WHY VNA – Windows VNA Software for LiteVNA and NanoVNA V2

LiteVNA67 – extended operation up to 12 GHz

WHY VNA includes dedicated support for the LiteVNA67, including its source attenuator and amplifier/LNA measurement functions.

In addition to the normal operating range, WHY VNA can sweep and calibrate a LiteVNA67 up to 12 GHz. The region above 10 GHz is deliberately identified in the software as EXTENDED / EXPERIMENTAL. This does not imply that the LiteVNA67 is specified as an 12 GHz laboratory VNA, but it makes it possible to investigate how useful the instrument remains beyond its normal range.

This is particularly interesting for amateur radio because it includes the 10.368 GHz (3 cm) amateur band.

Initial measurements with a LiteVNA67 and a 20 dB attenuator specified to 18 GHz have been very encouraging. With a calibrated sweep from 10.0 to 10.5 GHz, the measured S21 at 10.000 GHz was −20.13 dB, and useful, repeatable transmission measurements remained possible around the 10.368 GHz amateur band.

Performance naturally becomes more critical as frequency increases. Calibration quality, IF bandwidth, averaging, adapters, cables and the quality of the calibration standards become increasingly important. For measurements around 10 GHz, a narrow calibration covering the actual frequency range of interest is recommended.

WHY VNA therefore allows the LiteVNA67 to:

• Sweep up to 12 GHz
• Perform calibration up to 12 GHz
• Use segmented and Full 2-Port measurements in the extended range
• Work directly around 10.368 GHz
• Clearly indicate when operation is above 10 GHz and therefore experimental

The LiteVNA64 remains limited to 12 GHz in WHY VNA.

The extended range is intended for experimentation rather than as a guaranteed accuracy specification. Nevertheless, early real-hardware tests indicate that the LiteVNA67 can be a surprisingly useful instrument for practical measurements in the 10 GHz amateur-radio band.