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Spectrum analyzers
S A s are usefull for antenna hobbyists. Some twenty years ago there
was a DIY S A that used a t v tuner in Ham Radio. Moving forwards some twenty years and most hams have computors and there are 2.4 Ghz spectrum analysers out there as well as audio set ups for computors. So what is available today for hams in the HF BANDS? There are a lot of older type audio S A s on E bay but I haven't heard of anybody modifying thoseand with most having computors it would seem reasonable to think that there were components available that could performn between audi and 2.4 Ghz. So has anybody seen any modern type DIY spectrum analysers around for sale or kits? I have 141t and other types of SA which now are considered bulky and I would really like something smaller or say modify something like a audio setup as a project. Comments |
Spectrum analyzers
Art,
Funny that you should ask, because the October 2008 QST (just arrived a few days ago) has a computer-based DIY spectrum analyzer project. Doesn't look too difficult: a couple of dozen parts and a software program that's downloadable from the ARRL web site. -larry K8UT "Art Unwin" wrote in message ... S A s are usefull for antenna hobbyists. Some twenty years ago there was a DIY S A that used a t v tuner in Ham Radio. Moving forwards some twenty years and most hams have computors and there are 2.4 Ghz spectrum analysers out there as well as audio set ups for computors. So what is available today for hams in the HF BANDS? There are a lot of older type audio S A s on E bay but I haven't heard of anybody modifying thoseand with most having computors it would seem reasonable to think that there were components available that could performn between audi and 2.4 Ghz. So has anybody seen any modern type DIY spectrum analysers around for sale or kits? I have 141t and other types of SA which now are considered bulky and I would really like something smaller or say modify something like a audio setup as a project. Comments |
Spectrum analyzers
Larry Gauthier (K8UT) wrote:
Art, Funny that you should ask, because the October 2008 QST (just arrived a few days ago) has a computer-based DIY spectrum analyzer project. Doesn't look too difficult: a couple of dozen parts and a software program that's downloadable from the ARRL web site. -larry K8UT "Art Unwin" wrote in message ... S A s are usefull for antenna hobbyists. Some twenty years ago there was a DIY S A that used a t v tuner in Ham Radio. Moving forwards some twenty years and most hams have computors and there are 2.4 Ghz spectrum analysers out there as well as audio set ups for computors. So what is available today for hams in the HF BANDS? There are a lot of older type audio S A s on E bay but I haven't heard of anybody modifying thoseand with most having computors it would seem reasonable to think that there were components available that could performn between audi and 2.4 Ghz. So has anybody seen any modern type DIY spectrum analysers around for sale or kits? I have 141t and other types of SA which now are considered bulky and I would really like something smaller or say modify something like a audio setup as a project. Comments These days, the scanning receiver part isn't the hard part. It's calibration and user interface. For instance a Icom PCR1000 makes a fine HF,VHF,UHF spectrum analyzer, although the resolution BW steps are limited and sweep speeds are limited. What you get with a "real" spectrum analyzer is a fairly intuitive user interface (with knobs!), well characterized and consistent RF performance over a wide variety of operating conditions, and calibrateability (i.e. stable and repeatable operation) It's sort of like the difference between a real oscilloscope and a sound card in a PC with an oscilloscope program. The real scope probably has wider applicability, more options arranged in a systematic way, etc. But for some applications, the soundcard is just fine. |
Spectrum analyzers
On Sep 23, 1:01*pm, Art Unwin wrote:
S A s are usefull for antenna hobbyists. Some twenty years ago there was a DIY *S A that used a t v tuner in Ham Radio. Moving forwards some twenty years and most hams have computors and there are 2.4 Ghz spectrum analysers out there as well as audio set ups for computors. So what is available today for hams in the HF BANDS? There are a lot of older type audio S A s on E bay but I haven't heard of anybody modifying thoseand with most having computors it would seem reasonable to think that there were components available that could performn between audi and 2.4 Ghz. So has anybody seen any modern type DIY spectrum analysers around for sale or kits? I have 141t and other types of SA which now are considered bulky and I would really like something smaller or say modify something like a audio setup as a project. Comments THANK YOU. I will have to hit the library to read that. How fortunate ! Regards Art |
Spectrum analyzers
On Tue, 23 Sep 2008 11:01:53 -0700 (PDT), Art Unwin
wrote: I would really like something smaller or say modify something like a audio setup as a project. Audio spectrum analyzer (free): http://www.sillanumsoft.org I use this one on my laptop for audio generating and testing. Try to get a 96Khz sound card or dongle as the typical internal laptop sound card is really marginal. No RF, no antenas, but good for audio. Look into SDR (software defined radio) projects. Most of them will also act as a spectrum analyzer. For covering bands above 30MHz, use a mixer and a signal generator: http://www.rfspace.com/SDR-14.html I really don't know much about these but they look interesting. Now, if you have a sizeable bank account, one of the various Anritsu hand held spectrum analyzers are really nice: http://www.us.anritsu.com/products/ARO/North/Eng/Spectrum-Analyzers.aspx?lc=Eng&cc=US&rc=ARO&cat=1&cat2=2&ca t3=5&cat4=0 There are also a large number of hand-help CATV spectrum analyzer available if you want portability. I've only played with a few, so I can't offer any useful recommendations. They usually don't have sufficient resolution to seperate HF stations. Incidentally, in order to use a spectrum analyzer for antenna testing, you'll need a directional coupler (or VSWR bridge) and an RF sweep generator. -- Jeff Liebermann 150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558 |
Spectrum analyzers
On Tue, 23 Sep 2008 13:23:53 -0700, Jeff Liebermann
wrote: Now, if you have a sizeable bank account, one of the various Anritsu hand held spectrum analyzers are really nice: http://www.us.anritsu.com/products/ARO/North/Eng/Spectrum-Analyzers.aspx?lc=Eng&cc=US&rc=ARO&cat=1&cat2=2&ca t3=5&cat4=0 Sorry. Wrong URL. For handheld SA's, see: http://www.us.anritsu.com/products/ARO/North/Eng/Handheld-Spectrum-Analyzer---Spectrum-Master.aspx?lc=Eng&cc=US&rc=ARO&cat=1&cat2=2&cat3= 3&cat4=0 -- Jeff Liebermann 150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558 |
Spectrum analyzers
On Sep 23, 1:33*pm, Jim Lux wrote:
Larry Gauthier (K8UT) wrote: Art, Funny that you should ask, because the October 2008 QST (just arrived a few days ago) has a computer-based DIY spectrum analyzer project. Doesn't look too difficult: *a couple of dozen parts and a software program that's downloadable from the ARRL web site. -larry K8UT "Art Unwin" wrote in message .... S A s are usefull for antenna hobbyists. Some twenty years ago there was a DIY *S A that used a t v tuner in Ham Radio. Moving forwards some twenty years and most hams have computors and there are 2.4 Ghz spectrum analysers out there as well as audio set ups for computors. So what is available today for hams in the HF BANDS? There are a lot of older type audio S A s on E bay but I haven't heard of anybody modifying thoseand with most having computors it would seem reasonable to think that there were components available that could performn between audi and 2.4 Ghz. So has anybody seen any modern type DIY spectrum analysers around for sale or kits? I have 141t and other types of SA which now are considered bulky and I would really like something smaller or say modify something like a audio setup as a project. Comments These days, the scanning receiver part isn't the hard part. It's calibration and user interface. For instance a Icom PCR1000 makes a fine HF,VHF,UHF spectrum analyzer, although the resolution BW steps are limited and sweep speeds are limited.. What you get with a "real" spectrum analyzer is a fairly intuitive user interface (with knobs!), well characterized and consistent RF performance over a wide variety of operating conditions, and calibrateability (i.e. stable and repeatable operation) It's sort of like the difference between a real oscilloscope and a sound card in a PC with an oscilloscope program. *The real scope probably has wider applicability, more options arranged in a systematic way, etc. But for some applications, the soundcard is just fine. I have seen spectrum analysers the size of a hand held volt meter, cost around 2 to 3 K that tells me that the science is there and the chips are there. When I see kids jumping their fingers all over the place with their hand games they have found a way around the knobs and wh istles and bells so us old folks had better change up a gear. I just want to see the shape of my transmission signal plus an idea what bands are busy and which ones are not. For accuracy I can put a signal on that of the SA and read out the frequency on my radio. I do not want to replay my work years all over again! Regards Art |
Spectrum analyzers
I have seen spectrum analysers the size of a hand held volt meter,
cost around 2 to 3 K I got myself a 7GHz Spectran for small money. With its PC software it looks amazing. http://spectran.com/HandHeld_SpectrumAnalyzer.shtml (or Germany: http://www.aaronia.de/Spektrumanalysator.htm) Christen |
Spectrum analyzers
"Art Unwin" wrote in message ... S A s are usefull for antenna hobbyists. maybe you should hook one up to your magical neutrino antenna and see if you can measure the weak force tilt frequency in your drunken vertical. |
Spectrum analyzers
On Sep 23, 11:33*am, Jim Lux wrote:
Larry Gauthier (K8UT) wrote: Art, Funny that you should ask, because the October 2008 QST (just arrived a few days ago) has a computer-based DIY spectrum analyzer project. Doesn't look too difficult: *a couple of dozen parts and a software program that's downloadable from the ARRL web site. -larry K8UT "Art Unwin" wrote in message .... S A s are usefull for antenna hobbyists. Some twenty years ago there was a DIY *S A that used a t v tuner in Ham Radio. Moving forwards some twenty years and most hams have computors and there are 2.4 Ghz spectrum analysers out there as well as audio set ups for computors. So what is available today for hams in the HF BANDS? There are a lot of older type audio S A s on E bay but I haven't heard of anybody modifying thoseand with most having computors it would seem reasonable to think that there were components available that could performn between audi and 2.4 Ghz. So has anybody seen any modern type DIY spectrum analysers around for sale or kits? I have 141t and other types of SA which now are considered bulky and I would really like something smaller or say modify something like a audio setup as a project. Comments These days, the scanning receiver part isn't the hard part. It's calibration and user interface. For instance a Icom PCR1000 makes a fine HF,VHF,UHF spectrum analyzer, although the resolution BW steps are limited and sweep speeds are limited.. What you get with a "real" spectrum analyzer is a fairly intuitive user interface (with knobs!), well characterized and consistent RF performance over a wide variety of operating conditions, and calibrateability (i.e. stable and repeatable operation) It's sort of like the difference between a real oscilloscope and a sound card in a PC with an oscilloscope program. *The real scope probably has wider applicability, more options arranged in a systematic way, etc. But for some applications, the soundcard is just fine. Adding a bit to Jim's good comments... just because spectrum analysis can be done with fewer and smaller parts than you needed a few years ago doesn't mean you can get really good performance in a tiny package. It's still pretty tricky to keep residuals, spurs and distortion very low while providing the amplitude and frequency stability that Jim mentions. These days, low phase noise is also a big benefit, since RBW can be very low. To me, one of the biggest advances in spectral analysis in the past few years is the ability to get very decent dynamic range while digitizing a significant bandwidth, meaning that you can look at a whole bunch of signals all at the same time, and not miss transient events because you were scanning a different range when the event occurred. A side benefit is that a properly done digitizer has extremely good linearity: you can accurately measure amplitude over a wide range of signal levels. It's quite possible to digitize the whole HF range with very respectable dynamic range; the display then becomes a matter of digital signal processing--and there are chips capable of keeping up with the high data rate while providing narrow frequency resolution over large chunks of, or even the whole, digitized bandwidth. Digitization also makes keeping phase noise low relatively easy, if you don't have to also do analog frequency conversion--and even there, if you can do the analog conversion in only relatively large frequency steps, it's a help. Cheers, Tom |
Spectrum analyzers
On Tue, 23 Sep 2008 11:01:53 -0700 (PDT), Art Unwin
wrote: S A s are usefull for antenna hobbyists. Some twenty years ago there was a DIY S A that used a t v tuner in Ham Radio. Moving forwards some twenty years and most hams have computors and there are 2.4 Ghz spectrum analysers out there as well as audio set ups for computors. So what is available today for hams in the HF BANDS? There are a lot of older type audio S A s on E bay but I haven't heard of anybody modifying thoseand with most having computors it would seem reasonable to think that there were components available that could performn between audi and 2.4 Ghz. So has anybody seen any modern type DIY spectrum analysers around for sale or kits? I have 141t and other types of SA which now are considered bulky and I would really like something smaller or say modify something like a audio setup as a project. Comments To work with an SA on antennas you will need either a "noise generator" (modern method) or a tracking generator (old method) which can control the SA. better go for a scalar analyzer or if you can afford it, get a vector analyzer w. |
Spectrum analyzers
On Sep 23, 4:58*pm, "Dave" wrote:
"Art Unwin" wrote in message ... S A s are usefull for antenna hobbyists. maybe you should hook one up to your magical neutrino antenna and see if you can measure the weak force tilt frequency in your drunken vertical. David You have stated that you have the smaller AO program (limited in pulses) but as yet you have not proved to anybody that you know how to use it !. If you insert dimensions for a vertical radiator where none of the dimensions for XY and Z are repeatable then the program gives you picture of the weak force and it's angular direction ..Not only that my friend, it also shows that with the use of this vector ( the weak force remember) it shows what the position the radiator must take up for maximum gain !. Drunken vertical indeed! On the other hand you can continue the mistaken idea that intercoupling of radiators provides the same gains as Maxwell who includes the weak force in his calculations for absolute accuracy. Remember what I have told you " A radiator can be any size, shape or elevation as long as it is in equilibrium" This is contrary to what the experts say that a radiator MUST be straight, which is absurd. But then you rely on absurdities. Your friend Art |
Spectrum analyzers
hwabnig@ .- --- -. dotat wrote:
On Tue, 23 Sep 2008 11:01:53 -0700 (PDT), Art Unwin wrote: S A s are usefull for antenna hobbyists. Some twenty years ago there was a DIY S A that used a t v tuner in Ham Radio. Moving forwards some twenty years and most hams have computors and there are 2.4 Ghz spectrum analysers out there as well as audio set ups for computors. So what is available today for hams in the HF BANDS? There are a lot of older type audio S A s on E bay but I haven't heard of anybody modifying thoseand with most having computors it would seem reasonable to think that there were components available that could performn between audi and 2.4 Ghz. So has anybody seen any modern type DIY spectrum analysers around for sale or kits? I have 141t and other types of SA which now are considered bulky and I would really like something smaller or say modify something like a audio setup as a project. Comments To work with an SA on antennas you will need either a "noise generator" (modern method) or a tracking generator (old method) which can control the SA. better go for a scalar analyzer or if you can afford it, get a vector analyzer Like the TAPR TenTec VNA.. very nice piece of gear, but does have a broadband detector, so it won't work as a spectrum analyzer, nor is it going to work well in a RF dense environment. |
Spectrum analyzers
"Art Unwin" wrote in message ... Maxwell who includes the weak force in his calculations for absolute accuracy. until you point out the term in his equations that specifies the weak force you are just handwaving. |
Spectrum analyzers
On Sep 24, 5:15*pm, "Dave" wrote:
"Art Unwin" wrote in message ... Maxwell who includes the weak force in his calculations for absolute accuracy. until you point out the term in his equations that specifies the weak force you are just handwaving. David, you just have to be a leader in this. Total reliance on books or even on wilkapedia is for the birdes. It is upto you what rock you build your reputation on. Going to school only brings you up to date with other peoples thinking so that when you leave you don't have to reinvent the wheel. For the increasing number of head woblers that are join ing the hobby that is understandable but for those who sought education as a means of just making money is really stealing from the next generation. Education is meant for the advancement of the human race where continued scientific approaches after school was meant to correct the errors of the past to strengthen the rock for the next generation to build upon. Denial of progress or the effort to prevent change is just theft so that the children have to follow the selfish efforts of their elders. Change will come with respect to antennas tho probably after you have gone. You may posses the direction at the present time of a generation but soon you will be gone and the human spirit formerly chained by their elders will re emerge in disbelief of their elders folly who while dwelling in a garbage can felt safe from intruders, learned to ignore the smell that became associated with them feeling that they had won the conquest of change prevention Your final place of rest will be in a hill amoung friends but without a voice. Art |
Spectrum analyzers
On Thu, 25 Sep 2008 10:29:08 -0700 (PDT), Art Unwin
wrote: Your final place of rest will be in a hill amoung friends but without a voice. Art While visiting a cemetery in Smog Angeles, I saw several monuments that included a recording of the deceased saying a few last words. Push the button and it plays the recording. That was many years ago, and I suspect they've gotten better with video clips and LCD displays. Maybe the next step will be a 3d hologram. You may be dead, but you can still annoy the relatives. -- Jeff Liebermann 150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558 |
Spectrum analyzers
"Jeff Liebermann" wrote in message ... While visiting a cemetery in Smog Angeles, I saw several monuments that included a recording of the deceased saying a few last words. Push the button and it plays the recording. That was many years ago, and I suspect they've gotten better with video clips and LCD displays. Maybe the next step will be a 3d hologram. You may be dead, but you can still annoy the relatives. I remember Bill Cosby and the "Don't I look like myself?" routine about a tape playing beside a casket. Funny stuff. |
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