I have just purchased a Siglent SSA-3021X Plus Spectrum Analyser and was delighted to find your rather marvellous video here on KZbin. It was a greatly appreciated watch and as this is my first 'proper' spectrum analyser, I found your demonstration and instructions invaluable. Thank you for your time in creating this.
@w8bya Жыл бұрын
TU for taking the time to let me know. I am very happy the video was of value. BTW, YOU WILL LOVE YOUR NEW SA !!!!!!!!! 🙂
@w8bya7 жыл бұрын
So I was a little bothered by the difference in the IL of the 6m kW LPF in the passband when I shot the video. I went back & learned that when changing the frequency range of the sweep a new TG calibration & normalization must be performed. Once I did that my IL readings of a few tenths of a dB matched those I saw initially. Goes to show I should RTFM ! .
@dtiydr Жыл бұрын
Just bought a SSA3021X Plus and have unlocked all the options on it as well as 3.1GHz since I really wanted to start to test some antennas I made and also some filters among many other things, and now I finally bought one as my first ever and with your video I learned quite much how to use it all so thanks!
@w8bya Жыл бұрын
You are very welcome. You will love your new analyzer and you will wonder how you lived so long without one.
@DvorTerrier3 жыл бұрын
I love the fact that you shared the story about buying the analyzer, Gedas. Nice, simple and pleasant video. Thank you. 73! W1NM
@w8bya3 жыл бұрын
Hello Dvor. I am really thankful for you taking a moment to comment and provide feedback on the video. Stay safe ! 73
@ka1wht Жыл бұрын
Thank you for the time and thought you put into this video and others. I recently purchased the SSA-3021X and it's the first spectrum analyzer I've ever owned. I'd used spectrum analyzers in the past, but only at my workplace. So enjoyable having one at home! I'm very pleased with the spectrum analyzer's performance and user interface and am enjoying testing my equipment. I haven't been able to find better value for a brand new spectrum analyzer, considering all of the features. I've been using the Siglent with the Leo Bodnar mini GPS disciplined oscillator, which corrects the frequency accuracy to one part in one billion or better for my measurements. I recommend this combination of equipment.
@w8bya Жыл бұрын
Hello Bill and congrats on your new purchase. You will never run out of things to do or to use your SA for and you will wonder how you ever did w/o one at home 🙂
@contractscanadabb76295 жыл бұрын
Just bought a Siglent SSA-3021X and found this video very informative and appreciate the time W8BYA took to make it. Happy that you have got yourself a nice SpacAn too and 73 to the XYI for being so thoughtful. If I could have given you a 1000 thumbs up, I would :o) Thanks for making and uploading this great clip.
@w8bya5 жыл бұрын
Hello and you just made my day ! Thank you. I am so glad you found the video informative and of value. You will ABSOLUTELY love your new SA. If you have any questions at all just hollar. Take care es 73 !
@SuccessMatrix2023 Жыл бұрын
Thank you so much for the very informative demonstration and explanation.. ❤️
@w8bya Жыл бұрын
You are most welcome !
@mikepowell93164 жыл бұрын
Just picked up one of these. Your video is very helpful, probably more so than the manual. Thanks!
@w8bya4 жыл бұрын
Glad to hear that Mike. If you have any questions just hollar.
@AERVBlog3 жыл бұрын
Very nice demonstration. Thank you. I finally got a decent spectrum analyzer, HP ESA-L1500, 9KHz - 1.5GHz with tracking generator. It was broken and I had to fix it but for $500 I won't complain. I do a lot of cavity tuning for local ham clubs and this will be a lot easier than an SDR. Keep up the good work. W8DKM, AERVBlog on KZbin.
@w8bya3 жыл бұрын
Hi David, TU so much for the feedback and very glad you found the video useful. I think you did real good getting your new SA, esp since it has a TG ! Once you start using one you will wonder how you ever got by without one ! 73
@AERVBlog3 жыл бұрын
@@w8bya i have been waiting for that and my Motorola Service Monitor for years. This SA beats the pants off an SDR with a noise generator.
@microreniassance29292 жыл бұрын
I've got one on order and was very curious about the tracking generator aspect. You have provided great information and I'm glad now that I ordered the one with the TG. This is an informative, instructional video. We need more like this. Any further videos on using the spectrum analyzer in the Ham shack and with boat anchor repairs would be greatly appreciated! You wife sounds definitely like a keeper! 73, KE4CDR
@w8bya2 жыл бұрын
Hi Keith and thanks for the feedback. I should have had the camera going a whole bunch of times when I used the SA & TG for all kinds of ham related projects. My bad ! I will see if I can remember to document some of them in the future. Let us know how you do with yours. 73
@microreniassance29292 жыл бұрын
@@w8bya Thanks for the response and anything you can provide will be of help, of course. Thanks again for some great videos. When mine comes in I'll respond with any questions I have. Thanks again. KE4CDR 73
@ryanleathers90255 жыл бұрын
Fantastic video. You are great at explaining the what - why - and how. If you made more videos showing how to use this spectrum analyzer, particularly from an amateur radio lab point of view, I would watch every one. Thanks.
@w8bya5 жыл бұрын
Hi Ryan and thank you very much for watching & taking the time to comment. I will see what I can do. I have been a little swamped of late trying to keep our chin above the water line hi-hi. If there is anything in particular within the ham radio sphere that would be of help to you do not hesitate to post it here or shoot me a PM.....address is ok via QRZ.COM. TU es 73
@PowderMill3 жыл бұрын
Thank you and 73 from New Jersey.
@Flyboy7377 жыл бұрын
Excellent Video on the Use of a Tracking Generator. I hope you will post more Video's using the Siglent SSA-3021X with practical uses for the Radio Amateur. I was watching a video from the Dayton Hamfest this weekend where the ARRL was using what looked like a Rigol 815 Spectrum Analyzer to check the output purity of Ham VHF/UHF Handhelds. I would really like to see how to do the same thing with the Siglent SSA-3021X which appears to be a more sensitive unit. Thank You - WB2FYZ
@EfieldHfield_3775 жыл бұрын
Thx for sharing. And great video. A video showing directional coupler and antenna characterization compared to what antenna mfg published would be awesome.
@JRSGandara7 жыл бұрын
Very nice explanation and great xtmas present. 73 from PY2JF.
@PapasDino7 жыл бұрын
Took me a while to get back to your first video...nice review of TG principles. We have something in common - wonderful XYL's! ;-) 73 - Dino KL0S
@guntersiegel88764 жыл бұрын
verry, verry good dk3zr go to next...
@microreniassance29292 жыл бұрын
Great videos. After revisiting this for the 3rd time, would you consider doing a video on testing IF transformers in the same fashion you looked at your low pass filter. I have a lot of work that includes IFTransformers. I imagine anyone working on Boat Anchor radios would possibly benefit from such a video as well. But thanks again for all you've done!
@w8bya2 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the suggestion. I have about 15 projects going at present but will definitely add this to my to-do list.
@raiberg72053 жыл бұрын
absolutly helpful
@w8bya3 жыл бұрын
Awesome.....thanks for letting me know.
@vidasvv7 жыл бұрын
TNX for the video !
@hervefaro44507 жыл бұрын
A very interesting video.Thanks.
@w8bya7 жыл бұрын
Hello Herve, thank you for having a look and for taking a moment to comment. I am very glad the video will help out others.
@Flyboy7374 жыл бұрын
Very Informative Video. Siglent has released a SSA-3021X Plus version. Do you know what the difference is between that and a regular SSA-3021? I sent an email to Siglent a few weeks ago asking the same question but I have not gotten a reply. I looked at the specs for both but I could not pick out any differences. I am sure I am missing something! Thanks Vince-NY5AR
@w8bya4 жыл бұрын
Hi there, glad the video was helpful. On the Siglent page I got this: "The Plus family adds features such as 10.1 inch Multi-Touch screen display, mouse and keyboard control. A web browser-based software control via LAN is also included.With their light weight, small size, and friendly user interface, the SSA3000 Pluses present a bright easy to read display, powerful and reliable automatic measurements, and plenty of impressive features." Plus they enable 100 hrs of all the various options which is neat so you can see what they are about before you buy. I would absolutely snatch a Plus model if I did not have my "old guy" LOL....
@Flyboy7374 жыл бұрын
@@w8bya Thanks for the info on the Plus version. I thought I was missing something and you pointed me to it. A perfect example for me of Somedays You can't see the forest for the trees!
@erikas68742 жыл бұрын
Thank you for an instructional video. I want to ask: Is it possible to see the phase of the signal from the DUT, compared to the tracking generator?
@w8bya2 жыл бұрын
Hi there. Depending on the frequency range you are interested I would try using a 2-channel O-scope of sufficient BW to monitor the phase of the input & output signals.
@PowderMill3 жыл бұрын
👍🏻😷 when can we expect a FULL & thorough COURSE in spectrum analyzer use for the newbie? Thanks!!
@w8bya3 жыл бұрын
I am glad this video was of some help but to be honest it would be a HUGE undertaking to do a full & thorough course in SA use. Companies like Agilent/Keysight etc offer classes to companies that last several weeks. I think the best I could do is concentrate on a specific area of interest for you. Folks have written entire books on SA use, there is just no way I could make a single video or two showing you how to use it properly. I hope you understand. Is there one or two things I can help you with?
@microreniassance29292 жыл бұрын
@@w8bya Exactly, an SA is incredibly powerful and can do many things all of which are nuanced by the devices, circuits you're testing. After I receive mine I'll be looking at specific questions having to do with analyzing tube radio reception and filtering quality as well as, like this video, working with issues and questions in the ham shack. Best regards, KE4CDR
@PowderMill11 ай бұрын
Two years later I’m back to say… Thanks for the reply. I hope all is well on the job front.. Sadly, we are now in “BIDENomics” time. 🙁 It sure sounds like you’ve got an amazing wife! That is one great Christmas present. Thanks again for great video content! 73 from the PRNJ “People’s Republic of New Jersey”
@PowderMill11 ай бұрын
Forgot to add.. you are a great instructor/presenter.! I found pre produced Agilent videos and they were very informative. Most of my “work” for the SAis in duplexer tuning and there were also specialized videos showing this. I ended up buying a used HP 8951C (75 ohm CATV variant) with TG and pre-amp options. It went into calibration error and the whole battery change project is still sitting on the bench. So.. I ended up with an Agilent HSA N9340A with TG and pre-amp as well. (9KHz to 3GHz) The Siglent SA sure looks nice and the service also sounds great. The Agilent was a used model for $2k and was initially $8k when new, so I went that route for portability and the slightly higher frequency range. Thanks again and 73
@DannerPlace7 жыл бұрын
Very nice video, which has me yearning for this spectrum analyzer. I wonder if you have used the Siglent Reflection Bridge with it to look as antenna return loss? Thanks again. 73, W5SRT.
@w8bya7 жыл бұрын
Hi Dan. You must have ESP . I have been testing the Siglent Reflection bridge on/off for several weeks now & I am not getting the results that I was expecting to see for certain loads. During this testing process I also evaluated various directional couplers, in addition to the Siglent unit, and I am still getting inconsistent, or better put, unexpected results. I will be posting a video shortly showing what I mean by all this & the results I have found thus far. TU for watching & for taking the time to comment. 73 W8BYA
@DannerPlace7 жыл бұрын
Interesting, I'm subscribed and will take a look for sure. I wonder if the feed line pieces in your test set-up are acting as transformers resulting in peaks and nulls that mask the device-in-test's real characteristics? I'm still on the fence about spending the $$$, as I already have a RigExpert AA54 that seems to get the job done for antenna work.
@w8bya7 жыл бұрын
During these initial RL tests I have not been using any coaxial cables. Because of the neat design of the Siglent Reflection Bridge (which couples directly to the two ports of the SA) I was able to attach my test loads directly to the bridge w/o any cables. I have been experimenting with some known single N-connector loads and then loads put in parallel using a N-connector T-adaptor. At these frequencies that T-adaptor should have a minimal effect and my initial guess is that the directivity of the bridge is very critical to making accurate measurements of non 50-ohm loads. I should have more data in a little bit. 73
@yoramstein4 жыл бұрын
More than 3½ year later. Are you still enthusiastic about that Siglent Spectrun Analyzer of yours?
@w8bya4 жыл бұрын
Yes, absolutely. The one thing I have noticed about it which is some weird firmware goof is it will not turn off when the power button is pressed. It seems to get itself it some locked up state and I have to unplug the AC power cord. Does not happen often but enough that it's a slight PITA. Other then that I still give it an A+. Even with the goofy lock up I would buy again in a heartbeat.
@microreniassance29292 жыл бұрын
Great video. Thanks for putting it together. I have a question that's a little tangential from your main subject and it's regarding the tracking generator output. Is it possible to induce modulation into the TG output, varying frequency and percent of the modulation? Thanks for your learned comments on this. 73 KE4CDR
@w8bya2 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the feedback. As far as I know there is no way via front panel controls to modulate the TG carrier. I do not know if the newer versions of the SA do......which reminds me I should see if there is a firmware update for mine. It has been a long time since I have checked. I guess that shows how happy I am with mine just the way it is hi-hi. 73
@microreniassance29292 жыл бұрын
@@w8bya Don't get my wrong, I love my 3021, but I'm always up against limits in my equipment. I'm trying to simply see what I have to work with and make sure I use my equipment to the fullest! Again, great video.
@microreniassance29292 жыл бұрын
@@w8bya I have another more obscure question.... I'm tuning a Halli SX117 and using my Sig 1032 Sig gen to output a 50.75KHz 1vpp signal. I was testing the signal on my 3021 SA and ran into a weird issue. With a span of 20KHz the peak was right on 50.75KHz. However when I changed the span to say 21KHz the peak moved 53Hz up to 50.803KHz. I checked around at some other spans and the peak would randomly change back and forth between the correct frequency to this +53Hz shifted frequency. Set up as above and starting at 20KHz span w/ 1KHz RBW, 50.75 sig gen freq and center frequency; using the thumb wheel on the span and going up from 20 to say 30KHz you see the peak flip back and forth between 50.75 and 50.803 repeatedly. Siglent says I'm pushing the SA by looking at such a small span. Does this make sense? Have you ever seen this kind of shift in the Frequency on your 3021? It doesn't seem right to me. Just trying to find out if all of them do this or is it just mine?
@w8bya2 жыл бұрын
@@microreniassance2929 Just a guess but I wud say two things: one is you are really close to the low end of the SA. Anytime you operate TE near it's absolute min/max limits I expect reduced performance. 2nd is that your span and center freq are so close that the bin width of the SA just does not have enough resolution. Remember this is a digital SA not an analog one. number of bins and bin width become critical in some cases and you found one. Try a test, go up higher to 1 MHz center frequency and try several different spans and see if you see predictable jumps where the max occurs like you did way down low.
@microreniassance29292 жыл бұрын
@@w8bya Thanks for taking the time to respond. Much appreciated. So, following your suggestion, I set my SG to 1.05075MHz and set center freq the same on my SSA 3021. I set span to 1M, 100KHz, 20KHz and 750Hz in turn. The flip between the correct and incorrect freqs happened in the range of every span setting. So, the change based on minimal or large changes in span still occurred. I'm bollixed at this point. Admittedly it's not a huge change in frequency 50 to 100Hz, but at what point does it become within spec? Doesn't seem like this should happen with a precision test instrument. I am quite sure you have little time to waste on red herrings, and I very much appreciate all your superb content, but if you ever have a chance to just duplicate this and see if you see anything similar, I would appreciate the feedback. Either way, Best to you and yours. 73 KE4CDR
@jamisusijarvi6466 жыл бұрын
Today siglent is advertising 1hz bandwidth. Is it so with newest firmware?
@zhoumin69275 жыл бұрын
yeah,i am using. impressive!
@microreniassance29292 жыл бұрын
Do you have any problem with peak / freq shift as you change between spans? For example at 50.75KHz I look at the peak with a span of 20KHz and I get a peak on 50.75KHz on the SA as expected. If I change the span to 21KHz, the peak moves to 50.803! Is this normal? Seems like the freq of the pak changes back and forth arbitrarily from 50.75 to 50.803 randomly respect to the span. Always moves up. The span can change as little as a few tens of Hz and the frequency will change as I described. .
@bigfoottoo28417 жыл бұрын
Very nice video, 73 DE K9BF
@w8bya7 жыл бұрын
Thanks for watching Ben, 73
@jamisusijarvi6466 жыл бұрын
And Siglent now offers TH for free
@Michael-Sasser7 жыл бұрын
This is insane. You should never let go your wife.