I would like to get advice from VNA users since I'm interested to buy one, I have never use a VNA before.
1/ It is an expensive instrument for hobby use
2/ I'm not an RF dude
just like to play with ultra fast pulses, cables, connectors, spliters .... are RF grade and would like to measure components as well with respect frequency reflection .....
3/ Option 1: an old heavy second hand HP, more than 20 kg on my shelf and bulky
and 25-30 years old and still expensive
4/ Option 2: an USB VNA, many options from 500 Euros to 20.000 Euros ...., I can forget the last one (
http://www.coppermountaintech.com/)
5/ I have a Rigol 815 + TG that I use mainly with the TG to measure cables, filters, spliters but is limited in bandwidth, I suppose that I can use a VNA to do this job as well, this way I could use the money from selling the Rigol to invest in a VNA
6/ I read positive and negative feed back from
http://sdr-kits.net/VNWA3_Description.html, I know there are some users on the forum, input from them is very welcome. What I dislike is the limit of 1,3Ghz ... I know for the price
7/ There are many other USB version but more dedicated to HAM users
8/ I just came across this link today
http://www.megiq.com/ not cheap as well but ...., any experience with this one?
Thanks in advance