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NanoVNA interface configuration.

Configuring the Interface, Traces, and Markers

The graph displayed on the screen may seem cluttered due to the abundance of information. Properly setting up the display area is the first crucial step toward accurate measurements.

Device Screen Elements

At the top of the screen, the status lines for each active trace are displayed (channel, format, vertical scale, and the value at the marker point). On the left side of the screen is the calibration status column (e.g., C0...C4, D, R, S, T, X). At the bottom, the current start (START) and stop (STOP) sweep frequencies are displayed, along with the frequency grid step.

Layout of information zones on the NanoVNA LCD screen.

Managing Measurement Traces

The analyzer supports the simultaneous display of up to 4 independent traces (labeled TRACE 0, TRACE 1, TRACE 2, TRACE 3). Each trace has its own unique color (e.g., yellow, blue, green, purple).

  • Selecting an active trace: Use the DISPLAY → TRACE menu to switch, activate, or hide traces. A single tap on the corresponding item (0–3) turns the trace on or off. To change the parameters of a specific curve, you must make it active—its header at the top of the screen will be displayed in inverted colors.
  • Channel selection (CH0 / CH1): The measurement channel for the active trace is set in the DISPLAY → CHANNEL menu. Select CH0 REFLECT to measure reflection parameters (S11) or CH1 THROUGH for transmission measurement (S21).

The DISPLAY → FORMAT menu allows you to change how data is presented on the screen:

  • LOGMAG: Displays the amplitude response in decibels. Useful for S21 (filter attenuation) and S11 (return loss).
  • SMITH: A circular Smith chart for complex impedance. Indispensable for tuning antenna matching units.
  • SWR: Voltage Standing Wave Ratio (VSWR) graph for antennas.
  • PHASE: Signal phase response in the range of -180° to +180°.
  • RESISTANCE / REACTANCE: Displays the active and reactive components of impedance in Ohms.

NanoVNA Menu Structure

Based on AE5CZ Map v1.1
► DISPLAY
├─ TRACE
│ ├─ TRACE 0
│ ├─ TRACE 1
│ ├─ TRACE 2
│ └─ TRACE 3
├─ FORMAT
│ ├─ LOGMAG
│ ├─ PHASE
│ ├─ DELAY
│ ├─ SMITH
│ ├─ SWR
│ └─ MORE...
├─ SCALE
│ ├─ SCALE/DIV
│ ├─ REFERENCE POS
│ └─ ELECT DELAY
└─ CHANNEL
├─ CH0 REFLECT
└─ CH1 THROUGH
► MARKER
├─ SELECT
│ ├─ MARKER 1...4
│ └─ ALL OFF
├─ SEARCH
│ ├─ MAXIMUM
│ ├─ MINIMUM
│ └─ SEARCH →
└─ MARKER →
► STIMULUS
├─ START
├─ STOP
├─ CENTER
├─ SPAN
├─ CW FREQ
└─ PAUSE SWEEP
► CALIBRATE
├─ CALIBRATE
│ ├─ OPEN
│ ├─ SHORT
│ ├─ LOAD
│ ├─ ISOLN
│ ├─ THRU
│ └─ DONE
├─ RESET
└─ SAVE
└─ SAVE 0...4
► RECALL
└─ RECALL 0...4

AE5CZ Structural map of commands and transitions in the NanoVNA system menu.

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