Color Palette

The NanoVNA-H allows customization of trace colors and UI elements. This helps distinguish traces, improve visibility, or match personal preferences.

Color System

The NanoVNA-H uses a palette of up to 32 colors stored in configuration. Each color is defined in 24-bit RGB format (0xRRGGBB).

View Current Colors

Via Shell Command

color

This displays all palette colors with their index and RGB values:

 0: 0x000000
 1: 0xFFFFFF
 2: 0xFFFF00
 3: 0x00FFFF
 4: 0x00FF00
 ...

Change a Color

Via Shell Command

color {index} {rgb24}

Parameters:

• index: Palette position (0-31)
• rgb24: Color in hex RGB format (0xRRGGBB or decimal)

Examples:

color 2 0xFF8800    # Set color 2 to orange
color 3 0x00FF00    # Set color 3 to green
color 4 16711680    # Set color 4 to red (decimal)

Palette Indices

Standard color assignments:

Index	Default	Purpose
0	Black (0x000000)	Background
1	White (0xFFFFFF)	Grid lines, text
2	Yellow (0xFFFF00)	Trace 0
3	Cyan (0x00FFFF)	Trace 1
4	Green (0x00FF00)	Trace 2
5	Magenta (0xFF00FF)	Trace 3
6	Blue (0x0000FF)	Reference trace
7	Red (0xFF0000)	Markers
8-15	Various	UI elements
16-31	Various	Additional UI

Note

Exact palette assignments may vary by firmware version. Check the source code or experiment to identify specific indices.

Save Color Changes

Color changes are temporary until saved:

saveconfig

Without saving, colors reset to defaults on power cycle.

Practical Examples

High Contrast Traces

For better visibility outdoors:

color 2 0xFF0000    # Trace 0: Bright red
color 3 0x0000FF    # Trace 1: Bright blue
color 4 0xFFFF00    # Trace 2: Yellow
color 5 0x00FF00    # Trace 3: Green
saveconfig

Muted Colors

For indoor use or screenshots:

color 2 0xCCCC00    # Trace 0: Muted yellow
color 3 0x00CCCC    # Trace 1: Muted cyan
color 4 0x00CC00    # Trace 2: Muted green
color 5 0xCC00CC    # Trace 3: Muted magenta
saveconfig

Dark Theme

Keep background black, use bright traces:

color 0 0x000000    # Background: black
color 1 0x808080    # Grid: gray
color 2 0xFFFF00    # Trace 0: yellow
saveconfig

RGB Color Reference

Common colors in hex:

Color	RGB Hex
Black	0x000000
White	0xFFFFFF
Red	0xFF0000
Green	0x00FF00
Blue	0x0000FF
Yellow	0xFFFF00
Cyan	0x00FFFF
Magenta	0xFF00FF
Orange	0xFF8000
Purple	0x8000FF
Gray	0x808080

Reset to Defaults

To restore default colors:

clearconfig

Caution

clearconfig resets ALL configuration including calibration. Only use if you want to start fresh.

Alternatively, manually set each color back to its default value.

Color in config.ini

Set colors at startup via config.ini:

# Custom color scheme
color 2 0xFF8800
color 3 0x0088FF
color 4 0x88FF00
color 5 0xFF0088

Display Considerations

Tip

• The NanoVNA-H LCD uses 16-bit color (RGB565), so some colors may appear slightly different than specified
• High contrast between trace and background improves readability
• Avoid similar colors for multiple traces
• Consider color blindness when choosing trace colors

Troubleshooting

Colors Not Changing

• Verify the index is within valid range (0-31)
• Check hex format (0x prefix or correct decimal)
• Ensure command executed without errors

Colors Reset on Power Cycle

• Run saveconfig after color changes
• Verify configuration save completed

Color Looks Wrong

• Display uses 16-bit color; some shades may shift
• Very dark colors may appear as black
• Try adjusting RGB values slightly

Shell Command Reference

# View all colors
color

# Set a color (hex format)
color 2 0xFF8800

# Set a color (decimal format)
color 2 16744448

# Save colors
saveconfig