Using a TinySA Ultra for alignment

[Blackswan73]

Will a TinySA Ultra work for aligning high-end communication receivers, like a Drake or Icom

B.S.

 

[buddrousa]

How do you plan to calibrate the TinySA?

 

[prcguy]

They generate a fairly accurate signal with or without modulation for basic alignment and if you need a low level spectrum analyzer for any steps it should be adequate. I was given one that goes to the 5GHz range and am actually very impressed with it. You can't really use it with an antenna at a busy repeater site due to overload problems but if you keep the signal levels reasonable they work well.

 

[RufusDawes]

I used a TinySA and NanoVNA to do a complete alignment on my Yaesu Frog... I think the TinySA Ultra has a signal generator too? If so then you are probably in business.

 

[prcguy]

I used a TinySA and NanoVNA to do a complete alignment on my Yaesu Frog... I think the TinySA Ultra has a signal generator too? If so then you are probably in business.

Not long ago I was asked to visit a local repeater site for a non technical reason and when we got there we found some technical problems. I had a TinySA with me and after finding a disconnected cable which was the actual problem I was able to generate receive signals on the master receive antenna side through the preamp and divider to the repeater receivers with the TinySA which worked and I could vary the level down to typical minimum sensitivity range to verify the receivers were working as expected. Then I used the TinySA spectrum analyzer to see off air signals picked up by the antenna and present at the receivers and verify the levels were as expected. Not bad for having a pocket sized analyzer/generator in my truck that I didn't plan on using.

I was also recently asked by the USCG to find a rouge carrier in the marine VHF band and the USCG training I had used radios with variable attenuators and a hand held Yagi to find the source. Instead I used my TinySA and a hand held Yagi and for me it was easier and more accurate as I could dial up 1dB/div and more accurately point at the source, where using a radio and relying on its S meter or your ear seems less accurate. I and a navigator in my vehicle found the source using the TinySA and the FCC responded and had a chat with the organization who caused the interference. I also used the Tiny SA to record receive levels at a close known distance to the source where I could calculate the approximate ERP required to produce the level I measured by knowing that distance, the gain of my Yagi and the level received on the TinySA. Pictures and reports of me using the TinySA and finding that rouge carrier have been seen by high level USCG personnel and they seem very pleased with the results.

 

[Blackswan73]

Thanks for the advice. I reckon all I need is a analog multimeter

B.S.