tinySA probing a vacuum tube receiver

The tinySA is used as signal generator and a spectrum analyzer in combination with an old vacuum tube AM/FM receiver.
Both AM and FM signal generation and reception is demonstrated and, using one tinySA as signal generator and a second tinySA as spectrum analyzer, the various 455kHz and 10.7MHz IF stages are probed. Also the probing of the LO is demonstrated.
The AM IF signal levels were lower than the FM IF levels because I forgot to connect the tinySA back to the AM antenna input when probing the AM IF
For more information on the tinySA go to: tinysa.org/

[@johnwest7993]

I'm amazed that this channel has only 2,760 subscribers, since I'm sure that many more TinySA's than that have been sold. And anyone who owns a TinySA should be a subscriber to this channel.

[@marcelhensen6847]

Love the "magic eye" on the old radio. Good old times.

[@JoyeMusiccom]

I just loved this video. I'm working on antique radio restoration too, and I appreciated how very clean that Philips receiver is. Wow.

[@SpinStar1956]

Very good video. Really appreciate your caution and use of 'multiple'-attenuators! This will save others a lot of heartache from blowing up their SA's front-end! 73...

[@reesej22]

I love the sound of that old radio! Thanks for the video.

[@k5rmj]

Thanks for another great video, I have used my tinySA for many projects.

[@jean-pierrebuttet9438]

Excellent work, very interesting. I just ordered 2 genuine TinySA Ultra. :-)

[@jw228w]

Erik would you describe your component connections to couple probe to the tinySA. thanks John

Thanks for the video. I ordered a TinySa from Aliexpress and noticed instrument is very sensitive and subject to burn if no pay attention for the level input. I would like to know how to protect a little bit more the instrument and if you have any suggestions for probes construction . Thanks!

[@ErikKaashoek]

Visit the support forum for more info

@@ErikKaashoek Yes! Thanks!!! 🙂

[@blacksmock445]

Very interesting video. A TinySA would have been very useful back in the 1950s and 60s. The old valve signal generators weren't very stable and the output voltage was monitored by a multimeter across the loudspeaker terminals. I did get a bit anxious as your right wrist seemed to be getting close to the base of the rectifier valve.

[@ErikKaashoek]

Thanks for the warning.

[@microflite]

That’s one awesome device! Do you have a suggestion for a simple E-field probe design? Would just an insulated wire be sufficient so long as the ground wire on the timySA input is connected to the chassis? With good insulation the TinySA input should be protected but perhaps adding a dc block capacitor will be safer.

[@ErikKaashoek]

Anything will work. Just ensure good dc blocking

[@andrerouth4253]

Very useful video, thank you. Where and when did you buy your TinySA? The new TinySA devices do not use a silk screened name but rather it is laser etched into the plastic. On the flip side of the device, there should be an "official-looking" label that gives info such as version and firmware rev levels. There are some fake TinySAs that use the silk screened label and lack the label on the back. Luckily, the fakes almost work as well as the real thing.

[@ErikKaashoek]

See TinySA.org/buying

[@ErikKaashoek]

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

[@gixerags750]

Im a newbie and would like to know how many db reduction does an Oscilloscope 10x probe provide? Many thanks.

[@ErikKaashoek]

That will depend a bit on the output impedance of the signal source you are probing. To get a quick insight, use the X10 probe to measure the calibration output signal of the tinySA itself. The output level is about -25dBm

[@gixerags750]

@@ErikKaashoek thanks..still trying to grasp attenuation values.

[@dimitarkirchevdimitrov6321]

Can this device be used for tuner alignment?

[@ErikKaashoek]

Not for those alignments that need a stereo pilot tone. Everything that requires maximum a single am or FM modulated tone of max 5kHx should be ok

[@dimitarkirchevdimitrov6321]

@@ErikKaashoek Thank you for the info 👍

[@peskycat]

In your opinion, would the TinySA be capable to do a visual alignment of an AM receiver?

[@ErikKaashoek]

Yes, please join groups.io/g/tinysa/messages to get info from people that used the tinySA for alignment

[@peskycat]

@@ErikKaashoek excellent!Thank you very much😃

[@andrewskater8813]

you would need two tiny SA's for visual alignment technique. The tracking generator and the SA cannot both be operating

[@peskycat]

@@andrewskater8813 Thanks for the information. Much appreciated😀

[@oviennese]

How many dB have the dc block? Tnx

[@ErikKaashoek]

Should be zero dB

[@jackvankaam1433]

@@ErikKaashoek what frequency range has the DC block?

[@ErikKaashoek]

@@jackvankaam1433 the internal dc block? No impact above 20kHz

[@ErikKaashoek]

No clue, I am currently not able to check

[@kurchak]

hey we have the same solder

[@InternetGoldMiner]

Dont need to hook it directly for rf gen.

[@michaelst.angelo423]

Nice Receiver! I could not figure out the frequency ranges until I realized the frequency is in Meters. How does it work on the shortwave bands?

[@ErikKaashoek]

It needs a bit of tuning but should be sensitive and due to double RF input tuning stages on SW not a lot of mirrors and whistles

[@johnnytacokleinschmidt515]

@@ErikKaashoek I think you mean double conversion... Two Intermediate Frequencies.

[@ErikKaashoek]

@@johnnytacokleinschmidt515 Nope, two RF tuning sections, no RF amplifier in between

[@johnnytacokleinschmidt515]

@@ErikKaashoek That's interesting. I'll have to look out for that. I'm just a hobbyist. I'm going to pay more attention to the RF sections on the schematics I look at. The tiny SA looks interesting to me. I may buy one this summer. I'm sure I could learn quite a bit using it. Be well and God Bless!