#563c

Episode 563c
Using the TinySA to find RF sources that might interfere with radio
after this video was shot, a larger waterfall display has been added to the firmware
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[@W4BIN]

I put a 0.47 µF at 630 Volt Mylar film capacitor across noisy a. c. loads such motors and LED power supplies to kill all such noise. Never failed since 1973. Ron W4BIN

[@GregEvansK5GTX]

Could you elaborate on how you installed the capacitors?

[@digitalchaos1980]

@@GregEvansK5GTX Most likely installed them in parallel across the mains line on the load itself.

[@jeffwright6685]

4700pf correct?

[@KeyboardsJR]

@@jeffwright6685 0.47uF would be 470nF or 470000pF

[@barrykery1175]

Very creative. What a neat setup. I just ordered the TInysa about 30 minutes ago and one of the main uses is for RF sniffing. I really like how you attached a camera. Thanks for sharing. Barry, KU3X

[@TheElectronicDilettante]

Very cool! I did something similar. Prior to my sniffing around, I killed the power at the the breaker panel to get a better baseline then fire it up for the EMI. Scary revealing. Thanks for the videos!

[@JohnTarbox]

This is a real thought-starter! I would be curious to see you drive around your neighborhood with this setup to see if you can identify powerline and other sources of noise.

[@PowderMill]

I’ve just gotta try this... I’m going to start by shutting off all.circuit breakers and turning each one on at a time. Another GREAT concept video! 👍🏻😷

[@roberttilden9514]

I discovered that clicking twice on the waterfall menu item (once to select, then back in to click again) expands it to 2/3 the screen...

[@IMSAIGuy]

Yes, that is a new feature I asked Erik to add

[@blueglow1025]

You might want to sweep higher in frequency. A friend of mine had some no name Chinese bulbs in his garage and the opener quit responding to the wireless fob. There was broadband noise beyond 315 MHz, same as the garage doors receivers frequency. Purchased FCC listed bulbs and problem solved. Looked much cleaner on the spectrum analyzer too.

[@allthegearnoidea6752]

I just bought one of these after watching your video. I plan on doing my own unboxing but I cannot add anything to your great body of work on this subject. All very well thought out. Thanks regards Chris

[@IMSAIGuy]

Good luck with your channel!

[@dougbas3980]

This is so useful! Thanks. I will be suggesting this video to my radio clubs.

[@loueckert4970]

This was a GREAT video. I just ordered my tinySA to do exactly this, find the source of RF noise. I am a weak-signal operator on 2M and 6M and have a lot of junk intermittently showing up on the bands. At times, 6M noise is S9. Ugh... wish me luck. Tnx for posting... 73 de KT1R Lou

[@CharltonSupporter]

I received a Tiny SA for Christmas. After seeing your video, It will be used for this very problem. Thank you and Happy New Year. 73 Rob G4RJS

[@DaveGringo]

Thanks for following though with my suggestion to use it this way. If you try it again plug in a few various USB adapters and laptop brick power supplies and see what noise they produce... They do tend to produce different noise levels under load then just plugged in idling, but not always...

[@W8ASA]

Excellent! I'm going to try it this weekend with my tinySA. Ken W8ASA

[@festeradams3972]

Thanks for posting. Using an RSPdx with the new SDRconnect, and am in the process of adding a long wire for HF SWL. I've got a ton of RFI around 11 mhz around the house, and for the price should be a bargain.

[@benmodel5745]

Ah, the new Keysight Field Fox economy version. Very cool lol

[@phillipzx3754]

WOW! What a slick way to track down noise without shutting down the whole house and going circuit by circuit. I'll be buying one of these. I've been using an SDRPlay (with their spectrum analyzer software, and SWR bridge and noise generator) in a pinch. This looks like a FAR better solution.

[@zach0gr]

Yes I did the same If tiny can cover the 400-600 in once I could but one to.rechrk several tv antennas for the best.teception

[@WPGinterceptor460Interceptor]

these new LED's are aweful for HF.. STREETLIGHTS INCLUDED

[@Sky1]

I have the same issue. I think it was when they switch to a different power meter When my noise picked up. Almost gave up on ham radio. I now have one of these units I want to find the noise. I'm gonna call the power company see if they can put some ferret chokes on the main lead coming in the house.

[@TheGeekiestGuy]

Now you need to go on a hunt with every choke you can find to stomp out that noise. I got a bunch from my ferrite dealer so i can clamp on when or solar gets turned on tomorrow. Best of luck on your hunt and you just got a subscriber from me, bud. I look forward to your other videos. 🤙🏽

[@clems6989]

great job !

[@joshandersons6914]

Excellent idea...

[@danwaldman579]

Nice video, I like the Idea. I wonder if there is RF you're picking up coming from the camera recording the video especially during bright light situations. Probably not depending on the quality of the device. Did you try the measurements without the mount?

[@DonzLockz]

I got the tiny sa ultra today. Its charging now but im gonna do this test today.👍🙏🍻

[@ivorbiggen9599]

Wonderful video, I’ve just bought one of these (Nanovna H4) so at a very early learning stage, I have a lot of electrical interference noise which I’d like to track down, I’ve got the arial for the nano but what setting to I put it on so as to do a search/trace, help

[@radiojourney3515]

This is interesting.. now I have to get this little tool

[@MrLilmac75]

So if you put ferrite chokes on the offending appliance wires it would rid or lower the interference right?

[@raysoucie489]

NICE

[@OxOOCOFFEE]

Does turning internal LNA makes any difference? Any one used it with loop or Yagi for RFI hunting?

[@ahmetozdemir7173]

Hello, I finally got TinySA. I'm trying to understand a subject. I will be glad if you answer. 1- Is it okay to connect the two-ended connector cable that comes with Tinysa between the telescopic antenna and tinysa? Or would it be appropriate to connect another telescopic antenna of different size? Is a recalibration required in this case? How can it be done? 2- Suppose we want to analyze with a telescopic antenna connected to tinysa in an environment with low and high frequencies. In this environment, what settings do I need to make if I want the frequency with higher power (dpm) to come to the fore more clearly?

[@IMSAIGuy]

1. you can use the cable. no calibration 2. sounds like you have never used a spectrum analyzer. maybe this would help: kzbin.info/www/bejne/kJaXh2mHpZaggZo

[@jhill4963]

nice!

[@danmitchell5046]

Great idea, where did you get the antenna that you are using?

[@IMSAIGuy]

It comes with the TInySA. just a telescoping whip

[@lsmodelrr]

can you tell me the setting in the SA that you are using and what antenna that is you have in this video? thank you!

[@KA4UPW]

0.1uf capacitor across that closet light switch?

[@sandymusic6414]

Never saw a RBW of 192kHz before. May I ask why you are using exactly this RBW? Are there pros and cons?

[@rabidscallion9947]

What display did you use for this? Still learning but I usually only see LOG or Smith displays. Can't seem to find how to show it like a spectrum analyzer.

[@IMSAIGuy]

you have a nanovna this is a tinysa

[@sfrahm1]

Fair-Rite is your friend.

[@LeeKirkman88]

I get lots of noise off a neighbours pond pump and a refrigerator he has running in his shed,

[@fifaham]

LED bulbs may have oscillators inside them and may inject harmonics into your power lines. If you power your spectrum analyzer (SA) from the same polluted AC line then you will definitely infect your SA as well. To undo this pollution you need to use AC line filter before powering up your SA. I am always watching the things I know and things I don't know so we can all share knowledge.

[@IMSAIGuy]

this one is battery powered so does not have that problem

[@ahmetozdemir7173]

Hello, is there a possibility to define in the device to detect a certain frequency range?

[@IMSAIGuy]

yes, you can set a start and stop frequency

[@Aleziss]

I'm picking a LOT of harmonics from my networking gear equipement on my ham radio transceivers, from 160m to 1.2GHz, I thought I could find the fundamental frequency generated by the network switch and all of it's hamonics that create those birdies everywhere but I don't catch much... nothing obvious that jump out on the screen strangely... but on the transceiver, those birdies are quite intense S7 to S9, getting worst as I go higher on frequency (more birdies closer together)... I know cat5 is twisted pair act as a shield but why would I pick up so many birdies with my transceivers and not with the tinysa when I shove the antenna around all the cat5 cables ? My goal was to find which frequency range that noise emanate from and try to choke with the proper ferrite core... any thoughts ?

[@IMSAIGuy]

those signals can still be tiny. best to turn every thing off and turn the back on, one by one. I have to turn some lights off when I use my radio.

[@Aleziss]

@@IMSAIGuy ok thanks for the reply, I thought having S7 signals on transceiver is quite "hot" and I thought I could have pick those really easily, I will try to shut down some other stuff running and see if I can pick up from where that networking equipement is causing interferance !

[@TUBEORATER]

What is the blue band at the bottom of the screen? How do you get that to display?

[@IMSAIGuy]

waterfall display: tinysa.org/wiki/pmwiki.php?n=Main.DISPLAY

[@KateHikes1933]

Can you explain what's the purpose of this? So many radio guys think everyone is as informed as they are.

[@IMSAIGuy]

In my case. The noise generated in the house will not allow me to heard HF radio stations. I found some noisy LED lights inside and replaced those. So it help me solve my problem.

[@gixerags750]

Hi, if I want to test AM 5W and SSB 10-15 W TX (CB band) on dummy load , can I damage the Tiny SA when using the Tiny SAs supplied antenna ? Thanks in advance. Cheers

[@IMSAIGuy]

just start off at some distance, then get closer, but don't go over 0 dBm. you can find the safe distance

[@gixerags750]

@@IMSAIGuy can I not extend the Tiny SAs antenna ?

[@IMSAIGuy]

@@gixerags750 as I just said, start at a distance, extended, if it is a lot, collapse or move

[@gixerags750]

@IMSAIGuy sweet...thanks for the reply.

[@KA4UPW]

How did you get the waterfall on the display

[@IMSAIGuy]

tinysa.org/wiki/pmwiki.php?n=Main.MenuTree

[@Snipingbentleys]

What in home things would cause the most RF noise?

[@IMSAIGuy]

In my home the worst is LED lights

[@Snipingbentleys]

@@IMSAIGuy Interesting for me it was a hair dryer but I guess I can test the lights.

[@jkirias]

Plasma TVs are awful

[@zach0gr]

Lol I did the same using one ofy radios many ears ago Can you please test it in UHF?

[@IMSAIGuy]

above 350mhz, the tinysa is not a true spectrum analyzer. the high channel was added as a free bonus but has many problems. I do not want to judge this on camera as it would not be fair. It has many many false signals above 350 and so is next to useless to use to find signals.

[@bigdog911PAradio]

What are the steps to get to that rf sniffing screen,HELP AND DOES THIS unit get smith chart?

[@IMSAIGuy]

this is not a nanovna, this is a tinysa spectrum analyzer

[@bigdog911PAradio]

I have the exact same one ,is why I asked ,HELP😢

[@Travis141123]

Mount a cantenna on the rig.

[@user-tl5tt5yw3c]

I'm finding 220mc in the shack

[@espenbgh2540]

Nice seup with camera og TinySA - you just missed the focus. Nest time around use infinite om the camera.

[@haircutboys]

That's as big as the waterfall display can get?

[@IMSAIGuy]

the newer firmware allows a larger waterfall twice that size.

[@bigdog911PAradio]

How do you know when there is an update for the Tinysa?

[@IMSAIGuy]

tinysa.org/wiki/pmwiki.php?n=Main.HomePage

[@bigdog911PAradio]

@@IMSAIGuy thanks but I don't have a signal generator,as you do I only have the tinysa and my PC and still having a hard time figuring it out 😕

[@bigdog911PAradio]

@@IMSAIGuy I feel so stupid😞

[@1shARyn3]

you didn't show what happens when you key your transmitter ....

[@IMSAIGuy]

why would I?

[@heathgarner9015]

what settings on the sa?

[@IMSAIGuy]

the settings can be viewed on the display

[@catalinalb1722]

Hi, what is the difference BTW. EMI and RFI ?

[@IMSAIGuy]

chat gpt: EMI (Electromagnetic Interference) and RFI (Radio Frequency Interference) are both types of interference that can disrupt the proper functioning of electronic devices, but they occur in different frequency ranges and have slightly different characteristics. 1. EMI (Electromagnetic Interference): EMI refers to the disturbance or noise caused by electromagnetic radiation in the electromagnetic spectrum. This interference can arise from various sources such as power lines, electronic devices, motors, switches, and more. EMI covers a broader range of frequencies, including both lower frequency (power lines, electrical equipment) and higher frequency (switching signals, digital devices) components. It can affect devices in both analog and digital domains. 2. RFI (Radio Frequency Interference): RFI specifically refers to the interference caused by electromagnetic radiation in the radio frequency range. This typically involves frequencies used for radio communication, wireless networks, and other wireless technologies. RFI interference sources might include radio broadcasts, Wi-Fi signals, cellular signals, Bluetooth, and other wireless communications. RFI is often more relevant in environments where wireless communication devices are present. In summary, the key differences between EMI and RFI are: 1. Frequency Range: - EMI covers a broader range of electromagnetic frequencies, including both lower and higher frequencies. - RFI is limited to the radio frequency range, which is higher in frequency and includes the frequencies used for wireless communication. 2. Sources of Interference: - EMI can come from a wide range of sources, including power lines, electronic devices, and electrical equipment. - RFI is primarily caused by wireless communication signals like radio broadcasts, Wi-Fi, cellular networks, and other wireless technologies. 3. Impact: - EMI can affect both analog and digital devices, disrupting their proper functioning. - RFI is particularly relevant for wireless communication devices, where interference can disrupt signal reception and transmission. Both EMI and RFI can be problematic for sensitive electronic equipment and can lead to data corruption, performance degradation, and even complete failure of devices. To mitigate these interferences, proper shielding, grounding, and filtering techniques are employed in the design and installation of electronic systems.

[@catalinalb1722]

@@IMSAIGuy Merci ☺️👍

[@sfrahm1]

@@IMSAIGuychat gpt left out passive EMI, where a poor / intermittent conductor can re-radiate distorted versions of desired signals as well as ambient EMI & RFI

[@scottmb99]

Absolutely not an expert, so don't be too harsh, but why are you scanning from 3Mhz to 30Mhz and not some other range?

[@IMSAIGuy]

those are the HAM radio frequencies that I use.

[@scottmb99]

@@IMSAIGuy Ah! I think I get it - you listen to HAM radio on frequencies in that range, so you were looking for sources of interference in that range to improve your listening experience. That make sense! Thanks for clearing that up for me!

[@karlmartell9279]

I wanna see hes house, not the tinysa