Re: Homebrew spectral analyzer
Latest version of the code I am running is attached.?? A rough summary of changes since 0.12:
- Changes to how the centre frequency command works
- Attenuator control for tracking generator added
- Some changes to my_SA to accommodate my own PCB design, including option to have different SAW filter frequency for the tracking generator (I use 447MHz filters for the TG and the normal 434 for the SA)
- Some spur removal code
- Settings changes are only saved if unchanged for a time to reduce EEPROM wear when using the encoder to change values
- Hi frequency range sweep added
- Some delays added after sending wiFi data to a websocket client to reduce spurii?
- Very crude correction for the losses in the 350MHz bandpass filter in my build - other users may want to remove this!
73 Dave M0WID
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Re: Homebrew spectral analyzer
Hello Dave,
I am also very happy, that you are still there.
I built 3 versions of your SimpleSA over the last year:
1. One version without a PCB using an ESP32 Devkit module together with an 3.5" ILI9488 display (much slower than the ILI9341 but bigger and more resolution), using your V2.8 ESP32 code with a number of modifications to cope with the higher display resolution
2. One based on VK3PE's boards with one RF board with your V0.12 code
3. One based on VK3PE's boards with 2 RF boards, i.e. with tracking generator using V0.12 code
It would be great, if I could get my hands on a later version of your code (seems that there is a V0.14).
What I was mainly missing, was the possibility to define a frequency offset between the tracking generator and the SA frequency.
This would be very useful, if you want to test mixers or even complete receiver or transmitter chains including mixer(s).
--
Joerg, DB2OO
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Re: Homebrew spectral analyzer
Hello Dave M0WID, Files GBR are working with Kicad,  but the file DRL don't work the content seems strange to me. Error with Kicad
 cdt
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Re: Homebrew spectral analyzer
Hi Dave,
I'm so glad you checked in!
I'm doing a lot of things this year too. I would like to finish my Husarek sdr radio currently discovered.
So far I have been collecting the parts, now I have reached the point where I have connected the panels with a cable and the receiver is working.
I have plans for which I expect parts again. Unfortunately, there are several parts that are difficult to access and I have a lot to look for before I can find a usable version. I hope that sooner or later things will backfire on the fake subtitles as well, which is why I¡¯m annoyed now.
Thank you for giving me a lot of help in SimpleSA and not letting me put it aside.
In the meantime, the modem, router, and other names were replaced. I just changed it back so I don't have to change the firmware for wifi mode.
I feel that SimpleSA is right for my use.
If more people were to use it, there would probably be a need for modification.
I saw that you drew the pcb nicely, would you care that you built it?
--
Gyula HA3HZ
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Re: Homebrew spectral analyzer
Hello, Thank you for your answers
Indeed I found tons of information about this achievement.
I also saw the Gerber files of the PCB, I will integrate them in kicad to see.
However, I did not find any Kicad schematic files.
if you have one, if you can make it available.
After actually the simplest is to buy one, but I like the manual construction.
Right now I¡¯m just gathering information.
(e.g., purchase modules and retrieve components, purchase components, etc.)
Basically the nano was enough for me, but I don¡¯t know if we can add a tracker)
It¡¯s for radio, so 50MHZ max
I will also look at the mentioned sites (ex VK3PE)
Funny thing is, I¡¯m not an Ham radio man, but I¡¯ve always been into electronics.?It will occupy the long winter night
You see some post on the ISO Group Ubitx
I¡¯ve redesigned a complete Ubitx with Kicad and more options
PCB manufacturing is ongoing
see here
cdt
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Re: Homebrew spectral analyzer
@Gyula,? I am still here!? Hope you are keeping well.? Let me know if you need anything fixing in the software.? It should be made clear that John WA2FZW contributed a huge amount to the code and taught me a lot.
@Gerard - I think buying Erik's TinySA is probably the best option as it is proven, good value and he provides support, but if you prefer building something and understanding it and learning from the process then DIY can be fun, as well as sometimes frustrating!? You need two TinySA if you need the tracking generator function.
I am happy to provide the software as is to anyone who wants it, along with schematic, on the understanding that nothing commercial comes of it.? Development has slowed as it does what I need it to well enough, with the exception of AM modulation of the sig gen which I still have not got round to implementing.? At some point I would also like to turn it into a two channel analyser, which the hardware Gyula and I have will allow, however other projects have taken over most of my available time.
You could also take a look at Glenn VK3PE site where he has some alternative PCB designs which several people have built with sucess.
Dave M0WID
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Re: Homebrew spectral analyzer
Hi there,
???? Bit late this, as you may have already followed the advice and decided to buy or try building. For what it may be worth, I fought with the Tiny SA for about a year (on and off) before finally abandoning it,? and I do know of one more constructor who did the same - and we are both very experience constructors.
???? It is obvious from the forum that we were in a possibly very small minority, but still my advice is that for what little the ready built one costs BUY IT!
Tony (G3PTD)
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Re: Homebrew spectral analyzer
On 11/28/2021 1:32 PM, Arv Evans wrote:
That
URL goes to "404 - Not Found"
_._
The correct url is
--
All the Best & 7 3s
Dale Miller, KC2CBD
Cookeville, Tennessee
Putnam County TN ARES
Emergency Coordinator
Vice President Cookeville Repeater Association
Ham Operator since 1997 (Extra)
stpatrick2@...
Registered Linux User: #317401
Linux since June 2003
Registered Ubuntu User #26423
--
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Re: Homebrew spectral analyzer
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That URL goes to "404 - Not Found" _._
On Sun, 28 Nov 2021 at 13:34, Gerard < kabupos@...> wrote: Hello,
New on this forum dedicated to analyzers, I saw this article on an analyzer that seems "easy" to build with commercial components.
I don¡¯t know if this is still current, if something new exists, but in fact I like this modularity and simplicity of manufacture.?The area I¡¯m interested in is short-wave radio, so maximum frequencies of 50mhz.?So it¡¯s in the frequency band.
My questions: Have you already manufactured, are there any gerber files for the 434MHZ filter, etc, etc.
First technical question, I think you have to buy a filter or 2? (the filter photo is not clear)?like this?
Does the use of the app work the first time? (I¡¯m on W10).
Anyway, I¡¯m waiting for you to come back
cdt
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Re: Homebrew spectral analyzer
Arv, downloadable, just a little different. first type in google search: Build instructions for the Tiny Spectrum Analyzer.pdf click on this first link where you will see this where you can download by clicking on the download:  -- Gyula HA3HZ
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Re: Homebrew spectral analyzer
The thing is, when TinySA came out, I was already in it and didn¡¯t want to stop SimpleSA. Finally, in December 2020, Dave M0WID was used to launch the tracker generator as well. The program was created by Dave. I think I only have one working instance that uses SimpleSA version 0.14. Dave then opened a folder to access with private access. The last entry was here 8 months ago (March 2021). Then He designed his own pcb by applying what I implemented and making further modifications. But slowly for a year and we didn¡¯t talk, I don¡¯t know what happened to him. I could upload pictures that interest me, but I can't provide software support without Dave. The device uses two 0-31dB attenuators: one at the input and one at the TG output. This can be set from a program. -- Gyula HA3HZ   
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Re: Homebrew spectral analyzer
That URL goes to "404 - Not Found" _._
On Sun, 28 Nov 2021 at 13:34, Gerard < kabupos@...> wrote: Hello,
New on this forum dedicated to analyzers, I saw this article on an analyzer that seems "easy" to build with commercial components.
I don¡¯t know if this is still current, if something new exists, but in fact I like this modularity and simplicity of manufacture.?The area I¡¯m interested in is short-wave radio, so maximum frequencies of 50mhz.?So it¡¯s in the frequency band.
My questions: Have you already manufactured, are there any gerber files for the 434MHZ filter, etc, etc.
First technical question, I think you have to buy a filter or 2? (the filter photo is not clear)?like this?
Does the use of the app work the first time? (I¡¯m on W10).
Anyway, I¡¯m waiting for you to come back
cdt
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Re: Homebrew spectral analyzer
Hi,
You have already been directed to the tintSA. You suggested that a spectrum analyzer that goes to 50 MHz would cover you for HF but consider that even the second harmonic of ten meters is close to 60 MHz and never mind about third harmonics, etc. That tinySA will do what you need? and probably cost you less than a home brew unit. I have two:) I abandoned my homebrew spectrum analyzer when the tinySA came out.
Best of luck to you with your projects.
73,
Bill KU8H
bark less - wag more
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On 11/27/21 10:16 AM, Gerard wrote: Hello,
New on this forum dedicated to analyzers, I saw this article on an analyzer that seems "easy" to build with commercial components.
<>
I don¡¯t know if this is still current, if something new exists, but in fact I like this modularity and simplicity of manufacture. The area I¡¯m interested in is short-wave radio, so maximum frequencies of 50mhz. So it¡¯s in the frequency band.
My questions: Have you already manufactured, are there any gerber files for the 434MHZ filter, etc, etc.
First technical question, I think you have to buy a filter or 2? (the filter photo is not clear) like this 434mhz filter en vente - | eBay <>
Does the use of the app work the first time? (I¡¯m on W10).
Anyway, I¡¯m waiting for you to come back
cdt
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Re: Homebrew spectral analyzer
Be careful where you buy the tinySA. There are many sellers on Aliexpress, eBay, and Amazon that are selling unauthorized copies that don't perform as well as an authentic tinySA from the designer. The tinySA wiki has a list of sources that sell the real thing:?
The quick summary: buy from the Zeenko Store on AliExpress (ships worldwide), R&L Electronics in the US, or Eleshop in Europe.
It's a fairly old post from 2019 and several of us were involved with its development along with Erik. While it's made of parts that are readily available from EBay and Amazon it's not for the faint of heart because it was tricky to make it right with the filtering and position of parts. It took 4 months for Erik and the rest of us to realize the final design used with Erik's software. Several spinoff designs came from it too, but in the end Erik's design went to production and you can easily buy this on EBay as the TinySA for about $70.?
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Re: Homebrew spectral analyzer
It's a fairly old post from 2019 and several of us were involved with its development along with Erik. While it's made of parts that are readily available from EBay and Amazon it's not for the faint of heart because it was tricky to make it right with the filtering and position of parts. It took 4 months for Erik and the rest of us to realize the final design used with Erik's software. Several spinoff designs came from it too, but in the end Erik's design went to production and you can easily buy this on EBay as the TinySA for about $70.?
|
Re: Homebrew spectral analyzer
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Sun, 28 Nov 2021 at 13:34, Gerard < kabupos@...> wrote: Hello,
New on this forum dedicated to analyzers, I saw this article on an analyzer that seems "easy" to build with commercial components.
I don¡¯t know if this is still current, if something new exists, but in fact I like this modularity and simplicity of manufacture.?The area I¡¯m interested in is short-wave radio, so maximum frequencies of 50mhz.?So it¡¯s in the frequency band.
My questions: Have you already manufactured, are there any gerber files for the 434MHZ filter, etc, etc.
First technical question, I think you have to buy a filter or 2? (the filter photo is not clear)?like this?
Does the use of the app work the first time? (I¡¯m on W10).
Anyway, I¡¯m waiting for you to come back
cdt
|
Homebrew spectral analyzer
Hello,
New on this forum dedicated to analyzers, I saw this article on an analyzer that seems "easy" to build with commercial components.
I don¡¯t know if this is still current, if something new exists, but in fact I like this modularity and simplicity of manufacture.?The area I¡¯m interested in is short-wave radio, so maximum frequencies of 50mhz.?So it¡¯s in the frequency band.
My questions: Have you already manufactured, are there any gerber files for the 434MHZ filter, etc, etc.
First technical question, I think you have to buy a filter or 2? (the filter photo is not clear)?like this?
Does the use of the app work the first time? (I¡¯m on W10).
Anyway, I¡¯m waiting for you to come back
cdt
|
Re: PC Boards for QEX Step Attenuator Available
Demand continues and I will place a third order.
Will order enough that I will have additional spares.
?
Now have information for International orders.
1 board @ $3.00 CONUS? 1 board @ $3.75 International
More info and still adding to the web page
Please reply off list.
Dick K9IVB
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Re: PC Boards for QEX Step Attenuator Available
The references are fantastic¡ and the drill template much appreciated!?? Thanks Dick! ? ? Dr. William J. Schmidt - K9HZ J68HZ 8P6HK ZF2HZ PJ4/K9HZ VP5/K9HZ PJ2/K9HZ ? Owner - Operator Big Signal Ranch ¨C K9ZC Staunton, Illinois ? Owner ¨C Operator Villa Grand Piton ¨C J68HZ Soufriere, St. Lucia W.I. Rent it: Like us on Facebook! ? Moderator ¨C North American QRO Group at Groups.IO. ? email:? bill@... ? ?
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From: [email protected] < [email protected]> On Behalf Of dick faust via groups.io Sent: Thursday, September 30, 2021 8:34 PM To: [email protected]Subject: Re: [HBTE] PC Boards for QEX Step Attenuator Available ? I have ordered two batches of boards from JLCPCB for the QEX September/October? 2021 ¡°Miniature SMA Step Attenuator¡± pp 9-21 by Tom Alldred VA7TA. There is a quantity of excess PCBs available.? I do not anticipate that I will place another order, but I will continue to accept orders until my supply is gone.
More information is available on my web page
I expect to receive the second set boards near the end of October. The first board orders will be mailed next week about October 5, 2021.
Dick K9IVB
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Re: PC Boards for QEX Step Attenuator Available
I have ordered two batches of boards from JLCPCB for the QEX September/October? 2021 ¡°Miniature SMA Step Attenuator¡± pp 9-21 by Tom Alldred VA7TA. There is a quantity of excess PCBs available.? I do not anticipate that I will place another order, but I will continue to accept orders until my supply is gone.
More information is available on my web page
I expect to receive the second set boards near the end of October. The first board orders will be mailed next week about October 5, 2021.
Dick K9IVB
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Gerard
HA3HZ
Dale Miller - KC2CBD
Shirley Dulcey KE1L
Marty Wittrock
K9HZ