The TinySA Tests The Pixie CW Transceiver - Ham Radio

In this video, we take a look at the TinySA and use it to test a Pixie CW Transceiver.
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I was sent this TinySA from Aursinc free of charge in exchange for this video review.
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Links to products in the video:
TinySA: amz.run/5fJ2
NanoVNA H4: amz.run/5fJ1
NanoVNA Test Board: amz.run/5fJ3
Pixie CW Transceiver Kit: amz.run/5fJ4
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[@DonzLockz]

I love your "hands on" instructional video's Mr Ape.👍 I have my splainin' glasses on but still couldn't see videos in detail on my phone so I bought a tablet, now I can actually see what you splanin' about!😄👍🤓

[@TheSmokinApe]

LOL, thanks for watching Don!

[@anthonyglaser929]

Excellent video, thanks for posting.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Glad you enjoyed it 👍

[@rodrilea1]

Thanks Ape, awesome video.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks Rod, glad you liked it 👍

[@acestudioscouk-Ace-G0ACE]

Thanks for the video, really useful information imparted here.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks Ace, glad you liked it!

[@HamRadioDX]

Great in-depth testing mate! Good stuff

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks Hayden 👍

[@joshandersons6914]

Excellent video, thank you !

[@TheSmokinApe]

Glad you liked it!

[@Tump2010]

Great video as usual.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks Thump 👍

[@Siskiyous6]

Good show Mr Ape!

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thank you LC 👍

[@temporarilyoffline]

The complete RF test and eval suite... all under $60

[@TheSmokinApe]

Awesome, right!?

[@tinkeringwithelectronics]

One word. Cool!

[@TheSmokinApe]

It was a fun project, thanks for watching TwE 👍

[@johnwest7993]

At about 10:10 you refer to the second harmonic as "the first harmonic." That's a common and seemingly logical thing to do. But it's actually the 'second harmonic' the way physicists and knowledgeable hams count them and refer to them to avoid confusion. The "first harmonic" is always the fundamental frequency. This is just one of those odd things about physics that also applies in ham radio. We need to keep that in mind so we don't confuse which harmonic we're talking about with others. It might not seem to matter, but when we say that a square wave contains all 'odd order harmonics', but no 'even harmonics' we are talking about specific multiples of the fundamental that refer to the 2nd, 4th, etc harmonics as 'even', and the 1st (the fundamental), 3rd, 4th, etc as 'odd' order harmonics, and not just counting whatever we see that is on higher frequencies from the fundamental. And in labeling them we are including each multiple of the the fundamental frequency whether they appear on the spectrum analyzer or not. For instance, if the second through 4th harmonics don't appear on a spectrum analyzer display, and you only see the next multiple of the fundamental, you still describe it as the 5th harmonic. Then everyone knows where to find the one you're talking about and gives an idea about what is causing it. Thank you for the videos.They help hams who aren't surrounded by other hams or who have no Elmer to learn from. I had to learn the hard way, without KZbin, without an Elmer, and with just a few books and a lot of mistakes. This way is much better.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks for the feedback John, I have seem it shown both ways but I believe you are correct.

[@ErikKaashoek]

Nice video, Can I suggest to switch the internal attenuation between 20 dB and 30dB to check if the harmonics with strong input signal where internally generated or not. Changing the internal attenuation will give you confidence in what you are measuring is correct.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks for the reply and idea Erik, I repeated the test at 25dB and the results were similar.

[@user-zk2yd6xm8s]

So is the continuous signal the local oscillator for the receiver's rf mixer??

[@TheSmokinApe]

Yes

[@tomstrum6259]

Great helpful video Ape !! Question about the Pixie's +20 Dbm (0.1 Watt) Continuous CW RF output power during the Unkeyed, Receiving mode....I Didn't notice any frequency Shift compared to the Keyed Transmit mode so how does the Pixie receive Anything with the Strong Blocking Continuously emitted RF cw signal ?? .....Over my 60+ yrs messing with Transceivers, I've Never seen a receiver or Transceiver emitting so much Significant strong signal during Receiving mode....If not Illegal (Unintended radiated Signal without ID), I think this Continuous 100 mw emission (especially when Antenna Connected) would Certainty be considered a nuisance Interfering RF Emitter Unwelcome by all nearby & possibly Skip Range ham stations.....I fairly certain a Receive Mode, Continuous +20 Dbm (100 mw) RF carrier, Connected to a typical efficiency Antenna, Way Exceeds the FCC's Unintended RF Emissions limits......This is just personal understanding & interpretation of FCC rules & Ham Radio Community std operating practices.....

[@TheSmokinApe]

Hey Tom, I have come to learn that this is typical behavior for a Pixie and that it is part of the IF mixing that takes place.

[@robertvandersanden]

I wonder if the pixie really gives out 100mW of idle signal in receive. The SA reads -39dBm on receive and the external attenuator is 40dB. This means the pixie is at 0dBm or 1mW. The fact that there is an additional 20dB attenuation in the SA shouldn’t matter. I don’t know the Tiny SA but most SAs compensate for their internal attenuation in the signal strength they indicate. No need to add this yourself to the reading.

[@BShocked]

Would it be possible to use a nanovna as a spectrum analyzer if you connected the signal to channel 2?

[@TheSmokinApe]

There is some overlap in the tools but as far as I know, the answer is no...

[@tonywright8294]

No it’s against the law

[@bill-2018]

Very good video seeing the harmonics. My NANO plays up a bit that I have to tap on the screen a few times on certain functions. G4GHB

[@TheSmokinApe]

Hey Bill, thanks for checking out the video 👍

[@rohnkd4hct260]

Good job. Still not impressed with the "Pixie."

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks Rohn. I'm not sure how the pixie would be for an actual radio but for playing with on the bench it's been pretty fun.

[@bill-2018]

@@TheSmokinApe I put my Pixie on 5.262 MHz, had a QSO at 180 miles with a SWL report same time at 220 miles. Not crowded like 40m. G4GHB

[@tonywright8294]

The pixie only costs about £4 what more do you want ? Great fun for the beginner to kit construction!

[@TheSmokinApe]

I'm not complaining, just learning...