Hey Steve! Just purchased a cheap TinySA as I am on the hunt for RFI in a solar panel install. Next I will make a poor man’s yagi for fox hunting for RFI. Wish me luck. All the best from north Texas. 73 de KI5HXM
Do not enter "0" for span while measuring harmonics! The function needs some span to work. Try with "50 kHz" - Then the function can exactly measure "around" each single harmonic. You will see what i mean.
@@aa3konthego Sweet! A ham could start a whole youtube channel and focus on just test gear like this... and never run out of fodder for videos! I still have more I want to do with it.
The ULTRA is a nice upgrade. I love my old (lol) TinySA standard version. I use the internal RF generator all the time and align HT's, police scanners, home stereos, and vintage receivers with it. It's as invaluable as a soldering iron IMO. PS. I believe the ULTRA will also demodulate and allow you to hear the signal (slope detection) through headphones or a powered speaker. 73 OM
Awesome Kate - Math gets you from radio's output power to Spectrum Analyzers input limits, then a VNA can help you sweep the Attenuator to see what frequencies it works out... all new rabbit holes! Thanks for watching!
Great informative video. I take my TinySA Ultra to the club's station and test everybody's junk Chinese HT's. WOW ! Some of those results are earth shattering. Glad you did not show that super secret Dick Tracy code for unlocking the Ultra. Hi Hi. When I make test without using an RF sampler, like you just did, I also put a DC block in line with the leads. Keep up with these great videos. Barry, KU3X
Nice demonstration - Question: It looked like the 2nd harmonic display on the tiny tiny was significantly higher than shown on the tiny ultra. Were the displays on different scales?
great review. so far i only have the tiny VNA-H4 . looking into the SA ULTRA . They have a learning curve to use. I was forgetting to save the calibrations and made more work for me. I do have full size Spectrum analyzer. $400 range. took me years to pay off. now its cheaper and fits in a small case. 73's
You just have to check that the screen surface won't get scratched, since usually retraced ball point pens have sharp edges. Also a stylus tip is made of nylon, which slides better on pressure touchscreens.
I have both the TinySA and the Ultra. The TinySA works fine for most things. But I like the Ultra because of the larger screen. I find I use it all the time instead of my lab-quality gear. Lab accuracy and very low noise floors just aren't needed except once in a great while, unless you're tuning a lot of repeater cans, and the convenience of a pocket SA is hard to beat. Just to clarify for other folks, the '1st' harmonic is actually the fundamental frequency. That's the way the physicists set it up to make the math equations easy. I find I have to explain the numerical labeling of harmonics to every ham I know who gets a TinySA unless they're an engineer or lab tech. So I explain that first to avoid confusion later. Labeling them correctly becomes essential to understanding 'even' and 'odd' order harmonic content, such as square waves being all odd-order harmonics.
Thanks for setting the record straight... It's hard to grok that the fundamental IS the harmonic (of itself) but if we all use the same terminology, that's all that matters
I was following older instructions, but I addressed it in the video - you want to calibrate "out" all the pieces that aren't the DUT, however possible that is in your test scenario.
Great stuff and great presentation. Thank you. I have never seen one of these in action before. Can you give a reference or a link for the attenuator that you used? Thanks.
Thanks for another great demonstration Steve. Any chance that generator can be used as a tracking generator with the spectrum analyzer? I'm guessing not, tell me it's doable? Or we wait for the next version TinySA Ultimate Utra? I'm not talking about get a "mortgage type" Agilent or rohde and schwarz spectrum analyzers
It depends on what you're going to be testing. You want to "calibrate out" all the things that aren't under test... which is sometimes not worth the effort depending on the test.
@@temporarilyoffline For a VNA it matters due to electrical delay/calibration plane, but for a spectrum analyzer the cable length should not matter, as long as it is 50 Ohm continuously (phase is not measured by a SA, as opposed to a VNA). Unless your cable is so long, that you get significant power losses.
Question - I just bought a TinySA, and in order to test for 2nd harmonics etc, you have to buy an attenuator. In order to properly test a handheld, I just need one 40db one, correct?
40db is good up to 5w for an HT for sure. I'd need to do some further math to see how far to go. Look at your SA's doc for maximum allowed input and do some unit conversion to know how much more attenuation you might need. I'd help more, but I'm stuck at a campsite with limited connectivity
New here. All this information is cool but what good is it? It's a cool tool but if you can't make changes to your HT it matters not. All it's telling you is the Baofeng is no where near as clean as a higher quality radio. Ah No kidding. It's cool but how can I use it to help me make my signal more clean?
Now that you know that it /is/ dirty and where, you can make a filter and fix it. You could also use a NanoVNA to tell you how to fix it. Look up building a low pass filter for more info. Tools like this are better suited to troubleshooting and building vs Feng testing.
With the coupon and the discount at Amazon its $139. But I get it. The "Basic" is more affordable: geni.us/QzwcT There are other things to do with it, but its not "necessary" for sure.
Sometimes its scary how cheap progress can make things. I like that this is affordable enough to usher in a new generation of people that like to tinker.
Hi Steve, Awesome video on the SA Ultra. If you locate a go kit for the VNAx64 and the SA Ultra a link would be appreciated. Haven't found one, yet. You and the family stay safe. 73 WJ3U
Ummm ... can you say barrel connector? I love it when the narrator makes up names for stuff that already has well established industry names. That assures he appears to be a real expert as he is liberated from all that fancy jargon. Interesting, too, the narrator uses an attenuator to avoid 5w, when he MIGHT have set the rig for lower output power? Nah.... too complicated. Don't reduce engine speed - just drag a heavy thing behind the car or ride the brake to slow it down, right? But the most aggravating aspect is the high school level unboxing and reading manufacturer specifications - gee, that helps because I cannot read, myself. Ultimately the video says very little and provides no information beyond a few basic product specs. Calibrating a new item presumes the factory failed to do that, and he provides no explanation why we need to do that before using it. Bottom line, I leaned nothing from this one. Oh well. moving on. JRT
![TEEDEE TADA - DIAMOND NARAKORN X LEGO LYKN [Special Dance Performance]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/QgtZedFeumA/mqdefault.jpg)
Hey Steve! Just purchased a cheap TinySA as I am on the hunt for RFI in a solar panel install. Next I will make a poor man’s yagi for fox hunting for RFI. Wish me luck. All the best from north Texas. 73 de KI5HXM
Good Luck Brent!
Do not enter "0" for span while measuring harmonics! The function needs some span to work. Try with "50 kHz" - Then the function can exactly measure "around" each single harmonic. You will see what i mean.
This is a pretty pro-tip... took me a minute to grok it. Thanks for sharing. I'm also adding a DC Block to my shopping cart.
What interested me most about this unit was the listening mode! I remember the built in 'spectrum analyzer' in the AR8200 back in the day.
I just looked that up. Its a pretty cool radio and now I want that too!
Steve! Thanks for being awesome! Excellent review/test. 73
You too Frank!
I had a TinySA on my shopping list, now I know that I'd rather go Ultra. If anything for the larger screen.
It's a big difference!
Ordered. Your discount along with a current $40 coupon got this down a lot. About $144.
Sweet!
This has been on my RADAR for a while. The discount codes had me pull the trigger and order one.
@@aa3konthego Sweet! A ham could start a whole youtube channel and focus on just test gear like this... and never run out of fodder for videos! I still have more I want to do with it.
The ULTRA is a nice upgrade. I love my old (lol) TinySA standard version. I use the internal RF generator all the time and align HT's, police scanners, home stereos, and vintage receivers with it. It's as invaluable as a soldering iron IMO. PS. I believe the ULTRA will also demodulate and allow you to hear the signal (slope detection) through headphones or a powered speaker. 73 OM
Its amazing what something like this can do for the price.
Thanks for the video! Now I'm off to learn about attenuators.
Awesome Kate - Math gets you from radio's output power to Spectrum Analyzers input limits, then a VNA can help you sweep the Attenuator to see what frequencies it works out... all new rabbit holes! Thanks for watching!
Great informative video. I take my TinySA Ultra to the club's station and test everybody's junk Chinese HT's. WOW ! Some of those results are earth shattering. Glad you did not show that super secret Dick Tracy code for unlocking the Ultra. Hi Hi.
When I make test without using an RF sampler, like you just did, I also put a DC block in line with the leads.
Keep up with these great videos.
Barry, KU3X
The DC Block looks pretty good. I have an RF Sampler like you mentioned, but is it better to use that or the attenuator?
3D print a stylis clip and glue it to the tiny SA. Provide the file to your patrons.
I have a very particular lack of skills...
Just use the pick.
@@zaptor1514 this I can do!
Nice demonstration - Question: It looked like the 2nd harmonic display on the tiny tiny was significantly higher than shown on the tiny ultra. Were the displays on different scales?
Yes, the two displays werent setup exactly the same. I was showing that the ultra could display more data/bandwidth on a single screen/sweep.
Great timing! I just bought one of these, anxious to use it now! Thanks!
Hope you enjoy it!
Just bought the Ultra from R&L. Looking forward to the capabilities of this little box. Should be a great addition to the shack.
It's a brilliant bit of kit for the workshop!
I haven't used mine yet. I need to unlock it.
Thnx for the info Steven. :)
You're welcome Donald!
great review. so far i only have the tiny VNA-H4 . looking into the SA ULTRA . They have a learning curve to use. I was forgetting to save the calibrations and made more work for me. I do have full size Spectrum analyzer. $400 range. took me years to pay off. now its cheaper and fits in a small case. 73's
There is so much to learn/do in this hobby!
How ultra sweeo-a-licious :) Nice new unit for sure....
Its pretty slick! Thanks for watching!
Nice gear for how cheap it is 😊😊
Right - and this was just one thing it can do. I'm hoping to do more videos on it.
With my nanoVNA, I use a ballpoint pen with tip retracted as a stylus. I expect tinySA would work the same.
Definitely would, it's a pressure screen vs the capacitive screen on phones.
You just have to check that the screen surface won't get scratched, since usually retraced ball point pens have sharp edges. Also a stylus tip is made of nylon, which slides better on pressure touchscreens.
I have both the TinySA and the Ultra. The TinySA works fine for most things. But I like the Ultra because of the larger screen. I find I use it all the time instead of my lab-quality gear. Lab accuracy and very low noise floors just aren't needed except once in a great while, unless you're tuning a lot of repeater cans, and the convenience of a pocket SA is hard to beat.
Just to clarify for other folks, the '1st' harmonic is actually the fundamental frequency. That's the way the physicists set it up to make the math equations easy. I find I have to explain the numerical labeling of harmonics to every ham I know who gets a TinySA unless they're an engineer or lab tech. So I explain that first to avoid confusion later. Labeling them correctly becomes essential to understanding 'even' and 'odd' order harmonic content, such as square waves being all odd-order harmonics.
Thanks for setting the record straight... It's hard to grok that the fundamental IS the harmonic (of itself) but if we all use the same terminology, that's all that matters
I need calibrated once in a while myself, great info ,tnx Man!
You and me both! Good thing I'm married or I'd never know.
Why did you use two cables and not just one? In the link in the instruction manual they use just one cable.
I was following older instructions, but I addressed it in the video - you want to calibrate "out" all the pieces that aren't the DUT, however possible that is in your test scenario.
Great stuff and great presentation. Thank you. I have never seen one of these in action before. Can you give a reference or a link for the attenuator that you used? Thanks.
Here you go: geni.us/Pz4Bdf
@@temporarilyoffline Thank you. That was very kind. I appreciate it.
Oooo. I want I want I want! Also, I could probably do a whole video on peeling plastic off screens. I’m bad about leaving them on. It’s hereditary.
I only take them off because TH-cam. It's the law.
Been practicing with mine a lot lately.. looking forward to messing with the signal generator function
Me too!
Thanks for another great demonstration Steve. Any chance that generator can be used as a tracking generator with the spectrum analyzer? I'm guessing not, tell me it's doable? Or we wait for the next version TinySA Ultimate Utra? I'm not talking about get a "mortgage type" Agilent or rohde and schwarz spectrum analyzers
Good question, looks like you'll need an external mixer to make it all work... I haven't tried it yet
Dang. I already ordered a NanoVNA. Do you have a video comparing the TinySA Ultra to the NanoVNA? Does the Tiny have more capability?
Never fear, they are two different devices that measure different things - you have my permission to get both! 🤣😎 - I'll have a video on both.
Is there a benefit to using the union and two cables versus just using a single cable for calibrating?
It depends on what you're going to be testing. You want to "calibrate out" all the things that aren't under test... which is sometimes not worth the effort depending on the test.
@@temporarilyoffline For a VNA it matters due to electrical delay/calibration plane, but for a spectrum analyzer the cable length should not matter, as long as it is 50 Ohm continuously (phase is not measured by a SA, as opposed to a VNA). Unless your cable is so long, that you get significant power losses.
@@aronhighgrove4100 Right
Fantastic device!
Yet another rabbit hole for sure!
Do i really need to use a attenuator when using it as a signal generator?? Like to hook it up to my uniden scanner and one of my vhf hand helds
I'm not 100% sure. You'd have to see what the receiver says it's maximum input is and do some math
Question - I just bought a TinySA, and in order to test for 2nd harmonics etc, you have to buy an attenuator. In order to properly test a handheld, I just need one 40db one, correct?
40db is good up to 5w for an HT for sure. I'd need to do some further math to see how far to go. Look at your SA's doc for maximum allowed input and do some unit conversion to know how much more attenuation you might need. I'd help more, but I'm stuck at a campsite with limited connectivity
@@temporarilyoffline No worries! I think you're right. I'm waiting for the SA to show and I'll follow your advice. Thanks.
Thanks for this video. Just snagged one as well. Can you provide link the attenuator you are using sir?
Sure Can: geni.us/Pz4Bdf
id like to see someone so a comparison with one of these and the sdrplay spectrum analyzer add on.
That would be pretty cool. I need to get an SDRPlay
Does the Bluetooth work ?
I'll have to make a video and find out!
Can the Ultra perform SWR testing/readings?
Not that I know of, I think you need the NanoVNA for that
Is it worth it if you already have one, or two, or maybe three TinySA? 🙂 I have issues....
Yes, clearly you need another one!
@@temporarilyoffline you talked me into it. You are a wise man!
@BigJohnsHamShack aww shucks
New here. All this information is cool but what good is it? It's a cool tool but if you can't make changes to your HT it matters not. All it's telling you is the Baofeng is no where near as clean as a higher quality radio. Ah No kidding. It's cool but how can I use it to help me make my signal more clean?
Now that you know that it /is/ dirty and where, you can make a filter and fix it. You could also use a NanoVNA to tell you how to fix it.
Look up building a low pass filter for more info.
Tools like this are better suited to troubleshooting and building vs Feng testing.
Hmmm save to get a tiny SA or go get a digirig swr meter? I like this one better. Hmmm
Tough question
@@temporarilyoffline yep because it does do a lot more than a signal stick
Great new gear I do t need but I need
Re-read your comment - I can see you getting one soon. Don't forget my link!
@@temporarilyoffline Bad influence ham
@@ubergeek318 or am I?
Engagement!
You matter!
SA? you calling me a term paper?!
/with apologies to Pablo Francisco
Are you E'ing?
How much attenuation did you use for that test? Can I use it to detect aircraft radio altimeters? 73 DE W8LV BILL
I used -40db. Yep, you can use this to detect almost any radio signals in its frequency range.
Ouch. $260 to test ht. I’m good. That’s almost what my Hermes lite 2 cost and it’s my main hf radio. lol I like a good value.
My first SA was something like 5k bucks. I am forever grateful for these cheap and decently accurate tiny ones.
With the coupon and the discount at Amazon its $139. But I get it. The "Basic" is more affordable: geni.us/QzwcT
There are other things to do with it, but its not "necessary" for sure.
Sometimes its scary how cheap progress can make things. I like that this is affordable enough to usher in a new generation of people that like to tinker.
@@temporarilyoffline oh wow that’s quite the discount. Makes me reconsider
Hi Steve,
Awesome video on the SA Ultra. If you locate a go kit for the VNAx64 and the SA Ultra a link would be appreciated. Haven't found one, yet. You and the family stay safe. 73 WJ3U
Hey Don! Will do!
Ultra... the beta capsule of SAs. Sorry not sorry.
I smell nerd!
Ummm ... can you say barrel connector? I love it when the narrator makes up names for stuff that already has well established industry names. That assures he appears to be a real expert as he is liberated from all that fancy jargon. Interesting, too, the narrator uses an attenuator to avoid 5w, when he MIGHT have set the rig for lower output power? Nah.... too complicated. Don't reduce engine speed - just drag a heavy thing behind the car or ride the brake to slow it down, right? But the most aggravating aspect is the high school level unboxing and reading manufacturer specifications - gee, that helps because I cannot read, myself. Ultimately the video says very little and provides no information beyond a few basic product specs. Calibrating a new item presumes the factory failed to do that, and he provides no explanation why we need to do that before using it. Bottom line, I leaned nothing from this one. Oh well. moving on. JRT
Thank you for your well thought out comment.
I pronounce it...... sigh nad
Perfect, me too
It’s incorrect to write but why you must write but or why!
That's why they were in two different colors! I got you fam!