Spectrum Analyzer / RF 101 and consultants

#19369

I apologize in advance if this is a dumb question but I need guidance. ?I have a Tinysa spectrum analyzer but I am completely new to radio frequencies and the spectrum world but NEED to learn as soon as possible. ?All the book search results I have found so far seem advanced because I am not even familiar with the terminology. ?Can anyone tell me where to start? I am not a techie. ?Any beginner’s resource for dummies will help. ?

?

Also, are there people/consultants out there who you can pay to advise you on how to set your spectrum analyzer based on what you are trying to capture and who will interpret the results for you? If so, what are they called (so I can search the web), and/or where can I find a reputableone?

?

Thank you very much.

#19370

I would start with the videos at Tinysa.org:

?

Several YouTube videos instruct you on how to use it.? Here are two examples:

?

73

Evan

AC9TU

#19379

Rohde&Schwartz has a series of videos on YouTube that explains the general function of spectrum analyzers. If you new to a spectrum analyzer this would be a start to understand the basic terminology just search for them.Then go to the Tinysa.org site and look at the videos specifically to this analyzer.

?

John

#19380

Yes, the Rhode&Schwarz videos on spectrum analyzers are highly recommended.? That would be an excellent first step as you first need to know how to use your new instrument.?

Here is another from Aglient (ex-HP):

????

And another from Tektronix with an expanded tutorial at the end:

????

While you are learning the basics of the spectrum analyzer and maybe a few other instruments associated with it there are additional local environment associated parameters you need to become familiar with.? Since you do not have a semi-anechoic chamber (lots of $$$$$$), you will need to become familiar with your RF ambient environment.? To do a good job of pre-compliance you need to become familiar with all the RF sources in your area:? WiFi, home solar installations, AM broadcasters, FM broadcasters, TV broadcasters, public services, cell phone towers (be sure yours is OFF while testing), baby monitors, wall warts, appliances, switch mode power supplies (these will be embedded in appliances), ..... ,,,,, ..... what have I missed.? When evaluating a product for emissions, all these and some I've forgotten will be eliminated as radiating from the DUT (Device Under Test).?

Here is a starter on what to look for regarding ambients:

AM Broadcast:? 550 to 1700 kHz? (applies only to conducted emissions)

FM Broadcast:? 88 through 108 MHz

WiFi:? 2.4 ± and 1.85 ± GHz

Home Solar Installations:? Broadband unstable emissions:? LF through possibly VHF

TV Broadcasters:? 54 through 225 MHz and 470 through 700 MHz in 6 MHz "chunks"

Public Service:? 150 through 174 MHz and 700 through 800 MHz

Cell Phone (personal and towers):? 850 ± MHz and 1.9 ± GHz

Baby Monitors:? VHF and UHF

Wall Warts:? These are switch mode power supplies:? 20 kHz through 80 MHz - broadband and

? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? unstable

Appliances:? Similar to "Wall Warts:

GMRS and FRS:? 462.5 through 468 MHz (this is FM)

Amateur Radio:? Consult the following URL: ?

Citizen Band:? 27 ± MHz?

Anything I've forgotten:? 20 kHz through xxx GHz

Some of these are "ON" 24/7/365 and others are intermittent.? For those which are intermittent, it's good to use the "MAX HOLD" function on the spectrum analyzer.?

That should get you going.

Dave - W?LEV

?'r et ve

Virus-free.

Show quoted text

On Wed, Feb 5, 2025 at 6:51?AM larmstead24 via <larmstead24=[email protected]> wrote:

I apologize in advance if this is a dumb question but I need guidance.? I have a Tinysa spectrum analyzer but I am completely new to radio frequencies and the spectrum world but NEED to learn as soon as possible.? All the book search results I have found so far seem advanced because I am not even familiar with the terminology.? Can anyone tell me where to start? I am not a techie.? Any beginner’s resource for dummies will help. ?

?

Also, are there people/consultants out there who you can pay to advise you on how to set your spectrum analyzer based on what you are trying to capture and who will interpret the results for you? If so, what are they called (so I can search the web), and/or where can I find a reputableone?

?

Thank you very much.

--

Dave - W?LEV

#19381

I forgot a few items - what else is new....

1)? Conducted Emissions:? 150 kHz through 30 MHz

2)? Radiated Emissions:? 30 MHz through the fifth harmonic of the highest clock frequency or 40 GHz (FCC).

When doing conducted emissions, you will need a LISN (Line Isolation and Stabilization Network) and/or a calibrated current probe.?

CAUTION (Conducted Emissions):? Connect your SA (Spectrum Analyzer) ONLY after the DUT is connected and ON.? If you turn the DUT ON while the SA is connected to the current probe and/or the LISN, you stand an excellent chance of blowing the front end of the SA.? It's best to use a transient suppressor/limiter like the MiniCircuits VLM-33W-2W-S+.? A bit of advice from an old fossil in the field:? Leave the limiter connected to the input of your SA permanently.

Dave - W?LEV

Virus-free.

Show quoted text

On Wed, Feb 5, 2025 at 4:35?PM David Eckhardt <davearea51a@...> wrote:

Yes, the Rhode&Schwarz videos on spectrum analyzers are highly recommended.? That would be an excellent first step as you first need to know how to use your new instrument.?

Here is another from Aglient (ex-HP):

????

And another from Tektronix with an expanded tutorial at the end:

????

While you are learning the basics of the spectrum analyzer and maybe a few other instruments associated with it there are additional local environment associated parameters you need to become familiar with.? Since you do not have a semi-anechoic chamber (lots of $$$$$$), you will need to become familiar with your RF ambient environment.? To do a good job of pre-compliance you need to become familiar with all the RF sources in your area:? WiFi, home solar installations, AM broadcasters, FM broadcasters, TV broadcasters, public services, cell phone towers (be sure yours is OFF while testing), baby monitors, wall warts, appliances, switch mode power supplies (these will be embedded in appliances), ..... ,,,,, ..... what have I missed.? When evaluating a product for emissions, all these and some I've forgotten will be eliminated as radiating from the DUT (Device Under Test).?

Here is a starter on what to look for regarding ambients:

AM Broadcast:? 550 to 1700 kHz? (applies only to conducted emissions)
FM Broadcast:? 88 through 108 MHz
WiFi:? 2.4 ± and 1.85 ± GHz
Home Solar Installations:? Broadband unstable emissions:? LF through possibly VHF
TV Broadcasters:? 54 through 225 MHz and 470 through 700 MHz in 6 MHz "chunks"
Public Service:? 150 through 174 MHz and 700 through 800 MHz
Cell Phone (personal and towers):? 850 ± MHz and 1.9 ± GHz
Baby Monitors:? VHF and UHF
Wall Warts:? These are switch mode power supplies:? 20 kHz through 80 MHz - broadband and
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? unstable
Appliances:? Similar to "Wall Warts:
GMRS and FRS:? 462.5 through 468 MHz (this is FM)
Amateur Radio:? Consult the following URL: ?
Citizen Band:? 27 ± MHz?
Anything I've forgotten:? 20 kHz through xxx GHz

Some of these are "ON" 24/7/365 and others are intermittent.? For those which are intermittent, it's good to use the "MAX HOLD" function on the spectrum analyzer.?

That should get you going.

Dave - W?LEV

?'r et ve

Virus-free.

On Wed, Feb 5, 2025 at 6:51?AM larmstead24 via <larmstead24=[email protected]> wrote:
I apologize in advance if this is a dumb question but I need guidance.? I have a Tinysa spectrum analyzer but I am completely new to radio frequencies and the spectrum world but NEED to learn as soon as possible.? All the book search results I have found so far seem advanced because I am not even familiar with the terminology.? Can anyone tell me where to start? I am not a techie.? Any beginner’s resource for dummies will help. ?

?

Also, are there people/consultants out there who you can pay to advise you on how to set your spectrum analyzer based on what you are trying to capture and who will interpret the results for you? If so, what are they called (so I can search the web), and/or where can I find a reputableone?

?

Thank you very much.

--
Dave - W?LEV

--

Dave - W?LEV

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Spectrum Analyzer / RF 101 and consultants