#542b TinySA as an RF Generator (see update)

Episode 542b
Testing the output modes of the TinySA. Spectral quality and modulations
Be a Patron:

[charlkrapohl]

I grew up with RF equipment costing a arm and a leg . This product was never intended to replace laboratory equipment . For the price I think is a good buy .

[ErikKaashoek]

The modulation you see during sweep is the switching on/off of the signal during a PLL step

[ErikKaashoek]

The "sine wave" is implemented as a 5 step level table so it has its limitations but enough for listening to it on an AM radio

[ErikKaashoek]

I found the bug. A new FW release makes the modulation much more pleasant to listen to

[ErikKaashoek]

The Span is for sweeping, not for the span of the modulation

[JimAndyAllyn]

I listened to the modulation, both AM and FM, on a variety of receivers shortly after I got my first tinySA. It was about what I expected: pretty raspy. But I just wanted to see if it would be suitable for a quick receiver check. It is. The FM deviation isn't precise, and the AM modulation depth isn't precise. The waveforms aren't pure, clean sine waves. But for a quick "hey, does any audio get through this receiver?" sort of check, it's fine. And many times, that's all that's needed. After looking at the specs of the chips in the tinySA, I think it's amazing how many functions and how much performance Erik has managed to squeeze out of it. Still haven't figured out how to get it to make my coffee in the morning though, but that will probably be in a upcoming firmware release. ;>)

[ErikKaashoek]

Thanks for listening to the modulation. I heard a bug.

[MrBuddysAdventures]

Fine, you convinced me. I just placed my order from AliExpress for the TinySA. This is exactly what I need, be able to generate an RF signal in both AM/FM freq range with at least AM modulation to check a receiver through the various stages. I'm digging up my old CBs, AM/FM radios now in anticipation lol Next I'll need to find a broken/old 2m to take apart (and fix). The BaoFeng is too compact to poke around.

[getcartercarpark.]

Turn the sweep off and the AM and FM modulations are perfectly OK, though when I checked FM, the deviations settings were only 2 preset levels, 4 kHz and 75 kHz, it would be nicer to have been able to set the FM deviation in at least 1 kHz steps. AM mod depth I believe is only one level of 30%, again it would have been much better to have been able to at least be able to set the depth of AM mod in at least 10% steps. These settings are with the latest Tiny SA firmware as of 29th Nov 2022, hopefully, the next firmware might have better preset levels of modulation!

[jjelectra]

Hi. Wich is the lowest value of dBm output that TinySA can generate? I can use it to HF Transceivers testing. Thanks.

[Travis]

So what would the output look like fed into another TinySA?...

[joeryvilches]

Would this be good enough to tune the s-meter in a hf radio? I'm having a little issue with an icom my son messed up on me!

[johnarnold]

Very poor video where featured device is repeatedly blocked by presenter.s body

[kentaylor]

I do normally like your videos but watching your back I only got halfway through sorry

[peterseitz]

i love your videos.. could you redo his one as it was so frustrating having the view blocked.. sorry but i couldn't watch much of this one. regards

[LeeKirkman]

apparently the test leads are cheap junk try changing those.

[jasontwynn]

Couldn't see anything you did? This was not your best work, maybe should of not posted this hot mess?