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TinySA as Tracking Generator

 

Greetings,

First off, I'm very, very new to spectrum analyzers.? I'm also a first year ham operator.? I found the web page showing how two TinySAs could be used, one for a tracking generator, the other acting as the spectrum analyzer.? I don't have two TinySA's yet (Ultra, I'm looking at you!) but I'd like to learn how the two combined work together.? Again, I'm a beginner here.

I bought my TinySA to use as a sacrificial instrument until I learned how to use one without blowing it up.? I also have an RF Explorer spectrum analyzer that goes to 6GHz and I read the manual before using it and learned of some of the pitfalls awaiting someone with no knowledge of power levels and how to attenuate them.? I know more now, at least in the safety department and I am looking to maximize the use of my tools.? My question is:? Can I use the TinySA as a tracking generator for the RF Explorer?? If I can then I'll proceed as shown by Erik and go from there.? i don't even know how/why a tracking generator is used but I wish to find out.? Do I have the tools to do so with these two spectrum analyzers?

73, Fleet
 

On Mon, Nov 28, 2022 at 10:36 PM, Fleet Senseman wrote:
Can I use the TinySA as a tracking generator for the RF Explorer?
Yes and no.
If you can put the RF explorer in max hold mode, you can let both devices independently sweep the target range and hope that after some time you have been able to catch all frequencies but this can take considerable time.
It is not possible to sweep in a synchronized way.
You could create a PC application that control the sweeping of both devices.

May I suggest you look into the nanoVNA family of VNA's as often a VNA is a much better tool than a SA with a tracking generator.
?
--
For more info on the tinySA go to https://tinysa.org/wiki/
 

On 28/11/2022 23:28, Fleet Senseman wrote:
Do I have the tools to do so with these two spectrum analyzers?
73, Fleet
Fleet,

One program you might like to know about is Satsagen:



As you gather more hardware, you may find its tracking generator/spectrum analyser capabilities quite handy.

Alberto /might/ be interested in adding some tinySA support, but I don't know whether he has the hardware or how busy he is!

Cheers,
David
--
SatSignal Software - Quality software for you
Web:
Email: david-taylor@...
Twitter: @gm8arv
 

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Thank you.? I do have a NanoVNA and I'm at the point where I can get my antenna dialed in easily.? That much I know.? I also know the NanoVNA is much more capable than just that.? I'll investigate further.?

73, Fleet KC1QHE


On 11/29/2022 2:54 AM, Erik Kaashoek wrote:

On Mon, Nov 28, 2022 at 10:36 PM, Fleet Senseman wrote:
Can I use the TinySA as a tracking generator for the RF Explorer?
Yes and no.
If you can put the RF explorer in max hold mode, you can let both devices independently sweep the target range and hope that after some time you have been able to catch all frequencies but this can take considerable time.
It is not possible to sweep in a synchronized way.
You could create a PC application that control the sweeping of both devices.

May I suggest you look into the nanoVNA family of VNA's as often a VNA is a much better tool than a SA with a tracking generator.
?
--
For more info on the tinySA go to
_._,_._,_
 

Thanks David, I'll check that software out.

73, Fleet KC1QHE

On 11/29/2022 3:48 AM, David J Taylor via groups.io wrote:
On 28/11/2022 23:28, Fleet Senseman wrote:
Do I have the tools to do so with these two spectrum analyzers?

73, Fleet
Fleet,

One program you might like to know about is Satsagen:

?

As you gather more hardware, you may find its tracking generator/spectrum analyser capabilities quite handy.

Alberto /might/ be interested in adding some tinySA support, but I don't know whether he has the hardware or how busy he is!

Cheers,
David

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