Recall: [tinysa] A round of applause!
Dave Reiser would like to recall the message, "[tinysa] A round of applause!".
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To show you how far we have come, I must show this picture again.?
This is a spectrum analyzer I built for INTELSAT while I was working at COMSAT Labs in Maryland.?
Please note that there is a spectrum analyzer within a spectrum analyzer.? We built two of these monsters to measure satellite EIRP.? The computer was an HP 2116B with a
whopping 16K of real ferrite core memory.
Erik, you could do this with a TinySA now.
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Kind Regards,
Dave
Dave Reiser, WA3TRS
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From: [email protected] < [email protected]>
On Behalf Of K3RWN
Sent: Wednesday, December 14, 2022 6:18 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [tinysa] A round of applause!
?
AGREED!? Fantastic piece of equipment, both of them.? The ULTRA is great and filled with features I never thought possible!
Thanks Erik!
Rich
On 12/14/2022 17:28 PM, THE BOSS via groups.io wrote:
Guys can we have a round of applause for Eric and the team who have managed to produce such a dandy device.
I'm sure Eric would want feedback on things the development team would like to attend and have a look at.
Not sure how many of us have produced and manufactured a product like the ultra and the ones who have know what a feat this is,
The quality and getting so many features right has got to be admired besides the potential risks involved in the process.
So could we please keep this in mind and not come up with questions we should really solve ourselves by reading up on the internet.
Just felt like Eric should have a more relaxed time during the launch, Thanks and best wishes to all of you!
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Re: Which branch to use to compile the same firmware as Erik is releasing?
Hi Martin,
I am trying to understand this, what is the best method to get the V4.3 branch to match Erik's current (latest) code?
Do you need to add a tag that points to the latest commit hash? (g1da836e) ?
What is the easiest way to find out where (and which branch) the latest code is ?
Lane
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Hear, hear! I’ve been thinking the same thing, but couldn’t have put it so eloquently. The device is one of the highest ‘bang for the buck’ products aimed at those who work with RF, and it’s already been improved multiple times in the short week I’ve had it. Kudos to Erik and team! Best stocking stuffer ever!
Now, if frequency can be added to ‘big number’, it will be perfect. ;-)
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On Dec 14, 2022, at 2:28 PM, THE BOSS via groups.io <maxrotax@...> wrote:
?Guys can we have a round of applause for Eric and the team who have managed to produce such a dandy device. _._,_._,_
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I fully believe that Erik deserves this!
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https://www.designnews.com/electronics/designcon-2023-engineer-year-nominations-are-now-open
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Re: Oscilloscope needed if I have TinySA and NanovVNA?
The textronix definitely has the old school cool factor.??
I have the 1202X-E and frankly it's pretty good.? It's not as hackable as the Rigol scopes, but frankly you can't go wrong with it.
Though if I could swing it, I would get a four channel Siglent.? The nice thing about the four channel siglents is the ability to generate a bode plot with a Siglent? frequency generator.??
That's useful for characterizing analog filters and the like.
I'm just getting started in the hobby of experimenting with RF devices. I already have a NanoVNA and a TinySA Ultra (not out of the box yet though). In setting up my radio bench, what do you experts say about the need for an oscilloscope also? Will the devices I have cover most common needs or will I at some point wish for an oscilloscope also?
If you'all recommend the scope, I have a choice (in my price range) between a refurbished Tektronix 2235 AN (100Mhz, 2 channels) and a new import - the?
Siglent Technologies SDS1202X-E 200 mhz Digital Oscilloscope.? Which of these two is preferable?
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Oscilloscope needed if I have TinySA and NanovVNA?
I'm just getting started in the hobby of experimenting with RF devices. I already have a NanoVNA and a TinySA Ultra (not out of the box yet though). In setting up my radio bench, what do you experts say about the need for an oscilloscope also? Will the devices I have cover most common needs or will I at some point wish for an oscilloscope also?
If you'all recommend the scope, I have a choice (in my price range) between a refurbished Tektronix 2235 AN (100Mhz, 2 channels) and a new import - the?
Siglent Technologies SDS1202X-E 200 mhz Digital Oscilloscope.? Which of these two is preferable?
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Re: Signal Generator Frequency Calibration
#ultra
Thanks.? I saw Level Cal but clearly different.
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To avoid reverse leaking it is necessary to have at minimum 80dB
reverse isolation between LO output and mixer input.
This is usually realized? with at minimum 2 20dB amps, a 20dB
attenuator at the input, to decouple the LO output, followed by a
amp-isolator-amp stage. All very carefully shielded to each other
to have a good reverse isolation. Done this for my Tek 492 and
Anritsu MS710? SAs. Also as a test setup on the bench for my
portable Metronix SA. Because I didn't want to occupy the LO
output with my TG I decided to use a directional coupler with
-20dB side arm to get a probe of the LO signal. This is a proved
concept. My Tek 492 TG was linear within 2dB up to 1.7GHz without
leveler. Only by using carefully matched stages and setting the
compression points of amps and mixer to the right level. The
Metronix SA don't have a LO output and because I didn't want to
make the level calibration worse I decided not to put a DC in the
LO path, I have build the DC by putting a small wire over a trace
with the LO signal to have a linear probe of the LO. It took me a
day to get the wire followed by a 20dB decoupling amp formed to be
a within 2dB level range at full LO span. So now the Metronix SA
has a decoupled LO output.
On all tree SAs the TGs only working in corase span settings,
because to get it also working for lower span settings the TG
needs to have two mixers, two LO chains with filters and so on,
like the original Tek 492 TG was build. But I don't see any need
for this much more complex design. The TG is for me a tool to have
a source for cable and filter tests on the fly. For sharp filters
and so on a NanoVNA is the much better tool. And if you plan to
test frequency translation devices like doublers or mixers then a
SNA is the simplest and fastest solution, or don't sweep, use a
generator and a SA and do step by step scans.
I love this TinySA and also the Ultra. This are very amazing
tools with a very high value for the money. For me the next
version after the ultra can kill the major brands portable SAs in
a second. The advantages of the big player portables are
attenuators with wider frequency and power range, maybe mixers
with broader range and better harmonic driving capability.
But if I look to the big improvements between the TinySA and the
Ultra I can imagine that some thing like a Ultra 2 or Super Ultra
could be here in 2 years? with all this improvements build in.
And I have to say this. Erik, your work and your responsiveness
are amazing. You set a good example how to make things better for
other people. Thank you!
Please continue the improvement.
All the Best,
Isidro
Am 14.12.2022 um 20:58 schrieb Erik
Kaashoek:
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To reach the required resolution both the LO and the IF are
"tuned" where the LO does the course steps.
So you never can scan a small span wit a TG using a fixed IF
frequency source
I do not recommend the add a TG unless for large spans and at
an offset tuning to avoid reverse leakage. Main purpose is to
test frequency conversion devices as shown in the wiki
--
For more info on the tinySA go to
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AGREED!? Fantastic piece of equipment, both of them.? The ULTRA
is great and filled with features I never thought possible!
Thanks Erik!
Rich
On 12/14/2022 17:28 PM, THE BOSS via
groups.io wrote:
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Show quoted text
Guys can we have a round of applause for Eric and the team who
have managed to produce such a dandy device.
I'm sure Eric would want feedback on things the development team
would like to attend and have a look at.
Not sure how many of us have produced and manufactured a product
like the ultra and the ones who have know what a feat this is,
The quality and getting so many features right has got to be
admired besides the potential risks involved in the process.
So could we please keep this in mind and not come up with
questions we should really solve ourselves by reading up on the
internet.
Just felt like Eric should have a more relaxed time during the
launch, Thanks and best wishes to all of you!
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SO SAY ALL-OF-US!!!!
On Wednesday, December 14, 2022, 04:28:27 PM CST, THE BOSS via groups.io <maxrotax@...> wrote:
Guys can we have a round of applause for Eric and the team who have managed to produce such a dandy device.
I'm sure Eric would want feedback on things the development team would like to attend and have a look at.
Not sure how many of us have produced and manufactured a product like the ultra and the ones who have know what a feat this is,
The quality and getting so many features right has got to be admired besides the potential risks involved in the process.
So could we please keep this in mind and not come up with questions we should really solve ourselves by reading up on the internet.
Just felt like Eric should have a more relaxed time during the launch, Thanks and best wishes to all of you! -- George Dukish
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and a small discone antenna
To be able to " sniff " out higher frequencies we built a small discone antenna, works from 2 gHz and is non obtrusive enough.
The top disk diameter is 30 mm and the length of the skirt is 40 mm according to the discone calculator.
The skirt is just a half circle and bent and soldered to suit and covered with clear coating, return loss starts from 2.4 gHz and up,
It is up and down as usual with a discone but it works just as well over a good frequency range.
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Applause is not enough!? Thank you Erik! ?? I might also humbly suggest that those who buy this as a cheap new toy to play with their hobby, that you please FIRST: 1) READ THE WIKI, 2) Instructions / Owners manual and 3) Watch the YouTube videos!????
Also, having had communications with Siglent, Tek and HP / Agilent / Keysight over many years about their spectrum analyzers?regarding bugs and features only rarely resulted in a partial result in 6~9 months.? Changes in operation,features, fonts and wishful enhancements?were never implemented, or even responded to.
Imre
Agreed, I remember using an HP SA nearly 50 years ago and they were way way out of reach of the man in the street. I think this is amazing. When the dust settles I may update the firmware etc. but as is it's amazing.
Andy G4HUE
------ Original Message ------
From: "THE BOSS via " <maxrotax=[email protected]>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Wednesday, 14 Dec, 2022 At 22:28
Subject: [tinysa] A round of applause!
Guys can we have a round of applause for Eric and the team who have managed to produce such a dandy device.
I'm sure Eric would want feedback on things the development team would like to attend and have a look at.
Not sure how many of us have produced and manufactured a product like the ultra and the ones who have know what a feat this is,
The quality and getting so many features right has got to be admired besides the potential risks involved in the process.
So could we please keep this in mind and not come up with questions we should really solve ourselves by reading up on the internet.
Just felt like Eric should have a more relaxed time during the launch, Thanks and best wishes to all of you!
|
Agreed, I remember using an HP SA nearly 50 years ago and they were way way out of reach of the man in the street. I think this is amazing. When the dust settles I may update the firmware etc. but as is it's amazing.
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------ Original Message ------
From: "THE BOSS via groups.io" <maxrotax@...>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Wednesday, 14 Dec, 2022 At 22:28
Subject: [tinysa] A round of applause!
Guys can we have a round of applause for Eric and the team who have managed to produce such a dandy device.
I'm sure Eric would want feedback on things the development team would like to attend and have a look at.
Not sure how many of us have produced and manufactured a product like the ultra and the ones who have know what a feat this is,
The quality and getting so many features right has got to be admired besides the potential risks involved in the process.
So could we please keep this in mind and not come up with questions we should really solve ourselves by reading up on the internet.
Just felt like Eric should have a more relaxed time during the launch, Thanks and best wishes to all of you!
|
Rich,
Is it possible you turned on the LO Output option?? (It is in the CONFIG/EXPERT CONFIG menu).
With LO Output enabled I get about 10dBm of Local Oscillator at the HIGH connector.? With it disabled I get around -17dBm feedthrough at the HIGH connector when the Low input center frequency is set to 200 MHz (LO is then 633.8 MHz).
--John Gord
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On Wed, Dec 14, 2022 at 01:16 PM, K3RWN wrote:
I noticed that when I have the original TinySA the LOW IN mode, the unit
is outputting a random freq signal from the HIGH IN SMA.
I am not exactly sure what it is, I have all of the OUTPUT settings off.
Any ideas?
Any way to stop it?
Rich
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Guys can we have a round of applause for Eric and the team who have managed to produce such a dandy device.
I'm sure Eric would want feedback on things the development team would like to attend and have a look at.
Not sure how many of us have produced and manufactured a product like the ultra and the ones who have know what a feat this is,
The quality and getting so many features right has got to be admired besides the potential risks involved in the process.
So could we please keep this in mind and not come up with questions we should really solve ourselves by reading up on the internet.
Just felt like Eric should have a more relaxed time during the launch, Thanks and best wishes to all of you!
|
Thanks, would it hurt to place a 50ohm terminator on the SMA to
lower the level?
On 12/14/2022 16:17 PM, Erik Kaashoek
wrote:
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Correct.
You leakage from the sweeping LO
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For more info on the tinySA go to
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Re: Signal Generator Frequency Calibration
#ultra
Herb,
Thank you for the "heads-up" regarding loss of the correction factor when a firmware update is executed.
Ed, K0KC
k0kc@...
http://k0kc.us/ --
Ed, K0KC
?
k0kc@...
http://k0kc.us/
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To save me a lot of time: I will not be able to provide any support to people that want to create a TG for the tinySA Ultra except to explain how to enable the LO output. If you do not understand how to create a good TG please do not ask how to create one. It is simply too complicated. My current priority is to support the embedded functionality of the tinySA family
If you need a VNA function, please buy a VNA. --
For more info on the tinySA go to https://tinysa.org/wiki/
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Correct. You leakage from the sweeping LO --
For more info on the tinySA go to https://tinysa.org/wiki/
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DAVE REISER WA3TRS
Rob L
Wes Stewart
