Re: No pulse on CAL when freq sweeping on signal generator
#tinysa
#ultra
Using a standard 10:1 CRO probe connected via a high voltage DC
Block (min 200V) to the 50 ohm SA input will present Low C / Hi Z to
the DUT and also gives about 60dB attenuation to the SA input. Handy
around tube and FET circuits.
A DC Block is just a capacitor in series with the centre conductor
of the adaptor. You can get them in SMA, BNC, N, etc.
Be careful to check the specs of the DC Block, a lot of those on
Ebay, etc are only around 25-50V.
HTH...Bob VK2ZRE
On 19/05/2025 11:45 pm, Mike EI9FEB
wrote:
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As soon as I got my S/H HP141T SA years ago I made a noise
source using a zener diode, high pass filter and MAR6 wide band
amp on stripboard.
I've not tried it yet with IFTs and the TinySA basic, or my
Rigol SA, but it has advantages over a tracking generator as it
can be used at RF in of radio and connect IFT out to SA. Note
some kinds of IFTs, especially on valve (tube) gear would be
detuned and Q reduced by load of the SA. You need a remote FET
buffer (I use J310 because I have them).
I had a wobbulator and the noise source plus SA was far
superior. You can use a tracking generator if driving a filter
direct, but again you may need a buffer (output to simulate
normal driving device) or be misled.
Even changing the mixer or amp device with a different part may
need the IFT to be retuned (i.e. swap 1L6 to a DK92), so unless
it's SAW, ceramic or crystal IF (easy to have a passive match on
input and output) tuning or examining an IFT directly with any
test gear is fraught with pit-falls, especially other than a
secondary to a bipolar transistor.
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Re: What to do when a selftest fails
Using the supplied antenna alone makes it susceptible to static
electricity if anything brushes the antenna.
Try an attenuator inline as this will act as a DC bleed for static
as well as reducing input signals. 10-20dB or more if you can afford
the loss of sensitivity.
Also, don't forget that the max RF input level is for ALL RF signals
entering the device, not just that displayed in the sweep display.
A bandpass filter, or a combination of high pass and low pass
filters, for the band of interest always helps if you use it
primarily over a specific band.
This is true for ANY VNA, including the megabuck devices:-(
Cheers...Bob VK2ZRE
On 19/05/2025 11:42 pm, kalfarpetr via
groups.io wrote:
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I'll buy another one, let's hope 30db attenuator will help it
survive.?
I was looking through regulations, the wireless microphones
are limited to 50mW, but wi-fi could go up to 1W, the same goes
for mobile phones.?
It was probably my mistake, I didn't expect it to be so
fragile.?
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Re: What to do when a selftest fails
Some drones run 1W, probably not an issue from the drone but be aware of the output from the controller.
I'll buy another one, let's hope 30db attenuator will help it survive.?
I was looking through regulations, the wireless microphones are limited to 50mW, but wi-fi could go up to 1W, the same goes for mobile phones.?
It was probably my mistake, I didn't expect it to be so fragile.?
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Re: No pulse on CAL when freq sweeping on signal generator
#tinysa
#ultra
As soon as I got my S/H HP141T SA years ago I made a noise source using a zener diode, high pass filter and MAR6 wide band amp on stripboard.
I've not tried it yet with IFTs and the TinySA basic, or my Rigol SA, but it has advantages over a tracking generator as it can be used at RF in of radio and connect IFT out to SA. Note some kinds of IFTs, especially on valve (tube) gear would be detuned and Q reduced by load of the SA. You need a remote FET buffer (I use J310 because I have them).
I had a wobbulator and the noise source plus SA was far superior. You can use a tracking generator if driving a filter direct, but again you may need a buffer (output to simulate normal driving device) or be misled.
Even changing the mixer or amp device with a different part may need the IFT to be retuned (i.e. swap 1L6 to a DK92), so unless it's SAW, ceramic or crystal IF (easy to have a passive match on input and output) tuning or examining an IFT directly with any test gear is fraught with pit-falls, especially other than a secondary to a bipolar transistor.
|
Re: What to do when a selftest fails
I'll buy another one, let's hope 30db attenuator will help it survive.?
I was looking through regulations, the wireless microphones are limited to 50mW, but wi-fi could go up to 1W, the same goes for mobile phones.?
It was probably my mistake, I didn't expect it to be so fragile.?
|
On Sun, May 18, 2025 at 03:03 PM, Joe wrote:
Some of the new mini-pcs have USB ports that are not powered.
That's a broken concept. How does a mouse, USB memory stick, USB SD Card reader or many other things work? Only a USB client/destination port, never a "host" port should be unpowered.
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Re: What to do when a selftest fails
Something is VERY wrong with the device.
This could be due to either too high input level, like having the antenna close to a transmitter antenna for a prolonged time, or because of severe static electricity input, possibly caused by touching a charged surface with the supplied antenna.
The device does have static electricity protection and some overload protection but due to the sensitive nature the protection is limited.
There are many people in this group that use the tinySA for surveying and monitoring small and large venues, maybe these can help explaining how to keep the tinySA alive in these environments.
--
Designer of the tinySA
For more info go to
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Re: What to do when a selftest fails
I had the same problem. RF switch blown. After replacing the chip problem solved.
?
?
?
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Re: What to do when a selftest fails
Hello
I have recently bought this wonderful device from neven.cz. After receiving it I have run self test successfully, upgraded firmware, run test and calibration again, everything went well.?
Then I took it to first gig. It has proven it's qualities right from the start. But after some time I have noticed some strange readings. I did a self test and you can see results down bellow.?
It was measuring 700-800Mhz band with default settings and supplied antenna, only using the waterfall display. The device was connected to a usb charger.?
Is there a time limit for measuring or any overheating issues? The device was running continuously for a few hours.
?
I'm considering buying a second piece, but I need to now how to protect it or if it's even capable of surviving the harsh concert enviroment.
?
Than You for Your advice
?
?
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Re: No pulse on CAL when freq sweeping on signal generator
#tinysa
#ultra
The pulse on out is VERY small. A couple of millivolt.
--
Designer of the tinySA
For more info go to
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Re: No pulse on CAL when freq sweeping on signal generator
#tinysa
#ultra
Thanks for the answer, Richard!
?
Indeed the SDS1000X-E does not support Bode plot. But, as far as I understood from the video in initial post, you could use Ch2 as trigger based on the Pulse High output on Cal.
This would start/stop the scope measurement sweep on Ch1 (where my filter is connected) at the same time as TinySA freq sweep starts/stops based on the trigger coming on Ch2 from SA Pulse High.
?
Hence my question - since I haven't managed to reproduce the guide in the mentioned video, is it something wrong with my TinySA Cal output or am I doning something wrong
?
Mircea
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Re: No pulse on CAL when freq sweeping on signal generator
#tinysa
#ultra
Hi,?
The 2 channel SDS1000X-E does not support the Bode Plot, the 4 channel scope does. See page 236 of the owners manual.
Press the Utility button then go to to the second page. The Bode Plot selection is missing on the 2 channel scope.
I'm not sure if there has been a firmware update that makes a change to support the Bode Plot.
Richard?
Hi,
?
I wonder if I'm doing something wrong or my TinySA is misbehaving.
?
I want to use TinySA Ultra to align IF transformers by? visualising the freq attenuation (bode plot) on an oscilloscope.
?
However, the TinySA Ultra does not seem to output the sweep pulse on Cal output. I did checked the Pulse High option.
Below are pictures with scope output and TinySA settings.
?
Can anyone give me a clue?
?
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No pulse on CAL when freq sweeping on signal generator
#tinysa
#ultra
Hi,
?
I wonder if I'm doing something wrong or my TinySA is misbehaving.
?
I want to use TinySA Ultra to align IF transformers by? visualising the freq attenuation (bode plot) on an oscilloscope.
?
However, the TinySA Ultra does not seem to output the sweep pulse on Cal output. I did checked the Pulse High option.
Below are pictures with scope output and TinySA settings.
?
Can anyone give me a clue?
?
|
Some of the new mini-pcs have USB ports that are not powered.
Joe
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On 5/18/2025 9:35 AM, Erik Kaashoek wrote: On Sun, May 18, 2025 at 01:36 AM, pa3cqn wrote:
Jus wondering: if you use the USB-C connection for serial isn't
the battery charging? So you are not losing but gaining mAh's?
Correct
--
Designer of the tinySA
For more info go to
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On Sun, May 18, 2025 at 01:36 AM, pa3cqn wrote:
Jus wondering: if you use the USB-C connection for serial isn't the battery charging? So you are not losing but gaining mAh's?
Correct
--
Designer of the tinySA
For more info go to
|
Re: Hunting Spurious Emission at 154 MHz
On Sat, May 17, 2025 at 01:33 PM, David Platt wrote:
Another common source for RF noise in these VHF frequency ranges, is a bad cable-TV setup somewhere.
I seem to recall a particular problem was cable channel 52(?) coming up in the 2 meter band.
73, Don N2VGU
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Jus wondering: if you use the USB-C connection for serial isn't the battery charging? So you are not losing but gaining mAh's?
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Re: #tinysa #ultra Leveling TinySA Ultra with damaged LNA
#tinysa
#ultra
When I search for a zk10 I get all kinds off stuff also. But when I search on zk10d I get the chip. Be adware that the results differ from country to country.?
?
I tried the link also, message "oeps does not deliver in your country".
?
Look at the price difference.
?
?
?
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Re: #tinysa #ultra Leveling TinySA Ultra with damaged LNA
#tinysa
#ultra
Link definitely works in Australia, but I then tried changing the delivery address to my daughters address in USA Ma, and it then said "Page not found"
You might need to have a conversation with your President.
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Re: #tinysa #ultra Leveling TinySA Ultra with damaged LNA
#tinysa
#ultra
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Mike EI9FEB
Donald S Brant Jr