Radio Frequency (RF) & Wireless Design

Although there are many ways to check to see if your antenna is working properly, the tow most common are to check the Voltage Standing Wave Ratio (VSWR) as well as the Reflected Power vs the Output Power. This may use a VSWR or SWR (for both voltage and power) meter and/or a power meter.

Although these are the preliminary ways to check and are included on some RF transceivers to see how well you coax and antenna 'match' the output impedance of the transceiver, its not the best way to see if your antenna is either a good antenna or if its effective for radiating power.

The best way to check radiated power, gain, and directivity is in a anechoic chamber but that is difficult and expensive. So the next best way is to use a Vector Network Analyzer (VNA) to check the frequency response of the antenna over a spectrum (band) of frequencies.

The nanoVNA has come out over the last several years and has now matured into a well accepted product that anyone can perform impedance analysis measurements at a very low cost under $100.

The nanoVNA also has been improved over the years to broaden the frequency spectrum and also to increase the usable touch screen area.

This video explains what a VNA is and how it is used. It also explains the latest differences between the models : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1eLK4EMpEQ

This video also explains what a VNA is and how it is used :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pjcEKQY_Tk

If you want to create and craft your own antennas, this is one of the tools that is a must to add to your toolbox.