I prefer to support my "local" vendor, which in this case is R&L. I've purchased other items from them in the past and they have always been solid. There is nothing so important that it can't wait another few days. I also purchase related accessories from W5SWL, another solid USA vendor. Amazon has enough money already, they don't need me. :D 73 -Jim NU0C On Fri, 16 Feb 2024 09:07:53 -0800 "PDXer" <budkor22@...> wrote: On Fri, Feb 16, 2024 at 02:24 PM, John Cunliffe W7ZQ wrote:
why would you want to pay prices on Amazon that are 50-100+ dollars more
than from an approved vendor like Zeenko or R&L?
Because it arrives faster (mostly in 2-3 days), and can return in 30 days for full refund if not happy with anything.
-- 73 -Jim NU0C
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Jeff,
If you received counterfeit goods from an authorized?seller of TinySA, you should report it to Erik asap. Provide any written documentation?such as an invoice, emails, etc. Also, any records of phone conversations like date, time and who you spoke to at the reseller. Trusted resellers selling counterfeit goods is a real concern.
Thanks
However, you can't always trust what you're going to get when you order from a recommended vendor.?
A few years ago I had ordered a TinySA from a recommended vendor - R&L Electronics. I?received the item and played with it for a while. Never upgraded the firmware and eventually put it away because I then had access to an Agilent Field Fox which had the VNA and Spectrum Analyzer options enabled. ?
Recently I returned to the TinySA (and also the NanoVNA-H) because I'm about to lose access to the Field Fox. I upgraded the firmware on the TinySA and it turns out that I have bought a clone. It fails the self-test and the silkscreening on the front panel shows a common indicator of being a clone.?
I reached out to R&L Electronics voicing my concerns and mentioning that I was looking to upgrade to the TinySA Ultra and was concerned that I might receive another clone. Their response seemed to pass the responsibility for the clone on to their supplier. Not their problem. ?
My take on this is “buyer beware” – even from a trusted(???) vendor.?
Jeff
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OT - Is there an Erik born version of the Nano VNA series ?
I seem to recall that perhaps Erik also did / does work on a version of the Nano VNA series too.
But which one ?
I've been pleased with his Tiny SA Ultra so I'd rather stick with safe heritage if I can.
Searching around there appear to be about 4 choices, none of which give much of a clue
about their heritage etc, and I'm pretty confused.
73 de Andy
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And quality of the products seem high too.
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On Fri, Feb 16, 2024 at 02:24 PM, John Cunliffe W7ZQ wrote:
why would you want to pay prices on Amazon that are 50-100+ dollars more than from an approved vendor like Zeenko or R&L?
Because it arrives faster (mostly in 2-3 days), and can return in 30 days for full refund if not happy with anything.
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Re: 'Stair-Step' display of trace
On Fri, Feb 16, 2024 at 05:15 AM, Erik Kaashoek wrote:
Its actually the AGC inside the power detector.
Once the zero Hz peak moves outside its detection window, the gain can increase and the noise floor drops in steps/
Thanks for the clarification & all your great work!
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Re: What are the biggest damage risks when using stock antenna?
Coax is an ideal capacitor in itself.? We used to measure coax spool length by the capacitance value. There were stories on 1,000 ft spools of 7/8 heliax of a shock to the technician.? We incorporated first using a 1 meg ohm bleed resistor into the procedure.? ?So, I've never used my finger but hey I guess its good if you're using a short run and you don't have a resistor or ground at hand.? ?
There are many white papers at the ESD Association ( esda.org, Griffiss Institute, Rome NY) on ESD studies and design advancements.?
Coincidentally the ESDA org was founded by former engineers from the Air Force Research Lab (Rome) who originated the ESD Mil Handbook and Specifications - working with Bell Labs.? ?They also originated MIL-STD-883.? ? More recently the specifications have become ANSI and you have to pay to obtain them.? Counter intuitive if you think about it.?
?
Andy
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On Wed, Feb 14, 2024 at 03:31 PM, W0LEV wrote:
Further, when connecting ANY coaxial cable to ANY piece of test equipment, I make a practice (for decades) of holding my finger across the shield and center pin simultaneously - especially if it is connected to ANY outside antenna.? You'd be surprised how long a coaxial cable can and will hold a charge.? And, further, it's a transmission line by design. Therefore, it can and will deliver its dastardly slug of charge in a devilishly rapid manner.?
?
Dave - W?LEV? ?
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why would you want to pay prices on Amazon that are 50-100+ dollars more than from an approved vendor like Zeenko or R&L?
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Re: What are the biggest damage risks when using stock antenna?
I bought mine through ebay.? It's the 6th generation X13.? (The X13 is the chip used.)? ? There are numerous similar looking devices but I chose one only after reviewing the frequency range.? ?I am not promoting this specific seller and I'm sure the item is also on amazon.? ? I'm not sure if this link will work but here goes:? ?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/314927419318?itmmeta=01HPS09KXG34SV9KD6DRKT26XF&hash=item4953230fb6:g:gJUAAOSwl1VlQa5Z&itmprp=enc%3AAQAIAAAA8Cm6vO0towIMTmuDDRGO0tGfrg2uMcAvYueV61BhK9YwGjjsOT6VmYM8Ivatdw8DkukbmwSi2f0NvXbkLMUSafM5ikd9ehE7J8km07Pd3tFQqp%2BnZd4zjYqp6m6ScWmqL%2F9xp5ETUH7jsIOmtxXQDEhhrxLe20yDGWr2BaQauM4acZ31avu0Bx6blOw9rr4Z627UcyOtKPLbuVM7QeTEuY8%2FHaNYnEVfc53W93M%2B3mXE7WpmGR%2BQ62BUrkiXurx8CDUAUqC3Q0nLH9t34oe5VZxd5nqZfIFB01dYZTJaiuBv1GoYK%2FdusJ5cE5skuWE2GA%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR6i_pqC2Yw
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On Thu, Feb 15, 2024 at 07:49 AM, N2MS wrote:
Andy,
?
Thanks for the information. Can you provide the product information and where they can be purchased?
?
Thanks,
?
Mike N2MS
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See the official seller locations here…..SeeSii on Amazon appear to be good, not SEEII as you mentioned. Did you make a typo?
Yes, I think I did make a typo.? It is SEEii.? They are for sale on Amazon.
?
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Re: What are the biggest damage risks when using stock antenna?
The eBay attenuators I bought were these generic ones, item?404370496426
The seller is UK based, similar SMA attenuators are widely available on eBay. You don’t need to spend a fortune on “brand name” attenuators for home use.
The antenna I use is taken from my Icom dual band (144/432 MHz) hand held radio. I use it to check “wall wart” phone chargers, LED lights, etc. It is entirely non critical when used close to such items. You will see e-field probes advertised, these are likely to be just a short piece of insulated wire or print board track.
SJ
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Re: 'Stair-Step' display of trace
Its actually the AGC inside the power detector. Once the zero Hz peak moves outside its detection window, the gain can increase and the noise floor drops in steps/ --
Designer of the tinySA
For more info go to https://tinysa.org/wiki/
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Re: 'Stair-Step' display of trace
It looks like the front-end attenuator is slowly autoranging.
Stuart K6YAZ Los Angeles, California
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I've always bought them from Zeenko. Buying from Zeenko, which is the manufacturer, I am 100% sure that I will not receive a clone, as it comes directly from the factory, without intermediaries where an "infiltration" can occur (desired or not by the seller). It's also cheaper because... Who can compete with factory prices??
Toni
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Re: 'Stair-Step' display of trace
This is normal behavior. --
Designer of the tinySA
For more info go to https://tinysa.org/wiki/
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Re: 'Stair-Step' display of trace
Mine looks pretty much the same. Brand new tinySA Ultra. 
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Over the years I have bought at least 20 or more TinySA and TinySA ultra from R&L? either for my self or through work. NEVER have I received a clone from them.
John
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'Stair-Step' display of trace
I have a new TSA-Ultra with latest FW, All self tests & cal worked ok. Unit seems to be performing as expected. I set the freq to cover the US AM broadcast band 530-1720 Khz & got a curious stair-step trace on the lower half of the band which seems to obscure the noise floor. It is quite visible if the range is set from 800 to 1000KHz. Scans for other ranges above 1 Mhz are fine. Maybe I have something set wrong? Joe 
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Tinysa App does not bring up screen capture
I have Tinysa Ultra.? Driver is installed and system recognizes usb port.? When I click on capture screen image button no window opens.? I am using windows 10.? I have another computer with windows 10 and Tinysa App works as it should.? Does anyone have an idea as to why the popup window for capture screen does not work? on the one?
Thanks,
John
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Re: What are the biggest damage risks when using stock antenna?
Okay, lots of great information on here. Sounds like I could use a few extra items to be safe.
Can anyone link a specific 30db attenuator that would work? Just really trying to make sure I get something that works for this specific use and I'm out of my depth, as I've said.
For a rubber duck antenna, any specific needs as far as length/type?
I'm also interested in that 'detector' idea that Andy mentioned... though I am seeing some mixed reviews of the cheap ones online.
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Jim Shorney
John Cunliffe W7ZQ
G4AON