[006] IBQ102 2.6GHz Frequency Counter - Review, Teardown, Experiments

00:00 - Device Overview
04:56 - ADF4351 Synthesizer Update
06:57 - Device Walk-Through
12:22 - Teardown
18:13 - Frequency Testing
22:58 - Sensitivity Testing
31:30 - Cellular Phone Experiment
37:27 - USB HID Protocol Reverse Engineering
Review, tear-down and experiments with the IBQ102 Frequency Counter.
Show Notes: opentechlab.org.uk/videos:006...
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[@Flyboy737]

Very Interesting and informative Video. I like the idea of providing the show notes. Looking forward to your future videos!

[@alfagulf]

Many thanks for your excellent effort, very informative and useful. No doubt one of the best Tech. channels that I subscribe to and follow.

[@dmmdmm5435]

Your use of a narrow and sharp pointer, good focus and steady camera is the bare minimum of what's required to do an adequate job of showing specific things, thank you ! Many other demonstrators have no idea how to competently use even this basic skill. I'm highly satisfied with this great tutorial. I just got one of these devices

[@paulpillau5858]

The reason for the daughter board is probably to increase the number of availabe layers without having to make expensive high layer count boards.

[@_lwza_]

My similar Yaege FC-1 counter has worked faultlessly for six years. Very handy for quick equipment tests and transmitter identification on the fly, plus excellent value for money. As you point out, open-source firmware and datalogging via USB would greatly improve the versatility. I'd also like to see audio and vibration alert for each frequency capture, like on the old Watson and Optoelectronics Scout counters.

[@simeyD]

Excellent video, good stuff!!.

[@Tom.N]

Excellent review.

[@andrewchen6226]

I think the line receiver is used as a final buffer to convert the FET amplified input signal to a TTL level signal that the CPLD can process.

[@pixelflow]

Your opening statement reminds me of living in a world of multimeters and then getting an oscilloscope. Any new dimension to your ability to analyze is a good thing (tm). Quality/accuracy/characterization/limitations not withstanding. Plus! Opens up a path to understanding a new domain where cost was previously a barrier.

[@josemesquita603]

Excellent review. Thank you. I believe the Motorola MC10H116 Triple Line Receiver is used here as a waveform shaper, converting the input signals to square waves. It should handle both frequency ranges, where the MB506 pre-scaler may probably only used on the higher range. The MC10H116 IC datasheet refers as typical applications: • Low Level Receiver • Voltage Level • Schmitt Trigger Interface

[@creativeprepping]

Great technical video.

[@Guns_N_Gears]

I just bout 1 of these, its really impressive for what it is. One thing I don't like is how slow the calibration scale is. I tried to move the calibration by 2Mhz to act as an offset, but gave up. It would literally take days to accomplish that.

[@jwrtiger]

Just got my Yaege FC-1 today from Amazon (US). The difference between the IBQ102 and the FC-1 is the name on the front faceplate and the red power logo just above the F1 fuction key (FC-1) and on the F1 function key (IBQ102). The the manual with the FC-1 says IBQ101/IBQ102. Please note the FC-1 is the larger frequency ranged IBQ102 and not the IBQ101. Comes with same accessories so they seem to be the same. Hope this helps.

[@leooo2360]

Great Video. Thank You so much. As far as I know dBm = dB milli Watt, dBmV = milli Volts. Maybe that's the reason you are measuring wrong Amplitude.

[@erikas6874]

I have one of these. What's great is that the dBm power meter is quite accurate for the price, about +/- 1dB error. I don't know how much power it can handle, as there is no info in the manual. But +10dBm is safe so far. However, my instrument stops at 2490MHz, and can't measure higher frequencies.

[@fats699]

Please can i get some help i cant make the bin file for the firmware for the STM32F103 could you build one and put it on your github please :)

[@evghenim1955]

Could the problems with the lower freq range be because of inpropper termination (1M vs 50)? Isn't the siggen expecting to be terminated into 50? Or it should not matter at such low freq?

[@edgeeffect]

On any other channel I watch I'd say "that looks like a JTAG under the CPLD? Also SWD by the STM32" ... but this is Open Tech Lab... and firmware hacking is what you do. ;)

[@Aemilindore]

Can we use the ADF4351 synthesizer to generate In Phase and Qudrature signals to drive a mixer? Since the phase difference is 180 I suppose its not possible. If not so, why would they provide two signals which are out of phase? Thanks for your openion.

[@byronwatkins2591]

Have you tried to control the device using a mouse? That seems a logical reason to expose HID to me, but as an input instead of an output.

[@ku4uv]

This looks like the exact same counter as the MFJ 886C, only it sells for $50 instead of $180.

[@bimbambum8824]

Hello friend, in the unit that I have received, it gives me a value depending on the ambient temperature and the time I have been handling my IBQ 102. When cold, for example, it gives me a measurement and when the unit "warms up" 200 hertz less on average . It is not a reliable equipment. What do you think?

[@duchtdixon894]

E possibile ascoltare telefonini

[@rubycollection4935]

Price

[@JustLearning]

Will this frequency counter detect (pick up) digital signal from a walkie talkie?

[@educatedmanholecoverbyrich8890]

Yes. I suggest you bring out a coaxial lead and terminate the lead with a 2 turns loop about 20mm diameter.

[@firexification]

Hi, Can You send me a Link to Nikola C, I can't seem to find him regarding USB.Thanks and keep up the good work.

[@OpenTechLab]

+firexification Did you see the links in the show notes?: opentechlab.org.uk/videos:006:notes

[@firexification]

Thanks Joe.

[@boltactionpiano7365]

The protocol could be a request-response based one, right?

[@OpenTechLab]

It could be done that way. I would expect it to be incorporated into the HID stuff somehow. Because on Windows, using HID means you don't have to write any driver code to expose you device to applications. Then if you were using HID, why would you use request-response, when simply pushing the messages is simpler and perfectly sufficient? My suspicion is that the HID stuff is just there to make sure the host PC keeps the USB port powered, rather than sending any data. All this could be confirmed by reverse engineering the firmware, but that effort would be better spend writing an open source firmware with all the desired features IMO.

[@Adlerka741]

What is the different IBQ102 vs YAEGE FC1 FC2? What is the better?

[@andrewchiefchickens1961]

I would like to know that too

[@jwrtiger]

The difference is the name on the front faceplate and the red power logo just above the F1 fuction key (FC-1) and on the F1 function key (IBQ102). I just got mine today the the manual with the FC-1 says IBQ101/IBQ102. Please note the FC-1 is the larger frequency ranged IBQ102. Comes with same accessories so they seem to be the same.

[@educatedmanholecoverbyrich8890]

A 10pf padding capacitor would pull the crystal to be more accurate.

[@meisam9592]

0:23 I love how 36$ is less than 35$! :D

[@OpenTechLab]

Dude! Did you know $1.75 equals $3.36 ? 5:40 - believe the hype

[@vpnnvp7672]

4 Ггц увидит?

[@IgnoreMyChan]

In before it got deleted! :P

[@OpenTechLab]

This is a highly professional channel I run here. For real guyz.

[@IgnoreMyChan]

OpenTechLab I know and I love it. I was just joking because of the two 'false positive' notifications I got for this video the past two days ;-)