NanoVNA vs TinySA

The TinySA and NanoVNA are both compact, affordable test instruments used in radio frequency (RF) and electronics work, but they serve different primary purposes:

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🔍 TinySA (Tiny Spectrum Analyzer)

Purpose:
A spectrum analyzer that displays signal power vs frequency.

Key Features:

• Analyzes signals from ~100 kHz up to ~960 MHz (standard model; some newer variants go higher).
• Measures signal strength (in dBm) across a frequency span.
• Signal generator function (in some models) for outputting test signals.
• Great for identifying interference, harmonics, spurious signals, etc.

Use Cases:

• Checking RF emissions and interference.
• Tuning transmitters, filters, and antennas.
• Viewing the spectrum of a signal (e.g., identifying bandwidth or modulation).

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📡 NanoVNA (Nano Vector Network Analyzer)

Purpose:
A vector network analyzer (VNA) that measures complex impedance and S-parameters (reflection/transmission).

Key Features:

• Frequency range typically 50 kHz to 900 MHz or higher (some models go into GHz range).
• Measures S11 (reflection) and S21 (transmission) parameters.
• Plots SWR, return loss, phase, impedance, and Smith charts.
• Used to test and tune antennas, filters, cables, etc.

Use Cases:

• Antenna matching and tuning.
• Testing RF filters and cable losses.
• Measuring impedance and resonance.
• Useful for ham radio, RF labs, and field testing.

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🔧 Summary Comparison

Feature	TinySA	NanoVNA
Primary Function	Spectrum analyzer	Vector network analyzer
Frequency Range	~100 kHz to ~960 MHz (or more)	~50 kHz to >1.5 GHz (model-dependent)
Main Use	Signal visualization (power vs freq)	Impedance and S-parameter measurement
Generates Signal	Some models do (basic tones)	Yes (for S-parameter testing)
Display Output	Signal strength in dBm	SWR, impedance, Smith chart, etc.
Use Case	Diagnosing signals & interference	Antenna tuning, filter testing

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🧠 Which Should You Use?

• Choose TinySA if you want to view and analyze signals, check for interference, or inspect transmitted signals.
• Choose NanoVNA if you’re focused on antenna work, measuring impedance, or tuning RF circuits.

For a radio astronomer or radio amateur, both tools complement each other — the TinySA helps with signal analysis, while the NanoVNA helps with matching and tuning.

Overlap between NanoVNA and TinySA:

The NanoVNA and TinySA overlap slightly, but not completely. Here’s a breakdown of whether the NanoVNA can do what the TinySA does:

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✅ What the NanoVNA can do (similar to TinySA):

• Signal source (signal generation):
  The NanoVNA has a built-in tracking generator (especially on S21 port), which can generate sine waves over its frequency range. This is similar to the signal generation feature of the TinySA.
• Swept frequency response measurements:
  You can analyze how a filter or circuit responds to different frequencies — just like a basic spectrum scan — if you’re injecting a known signal.
• Transmission testing (S21):
  You can evaluate how signals pass through a device (like filters or amplifiers), which can sometimes substitute for spectrum observation if you know what you’re testing.

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❌ What the NanoVNA cannot do (unlike TinySA):

• It cannot analyze arbitrary external signals like a true spectrum analyzer.
  The NanoVNA does not have a broadband RF input for passively listening to the RF environment. It only measures what it generates itself (or what passes through a device under test). Example: You cannot use a NanoVNA to find nearby transmitters, identify spurious signals, or look at ambient RF noise — but you can with a TinySA.
• No full dBm-calibrated power measurement of unknown signals.
  While NanoVNA can display gain/loss across a device under test, it’s not a power meter and doesn’t give absolute power readings (like dBm of an unknown signal at a frequency).

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🧭 Bottom Line

Task	Can NanoVNA do it?	Can TinySA do it?
Measure SWR / impedance / Smith chart	✅ Yes	❌ No
Measure signal power vs frequency (spectrum)	❌ No	✅ Yes
Test filter passbands	✅ Yes	✅ Yes (differently)
Find and view local RF signals / interference	❌ No	✅ Yes
Signal generator	✅ Yes (limited)	✅ Yes (better UI on TinySA)

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🛠 Recommendation

If you’re working on antenna tuning, impedance matching, and filter testing, the NanoVNA is ideal.

If you want to observe live RF activity, troubleshoot interference, or view signal strength over frequency, the TinySA is what you need.

For a well-equipped RF toolkit, both are complementary, not interchangeable.