Hello,
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I bought a TinySA from the secure seller Eleshop B.V. Nevertheless, I am not so sure that it is an original. The following points:
Switching on only works by toggling the power switch and when USB is connected it usually does not work.
Even after updating the firmware, the firmware release date shows an old date, even if the firmware is actually up to date.
Yesterday I had problems with the self tests. It could also have been due to the battery level which I unfortunately did not check and this morning after it has charged overnight the self test works again.
Yesterday self test 1 did not work at first, later 1+2 and then later 1-4 did not work.
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Re: Signal generator level
I have a whole set of those SMA 2 watt attenuators I use for a lot of things. They are in 1 dB increments between 1 and 10 dB, and 5 dB increments from there to 30 dB. I also have a Kay switchable attenuator that can be switched in 1 dB increments up to 110 dB. It is rated to 1000 MHz and appears to be accurate across that range.
Measuring MDS is very useful with the transverters I have that use 144 and 432 MHz IF's. I can use the TinySA Ultra to generate signals up to 10 GHz. I use an HP 475B power meter to accurately measure the levels of the signal.
Zack W9SZ Even my HP 8648C set to -136 dBm (the minimum internally available output) plus additional external attenuation leaks just a wee tiny bit!? Still good for receiver MDS evaluations.? I've never looked at the leakage from the HP 8640.? Maybe someday.....
Dave - W?LEV
On Wed, May 7, 2025 at 2:43?PM James Harvey via <wyominggeezer= [email protected]> wrote: My approach would be to use one of those small SMA connector attenuators. They're fairly inexpensive and you can get them in levels from 3DB to 30 dB. That's what I use.?
I even use it for low-level QRP work. The ones I use will handle two watts.
Watch 'Yer Top Knot and Keep Your Powder Dry, ? James R. Harvey - The Wyoming Geezer -?Armed and Dangerous PM ¡à Progress Lodge #22 ¡à Order of the Eastern Star
Minimum output level used to be -120 dBm but not all HW was able to reach this level so the limit was set to -115 dBm
The limiting factor is leakage which can not be improved within current cost and space limitations
Adding a cheap external attenuator and setting the external gain to negative the attenuation solves the problem
--
Designer of the tinySA
For more info go to
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Re: Signal generator level
Yep my HP 8660 leaks a small amount but as long as proper cables are used it still seems to be accurate into a 50 ohm load. Within about 1dB.?
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Re: Signal generator level
Even my HP 8648C set to -136 dBm (the minimum internally available output) plus additional external attenuation leaks just a wee tiny bit!? Still good for receiver MDS evaluations.? I've never looked at the leakage from the HP 8640.? Maybe someday.....
Dave - W?LEV
On Wed, May 7, 2025 at 2:43?PM James Harvey via <wyominggeezer= [email protected]> wrote: My approach would be to use one of those small SMA connector attenuators. They're fairly inexpensive and you can get them in levels from 3DB to 30 dB. That's what I use.?
I even use it for low-level QRP work. The ones I use will handle two watts.
Watch 'Yer Top Knot and Keep Your Powder Dry, ? James R. Harvey - The Wyoming Geezer -?Armed and Dangerous PM ¡à Progress Lodge #22 ¡à Order of the Eastern Star
Minimum output level used to be -120 dBm but not all HW was able to reach this level so the limit was set to -115 dBm
The limiting factor is leakage which can not be improved within current cost and space limitations
Adding a cheap external attenuator and setting the external gain to negative the attenuation solves the problem
--
Designer of the tinySA
For more info go to
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Re: Signal generator level
My approach would be to use one of those small SMA connector attenuators. They're fairly inexpensive and you can get them in levels from 3DB to 30 dB. That's what I use.?
I even use it for low-level QRP work. The ones I use will handle two watts.
Watch 'Yer Top Knot and Keep Your Powder Dry, ? James R. Harvey - The Wyoming Geezer -?Armed and Dangerous PM ¡à Progress Lodge #22 ¡à Order of the Eastern Star
Minimum output level used to be -120 dBm but not all HW was able to reach this level so the limit was set to -115 dBm
The limiting factor is leakage which can not be improved within current cost and space limitations
Adding a cheap external attenuator and setting the external gain to negative the attenuation solves the problem
--
Designer of the tinySA
For more info go to
|
Re: Signal generator level
Minimum output level used to be -120 dBm but not all HW was able to reach this level so the limit was set to -115 dBm
The limiting factor is leakage which can not be improved within current cost and space limitations
Adding a cheap external attenuator and setting the external gain to negative the attenuation solves the problem
--
Designer of the tinySA
For more info go to
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Is there any future plan to drop the minimum signal level output available below -115 dbm? This would be more useful for receiver sensitivity testing since most radios levels are around -117 dbm to -118 dbm.
Karl Steudl
2 Pilgrims Ministries/Acts412 Maintenance &?Communications
Batt.Chief/Fire Marshal ret.
Ham radio call N8XBD/GMRS call WPXT770
Sent from Proton Mail Android
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Re: Banggood, is tinysa.org updated?
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Re: Banggood, is tinysa.org updated?
passed selft test, updated to newest fw  
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Banggood, is tinysa.org updated?
According to tinysa.org banggood removed tinysa trademark and now is selling only clones. But now, there is only one option for tinysa different models to buy and all of them has tinysa trademark and even says made by zeenko and erik. I have asked seller a he replied that he sells only genuine, not clone.
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Locked
Re: Spur signals above 2.75 GHz?
Topic closed
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Designer of the tinySA
For more info go to
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Locked
Re: Spur signals above 2.75 GHz?
I have and use an 8556 in the 852 mainframe.? Didn't know it is BWO based.? The lowest range which tops out at 3 GHz is pretty clean.? The other ranges are the problem.? And, yes, the "ID" button for use above 3 GHz which shifts legitimate signals exactly 1 MHz.? Others move much more than that.? I have other SAs, but not one that stops at 21 GHz.? Don't have the 8566, but the 8568 SA and a few others.?
Dave - W?LEV
On Tue, May 6, 2025 at 12:55?AM Donald S Brant Jr via <dsbrantjr= [email protected]> wrote: I had an old HP 856/8556 BWO-based spectrum analyzer at my first job, in 1975.? It, like all of the old non-preselected analyzers, had plentiful images and mixing products.??
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It had a Signal Identifier button which shifted the LO a certain amount; only real signals would move down and 2 scale graduations to the (?)right, others would move left or different amounts.? Built character using it to design oscillators.
73, Don N2VGU
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Locked
Re: Spur signals above 2.75 GHz?
I had an old HP 856/8556 BWO-based spectrum analyzer at my first job, in 1975.? It, like all of the old non-preselected analyzers, had plentiful images and mixing products.??
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It had a Signal Identifier button which shifted the LO a certain amount; only real signals would move down and 2 scale graduations to the (?)right, others would move left or different amounts.? Built character using it to design oscillators.
73, Don N2VGU
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Locked
Re: Spur signals above 2.75 GHz?
I have a Polarad. Haven't used it in years. No room for it on the bench. It was my first SA On Mon, 5 May 2025 16:56:47 +0000 "W0LEV via groups.io" <davearea51a@...> wrote: Do any of the readers of this group remember the original Polrad spectrum
analyzers? Those were my introduction to spectrum analyzers. -- 73 -Jim NU0C
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Re: Black Screen after Update still able to connect
Very pleased to say I went to grab a copy of the 175 bin file which was the one thatI had trouble with, and there was the 199 bin file (wasn't there before)which loaded perfectly (using StmCube) with the TinySA Ultra rebooting and happily making squiggly lines after!! So I guess mine is legit lol
Now just have to figure out the how and why again. Havn't touched an spectrum analyzer for 20 years.
Thanks again for all the hints/help.
Dave
Correct
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Designer of the tinySA
For more info go to
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Locked
Re: Spur signals above 2.75 GHz?
On Mon, May 5, 2025 at 07:48 AM, Serguei wrote:
But is it possible to change the IF while scanning in the GHz range? This would shift false spur and mirror signals, but leave the normally detected signals in place, right?
I would welcome someone looking at the code and suggesting better ways to remove spurs and mirrors
Shifting the IF is already done.
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--
Designer of the tinySA
For more info go to
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Locked
Re: Spur signals above 2.75 GHz?
Do any of the readers of this group remember the original Polrad spectrum analyzers?? Those were my introduction to spectrum analyzers.? When you tuned them looking for your signal, there were copious spurs moving both right and left on the screen.? How could you be sure you found what you were searching for?? Switch your apparatus off and on.? Of course, your signal mixed with the LO, so you were never sure!!??
The old HP 141's are still around with their burned CRT, variable persistence, and the BWO.? If the BWO ever went south, one had to realign the entire unit.? I'm glad those days are behind us!!
Dave - W?LEV?
Did I read it? Oh, yes, but that was the first day I bought this device, was in a hurry to use it, and forgot about it, like about the fine print. My mistake! After I posted my message, I did a deeper search and found your message here. Maybe I need to look for more information about TinySA Ultra+ and documentation to study how it works... But is it possible to change the IF while scanning in the GHz range? This would shift false spur and mirror signals, but leave the normally detected signals in place, right? Sorry if I'm asking something stupid, perhaps, I have to search some docs and do some research in the code on GitHub, but I would appreciate if someone gives me a hint...
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Locked
Re: Spur signals above 2.75 GHz?
Did I read it? Oh, yes, but that was the first day I bought this device, was in a hurry to use it, and forgot about it, like about the fine print. My mistake! After I posted my message, I did a deeper search and found your message here. Maybe I need to look for more information about TinySA Ultra+ and documentation to study how it works... But is it possible to change the IF while scanning in the GHz range? This would shift false spur and mirror signals, but leave the normally detected signals in place, right? Sorry if I'm asking something stupid, perhaps, I have to search some docs and do some research in the code on GitHub, but I would appreciate if someone gives me a hint...
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Locked
Re: Spur signals above 2.75 GHz?
John,
Can you explain for those that are less knowledgeable?
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Designer of the tinySA
For more info go to
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Locked
Re: Spur signals above 2.75 GHz?
High pass filters are your friend when measuring in ultra mode.
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W5CDT
Donald S Brant Jr
Jim Shorney
John Cunliffe W7ZQ