tinySA Ultra observing WiFi and other networks

Using only the tinySA Ultra and a small telescopic antenna it is possible to observe various wireless networks. This video demonstrates how you can observe WiFi, 433MHz ISM, Mobile Phone and DECT traffic.
For more information go to tinysa.org/wiki

[@levendlicht]

Hello Erik, Recently I can call myself the proud owner of this fenomenal product, because that's what it is. For people like me, who can't afford a full-scale spectrum analyzer, this really is a revelation! I can only imagine about the amount of effort and time that went into developing and realising this wonderful device. And to offer it for such a low price opens up a whole new 'spectrum' of possibilities for a lot of people like me :o) Thank you!! Keep up the good work!

[@digitalchaos1980]

I would have to concur with you on everything you said! I've always wanted something like this, even since I was a teenager. Radio and RF has always been fascinating and magical to me, and I actually carry my original TinySA with me most places. Now my new Ultra will take its place! And lastly, like you, I can totally appreciate the countless hours and such that went into making these awesome little devices. Next thing we know there will be a MediumSA with coverage to 50Ghz 😆

[@maxasaurus3008]

Phenomenal gadget indeed! I’m just getting into this stuff but this little contraption intrigues me.

[@PRRGG1]

Thank you Erik. I did not think to turn off spur removal. This was AWESOME.

[@dougbas3980]

I am recommending this video to my HAM clubs. Thank you.

[@WalkingYoshi]

thanks for the great review

[@MegawattKS]

Nice! Thanks.

[@ernestb.2377]

Dear Erik, one question about the max input level. I see on different photos different values printed on the enclosure. I see: +10dBm RF 10VDC, +6dBm 5VDC, and +10dBm 5VDC. Also the pictures on the site of the authorized reseller Eleshop has different pictures on the same device. Have there been different versions with different specifications?

[@ErikKaashoek]

The HW has always been the same but the spec has been reduced

[@bravosierra2010]

Brilliant!

[@ovalwingnut]

I didn't think my Ultra could do anything until I watched your video Thank you. Cheers from So.CA.USA 2nd House On the Left

[@mostlypostie1]

Just awesome

[@EinzigfreierName]

Bluetooth could be interesting to look at as well, e.g. while transmitting audio to a bluetooth speaker. I wonder how the tinySA copes with the excessive frequency hopping that bluetooth does.

[@ErikKaashoek]

You may have to disable spur removal but it should be possible to see bluetooth. Be aware its using much lower power levels

[@claudiovale6138]

this new version is very interesting. i have a couple of questions. 1) Is there any software that runs on windows to interact with this device? 2) have you considered a web interface over wi-fi to interact with your devices?

[@ErikKaashoek]

1) Yes, look here: tinysa.org/wiki/pmwiki.php?n=Main.PCSW 2) You are free to add something yourself using the serial communication port available on the PCB inside the case

[@ChamGee]

Thank you. very interesting

[@kitfromvideos]

Very cool!

[@dougbas3980]

Thank you.

[@JimCoupeTQ]

This tool is GREAT!!! just recieved min now.. Thanks for yout channel

[@studioprojects]

HI Erik! I'm looking at one of these units to check for activity in the range of 520-608MHz for my In-Ear Monitoring systems - the Shure Wireless Workbench software only works with whatever the device antenna range is and my In-Ear Monitor systems are Sennheiser and LD Systems. Is it possible to set a range as per the above and then monitor said range? Thanks so much for a great product, it looks far more comprehensive than the RF Explorer that some of my colleagues use for this purpose. Andy

[@ErikKaashoek]

Yes. Many people are using the tinySA Ultra for this purpose

[@studioprojects]

@@ErikKaashoek thanks so much for your blisteringly quick reply! Is there a video on setting up a range at all...?

[@ErikKaashoek]

@@studioprojects See wiki on FREQUENCY menu: tinysa.org/wiki/pmwiki.php?n=TinySA4.FREQ

[@studioprojects]

@@ErikKaashoek thanks very much 😊

[@pnefos]

Hi Erik, I watched your video Observing WiFi and got similar (DSSS assumed) TinySA Ultra waveform, but when I try 5G, does not look like typical modulation I'd expect. Any tips for better waveform capture? Thanks, Patrick

[@ernestb.2377]

Hi Erik. Question. Why is the trace (from time to time) jumping up-and-down about 10dB? (for example when you was looking at the WiFi traffic).

[@ErikKaashoek]

This is due to the automatic ref level being on. If you set the ref level to manual there will be no jumping

[@la7yka]

Is it possible to download data from the internal SD-card to computer? Or must the card be removed from the tinySA and read directly from a PC?

[@ErikKaashoek]

The tinySA has USB commands to list the content of the SD card and to send a file as text over the serial over USB. But there is currently not yet a PC program to browse the content, select a file and download to the PC. This is expected to be implemented at some moment but no committed timeline

[@andrewverran3498]

Hi , I have the Tiny SA , i only do 27mhz ssb cb radio restoration, would there be any benefits purchasing the Tiny SA ULTRA as well for my HF work? I am still sort of a beginner. Much appreciated.

[@ErikKaashoek]

Comparison table so you can judge yourself: tinysa.org/wiki/pmwiki.php?n=TinySA4.Comparison

[@andrewverran3498]

@@ErikKaashoek thanks.

[@digitalchaos1980]

@@andrewverran3498 Just curious as to what you eventually settled upon?

[@andrewverran3498]

@@digitalchaos1980 i already had the TINY SA and Nano VNA , I am waiting for an Australian supplier to restock the Ultra. Cheers

[@digitalchaos1980]

@@andrewverran3498 I got my Ultra today. Man, I'm telling ya, you won't regret getting one! Awesome little devices, and the bigger screen makes a huge difference. 😎

[@JimCoupeTQ]

I saw in other comments that it can set an alarm when detecting signals above a certain treshold. Have you tried this feature. And also is it possible to get data out from it and set an external alarm. Lets say to an raspberry pi for example. Im doing a little projekt to detect signals.

[@ErikKaashoek]

There will be a pulse on the PA4 header pin on the PCB of the Ultra when a signal is above the warning level. You can hear it with a headphone on the 3.5mm audio output

[@JimCoupeTQ]

@@ErikKaashoek That sounds useful to me :) I could do that with Hack RF and GNU Radio but it also require an SBC or PC extra.. This way it can be more compact imho. Thanks for the answer Erik :)

[@JimCoupeTQ]

@@ErikKaashoek I have a question concerning the Warning you talk about.. is there anything about this in the Wiki.. i have searched for that but cant find it. PA4 header i assuem is easy to find on the PCB..

[@ErikKaashoek]

@@JimCoupeTQ the info is not yet in the wiki

[@FordsInCanada]

Hi, Is it possible to make an audiable alarm if the signal strength in the scan reaches above a certain threshold ? Looking to detect proximity of Emergency vehicles broadcasting on APCO25 in the 700+Mhz range.

[@ErikKaashoek]

The latest FW has the option to output a beep through the audio out plug when a signal exceeds a set level

[@FordsInCanada]

@@ErikKaashoek Great ! will be buying one this weekend ! FW=Firmware ? Is that for the tinySA or the tinySA Ultra or both ?

[@ErikKaashoek]

@@FordsInCanada only the ultra

[@FordsInCanada]

@@ErikKaashoek Thanks. I cannot see anything in the documentaion, or the changelog about this feature.

[@ErikKaashoek]

@@FordsInCanada correct, it's fairly new feature and documentation is running behing

[@peteropstals2128]

Hoi Erik een vraagje Kan ik de Tiny ultra ook als antenne analyzer gebruiken ??

[@ErikKaashoek]

Nee. Google naar verschil tussen spectrum analyzer en vector network analyzer

[@minazulkhan8287]

Hi Erik can i measure or find signals coming from tv remote and toys remote on tiny sa. I tried my tv remote against tinysa but was not able to see any signal. Am i missing something or the power is too low for tinysa

[@ErikKaashoek]

Most tv remote use infra red light which can not be measured with a tinySA. A RF keyfob or RF remote can easily be seen using a tinySA. Set to zero span at the transmit frequency and use the supplied telescopic antenna

[@ra3ztq131]

Good afternoon, something happened to my tiny sa. after the update, there is a full scale over the entire measurement range. self-test fails. help with advice

[@ErikKaashoek]

Join this group for support: groups.io/g/tinysa/messages Try CONFIG/MORE/CLEAR CONFIG with code 1234

[@yurimanzhos4534]

Can tinySA ultra detect a drone activity with the antenna included in kit?

[@ErikKaashoek]

Yes

[@samoime1955]

hj Erik, could you add the antena factor for calculation of power flux in W/m2, and is it frequency compensated?

[@ErikKaashoek]

Go to the wiki for more info. You can enter an antenna factor graph as a linear interpolation of 20 frequency/gain points

[@samoime1955]

@@ErikKaashoek is it entered for the enclosed antenna and does it show the unit?

[@ErikKaashoek]

@@samoime1955 no. You have to create yourself as the length of the supplied antenna can change so no single table would work

[@samoime1955]

is there a difference compared to SA6?

[@jfangio9260]

Excellent. Thank you

[@mateuszdrab]

One thing that makes me wonder is if the portapack can do the same thing?

[@JAKOB1977]

I dont recall you have a spectrum floor on the portapack as per se, only waterfall. but you can obviously see carriers on the waterfall and go bananas up to around 6.9Ghz. fx LTE here at sub 2Ghz kzbin.info/www/bejne/lafXl36Ql6tnZ7c but PC kzbin.info/www/bejne/q6DTeZ1nnN1lhJo

[@briansauk6837]

How about checking leakage of microwave ovens?

[@ErikKaashoek]

Yes, that is possible

[@TingILi]

Could we do the calibration of the rf signal gen(frequence)?

[@ErikKaashoek]

Yes, use FREQ CORR , see tinysa.org/wiki/pmwiki.php?n=TinySA4.MenuTree correction is in part per billion

[@TingILi]

@@ErikKaashoek Thanks a lot.

[@hugocoolens]

Is it possible to demodulate FM transmissions between 88MHz en 108MHz?

[@ErikKaashoek]

The tinySA has only a AM demodulator so you need to use slope demodulation, the quality is not good as you need to use the slope of the RBW filter and you may hear multiple transmitters.

[@hugocoolens]

@@ErikKaashoek Does the tinySA Ultra also only implement AM demodulation? Does any one here have success using slope demodulation for the FM-band, if so which settings worked? kind regards

[@ErikKaashoek]

Can I ask you to go to the tinysa support group and either search for user experience or ask for it?

[@hugocoolens]

@@ErikKaashoek I did so, thanks for pointing me to the support group, kind regards

[@ManuEvans]

What about the 5ghz band? It says it can sample up to 6ghz, but can it do a reasonable job of it?

[@ErikKaashoek]

Yes. Above 5.34GHz you lose some dynamic range due to switching to harmonic mode but all other performance is equal

[@ManuEvans]

@@ErikKaashoek Can you make another video in a noisy 5g environment with several channels chattering? I'm also moving my site to 6ghz, and sadly this device doesn't reach that far it seems... is there possibility for a future revision of your device to also scan the 6ghz wifi spectrum?

[@ManuEvans]

@@ErikKaashoek When you say "above 5.34ghz", I saw it mentioned in all the advertising material, but what is the practical upper limit? I didn't see it clearly noted anywhere.

[@ErikKaashoek]

@@ManuEvans The device is level calibrated up to 6GHz but it will, with reducing dynamic range, go way above 6GHz. One user has done measurements up to 10GHz.

[@ErikKaashoek]

@@ManuEvans I do not have a 5GHz environment to test or observe

[@iancoles1349]

With an amplifier s very useful or dangerous tool. It's not the gun that kills its the nut behind it.

[@slavaslava3958]

Sorry, what detector does this analyzer use? Peak?

[@ErikKaashoek]

Yes

[@slavaslava3958]

Thank you very much!!!

[@SuperArchi2010]

HOW ARE YOU DOING THANK YOU FOR YOUR VIDEO ON YOUR YOURTUBE CHANNEL I WAS GOING TO ASK YOU ABOUT ONE THINK I HAVE A ELECTRO MAGNETIC EXPOSURE FROM WORK ENVIRONMENT AND I WOULD PERSONALLY LIKE TO MEASURE THIS IS THIS IS SAFE OR I WOULD NEED TO USE SOME SAFETY MEASURMENTS ALSO I WOULD LIKE TO RECORD IT - AND HAVE A JOURNAL OF HOW MUCH EVERY DAY AND WHAT TIMES I HAVE THIS EXPOSURE ON AROUND THE AREA WOULD YOU RECOMMEND ALSO SOME SPECTRUM ANAYLZER AS WELL CONNECTED TO A EM METER THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME LOOKING FORWARD TO HEAR FROM YOU BEST

[@ErikKaashoek]

The tinySA may not be the right tool as it provides too much detail

[@KamalFneish-tb3oq]

Hello my Tiny Sa ultra is taking forever when enabling ultra mode. how to fix this problem ???

[@alphaomega1351]

Does it come with a case? 😶

[@ErikKaashoek]

You mean a sturdy box to store the tinySA? No

[@w8lvradio]

What about aircraft radio altimeters?

[@ErikKaashoek]

No clue

[@patskea6430]

Hi adam is this device capable of detecting listening devices bugs etc

[@ErikKaashoek]

Various people have been using the tinySA for this purpose with success.

[@patskea6430]

@ErikKaashoek thankyou very much 🙏

[@zeljkoadzic1692]

Is this also possible with tinySA?

[@ErikKaashoek]

WiFi is 2.4 GHz, which can not be observed by the tinySA Basic.

[@zeljkoadzic1692]

@@ErikKaashoek apologies

[@larrymarkham2627]

Like to see if it picks up cell calls

[@ErikKaashoek]

It does, but there are so many

[@slavisaasus]

I have ordered TinySA Ultra from Zeenko store. After 10 days of waiting for unit to be shipped, they replied : "Hello, I'm sorry Because it is a charged equipment, the logistics cannot be delivered. Please apply for a refund." I am speechless...

[@digitalchaos1980]

☹️