Tiny Spectrum Analyzer

The tinySA is a small spectrum analyzer, primarily intended for 0.1MHz to 350MHz input but it has some nice other capabilities: Note I may not always refer to the dbm readings as in the minus region but they are all -dbm power levels and so less than 1mW
Notes From Erik:
Please have a look at this video for low frequency use: • #562b TinySA Low Frequ...
Usable (with some limitations) down till 10kHz
Links to Tiny SA Website: www.tinysa.org...
Spectrum Analyzer with two inputs, high quality MF/HF/VHF input for 0.1MHZ-350MHz, lesser quality UHF input for 240MHz-960MHz.
Switchable resolution bandpass filters for both ranges between 2.6kHz and 640kHz
Color display showing 290 scan points covering up to the full low or high frequency range.
Input Step attenuator from 0dB to 31dB for the MF/HF/VHF input.
When not used as Spectrum Analyzer it can be used as Signal Generator,
MF/HF/VHF sinus output between 0.1MHZ-350MHz, UHF square wave output between 240MHz-960MHz.
A built-in calibration signal generator that is used for automatic self test and low input calibration.
Connected to a PC via USB it becomes a PC controlled Spectrum Analyzer
Rechargeable battery allowing a minimum of at least 2 hours portable use
Links to Tiny SA Website: www.tinysa.org...
KZbin Channel
• tinySA
• #535b TinySA Tiny Spec...

[@RandallCrook]

Definitely on my shopping list now. Can't afford even a used SA so this will do nicely. Great video, thanks.

[@allthegearnoidea6752]

Randall Crook Yes it’s a very useful device and quite stunning performance for the price point. I don’t think you will be disappointed with it. Thanks regards Chris

[@erin19030]

Its an ok spectrum analyzer, however beyond that, I found it ti be a good signal generator for peak and sweep IF alignments. Next. Up I discovered the SA ti be a great little frequency counter while monitoring my analog Heathkit SG-8. I compared frequency counter readings to my HP counter. Monitoring signal levels of my RF generator was good too!. My FM stations were weak in the location my FM radio condole was located. I did an FM alignment with TinySA and still could on,y get 2 maybe 5 FM stations. It was then I gave it the real test of spectrum analyzer, setting the start and stop frequencies of 88 MHz to 107. In one glance the spectrum laid before my eyes and I could see only two real signal peaks that corresponded to the reception. I moved around the room holding the SA in my hand monitoring the peaks. In any other part of the room they were good, but on one wall NADA. Pizzled i wondered WTF ? To make a long story shorter , i found behind the paneling a full length mirror covered over. The original owners must have done that to make the room look bigger, then the second owners coveted it. The glass mirror was 4’ by 8’ and almost 1/2 “ thick. They didn’t remove it and neither was I going to. Then I remembered the first owners were in the interior decorating business. They must have gotten a very good price on that huge sheet of glass. I am going to remove the paneling and locate the FM console to another room. Without the Tiny SA i would never have discovered this problem and possibly sold or junked the vintage AM /FM , phono amp / 8 track tape deck player from 1960.

[@leedale4008]

Good review thanks for your time,ignore the idiots and wait for their reviews.

[@richardphillips2405]

Thank you for your video.

[@allthegearnoidea6752]

Thanks for watching Richard. Stay safe regards Chris

[@ocsrc]

How do you use this to find a frequency from a nearby radio ? Like a frequency counter ? Does this have a frequency counter function ? Is there a manual to tell what the different functions are and how to walk through the menus ? Thank you

[@j.trevorharris5645]

You are very funny! Love it

[@allthegearnoidea6752]

Thanks Trevor stay safe regards Chris

[@Snipingbentleys]

What is the difference between using High inputs and Low inputs? Why use a low input in this case?

[@allthegearnoidea6752]

Just the frequency range. I only really do low frequency stuff up to 100mhz so I use the low input. I think the low input has better resolution as well.

[@timothyb519]

This looks really good - but just wondering how it compares with the GS100, which is a little more expensive, larger screen and up to 4.4GHz. Just wondering if anyone has tried this one?

[@allthegearnoidea6752]

I haven’t seen the GS100 but a larger screen would be very worthwhile as it’s a bit fiddly to use

[@allthegearnoidea6752]

Just had a quick look does the gs100 really start at 35mhz ?

[@fullwaverecked]

If I'm alone in the forest, does hi frequency make a noise?

[@allthegearnoidea6752]

Full Wave Recked Try that

[@TheDefpom]

Now look what you made me do, I fell over and pressed the "buy" button and purchased one by accident.... (I'm not sure my wife will believe me).

[@allthegearnoidea6752]

Defpom's Electronics & Repair I think a lot of people will be having that problem. I don’t think you will be disappointed for the price and Erik is a great guy very helpful. Thanks regards Chris

[@reps]

too real that intro 🙈

[@allthegearnoidea6752]

Hi Marco thanks for the confirmation that I’m the only one that comfort buys cheap test gear and gadgets

[@Gw0wvl]

Great video , As someone who does repair and servicing this looks to be ok for general use and " Out in the field " or portable , Its ideal for Such work as seeing if a low pass filter is doing what it's meant to , Or checking a bandpass filter etc , I certainly rather blow this up by accident than my bench top or PC based Spectrum analysers ..... Diolch yn fawr 👍

[@lynnashley6247]

This is the best tutorial I've found yet. You answered several questions I had that other videos did not address. Thanks!

[@allthegearnoidea6752]

Glad you found this useful. Thanks for watching. Regards Chris

[@videolabguy]

Thank you. A very good review of this device. I'm looking at it on Ebay. Still trying to decide if I would get enough use out of it. I don't do a lot of RF work and the stuff I do right now is up around 1250MHz (ham radio ATV).

[@allthegearnoidea6752]

I think it is good. But depends what your needs are I not a few low cost SDR radios have also come on the market this year that also look very interesting

[@TWOSU_NEWS]

So..for the amature radio tech like me., could I use this to tune the recieve and transmit of a radio with a high degree of acuracy?

[@allthegearnoidea6752]

I think one of the best products out there for transmitting is called the Tiny VNA this will allow you to perfect align your antenna system for peak performance. I’m not sure I would recommend a Tiny SA for radio alignment although it does have a built in signal generator. I think you would be better buying a second hand RF signal generator if you want to align receivers. If your interested in CB you could use this for tuning the harmonic trap. You are kind of asking a big question this product is great for looking at the radio spectrum but I prefer other equipment for radio alignment. I think I have some other videos showing how to align radios. Thanks for watching keep on trucking regards Chris

[@rik5036]

A pleasure to follow your analysis. it's perfect, thank you and congratulations

[@allthegearnoidea6752]

Thanks for watching and generous comments. Best regards Chris

[@c172jeff]

Very nice video. I just received one today and am even more pleased with the purchase after watching this. At this time, I have absolutely no intention of buying a 1500 lb spectrum analyzer, but to dabble in ham radio and use this might be a start to later tuning a filter like you did in that old radio.

[@allthegearnoidea6752]

Thanks for taking the time to comment and I think you will enjoy using the Tiny SA. I think for occasional use it will be fine but you would find a modern SA such as Rigol or Siglent much better in practice but difficult to justify the high cost. Stay safe best regards Chris

[@AstonsVintageTechnologyWorkshp]

Very nice, looks handy, though I think I'll hold out for a bench jobbie, you never know, one day. :D

[@allthegearnoidea6752]

Aston's Vintage Technology Workshop For the price point I wouldn’t hold out it’s really useful and will find good use. Thanks regards Chris

[@rfmonkey4942]

this is perfect for localizing nasty noise on HF, i got one on its way, its size is great

[@TheDefpom]

I’m pretty sure this is an unboxing video...

[@allthegearnoidea6752]

It could be !

[@Andrewausfa]

Mine arrived yesterday so I'm still to have a really good play. Very impressed with the unit for the money but slightly disappointed it apparently won't go below 500 kHz. Might have to investigate that further. I downloaded another bit of software for it as linked on the TinySA site. My supplied leads worked fine but I can't work out what the plectrum on the stretchy band is for. So, thumbs up from me too so far. Cheers - Andrew

[@allthegearnoidea6752]

The stretch band is a wristband

[@allthegearnoidea6752]

Check the comments on low frequency use from Erik

[@fullwaverecked]

Sometimes I go out and buy beer and drink it.

[@daveycrockett64]

The correct way to measure transmitter harmonics is to first have an attenuator and then a trap on the fundamental frequency to relax the dynamic range requirements for the spectrum analyser. If it is fussy you can use an accurate signal generator to calibrate out any loss in the trap at the harmonic frequency.

[@Radiocruncher]

Great video Chris. I think I will have to pick one up to see if it will be adequate for my needs rather than spending £1.5k on a full size one. Thanks for giving it a comprehensive test. Cheers Graham

[@allthegearnoidea6752]

Radiocruncher Thanks Graham I think it will do 95% of what you need. Thanks for watching band comments regards Chris

[@IrishvintageTVRadio]

Now I'm tempted to get one of these! I've got a Nano VNA on the way from China. Looking forward to having a play with it. VK3YE has some very interesting videos on these. Great video Chris, Cheers!

[@allthegearnoidea6752]

ojnoj. Irish Vintage TV and Radio I have a Nano VNA also looks very good but not had much chance to use it as yet. Thanks regards Chris

[@fullwaverecked]

It's the Book of Morman!... Maybe not.

[@keithbrandaw7229]

Thanks for sharing always enjoy your videos.

[@polishpicl]

I am impressed with your video, and the reason I bought it was for Fox Hunting. I am the Fox chairman for our club, and will use this to ensure the batteries are still good for the micro foxes so all hunters can still find them and the fox is not dead .. Thank you for the instructions.

[@allthegearnoidea6752]

Have you tried it for fox hunting yet is the receiver sensitive enough ? Thanks for watching and comments. Regards Chris

[@theDaftman]

hmmm wouldn't that be the second harmonic. at 27mhz 2nd harmonic 54mhz (6 meters) was he trying to tune that out with the power input chock? sorry i stopped watching 30:25. lol

[@x91w]

After 4 years I had some pain updating the firmware. First attempt ended up with a screen saying "Fatal". After several hours I tried the automatic mode in STM32 and it worked. Now on latest firmware, sadly no tracking generator. Still a very useful tool

[@ptronix]

Thanks Chris, any video on spectrum analyzers always gets me exited! can't see me buying one though after using a "proper S.A. " I think it's limitations would frustrate me

[@allthegearnoidea6752]

ptronix If you have a real spectrum analyser I would say the same but I think it makes a useful alternative in some situations. The portability it very nice and the software is well written. Thanks for watching and comments regards Chris.

[@erin19030]

The Tiny Sa satisfies the uses I needed for. I like it ! The price was right for my experimenter bench.

[@macthesmac]

Lmao for size reference he gives us a souvenir from Dubai 😂😂😂

[@allthegearnoidea6752]

Yep you’re right! Nicely done sir

[@FUNKLABOR_DL1LEP]

smashing tools? really ? 🤦‍♂️🤷‍♂️

[@erin19030]

I wonder now if the Tiny SA might work on the Audio Spectrum for testing guitar amplifier sound response spectrum analysis. Normally I would do the audio response test by hand and plot it on graph paper.

[@allthegearnoidea6752]

I would like to say I have used it since the review. But having a conventional SA on the been that works better I have used the Tiny SA. I still think it is a good product based on my limited testing but probably more about the low price point and portability that some people will have need of. Thanks for watching and taking time to leave a comment. Best regards Chris

[@allthegearnoidea6752]

I don’t think the frequency response would go low enough. Why don’t you try using a sound card spectrum analyser there is some great audio testing software for free and works brilliantly

[@BoB4jjjjs]

Handy little gadget that appears to do the job for most users.

[@johnatanworling8628]

Gracias por la traduccion al español, me ha parecido un buen video, voy haber que hago con él ,ya que me ha gustado tanto que lo he comprado, Muchas gracias Sr por la información.

[@allthegearnoidea6752]

Thanks for watching regards Chris

[@davidv1289]

Very nice un-boxing video Chris. I wasn't too impressed until you connected it to a computer. Can you change the SA settings from the computer? Also, is it USB 2 compatible and would that speed up the computer display refresh rate? The record function would be great for troubleshooting intermittent RF problems. Regards, David.

[@allthegearnoidea6752]

David V Hello David I have tried it on two relatively new windows computers so I will guess and say it is USB 2 compatible but I am not sure. No I don’t think the computer or usb would make a big difference as the larger factor is the resolution bandwidth. The lower the RBW the slower the device sweeps. I had the RBW set on lowest setting as I was trying to see the modulation. Note there is a fast sweep option but I haven’t tested it. I believe the fast sweep cuts down on the number of sample points etc.

[@davidv1289]

@@allthegearnoidea6752 That's too bad about the RBW, maybe the manufacturer will improve the product given time and feedback from users as has been the case with the nano VNAs. Guess I will have to hang on to my HP 8594E SA.

[@erin19030]

My test leads worked ok. Why did you series two leads? I used just one lead.

[@allthegearnoidea6752]

No idea. I have slept since then.

[@driverfilmsshortwavechannel]

Added it to my amazon wish list. Thanks for sharing!

[@allthegearnoidea6752]

You are very welcome thanks for watching and comments. Regards Chris

[@Travis141123]

THANK YOU for using deviation for FM instead of the oft use "modulation".

[@allthegearnoidea6752]

I occasionally get something right but it doesn’t happen frequently. Thanks for watching and comments. Keep safe regards Chris

[@new_fone_who_dis]

Good review, I like it. Did you ever find out if you can narrow the filters to see FM / AM sidebands? Or is 3kHz the best it can do? I'm looking for a cheap deviation meter, but I need to be able to see the sidebands!

[@allthegearnoidea6752]

Yes there is special function off the one of the menus I have been told but not actually tried it. I wouldn’t get you hopes up. Thanks regards Chris

[@new_fone_who_dis]

@@allthegearnoidea6752 Haha ok fair enough. I guess I will have to buy one to find out :) Subbed by the way.

[@danishnative9555]

Will Tiny SA do Zero Span mode, and allow one to demodulate and recover to analog audio in some way? I'm amazed at the widget, but always a tad wary of new products because they go through a lot of revisions or a complete re-branding.

[@allthegearnoidea6752]

Danish Native it will do Zero span but I believe it only shows the demodulated wave it doesn’t have an audio output. I haven’t tried the zero span option but there are some KZbin videos on doing it. Thanks regards Chris

[@allthegearnoidea6752]

Danish Native it has gone through a lot of software revisions but these can be downloaded using the USB cable. For the price i don’t think you have much to loose etc.

[@danishnative9555]

@@allthegearnoidea6752 TNX Chris. Bit of a soapbox on my part, but don't we humanz finally have the right to demand the final final version 1st? Maybe just flawed logic on my part......cheers stay warm dry safe etc.

[@BrumAdam]

Another great video as ever. Thanks and regards from sunny Lancs!

[@allthegearnoidea6752]

BrumAdam Sunny ? Haven’t seen that in a while. Thanks regards Chris

[@mikem5043]

It's not necessary to use both cables connected together with the coupler. Just use one of the cables to join LOW & HIGH

[@Theoobovril]

Well interesting, Chris, enjoyed very much.

[@allthegearnoidea6752]

Theoobovril Thanks Theo glad you enjoyed it. Regards Chris

[@boxingday11]

Thanks Chris 👍🇬🇧❤️

[@allthegearnoidea6752]

boxingday11 Thanks for watching regards Chris

[@fullwaverecked]

It's the processed sugar baby.

[@allthegearnoidea6752]

I don’t know what that is ?

[@fullwaverecked]

@@allthegearnoidea6752 too much beer.

[@fullwaverecked]

@@allthegearnoidea6752 might be milk...

[@conundrum112]

Hi Chris.

[@allthegearnoidea6752]

Hi Harvey Thanks for watching Regard Chris

[@conundrum112]

Great channel Chris.

[@Kevin_geekgineering]

man this is just a toy, not a SA

[@allthegearnoidea6752]

It doesn’t have the capability of a full blown SA but neither does it have the price. Lots of people will find this a useful tool to have on the bench or for portable work. It also takes up very little room again some people find that an essential requirement.

[@johnmeeks9618]

Way to caviar!

[@allthegearnoidea6752]

?

[@zx8401ztv]

What a cute little unit, better than a kick up the jacksie, Unless you like that sort of thing :) I think the last time i needed a frequency detector, i dragged out my old realistic 2005 scanner. But it had the cheek to die over the years due to lack of use, an electrolitic puked and ate the tracks, I've only had it 400 years, how dare it fail :-D. I'm no lover of sma connectors, How can you trust a connector made by a baby food company. British Navel Connector, propper job :-) Smashing video chris :-D

[@allthegearnoidea6752]

zx8401ztv I really hate SMA connector. Did you fix the scanner?

[@zx8401ztv]

@@allthegearnoidea6752 Yes i stripped the corner of the main pcb of parts and gave it a good scrub with metholated spirits, lots of black or vanished tracks plus parts that had been eaten away by the evil cap juice. Then i used my old maplin pcb rubbing block to clean the copper. Tinning with solder and fresh victim parts inserted :-D Worked fine like noting had ever happened. I cast a beady eye over the pcb and the synth boards had no sign of other caps going bad. Odd that. Then i finally got to repair the thing i wanted to do, fix my mates car fob as he didnt have a spare and the mgf was a large paper weight on the road lol. Sorry long waffle :-(

[@rfmonkey4942]

love the hand held got 4 of them !

[@allthegearnoidea6752]

Yes they work well and useful. Thanks for watching and comments regards Chris

[@moglitoashoe9265]

they were NOT kidding when they called it TINY

[@allthegearnoidea6752]

No slightly bigger would have been much better but it’s good for the price