config.ini Scripts

The NanoVNA-H can execute shell commands from a config.ini file on the SD card at startup. This allows you to automate settings, create custom configurations, and set up the device for specific measurement tasks.

How It Works

When the NanoVNA-H boots with an SD card containing config.ini:

1. The file is read line by line
2. Each line is executed as a shell command
3. Commands run in order, top to bottom
4. The device continues to normal operation

Create config.ini

1. Create a text file named config.ini on your computer
2. Add shell commands, one per line
3. Copy the file to the root of the SD card
4. Insert SD card and power on the NanoVNA-H

Example Configurations

Basic Setup

# Set frequency range
sweep 144000000 148000000

# Set 201 sweep points
sweep start 144000000
sweep stop 148000000

# Enable marker 1
marker 1 on

# Set trace 0 to SWR
trace 0 swr

Antenna Analyzer Mode

# VHF antenna setup
sweep 144000000 148000000 201
trace 0 swr
trace 1 logmag
trace 2 smith
trace 3 off

# Enable marker search
marker 1 on

# Set scale
trace 0 scale 1
trace 0 refpos 0

Filter Test Configuration

# Bandpass filter measurement
sweep 140000000 150000000 401

# S21 for insertion loss
trace 0 logmag 1
trace 0 scale 10
trace 0 refpos 8

# S11 for return loss
trace 1 logmag 0

# Enable filter analysis
measure filter

Component Measurement

# LC measurement setup
sweep 1000000 100000000 201
trace 0 logmag 1
trace 1 phase 1
measure lcseries

Available Commands

Commands that work in config.ini (marked with CMD_RUN_IN_LOAD flag):

Command	Description
sweep	Set frequency range and points
trace	Configure trace format, channel, scale
marker	Enable/position markers
recall	Load saved calibration slot
save	Save current configuration
edelay	Set electrical delay
s21offset	Set S21 offset
power	Set output power level
bandwidth	Set IF bandwidth
smooth	Set smoothing factor
measure	Enable measurement mode
config	Set configuration options
tcxo	Set TCXO frequency
transform	Configure time domain
color	Set display colors
pause	Pause sweep
resume	Resume sweep
vbat_offset	Adjust battery offset
threshold	Set harmonic threshold

Caution

Not all shell commands work in config.ini. Commands that require mutex locks or break the sweep may not execute properly during startup.

Comments

Lines starting with # are treated as comments:

# This is a comment
sweep 144000000 148000000

# Another comment
trace 0 swr

Messages

Display a message during startup:

# Show startup message (if supported)
msg 2000 "VHF Antenna Mode" "Loading..."

Parameters:

• First number: Display time in milliseconds
• First string: Message text
• Second string: Header text (optional)

Error Handling

• Invalid commands are silently ignored
• The file continues processing after errors
• Check command syntax if settings don’t apply

Practical Examples

Multi-Configuration Setup

Create multiple config files for different uses:

config.ini      (default, loads on startup)
antenna.ini     (antenna mode - rename to config.ini when needed)
filter.ini      (filter test mode)
crystal.ini     (crystal measurement)

Quick Recall Configuration

# Recall calibration slot 2
recall 2

# Set 2m band
sweep 144000000 148000000 201

Development/Debug Setup

# High resolution mode
sweep 1000000 900000000 401
bandwidth 100

# All traces
trace 0 logmag 0
trace 1 logmag 1
trace 2 smith 0
trace 3 phase 1

# Enable smoothing
smooth 2

Tips

Tip

• Test commands first: Try commands manually via serial console before adding to config.ini
• Keep it simple: Start with basic settings, add complexity as needed
• Backup working configs: Save working config.ini files on your computer
• Document your configs: Use comments to explain what each section does

Caution

If config.ini causes problems, remove the SD card and boot without it to restore default behavior.

Debugging

If config.ini doesn’t work as expected:

1. Verify file is named exactly config.ini (case may matter)
2. Check file is in root directory of SD card
3. Ensure file uses Unix or Windows line endings
4. Test each command individually via serial console
5. Check for typos in command names or parameters