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I got it a few months ago and it worked fine. It would pass all the self tests without a problem.
Recently, I was trying to see if I could get it to display a swept frequency on my scope, and could get no output.
I ran the Level Cal, and it said Cal Failed. I tried all the other SMA jumper cables I have (5) and all gave the same result.
Then I tried the Self Test, and it failed tests 3, 4, 7 and 10.
I tried updating to Ver 1.1-59, but it just changes the error message on the Level Cal to "Signal level too low, Check Cable . . ."
And when I run the Self Test it stops at #3 with the same error message as for the Level Cal, and when I touch the screen
as instructed it jumps out of the Self Test mode.
I checked the unit for evidence that it is a clone, but it passes all the features mentioned for not being one.
Label on the back has no spelling errors, and the HW Version shows to be V0.3, with the Ser No SA-20080659
Inside it has the RF screens in place.
It does still work in SA mode, such that if I connect the telescopic antenna and hold it close to my HF antenna
whilst transmitting, it will show a small peak (-80dBm) at the correct frequency.
Any advice would be appreciated!
Stefan K8SEB
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On Thu, Dec 24, 2020 at 11:04 PM, stefan baartman wrote:
Recently, I was trying to see if I could get it to display a swept frequency on my scope, and could get no output.
Did you check if there was still a very much reduced (30dB less) output signal?
I ran the Level Cal, and it said Cal Failed. I tried all the other SMA jumper cables I have (5) and all gave the same result.
Then I tried the Self Test, and it failed tests 3, 4, 7 and 10.
Can you post a picture of the failing selftest 3? This will help me understand what may cause the reduced sensitivity
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For more info on the tinySA go to https://tinysa.org/wiki/
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Hi Erik, thanks for the quick response.
>Did you check if there was still a very much reduced (30dB less) output signal?
Attached is a photo of the scope screen, showing the NanoVNA CW Output on the top trace,
and the TinySA output on the bottom trace.?
Another photo shows the TinySA Low Output parameters.
>Can you post a picture of the failing selftest 3?
Attached is a screenshot of the Self Test 3 Error message, and a snapshot of the Level Cal Error message.
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Can you check if the high output is still working? --
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For more info on the tinySA go to https://tinysa.org/wiki/
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Hi Erik,
The High Output seems to work, see attachments.
On Fri, Dec 25, 2020 at 2:04 PM Erik Kaashoek < erik@...> wrote: Can you check if the high output is still working?
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For more info on the tinySA go to
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I can't not see if the high output level is correct but it? looks like something in the low input path is destroyed. Not just one component but multiple like two of the band pass filters or a switch and a filter. Did you drop it?
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For more info on the tinySA go to https://tinysa.org/wiki/
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On Fri, Dec 25, 2020 at 3:46 PM Erik Kaashoek < erik@...> wrote: I can't not see if the high output level is correct but it?
looks like something in the low input path is destroyed. Not just one component but multiple like two of the band pass filters or a switch and a filter. Did you drop it?
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For more info on the tinySA go to
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Don¡¯t you have to switch it back to low input before you can use as an analyzer?
Low output is the opposite of that.
Gary
W9TD
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Hi Gary,
I reset it by powercycling?everytime?I go between trying to measure an input signal and generating an output signal from the device.
The screen which allows one to set the output signal parameters does not show unless you select the output mode.
Powercycling?sets it back to low input mode. I checked.
On Fri, Dec 25, 2020 at 4:35 PM Gary W9TD < w9td@...> wrote: Don¡¯t you have to switch it back to low input before you can use as an analyzer?
Low output is the opposite of that.
Gary
W9TD
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At least the device does perform the main function I want it to do, which is to be able to monitor my HF Radio's Output; It may not be able to accurately measure the Output Level, but it does give some indication. See attachments.
Both the High Input and Output circuitry seems to be OK, so I can check my VHF/UHF sets, and generate signals for testing with it.
The only problem is generating signals on the low end. low input seems to work after a fashion, but it seems the levels are a tad low.
Stefan K8SEB.
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Maybe the attenuator of the LOW input is broken. Have you input a signal exceeding 20dBm into the low port??
You can refer to this video to check whether the attenuator is worn and repaired.
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Hi Hugen, thanks for the response!
I have put signals slightly in excess of 20dBm into the low input, I did not realize that would be a problem.
Is there a list of Input limitations somewhere?
If the attenuator is bad, I shall have to get a new TinySA. I do not have the skills anymore to replace components? that small; I'm 70, with shaky hands and imperfect vision, lol.
The video you included is in a language I don't understand, maybe Portuguese?
Stefan K8SEB
On Sat, Dec 26, 2020 at 12:56 AM Hugen < hugen@...> wrote: Maybe the attenuator of the LOW input is broken. Have you input a signal exceeding 20dBm into the low port??
You can refer to this video to check whether the attenuator is worn and repaired.
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Stefan For the input signal limitations see:? The max continous input level is +10dB? The language is indeed portuguese (the brazilian variant) --
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For more info on the tinySA go to https://tinysa.org/wiki/
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Hi Erik,
>The max continuous input level is +10dB?
That most likely explains how I broke it.
Thanks for the Specifications, they should be required reading for people like myself.
Stefan K8SEB.
On Sat, Dec 26, 2020 at 2:38 AM Erik Kaashoek < erik@...> wrote: Stefan
For the input signal limitations see:?
The max continous input level is +10dB?
The language is indeed portuguese (the brazilian variant)
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For more info on the tinySA go to
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On Sat, Dec 26, 2020 at 09:12 AM, stefan baartman wrote:
Hi Erik,
?
>The max continuous input level is +10dB?
?
That most likely explains how I broke it.
?
Thanks for the Specifications, they should be required reading for people like myself.
Stefan, ? Because the tinySA is so inexpensive its easy to overlook the maximum power and dc input specifications.? When a spectrum analyzer is >$500 then the maximum input specification is usually the first the first "sticker" a buyer puts on the front off the analyzer to remind themselves not to damage the input stage.? An external attenuator is a wise purchase if you work with unknown signal levels. ? I would say purchase a 2nd tinySA and use the damaged tinySA exclusively as a signal generator, but with the damaged attenuator your low output level control is shot.? If you know someone with decent soldering skills then you could have them follow the guide in the YouTube link provided by hugen and replace the attenuator chip.? You might first jumper the attenuator chip as shown in the YouTube video to verify that only the attenuator is damaged. ? - Herb
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My HP has that thoughtfully added in the front panel artwork. I guess they say that often enough they thought it necessary. Even so I try to stay well below that limit. 73 -Jim NU0C On Sat, 26 Dec 2020 13:38:37 -0800 "hwalker" <herbwalker2476@...> wrote: When a spectrum analyzer is >$500 then the maximum input specification is usually the first the first "sticker" a buyer puts on the front off the analyzer to remind themselves not to damage the input stage.
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Hi Herb,
I've been pretty spoilt with my HP and Tektronix scopes, they are pretty hardy!
I've blown up a NanoVNA and this TinySA, testing my Icom-IC745 HF radio which has? frequency stability?problems, so these have been tough lessons to learn!
Belatedly, I familiarized myself with the input specs of these devices.
Next on my list of things to build is a switchable?10-50 dBm 10W attentuator/dummy load.
I wish I had the skills to desolder such tiny components. How would one do it? very fine wick and microscopic soldering?iron tips? It would make more sense to get a block tip to melt the solder on all the pins at the same time, and someone probably makes such a thing, but it would be expensive,? especially when taking into account what the associated temp. controlled iron for such a device would cost.
I assume the individual components are freely available? I couldn't really see what the device number of the attenuator chip is. In any case, I should do the test Hugen pointed me to to see how to bypass the attenuator to determine if it is the only damaged device. Unfortunately the Video he referred to is in?Portuguese, which is not one of my spoken languages.?
Anyway, my son says they have some expert techs at his work, so maybe there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
Stefan K8SEB.
On Sat, Dec 26, 2020 at 09:12 AM, stefan baartman wrote:
Hi Erik,
?
>The max continuous input level is +10dB?
?
That most likely explains how I broke it.
?
Thanks for the Specifications, they should be required reading for people like myself.
Stefan,
? Because the tinySA is so inexpensive its easy to overlook the maximum power and dc input specifications.? When a spectrum analyzer is >$500 then the maximum input specification is usually the first the first "sticker" a buyer puts on the front off the analyzer to remind themselves not to damage the input stage.? An external attenuator is a wise purchase if you work with unknown signal levels.
? I would say purchase a 2nd tinySA and use the damaged tinySA exclusively as a signal generator, but with the damaged attenuator your low output level control is shot.? If you know someone with decent soldering skills then you could have them follow the guide in the YouTube link provided by hugen and replace the attenuator chip.? You might first jumper the attenuator chip as shown in the YouTube video to verify that only the attenuator is damaged.
? - Herb
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Gentle use of a heat gun works well. You don't need that much power. I have often used the classic Ungar 6966. To keep nearby parts from blowing away you can cover them with Kapton tape or a heat shield improvised from aluminum foil. 73 -Jim NU0C On Sat, 26 Dec 2020 18:12:53 -0500 "stefan baartman" <seb21051@...> wrote: I wish I had the skills to desolder such tiny components. How would one do
it? very fine wick and
microscopic soldering iron tips
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On Sat, Dec 26, 2020 at 03:32 PM, Jim Shorney wrote:
Gentle use of a heat gun works well.
You don't need that much power. I have often used the classic Ungar 6966. To keep nearby parts from blowing away you can cover them with Kapton tape or a heat shield improvised from aluminum foil.
Jim, ? I'm not sure if the word "gentle" and a heat gun the size of the one shown in the YouTube video belong in the same sentence :) ? I wonder how Erik replaces smd components with multiple pin counts on a crowded pcb. ? - Herb
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Stefan,
on Youtube, go to controls, switch on subtitles, select
Portuguese, auto-generated. Then return to subtitles, and select
auto-translate to English or German or whatever your heart
desires.
HTH, 73, Good luck with the Extra, Stay Safe,
Robin, G8DQX
On 26/12/2020 06:19, stefan baartman
wrote:
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The
video you included is in a language I don't understand, maybe
Portuguese?
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Gary W9TD
Jim Shorney
