Re: New ULTRA FW release: improved touch defaults and marker->Ref level
On Thu, Dec 15, 2022 at 08:37 PM, Clyde Lambert wrote:
Martin's versions for the TinySA is not shown in the Wiki.
Atleast, I can not find it.
It is only on my lokal PC :) I build it from Erik's Sourcecode on GitHub, see the other thread about building from source. Martin
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Hi Bill,
I remember that big old spectrum analyzer from Hewlett-Packard. When I first started working after college, it was in the laboratories of COMSAT (Communication Satellite Corporation) here in Washington DC. The thing was a monster for sure. I remember the Hewlett-Packard salesman coming to visit us to teach us how to use it properly. That was probably back in 1966 to 1967.
The system shown in the photograph had C band input which was down converted to the standard 70 MHz IF frequency. We would then tune to a carrier, switch in a 70 MHz filter and measure the power. We calibrated the system using Cassiopeia A as our known noise source. We also had an FM threshold extension receiver that was used to measure deviation. Those were the good old analog days. Now everything is digital.
I bought the TinySA as a toy. It was after I got interested in software defined radios. I had dreams of tuning into the HF ham bands, but I would need a decent antenna. It works better on 2 m. Then I bought an AnyTone 878 DMR HT and I have forgotten about the HF bands. I've never had equipment for nor worked the HF bands. What the heck I am a microwave engineer. Or at least I was.
Have a Merry Christmas and a happy new year.
Kind Regards,
Dave
Dave Reiser, WA3TRS
Phone: 301-216-5394
Mobile: 301-802-1929
Email: davereiser@...
520 Russell Avenue, Gaithersburg, MD 20877
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-----Original Message----- From: [email protected] < [email protected]> On Behalf Of Bill Cromwell Sent: Thursday, December 15, 2022 2:24 PM To: [email protected]Subject: Re: [tinysa] A round of applause! Hi, Thanks for the image(s). Parts of that remind me of the mil surplus spectrum analyzer I bought from Fair Radio years ago. It was about the size of a small refrigerator like the one some of us have in the shop for -umm- refreshments. It weighed a lot more than that fridge! I used up all the life that was left in that beast and was without an SA until the tinySA came along. It is worlds of improvement over that old clunker I had. I have two tinySAs (one to ruin and a spare) and now the Ultra model too. My sweet wife doesn't know it is her Christmas gift to me ;) In the intervening years I started a homebrew spectrum analyzer project and have some of the stages working. I based mine on a solid state TV tuner so you can well imagine it needed a lot more than a little extra circuitry. The whole thing is analog - no digital stuff whatsoever. I have been thinking now that I have the new devices (and nanoVNA too) that I might dust off the parts and see if I can complete that project. Not that I need it any more. It might be a fun exercise. The tinySA(s) and the info that has arrived with them will probably help with that project. There is no way it will ever be the size or capability of the tinySA but a fun exercise. 73, Bill KU8H bark less - wag more On 12/14/22 20:31, DAVE REISER X-WA3TRS wrote:
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.
Kind Regards,
Dave
*Dave Reiser, WA3TRS*
**
*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: TinySA-app CSV to Shure Wireless Workbench conversion
#csv
#tinysa
Thanks to my friend Jason Glass the script now outputs a file that is also compatible with the IAS wireless microphone coordination software.? ?I have renamed the repository to a broader name which may also encompass other TinySA projects related to professional audio usage.??
https://github.com/bradbbot/TinySAforRFguys
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Re: Which branch to use to compile the same firmware as Erik is releasing?
Thanks DiSlord, that explains it.
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Re: Oscilloscope needed if I have TinySA and NanovVNA?
I have a similar scope, USM-488/2235, it is Gov'nt surplus with defect(s), seems to be OK for my purposes BUT, I also bought a Rigol DS1202Z-e, 200Mhx BW, very nice scope, and under $500 Canadian.
John VE7KKQ
On Thu, Dec 15, 2022 at 12:17 PM W5DET < w5det@...> wrote: Hello Steve,
I have a Tektronix 2235 and enjoy using it.? I used to have TWO until the CRT died in one of them.? After a week of searching, I concluded NEW/unused replacement CRT's for that instrument no longer exist and the couple of USED tubes I found cost as much as a new 'scope.
You need an oscilloscope to look at waveform time features such as distortion, amplitude, and time relationships.??
If I were buying a 'scope now, I would definitely choose one of the newer digital devices.? Hope this helps answer your question.
73,
Doug Thompson, W5DET
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Re: New ULTRA FW release: improved touch defaults and marker->Ref level
Clyde,
I'm a new user of the Ultra.? (I had the original but couldn't get my head around it and sold it)? So, I'm a newbie.
From that perspective I'll say that there is a propensity here to say, "It's in the Wiki" and go no further.? Unfortunately, with respect to the Ultra, there are some errors.? I realize it is a daunting task to keep up with this, but there should be some slack given to newer users.? IMHO, of course.
Technically, what you are looking for can be found using the Wiki, but here is the actual link:?
Wes? N7WS
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Re: Oscilloscope needed if I have TinySA and NanovVNA?
Hello Steve,
I have a Tektronix 2235 and enjoy using it.? I used to have TWO until the CRT died in one of them.? After a week of searching, I concluded NEW/unused replacement CRT's for that instrument no longer exist and the couple of USED tubes I found cost as much as a new 'scope.
You need an oscilloscope to look at waveform time features such as distortion, amplitude, and time relationships.??
If I were buying a 'scope now, I would definitely choose one of the newer digital devices.? Hope this helps answer your question.
73,
Doug Thompson, W5DET
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Re: New ULTRA FW release: improved touch defaults and marker->Ref level
Hi David, I am aware of the FW in the Wiki. However, I was refering to Martin's post to Eric.?
"My build of v1.3-563-g1da836e for tinySA looks also good. Martin".?
That FW version is Not in the Wiki.? in fact, the version in the Wiki shows version 1.3.513, however, when installed version 1.3.512 is reported on my TinySA. Martin's versions for the TinySA is not shown in the Wiki. Atleast, I can not find it.? Clyde KC7BJE?
On Thu, Dec 15, 2022, 7:39 AM David J Taylor via <david-taylor= [email protected]> wrote: On 14/12/2022 21:08, Clyde Lambert wrote:
> Hello Martin,
> Could you please send me a link to your latest FW for the TinySA.
> I must have missed your notice of the update.
> Thank you,
> Clyde KC7BJE
It's in the Wiki.
David GM8ARV
--
SatSignal Software - Quality software for you
Web:
Email: david-taylor@...
Twitter: @gm8arv
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Hi,
Thanks for the image(s). Parts of that remind me of the mil surplus spectrum analyzer I bought from Fair Radio years ago. It was about the size of a small refrigerator like the one some of us have in the shop for -umm- refreshments. It weighed a lot more than that fridge!
I used up all the life that was left in that beast and was without an SA until the tinySA came along. It is worlds of improvement over that old clunker I had. I have two tinySAs (one to ruin and a spare) and now the Ultra model too. My sweet wife doesn't know it is her Christmas gift to me ;)
In the intervening years I started a homebrew spectrum analyzer project and have some of the stages working. I based mine on a solid state TV tuner so you can well imagine it needed a lot more than a little extra circuitry. The whole thing is analog - no digital stuff whatsoever. I have been thinking now that I have the new devices (and nanoVNA too) that I might dust off the parts and see if I can complete that project. Not that I need it any more. It might be a fun exercise. The tinySA(s) and the info that has arrived with them will probably help with that project. There is no way it will ever be the size or capability of the tinySA but a fun exercise.
73,
Bill KU8H
bark less - wag more
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On 12/14/22 20:31, DAVE REISER X-WA3TRS wrote:
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.
Kind Regards,
Dave
*Dave Reiser, WA3TRS*
**
*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!
|
Re: Which branch to use to compile the same firmware as Erik is releasing?
On Thu, Dec 15, 2022 at 10:01 AM, Lane Wilson wrote:
HW Version: V0.4.5.1(168)? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?(slightly different than Erik's version?)
No, digits (168) mean ADC resistor measure, noise on reference voltage or resistor precision provide little difference in measure. Add different resistor on PCB allow say firmware this PCB version
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Re: Clip on youtube with tinysa ULTRA on 10 gHz
I have an HP435B power meter with an 8484A head. It measures power accurately up to 18 GHz. It will work at 24 GHz with a little bit of attenuation. I've determined that its power indication at 24 GHz is ~3 dB lower than what the power actually is.
But I can measure and adjust power levels very accurately using this meter.
Zack W9SZ
On Thu, Dec 15, 2022 at 12:22 PM John Cunliffe W7ZQ < n2nep@...> wrote: It works well at this frequency, if you have a known amplitude source you can use it, see how much lower the Tiny is reading and then do an offset in the external gain section. You can then save the setup as one of the presets. I did that with a known 0dbm signal (at work) on 10.368 Ghz and now it reads as 0dbm signal.(my signal offset is 31db)? In a span of 5Mhz the dynamic range with? a little tweaking of the settings can reach ~50db. Not too shabby. I use high pass filters between my equipment at home and the tiny at 10Ghz this prevents some of the crud on lower frequencies from overloading the mixer.
A short note, if you use a lower frequency source and use one of the harmonics to either cal the 5Ghz step or look at higher harmonics use a high pass filter to prevent the fundamental from overloading the input of the TinySA and thus give you a wrong reading / signals that are not really there. Mini Circuits makes some small high pass filters that come for different microwave frequencies and can sometimes be found for pennies on e-bay.?
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Re: Clip on youtube with tinysa ULTRA on 10 gHz
It works well at this frequency, if you have a known amplitude source you can use it, see how much lower the Tiny is reading and then do an offset in the external gain section. You can then save the setup as one of the presets. I did that with a known 0dbm signal (at work) on 10.368 Ghz and now it reads as 0dbm signal.(my signal offset is 31db)? In a span of 5Mhz the dynamic range with? a little tweaking of the settings can reach ~50db. Not too shabby. I use high pass filters between my equipment at home and the tiny at 10Ghz this prevents some of the crud on lower frequencies from overloading the mixer.
A short note, if you use a lower frequency source and use one of the harmonics to either cal the 5Ghz step or look at higher harmonics use a high pass filter to prevent the fundamental from overloading the input of the TinySA and thus give you a wrong reading / signals that are not really there. Mini Circuits makes some small high pass filters that come for different microwave frequencies and can sometimes be found for pennies on e-bay.?
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I have really been pleased with both the TinySA and TinySA Ultra that I'm constantly using them instead of my larger lab equipment. Great job Eric!!!
The fact that the TinySA can do channel power measurements is amazing.? I have a TEK 492 which is a great ¡°mid-80¡¯s¡± machine but it cannot make channel power measurements which are so important for wideband signals and noise figure measurements. ?
Kudos to Eric and his team!
-Charlie?
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Re: Which branch to use to compile the same firmware as Erik is releasing?
Martin,
Following your instructions I believe I have successfully compiled the latest tinySA4 firmware binary (as of today: Dec 15/2022), loaded into the tinySA ULTRA and confirmed correct operation.
Executed the Self test, then the Level Calibration, both passed.
The version display screen is clear/clean with no artifacts.
Here is what I see with my compiled version of firmware: (using 11.2.1 GCC compiler):
CONFIG->VERSION:
tinySA4_v1.3-564-g47a9cbc? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?(newer version just pulled form github....)
Compiler: GCC 11.2.1 20220111
HW Version: V0.4.5.1(168)? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?(slightly different than Erik's version?)
Here is what I see with Erik's v1.3-563 version of firmware:
The version display screen has some artifacts (extra dots, etc.)
CONFIG->VERSION:
tinySA4_v1.3-563-g1da836e? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?(version downloaded from http://athome.kaashoek.com/tinySA4/DFU/)
Compiler: GCC 7.2.1 20170904
HW Version: V0.4.5.1(167)? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?(slightly different than my compiled version?)
Both firmware compiles/version appear to be working OK.
If this makes sense to you, I will start a document that describes how to compile the tinySA/tinySA ULTRA firmware from the latest code obtained from Github.
Regards
Lane
VE7IHL
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Re: TinySA Ultra screen misaligned
Aha. My bad. I should have simply opened it up before commenting.
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Re: New ULTRA FW release: improved touch defaults and marker->Ref level
On 14/12/2022 21:08, Clyde Lambert wrote: Hello Martin,
Could you please send me a link to your latest FW for the TinySA.
I must have missed your notice of the update.
Thank you,
Clyde KC7BJE It's in the Wiki. David GM8ARV -- SatSignal Software - Quality software for you Web: Email: david-taylor@... Twitter: @gm8arv
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Re: Which branch to use to compile the same firmware as Erik is releasing?
Thanks for the info Martin!
I will try this out today and let you know...
Lane
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Re: Clip on youtube with tinysa ULTRA on 10 gHz
I am active on 10 GHz and have so much equipment for that band that I would have no trouble with a signal source. My transverter with a phase-locked LO is accurate to 50 Hz at 10368.100 MHz. I'm also working on a low power (~100 mW) beacon for that band.
Hopefully when I get a little more money accumulated I can get one of these new TinySA units.
Zack W9SZ
On Thu, Dec 15, 2022 at 3:15 AM pe1hwo < pe1hwo@...> wrote: Thanks, last week i did try the same with this:
Waveguide opening and black stamp on the back tells me X band.
I measured a nice curve when increasing the voltage.
But I could not find a trace with my homemade probe.
Will try again.
Sold my NOS 2k25's years ago.
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Re: and a small discone antenna
Thanks Mario, this teflon cable started out with an sma connector on each end, i removed the nut and was left with a strong gold plated body which
was made to fit and soldered inside the cone with a minimal amount of teflon separating the disk, the clearcoat also acted? a bit like glue.
This was not the first discone i have made and builds on small improvements from previous models'
A quarter wavelength on 10 ghz is 6 mm so the junction is important to keep small and the rg400 cable has some flexibility.
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TinySA-app CSV to Shure Wireless Workbench conversion
#csv
#tinysa
Hi!? I'm a sound engineer and wireless microphone frequency coordinator.? ?I recently bought a TinySA for generating scans for my use in the field.? This is a neat and very powerful device and will make a nice addition to my portable kit!? ? I have created a Windows Powershell 7 script which translates the CSV outputted by TinySA-app into a CSV format that is useable in the Shure Wireless Workbench frequency coordination workspace.
?
If you want to give it a try, check out the readme and enter your file locations into the scripts. You will also need to install Windows Powershell 7.
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Ho-Ro
DAVE REISER WA3TRS
Wes Stewart
Clyde Lambert
John Cunliffe W7ZQ
David J Taylor