TinySA Spectrum Analyzer Calibration and Firmware Update

TinySA Calibration and Firmware Update

In today's video, we look at some new test gear, the TinySA Spectrum Analyzer. It's designed by the same folks who created the NanoVNA.

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Thanks,
TheSmokinApe

[johnwest]

I take it after you opened the box and played with it for a while you realized all it could easily do for you and you no longer leave it sitting in a corner in the box anymore. :)
At this point in my amateur radio career my major tools are a CW key, a microphone, my multimeter, my TinySA, and my NanoVNA. Oh, and a soldering iron. (I haven't even touched my 'scope for a year.) This set of tools does everything. I already have 2 versions of the NanoVNA and I'm waiting for the TinySA ULTRA to arrive. With this small set of inexpensive tools I now feel like I have a functional and effective RF electronics lab on my desktop, or in my pocket, and can easily do all sorts of troubleshooting, fine-tuning and design work that I never could do before. I can optimize all sorts of antenna characteristics, align IF filters, characterize preamps and mixers, even build crystal filters. Along with the help of a few YouTube videos it's as if I went almost immediately from being a noobie ham to being an RF engineer. Hamming is now better than ever.

[SMTEK-Lars]

Tnx. Just find this. Just bought a Tiny SA, needed this 🎉

[barrykery]

Thanks for posting. Very informative video. I just ordered one less than 10 minutes ago. I have a Rigol DSA815TG spectrum analyzer but this little guy is very portable. I have two uses for it. One is for mobile antenna testing with the use of a pickup antenna mounted about 100 feet away and the second use is for RF sniffing. It's great for a pocket size RF sniffer whether it's for small issues around the house or hot spots like in power line issues.

Barry, KU3X

[donalddodson]

Thank you for a good play-by-play explanation. Very helpful.

[michaeldavidheit]

Based in this video I bought one for my use in my Ham shack ... and I am pleasantly surprised ... thank you!!

[temporarilyoffline]

This is going to open up a huge can of worms... looking forward to more in the series!

[TheNoCodeTech]

Very helpful thanks.
I gotta buy one of those.

[KKUSYHamRadioAdventures]

Good stuff Ape, can't wait to see it in action!

[JimPBarber]

I hope you go into some of the use cases and demonstrate it abilities.

[EUC_Senior]

For anyone out there using a computer with USB 3.0 it will take about 2 days to reprogram the tiny sa! You need to use a computer with USB 2.0! You might get away with using a USB 2.0 extension cable and attaching it to your USB 3.0 port and plug the other end of the extension cable to the tiny sa. Many, Many people all over the Internet have had the same problem and not just me on my Windows based computer with a USB 3.0 port. The USB 2.0 extension cable is supposed to prevent the USB 3.0 handshake thus defaulting it to USB 2.0. I got my tiny sa yesterday and immediately started to update it (around 8pm?) (I update everything!) it was taking forever to erase the tiny sa. I waited 20 minutes and it was only at 3% and I pulled the plug which white-screened the device. I then had to open it up and jump 2 contacts together while turning it on to get it into DFU mode. (Because the screen is completely white!) It took around 10 hours to finally erase. Then it started to upgrade. It is now 4:30pm the following day and I am only at 29% on a 104K file! I didn’t even get a chance to play with it yet! I found the USB 2.0 extension cable trick (that should work?) somewhere on the internet. I quickly ordered a USB 2.0 extension cable that should arrive tomorrow. (when the tiny sa is hopefully already programmed!) (But at least I will have the 2.0 extension cable for next time)

[barrykery]

Back to work you go. The TinySA Ultra is out now. Time to make another video. I just received mine and it's great. I love the 4 inch screen.
Barry

[knoxieman]

Great little unit, if your using modulation in signal tests particularly if you are doing Sinad tests check the modulation on a scope first because my 1khz tone produced by the tinysa was off by some margin and you don't need to go off much when measuring SINAD, I set the unit for 0.95 khz and I get 1khz tone out, your mileage may vary of course, it's also worth hooking the output up to a frequency counter, I found it more stable and on frequency when operating powered from the usb c port, it's fine for hobbyists but I wouldn't ditch your hp, thandar etc just yet.

[erin]

I especially like doing IF alignment with this gadget.

[rickeaston]

These spectrum analyzers have a lot of capability but you can only use 1 function at a time. I bought 5 of them so I can use all the functions at the same time. I love these little analyzers.

[jeff-]

For me, seems like "Actual Power" under expert config is no longer an option on these devices in the way you show here from a year ago. Any suggestions on the new way to config this setting would be greatly appreciated. tinysa version 1.3.338. Your tutorials btw are among the best on youtube. You speak clear and to the point and show only the necessary things to get the job done.

[richpaul]

UPDATE: When I tried again with the 32 bit version of the ST32Cube software, (and used a high-end USB cable), IT WORKED!! However, now the contradictions between your video and the TinySA Firmware manual go ballistic!

At about 8:15 in the video, you install the ST32Cube but the screen that opens doesn't look anything like the one you're showing! It does look like the one in the PDF manual, though. So, in the TinySA Firmware Update Manual, Step & (PDF page 8), it says: "Step 7. Click on the “Erasing and Programming” icon:"

Now that's what it says should be done, which is right after the previous page, (Step 6) says to click on the "Connect" button. I have no choice but to follow the manual because the video version is just too different. But I have to say that I'm worried about clicking that "Erase" button.


I'll leave you alone now but just so that you know, I wrote this before I followed Step 7 and clicked on that Erase button. If the unit gets lost as a result, I'll just send it back along with pictures documenting my every move, LOL.
Rich

[x_CrossHair_x]

(Always Nurvouse When I do this also) -- But .. If it aint broke don't fix it is my atitude .. However I see that they are many versions ahead for mine (after these many years).. I guess it's time to be Nurvouse. I Appreciate this video.. (Gives me Convidence) to procede with a firmware update.. Thanks 73s 👍👍

[ScientistPrepper]

Helpful video as usual. By my thinking, the tinySA should read "0" when receiving no signal. But mine and this one read like -95 I believe.

[don_nskt]

I bought one with the hope of identifying RFI noise but then I heard that you could overload the Tiny SA and I got concerned about it. Love to see some videos focused on hunting down RFI. I know it has been covered in great detail but I have not seen any one use it for RFI hunting. Also wondering how effective it is using the little antenna for HF.

[rcjarvis]

a 4 inch screen would help... love my nano vna H4