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Hi all. Attached to this message is a photo of my TinySA I just purchased. I would like to know if this is a legit unit. Thank you. 73' de W2LPC.
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As stated before, only ask if a tinySA is a clone when you do have a self test failure. And alway provide a photo of front and back and a photo of the failing self test. --
Designer of the tinySA
For more info go to https://tinysa.org/wiki/
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I would add, when asking if it is a clone, the person should also state where they purchased the unit. No statement of purchase location, no analysis of it is a clone.
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I got this unit on Amazon, it has 4 metal shields on the PC board and passes all self-tests, is it real?
Mike W6MXV
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That would be ideal but it is hard to stop people from posting these sorts of queries. If it were me I would not answer "Is this a clone?" queries publicly nor without proof?it was purchased from an authorized reseller. I would also delete any messages with photo's of suspected clones.
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Why purchasers would buy from an unapproved seller is beyond reason!? In my judgement, anything from Amazon is highly questionable.? And what's more, the sponsor of my credit card will not do business with AlliExpress.
Dave - W?LEV ?
On Sun, Mar 17, 2024 at 4:07?PM chri5k via <pattern.graft.0d= [email protected]> wrote: That would be ideal but it is hard to stop people from posting these sorts of queries. If it were me I would not answer "Is this a clone?" queries publicly nor without proof?it was purchased from an authorized reseller. I would also delete any messages with photo's of suspected clones.
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Two sides to consider.
1 - It gets a bit tiresome checking this group for news of things like firmware updates,
ideas, news and other info because every week there's often? more posts from users
asking "is my unit a clone" ? Boring.
2 - But where else can they go ? These guys obviously want to support the original
product, but with the marketplace these days in almost anarchy even experienced
purchasers can be fooled. And of course, cases of bait and switch to a cloned product
do occasionally occur.
At best, I'd advise purchasers to perform a firmware upgrade if they can immediatly
after purchase and see if it fails. If it does then kick some butt with the seller the moment
it fails.
- Andy -
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It's up to Erik to guide us. Some people who moderate groups want subject matter questions directed to the group since personal emails could overwhelm the moderator.
Mike N2MS
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On 03/17/2024 11:58 AM EDT Barry Jablonski <baj4242@...> wrote:
Shouldn't these queries be sent as private emails to Erik, so not to give the cloners additional clues to potentially spoof Erik?
Barry
WB2ZXJ
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To me the first point here is that people buy units with out researching and bothering to read the Wiki where it is plainly stated the vendors that sell the genuine article.
If it was not purchased from one on the list then the chances are probably 99.99% that you bought a clone.
The second point is: Verifying the obvious, when one knows the unit was not purchased from an approved vendor, is very distracting and time consuming for Erik,
When you see this question again, I would point them to the page on the Wiki where the vendors are clearly stated.
One last point:
If the unit passed the self test on arrival and you want to update the firmware, save the old firmware first, then update the unit. If when you update the unit the self test fails that is an indicator that the as supplied firmware has been patched to pass the test. The buyers recourse is to go back to the vendor and tell them that they have sold you an illegal clone and you want a refund.
If you have to return it (most of the time you won't) leave the failing firmware in the device so they can see the problem. Chances are though they will continue to supply hacked units.
Now there have been rare occasions where genuine units have not passed the self test on update but Erik has been very prompt in supporting those but I think his time is way to valuable to have to
bother with pirate units.
73,
Sam
W3OHM
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Thanks for the info.
?
I guess I made several mistakes with this.? The first being the
purchase of the TinySA from the Seesii Store at Amazon.? So I will return
the unit to them and get my 200 plus dollars back and then go to my HP 8566B SA
and be happy.? It is a little big and heavy but I know if I need some help
with it, I can get it from the HP Equipment Group without any hate.
?
Mike? W6MXV
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
Sent: Sunday, March 17, 2024 6:12 PM
Subject: Re: [tinysa] TinySA Clone?
?
To
me the first point here is that people buy units with out researching and
bothering to read the Wiki where it is plainly stated the vendors that sell the
genuine article.
If it was not purchased from one on the list then the
chances are probably 99.99% that you bought a clone.
The second point is:
Verifying the obvious, when one knows the unit was not purchased from an
approved vendor, is very distracting and time consuming for Erik,
When
you see this question again, I would point them to the page on the Wiki where
the vendors are clearly stated.
One last point:
If the unit
passed the self test on arrival and you want to update the firmware, save the
old firmware first, then update the unit. If when you update the unit the self
test fails that is an indicator that the as supplied firmware has been patched
to pass the test. The buyers recourse is to go back to the vendor and tell them
that they have sold you an illegal clone and you want a refund.
If you have
to return it (most of the time you won't) leave the failing firmware in the
device so they can see the problem. Chances are though they will continue to
supply hacked units.
Now there have been rare occasions where genuine
units have not passed the self test on update but Erik has been very prompt in
supporting those but I think his time is way to valuable to have to
bother
with pirate units.
73,
Sam
W3OHM
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That’s the spirit. As my Grandpappy use to say, ”Don’t let the door hit ya where the good Lord split ya.”
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On Sun, Mar 17, 2024 at 04:49 PM, MICHAEL TALLENT wrote:
Thanks for the info.
?
I guess I made several mistakes with this.? The first being the purchase of the TinySA from the Seesii Store at Amazon.? So I will return the unit to them and get my 200 plus dollars back and then go to my HP 8566B SA and be happy.? It is a little big and heavy but I know if I need some help with it, I can get it from the HP Equipment Group without any hate.
?
Mike? W6MXV
Mike, I don't see any hate at all in these posts.? You asked if you bought a clone and Sam Reaves suggested you read the wiki and try updating your firmware to see if it passed.?? The wiki clearly states? that Seesii on Amazon is a safe vendor.?? There is a lot of info in the Wiki and in archived messages.? 
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"The first being the purchase of the TinySA from the Seesii Store at Amazon. "
Some thoughts as I read this thread...
1. The Seesii store at amazon.com IS a wiki-listed approved vendor for the TinySA Ultra.
2. The label on the back of your unit is exactly the same as mine other than the SN.
3. I have now performed two firmware updates on my TinySA Ultra without self-test issues.
Peter
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There are two posters with problems on this thread. Some folk trying
to help are getting them confused.
The original "OP" bought from a non authorised store. He has a
clone. He should apply for a refund.
All official firmware will fail on this unit.
The second "OP" bought from SiiSee on Amazon which is an authorised
store. He should have a legitimate unit.
He should try a firmware update to the latest version as this
relaxes the self test limits a bit and it should then pass.
BUT he should do a Clear Config first, then a Calibration and
finally another Self Test. Old Cal data can cause continued Self
Test failures.
HTH...Bob VK2ZRE
On 18/03/2024 12:09 pm, Peter Finch
wrote:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
"The
first being the purchase of the TinySA from the Seesii Store at
Amazon. "
Some thoughts as I read this thread...
1. The Seesii store at amazon.com IS a wiki-listed approved
vendor for the TinySA Ultra.
2. The label on the back of your unit is exactly the same as
mine other than the SN.
3. I have now performed two firmware updates on my TinySA Ultra
without self-test issues.
Peter
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Thanks for the clarification Roger.
?
I had originally started looking for the TinySA 3 or 4 months
ago and remembered that R and L was approved.? I have not bought anything
from them but heard good things about them.? Every time I checked their
site they had no stock and I did not want to park money there waiting and
unknown amount of time.? Later I ran across the Seesii store on Amazon and
it looked OK and the price was what I had expected, but I get some discounts
from Amazon so I ordered the Tiny SA Ultra with power attenuator.? After
reading some posts on this site and one written in blue saying anything from
Amazon was suspect I began to have concerns that what I had gotten was a
copy.
?
Going to the firmware update page was not very helpful to a very
new user.? First it states to put the SA in “DFU” mode without telling how
to do this and in my over 60 years of using Spectrum Analyzers I had never
encountered a “DFU” mode.? After some searching for “DFU” I found the
selections to get into “DFU” mode.? Then I am suppose to start the TinySA
windows App, where do I get that?? So now I’m thinking I should try using
the bin file, I am familiar with bin files from my early days of computer
building in 1975.? But wait it says something about problems with USB 3 and
should get a USB 2 hub to use bin file mode, now I got to go look in my pile of
computer parts dating from 1975 ( S100 bus) stuff and find some USB 2
stuff.
?
So I hope you take this this “light hearted” critique as it was
meant.? I will figure all this out with my 60 years of being an EE,
starting 3 companies in California, designing a lot of electronic “stuff” mostly
Television, inventing the first digital television product.? If there is
any interest go to YouTube and do a search using my call letter W6MXV for a
video about some of the companies I helped start.
?
I have to say, in my opinion, that some of the posts today were
not helpful or friendly to the clone discussion.
?
Mike? 82 and still going
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
Sent: Sunday, March 17, 2024 8:47 PM
Subject: Re: [tinysa] TinySA Clone?
?
On
Sun, Mar 17, 2024 at 04:49 PM, MICHAEL TALLENT wrote:
Thanks for the info.
?
I guess I made several mistakes with this.? The first being the
purchase of the TinySA from the Seesii Store at Amazon.? So I will return
the unit to them and get my 200 plus dollars back and then go to my HP 8566B
SA and be happy.? It is a little big and heavy but I know if I need some
help with it, I can get it from the HP Equipment Group without any hate.
?
Mike? W6MXV Mike, I don't see any hate at
all in these posts.? You asked if you bought a clone and Sam Reaves
suggested you read the wiki and try updating your firmware to see if it
passed.?? The wiki clearly states? that Seesii on Amazon is a
safe vendor.?? There is a lot of info in the Wiki and in archived
messages.? 
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R & L is great. I have purchased a NanoVNA H4, a TinySA and a TinySA Ultra from them, as well as other electronics (Alinco DM330MVT power supply). I am sure all of the NanoVNA and TinySA units I've gotten are legitimate and all have been working fine.
The DFU mode is particular to the ST Micro chips used in these units, not to a spectrum analyzer. The firmware for the device is stored in the STM chip. I also had a little trouble finding info on and programming updated firmware into these devices. Then I found the DfuseDemo software at the STM site. I've been using it for all these devices.I believe I put it in the files section of the page for this group.
Zack W9SZ
Zack
On Sun, Mar 17, 2024 at 10:31?PM MICHAEL TALLENT < mwtallent@...> wrote:
Thanks for the clarification Roger.
?
I had originally started looking for the TinySA 3 or 4 months
ago and remembered that R and L was approved.? I have not bought anything
from them but heard good things about them.? Every time I checked their
site they had no stock and I did not want to park money there waiting and
unknown amount of time.? Later I ran across the Seesii store on Amazon and
it looked OK and the price was what I had expected, but I get some discounts
from Amazon so I ordered the Tiny SA Ultra with power attenuator.? After
reading some posts on this site and one written in blue saying anything from
Amazon was suspect I began to have concerns that what I had gotten was a
copy.
?
Going to the firmware update page was not very helpful to a very
new user.? First it states to put the SA in “DFU” mode without telling how
to do this and in my over 60 years of using Spectrum Analyzers I had never
encountered a “DFU” mode.? After some searching for “DFU” I found the
selections to get into “DFU” mode.? Then I am suppose to start the TinySA
windows App, where do I get that?? So now I’m thinking I should try using
the bin file, I am familiar with bin files from my early days of computer
building in 1975.? But wait it says something about problems with USB 3 and
should get a USB 2 hub to use bin file mode, now I got to go look in my pile of
computer parts dating from 1975 ( S100 bus) stuff and find some USB 2
stuff.
?
So I hope you take this this “light hearted” critique as it was
meant.? I will figure all this out with my 60 years of being an EE,
starting 3 companies in California, designing a lot of electronic “stuff” mostly
Television, inventing the first digital television product.? If there is
any interest go to YouTube and do a search using my call letter W6MXV for a
video about some of the companies I helped start.
?
I have to say, in my opinion, that some of the posts today were
not helpful or friendly to the clone discussion.
?
Mike? 82 and still going
?
Sent: Sunday, March 17, 2024 8:47 PM
Subject: Re: [tinysa] TinySA Clone?
?
On
Sun, Mar 17, 2024 at 04:49 PM, MICHAEL TALLENT wrote:
Thanks for the info.
?
I guess I made several mistakes with this.? The first being the
purchase of the TinySA from the Seesii Store at Amazon.? So I will return
the unit to them and get my 200 plus dollars back and then go to my HP 8566B
SA and be happy.? It is a little big and heavy but I know if I need some
help with it, I can get it from the HP Equipment Group without any hate.
?
Mike? W6MXV Mike, I don't see any hate at
all in these posts.? You asked if you bought a clone and Sam Reaves
suggested you read the wiki and try updating your firmware to see if it
passed.?? The wiki clearly states? that Seesii on Amazon is a
safe vendor.?? There is a lot of info in the Wiki and in archived
messages.? 
|
On Sun, Mar 17, 2024 at 08:31 PM, MICHAEL TALLENT wrote:
Going to the firmware update page was not very helpful to a very new user.? First it states to put the SA in “DFU” mode without telling how to do this and in my over 60 years of using Spectrum Analyzers I had never encountered a “DFU” mode.? After some searching for “DFU” I found the selections to get into “DFU” mode.? Then I am suppose to start the TinySA windows App, where do I get that?? So now I’m thinking I should try using the bin file, I am familiar with bin files from my early days of computer building in 1975.
A new user should read the entire wiki to understand how to use the tinySA Ultra and perform a firmware update... wiki >>? https://tinysa.org/wiki/pmwiki.php tinysa App discussed in wiki >>? https://tinysa.org/wiki/pmwiki.php?n=Main.PCSW Wiki firmware update procedure >>? https://tinysa.org/wiki/pmwiki.php?n=Main.UpdatingTheFirmware Roger
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Roger
A "New" user probably doesnt even know about the wiki doesnt know about the clone problems? etc etc
I sure didnt.? It was at least 4 months after I bought my NanoVNA and then TinySA? that I discovered the? two chat groups and then from them, the wiki
TBH ... I have not even investigated as to if my 2 units are clones or not ?? I have not tried the definitive test for that by trying a FW update .... actually,? when it comes to FW updates, on any piece of gear, one of my amateur radios etc, I am hesitant, in case I brick a multi-thousand $$ item
I suspect there are dozens of people out there in the same position as myself
cheers Dave VK2TDN
----- Original Message -----
To: <[email protected]>
Cc:
Sent: Mon, 18 Mar 2024 11:24:21 -0700
Subject: Re: [tinysa] TinySA Clone?
On Sun, Mar 17, 2024 at 08:31 PM, MICHAEL TALLENT wrote:
Going to the firmware update page was not very helpful to a very new user.? First it states to put the SA in “DFU” mode without telling how to do this and in my over 60 years of using Spectrum Analyzers I had never encountered a “DFU” mode.? After some searching for “DFU” I found the selections to get into “DFU” mode.? Then I am suppose to start the TinySA windows App, where do I get that?? So now I’m thinking I should try using the bin file, I am familiar with bin files from my early days of computer building in 1975.
A new user should read the entire wiki to understand how to use the tinySA Ultra and perform a firmware update...
wiki >>? https://tinysa.org/wiki/pmwiki.php
tinysa App discussed in wiki >>? https://tinysa.org/wiki/pmwiki.php?n=Main.PCSW
Wiki firmware update procedure >>? https://tinysa.org/wiki/pmwiki.php?n=Main.UpdatingTheFirmware
Roger
Email sent using Optus Webmail
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Spot on Dave. We can't all be perfect, alas.
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W2LPC
Sam Reaves
Roger Need
Dave