When the source code of you will be changed , or other hardware is used, I will never help you. 
  • I give no workshops in any programming language
  • I’am not searching your bugs in your circuits. Be sure that the software is well testet, by over 50 OMs and ok. Use my firmware or leave it.

Sorry for that rules, but a lot of OM’s can’t read. Every RED rule have a reason with some mails. It must be easier to write a mail, as reading the project files ! I got over 50 mails, with questions, what can easy answered by this side and text file in the ZIP File.

So now we start….

I find in the internet a very interesting Project. He build with Arduino Modules a good Antenna Analyser.

Here you can download all information over the Basic original project:

http://dc2wk.schwab-intra.net/Arduino Analyser Schematics.rar
http://dc2wk.schwab-intra.net/Display Addon.rar

This is a project from DG7EAO. Thanks a lot to him!
The old page is deleted, I don’t know why. So I saved this schematics for us.
But I find a new page from Norbert: http://www.dg7eao.de/test/antennen-analysator/

To download my version of the firmware, see the link after the article.

I ordered the parts and start to build this little project.

IMG_3874
For the modules I take IC-Sockets

IMG_3875
The modules are installed

IMG_3877
The finish analyzer

IMG_3891
The underside

IMG_3879
The test of the DDS Signal

IMG_3881
Works fine

Test measuring’s:

Firestick
A Sirro CB Mobile Antenna

Hexbeam 1-30MHz
A DL7IO Hexbeam 10-20m

Butternut 1-30MHz
A Butternut HF5V Vertical 10-80m

IMG_3894
You also can check a LC resonator

Schwingkreis LC 0.9 uH + 300pf paralell
Here with a frequency from 12.088 MHz (0,9uH + 300pF)

The Costs of this project, without a case,  was:

The Arduino Modules:

1x USB auf RS232 TTL UART PL2303HX Converter Adapter Cable CP12005 F44 5,20 EUR 5,20 EUR
1x Pro Mini Atmega328P Board Modul 5V/16MHz for Arduino-Compatible AR01011 J32 7,82 EUR 7,82 EUR
1x AD9850 Module DDS Signal Generator 40Mhz CP13010 D54 10,99 EUR 10,99 EUR

Other Parts:
6x 100 Ohm 1%, RM 7,5                                                                         0,30 €
2x 10 K    RM 7,5                                                                                     0,06 €
2x 100 K  RM 7,5                                                                                     0,06 €
2x 4,99 K RM 7,5                                                                                     0,10 €
2x 649 R  RM 7,5                                                                                     0,10 €
1x 1u RM 2.5                                                                                            0,10 €
2x 100n RM 5                                                                                           0,10 €
3x 10n RM 5                                                                                             0,30 €
1x LM358                                                                                                  0,19 €
IC Sockets                                                                                                0,50 €
2x Germanium Diode AA143                                                                    2,20 €
Cables                                                                                                       0,50 €
PL od BNC Jack                                                                                        1,50€
circuit board                                                                                               1,50 €

All together:                                                                                            31,52 €

 

Update 1:
IMG_3896
I build a case out of circuit board material

IMG_3900
This is the front, place for the display later
The Cable on the left side is only connected if the analyzer is in Computer mode
As a stand alone analyzer there will be a battery case installed.

IMG_3899
The underside. The case its 100% RF proof

Butternut 1-30MHz mit Gehäuse
With the RF Proof case, the measuring is near to that what I see with my transceiver.
Here the Butternut HF5V Vertical 10-80m, like some pictures before.

I also made a Battery Case with a 5V power supply and a 9V battery
IMG_3906

A 7805 and a electrolyte capacitor, that’s all

IMG_3911
Special lock mechanism 🙂

IMG_3912
Battery pack is plug in …

IMG_3916
…and it works 🙂

Update 2:

IMG_3925
My display is arrived 🙂  I test it first with my second arduino. If you build it on a test board like that, it will not be stable. For a short test it’s OK. The computer hangs often times. So keep your cable very short and work with shields!

IMG_3933
The current is with the display together 61 mA. So my 9V battery is maybe to small.

IMG_3936
So I build it in. This is more stable as it looks

IMG_3941
Display and switches in the case

 

IMG_3953
The Scan with my Butternut

IMG_3952
The same Scan with the software over USB, this still works 🙂

In the following Pictures the Resolution in the Firmware was max. SWR = 5.
I change it later again to max. SWR = 10, that I can use it as a Dip-meter.
IMG_3956
I modify the firmware so that I can switch over the complete band in details. Here 80m.

IMG_3961
I
n the battery-pack I have now 2 accumulators with 3.6v and 1600mA together, so that I have over 7V. With the 7805 I make the 5V for the tester.  I charge it with 9v. This is a 10m Mobile Antenna.

Update 3:

IMG_4014
I add a third knob and a front plate. This third knob is connected to PIN4 and GND!
The Knobs are in my own firmware:
The first:  2 MHz up in a 3 MHz range (Detail sweep)
The second:  2 MHz down in a 3 MHz range (Detail sweep)
The third: Overview sweep from 1-30 MHz.
And I add a lost in % in the first line.

It’s very important that you are using exactly the same parts and modules!!!!!
A Firmware what is write for this Arduino and Display, will not work with a other!!!!!!!!!!!!! It only works with my three knob version!!!

Here you can download my own version of the firmware:
http://dc2wk.schwab-intra.net/DDS_sweeper1_TFT_swb.zip

And here my own version of the windows tool:
http://dc2wk.schwab-intra.net/VNA_Programm.zip

Videos:

 

Here the Resolution in the Firmware is max. SWR = 10.

68 thoughts on “Arduino Vector Graphic Antenna Analyser

    • Hi Denis,
      thanks for the nice comment. You will find all info’s (schematic, Info’s) in the first link on this project side.
      The DC2WK Version of the firmware you can get from me per e-mail.

  1. Hi,
    I really like your project and are in the process of ordering my parts as needed.
    Please if it’s no trouble could you also sent me your firmware.
    Thank you
    73 de ZS6PX

  2. Hello, Donald.

    I appreciate so much your project. I´d like to know if we can use the module AD9851 replacing the AD9850 instead. Thats because I need to work on the band till 65Mhz. In case it is possible, is there any suggestion in changing the circuitry to accept the AD9851? Still, do you have a project with Arduino that can meassure both the Impedance AND phase of the antenna?
    Thanks in advance.

    • Hi Carlos,
      thanks for the nice comment.
      I think that you can use the AD9851 instead the AD9850, if all pins are the same.
      The Firmware must can handle this, I think. The circuitry must can handle this too.
      In the moment there too much work at my working place. So I have no time to try it out.

      Let me know, if it does not working.

      73 de DC2WK

  3. Hi, looks like this page lima05web.wordpress.com is no longer available.
    since the authors have deleted this site.

    Any chance to get a copy online somewhere else?

    73
    DL3NEW

    • Hi OM DL3NEW,
      I find it unfortunate that the page has been deleted 🙁
      It was a great page.

      So I saved the schematics for us and add two links do download all Information.

      Have a lot of fun

      73 de DC2WK

  4. Hey,
    ein wirklich tolles Projekt. Ich hätte sehr großes Interesse an der Firmware. wäre es möglich, diese per Mail zu bekommen?

    mni tnx es

    vy 73 es 55 de Andi DC3WX

  5. Gratuliere! Ich habe was Ähnliches gebaut und mit Resistoren getestet. Für R=0, 50 und >1000 Ohm bekomme ich akzeptable Ergebnisse. Im Bereich 50<R<500 hingegen sind die Ergebnise zu niedrig z.B. für R=75 Ohm SWR=1,2 und R=100 Ohm SWR=1,47. Ist Dein Gerät besser in diesem Bereich?
    Vy73 Eugen DM5GE

  6. Hi, congratulations for the project 🙂
    I’m also trying to build something similar. I will could help me with a question …
    The pins 9,10,11,12 of the arduino are used to control the AD9850 module while the 10, 11 are also used to control the TFT monitor?

    73 de CR7AMX

    • Yes, so the Author (DG7EAO) has designed the schematics.
      The TFT signal comes over D6, D10, D11.
      D10 and D11 are using by the AD9850 too.

      I wonder me by my self, but it works.

      You can find it in the INO File:
      // Pins for the AD9850 DDS
      const int FQ_UD = 9;
      const int SDAT = 11;
      const int SCLK = 10;
      const int RESET = 12;

      //Construktor for Display
      Ucglib_ILI9341_18x240x320_SWSPI ucg(/*sclk=*/ 10, /*data=*/ 11, /*cd=*/ 6 , /*cs=*/ 5, /*reset=*/ 4);

      The AD9850 uses DIGITALWRITE, the UCGLIB for the display use SERIAL with ANALOG. I think that is why it works and the display is so slow.
      If you like to know more, maybe Norbert DG7EAO can help.

  7. Hi Donald, your project is very interesting and I will build it. Can you send me the firmware ?, thanks, 73.

    Miguel
    EA7IYD

  8. A stupid question…what does the RM mean? I know about tolerance and such but have never seen this notation.

    2x 10 K RM 7,5 (2x10kohm resistors and?)
    2x 100n RM 5 (2x100ufarad capacitor and?)

    Thanks!

    • Hi Andrew,
      that is no stupid question.

      That’s means a German Shorting RM for “Raster Mass”.
      Translation is something like “Grid measure”. So RM 7.5 means that this part fits in to a 7.5mm Hole distance on the PCB.

      73 de DC2WK

  9. Hi Donald,
    I’ve already built a DG7EAO vna analyzer and I’d like to upgrade it with your improvements.
    For this reasons I’ve downloaded your files ( .ino) but
    when I try to compile it , many errors are reported ( i.e.l “ibraries\Ucglib\Ucglib.cpp.o:(.bss.u8g_outData+0x0): multiple definition of `u8g_outData'”)
    Any suggest are apreciated!
    Thanks

    • You can not use only the INO File, use the complete project folder. The ucglib_arduino_v1.01 is as a sub directory under this project folder.
      But You can’t use my firmware without the hardware mods !!!

      I tried the download file to compile, it work fine with my Arduino Version 1.6.4.
      You even must include a library in the arduino software. How you can read in the manual-

  10. Many thanks for your quick reply Donald!

    I’ve previously loaded the correct ucglib_arduino_v1.01 on my Arduino sw .
    and I’we also implementend the hw modifications on my VNA board.
    The only one difference, is that I use the 1-6-9 arduino sw….

    • I wish I can try it out with the Version 1.6.9, but it was not able to start this version under Windows 10 for me. I deinstall the 1.6.4 and install a fresh copy of 1.6.9. Not possible to start !
      So it must be a very big different between the 1.6.4 and 1.6.9.
      I reinstall the old version 1.6.4 again, and everything is fine.

      Remember to use the add library function in the menu to add the ZIP from the ucglib !

      Sorry, more I can’t do for you!

      • Maybe you have not copied the Ucglib folder into your Arduino\libraries folder ?
        A lot of beginners forgot this.

        And I mean really only that folder, not the ucglib_arduino_v1.01 folder !!!

  11. Hello Donald, many thanks for your help!
    The library 1.01 is correctly installed on my arduino sw..
    I will tray to install 1.6.4 arduino version on another pc in order to compile and load your modified VNA software!

    Regards
    Corrado

  12. Hi,
    very good project: I will like to duplicate it soon.
    Could please send to me the final software for both Arduino an d PC ?
    What is the final schematics diagram please ?
    I will appreciate very much if youcould send them to me.
    Thanks for all.
    best 73, iw2fvo

    • Please read exactly. I call it “Arduino Vector Graphic Antenna Analyser” because the Graphic at the Screen is Vector based code.
      This is not a Vector Analyzer. You are right!

  13. MNI TNX for nice project. At Eckhart i could not find the DDS CP13010 D54.
    So at http://www.tynielectronics.nl/shop i purchased
    1. a pro micro 5V (not much more expensive tham mini+cable) it has PTC and diode against current overload.
    2. AD9851 DDS Signal Generator Module – 0-70MHz.
    Both delivered next day,
    Problem: interconnections. As the DDS differs much in layout and connectivity. I will study your papers and inform you about the progress. 73’s, Nico pa0nhc (77 years and still soldering).
    REM: see my site for projects and articles.

  14. Hello dear friend, i have 2 questions about the project : Can i use as display a tablet via usb?(and of course for programming too? )
    At one point you test the DDS signal. IF i have no instrumentation to test DDS signal… it is a vital problem for project? Many thanks, YO6OGY . 73.

    • Hi Attila,
      as a display, directly connected to the Arduino, you can’t use a tablet screen. I think the protocol is too different. I never tied it!
      But you can write a complete new Android App to read out the Datas and show it on the display. You can control the the analyzer with this app. But this is a lot of work.

  15. Dear Donald,

    great project and great videos.
    I am not that skilled in electronics but I easily followed your project and build the circuit.
    Looks like is working well except for the fact that vector are upside down 🙂 ha ha ha
    I mean, when I have SWR the value is around 2.0 But when don’t have SWR, the graphics go up to 15 .
    It works perfect, but inverse graphic.
    I really can’t get were I made the error.
    Anyway I would like to make two questions.

    Is there a way to calibrate the circuit ?
    What is the Volt value of the Capacitor 1uf ?
    Thank you very much for sharing.
    Greetings,
    David

    • Hi David,
      thanks for the nice words!. It have two ways to calibrate it. The simples way is in the Code.

      See:
      double SwrMax = 10; // max SWR, siehe auch unten “Feineinstellung SWR Kurve”
      double SwrMin = 100; // Variable für SWR Min Wert aus Sweep.

      and better in Feintuning (Feineinstellung)

      double swrPos = 230.0; //SWR Pos oben für maxSWR = 10 war 232
      double swrFaktor = 1.13; //SWR Zoom Faktor für maxSWR = 10 war 1.13

      The other way is, try different Resistor in R4 and R8.
      But you can’t get it 100%. But good enough for that price.

      • Hi Donald,
        thank you very much for the quick reply!

        Today a made the circuit again from the begin and it started working!

        I tested a calibrated antenna.
        SWR is fair on the low values, but too little on higher values.
        Or, with a load of 50ohm SWR is 1: 1
        With a load of 100ohm SWR it is 1: 1.23 (should be 1: 2.0)
        I will try first a software mod, then i will try with resistors.

        I will update the post as soon as I have some data.

        Thank again,
        David

  16. Hi, Thanks for the outline of your version of the project, please can you help with regard to the 3 buttons. Do you use Pull Up say 10 K ohms resistors too positive 5 Volts with the switches to safeguard the digital output pins of the Arduino being dead shorted.?

  17. Complet powermanagement /chrage from micro USB, output DC DC converter 5V 1,2A/ module for 1pc, or paralel 2-4 18650 cell LiIon is here..
    https://www.fasttech.com/products/0/10004229/1703600-sc-0241-1-3a-diy-single-usb-mobile-power-bank-pcb
    This is simply powermanagement system.
    sophisticated systems is here..
    https://www.fasttech.com/products/0/10004229/1323310-hp-0120-1a-diy-single-usb-mobile-power-bank-pcb
    Or other..
    https://www.fasttech.com/search?power%20bank%20module

  18. Hi Donald,
    Thanks for this excelent project despription

    I have a few questions

    Schematic
    Can you send me the schematic of this project please. The link i found earlyer on this page is not working anymore ?

    SWR Calibration
    My lowest SWR with 50 Ohm connected is still 1.45
    how can i calibrate this ?

    Latest Sketch of program
    Can you send me the latests version of this sketch ( ..ino file) please

    With Regards,

    Cor, PA0GTB

  19. Donald
    i’ve found the right links in the article…
    Thanks

    Just one remark / question about the SWR Calibration
    My lowest SWR with 50 Ohm connected is still 1.45
    how can i calibrate this ?

  20. Proyek ini sangat menarik untuk dibangun, bisakah saya mendapatkan skema dan firmwarenya. Terimakasih. Salam hangat dari Indonesia.

  21. Pingback: tamoxifen

  22. Pingback: emkartofun

  23. Pingback: Arduino Mini Usb Adapter – Best Modification Automotive Magazine

  24. Very interesting project and I really need an antenna analyzer.
    can you tell me if a TEENSY 4.1 could be used (as I have one on hand) in place of the ARDUINO and if so, what changes to the sketch would be required?

    Thanks in advance for any help on this.

  25. proyek yang bagus pak.
    apakah anda punya tutorial untuk membangun ini?
    skema yang terlampir tampilannya buram pak.
    apakah anda bisa membuat skema baru dengan detail/
    terima kasih
    73 YD1HDD

  26. hi DC2WK I’m Luthfi From Indonesia, I’m interested in this 3 button project, I’ve tried compiling it on my arduino ide, but I can’t find the schematic for this 3 button project.. can you give me the schematic at E-mail lutfipurba@gmail.com

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Blue Captcha Image
Refresh

*