#537b

Episode 537b
Topics:
Signal level measurements with and without modulation
Using the HIGH input mode 240MHz to 960MHz
Output mode LOW
Output mode HIGH
Warning noise present on LOW input
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[@InteraliaTony]

Excellent series of videos. Thank you.

[@PapasDino]

Thanks for all the videos, lots of interest on our club reflector since I posted a note about your episodes. That initial 4-5 dB difference you were seeing on the HP seems a bit more than just cable and connectors, especially at 14 MHz. I think my Rigol sig gen and analyzer will be off by maybe a dB or so even up towards 1 GHz and maybe 1-2 more at 3 GHz. I do wonder why they went with the 2.4" form factor instead of going directly to the 4" VNAH4 size screen though. But hey, for $50 what can I say! ;-)

[@IMSAIGuy]

I think you're right about the HP. seems like there may be an offset. I trust the RF port good to 60watts for high power stuff. It has true power measurement circuitry. I'm using the antenna port for these tests as is it is more spectrum analyzer like. I should try it with a 50MHz calibrator I have. Of course that is the big reason to use a scalar network analyzer and not a spectrum analyzer to do accurate power measurements

[@PapasDino]

@@IMSAIGuy Yep, the SA on my IFR 1500 service monitor differs a bit as well but of course that's not really meant to be a sub for a bench SA as you say.

[@IMSAIGuy]

@@PapasDino I just drug out my fancy power meter and set an accurate -20dbm. the HP spectrum analyzer give a peak of -22dbm the TinySA gives -18dbm.

[@vidasvv]

At 14 MHz the cable and connector loss shud be negligible. TNX 4 the video

[@larslindgren3846]

Would this be useful for measuring unintended emissions from micro controllers and power electronic prototype cuircits on an occasional hobby level? I was thinking of getting a RTL-SDR BLOG V.3. Dongle but this is maybe a better alternative?

[@IMSAIGuy]

Yes I think this would be a good tool. I was wandering around the house trying to locate RF sources.

[@matteo234321]

@@IMSAIGuy With such a small SA, I could imagine doing that too! Would be fun to find which devices in my house are horrible "unintentional radiators"! Been doing a lot of FCC nonsense at work lately, the terminology shows it! lol

[@ErikKaashoek]

There is possibly something wrong with your step attenuator as the step from -49dBm to -74dBm (-15dB i.s.o -10dB) is also happening on your HP SA

[@IMSAIGuy]

You are probably right. It is old and they seem to die. I repaired several

[@IMSAIGuy]

The attenuator is fine but the SMC to SMA adapter was not seating properly.

[@adamalterman6657]

Teeny is spelled teeny, Tiny is tiny (long I)

[@IMSAIGuy]

Like weeny and whiny

[@JDX123]

Kind of weird comparing a 1500$ spectrum analyzer with a 50$ one and having similar expectations.