Using the "138MHz-4.4GHz USB SMA Source/Signal Generator/Simple Spectrum Analyzer" for TV/CATV/SAT

[jeallen01]

Thank you for your reply.
I do not have a multi meter and am not sure how to use one. I am happy enough to buy one and give it a go if I was told what to check for.
Thx

A basic multi-meter is a relatively "simple" device for checking the voltages, currents (with some restrictions!) and resistances of circuits and components - and I would most certainly get one if you are going to start experimenting with sat stuff - even if you only use it for check "continuity" (is there a connection between "here" and "here"?). All you basically do is to turn the central switch to the range you think you want to measure, plug in the leads to 2 of the socket, turn the meter on and place the tips of the metal ends of the leads on the points where you want to make a measurement - and then the "answer" appears on the LCD screen!

If you did a resistance check between the centre contacts of the input and output sockets of the DC blocker then that would tell you if there is continuity - there should NOT be continuity in at least one direction, but there may be continuity with the leads reversed, and in that case the blocking device is a diode. OTOH if there is no continuity in either direction then the blocking device is (as I suspect that it will be) a capacitor because those do not conduct DC current/voltage in either direction!

 

[John]

Good news, many thanks for all your help guys, I will get it all connected up and have a play over the weekend with it.

Rgds

... No problem, when you sending that 2.2 Precision reflector up to me ?? lol

 

[John]

A basic multi-meter is a relatively "simple" device for checking the voltages, currents (with some restrictions!) and resistances of circuits and components - and I would most certainly get one if you are going to start experimenting with sat stuff - even if you only use it for check "continuity" (is there a connection between "here" and "here"?). All you basically do is to turn the central switch to the range you think you want to measure, plug in the leads to 2 of the socket, turn the meter on and place the tips of the metal ends of the leads on the points where you want to make a measurement - and then the "answer" appears on the LCD screen!

If you did a resistance check between the centre contacts of the input and output sockets of the DC blocker then that would tell you if there is continuity - there should NOT be continuity in at least one direction, but there may be continuity with the leads reversed, and in that case the blocking device is a diode. OTOH if there is no continuity in either direction then the blocking device is (as I suspect that it will be) a capacitor because those do not conduct DC current/voltage in either direction!

Good answer ;)

 

[vma]

Hi,

Just uploaded a new version with two small fixes:

2017-02-03:
Added current frequency display in Sweep Generator
Fixed START/STOP buttons in Signal Source

Cheers,
Vitor

 

[vma]

Hi,

Just uploaded a new version.

Change log:
2017-02-09: IMPORTANT BUG FIX! Increased Amplitude Resolution from 8 Bit to 10 Bit
Fixed error on AVG Trace
2017-02-03: Added current frequency display in Sweep Generator
Fixed START/STOP buttons in Signal Source

Regards,
Vitor

 

[Anonymous_1]

Hi Vma,

When we use the 'clear' button , could it be possible to clear also the waterfall window ?

Regards

 

[vma]

Hi,

That does not happen on purpose! The CLR button is only for traces, as you might turn them on and off, without interrupting the waterfall history.

If you want to reset the waterfall, just click twice on the small graphic area (normally with the waterfall): on click swaps spectrum with waterfall, the second click swaps back again and as a result you get a clear waterfall area.

Regards,
Vitor

 

[Anonymous_1]

Thanks vma for the fast reply .
great

 

[vma]

Meanwhile I corrected a few more bugs, so please download the latest release published today.

Regards,
Vitor

 

[vma]

Hi,

I implemented a few new things, which may interest you:

2017-02-19: Added Channel Power Measurement in Automatic Bandwidth Measurement mode
2017-02-18: Added support for MAX2870 synthesizer (i.e. NWT6000)
2017-02-13: Added Automatic Bandwidth Measurement in inverted spectrum (negative LOF)
Several minor bug fixes
2017-02-12: New function: Automatic Bandwidth Measurement
2017-02-11: Direct frequency input for marker 1 and 2 added
Fixed bug in center frequency when changing span value

Take a look at my blog for the new Channel Power Measurement and the Automatic Bandwidth Measurement!

Now with NWT6000 support, too!

Regards,
Vitor

 

[vma]

Hi,

I implemented a few new things, which may interest you:

2017-02-19: Added Channel Power Measurement in Automatic Bandwidth Measurement mode
2017-02-18: Added support for MAX2870 synthesizer (i.e. NWT6000)
2017-02-13: Added Automatic Bandwidth Measurement in inverted spectrum (negative LOF)
Several minor bug fixes
2017-02-12: New function: Automatic Bandwidth Measurement
2017-02-11: Direct frequency input for marker 1 and 2 added
Fixed bug in center frequency when changing span value

Take a look at my blog for the new Channel Power Measurement and the Automatic Bandwidth Measurement!

Now with NWT6000 support, too!

Regards,
Vitor

 

[vma]

In case any of you guys own a Siglent SSA3021X spectrum analyser or are planing to purchase one: I am working on a new version of my software specifically for this device:

Notice how much faster the spectrum is and hence the possibility of rendering the spectrum in different ways.

Regards,
Vitor

 

[vma]

Hi,

Just to let you guys know that the Siglent SSA3000X version of my software is now practically complete, apart from missing support for inverted spectrum rendering and a few bugs.

Take a look at my blog to see what can be done and to verify that the chinese devices aren't that bad (just much slower).

Regards,
Vitor

 

[vma]

Hi,

I uploaded a new version, which might be interesting for people who want to do signal monitoring. It is now possible to setup a list with predefined transponder names. These will be drawn in the spectrum, making it easier to identify certain transponders.

This was thought up mainly for CATV and the drawback right now is that you can only have one list. Perhaps I will develop this further on to use the list of the identified satellite.

Have a look and give me some feedback.

My blog describes this functionality further (VMA's Satellite Blog: VMA Simple Spectrum Analyser - New version with support to render pre-definied transponder names) and I just made use of an existing function to recognise and export transponder lists - it really is the fastest way I know of to generate a transponder list. Faster than any of my field meter. This could actually lead to further funtionality like the automatic feed detection or transponder monitoring... I wish I had more free time.

Regards,
Vitor

 

[vma]

Hi,

This is to let you guys know that the latest version now features:
- User configurable colours
- Impedance measurement: allows to determine i.e. the impedance of an antenna - requires NWT device or noise generator
- Reflectometer measurement: allows to determine the length of an unterminated cable or the distance to a fault in a terminated cable - requires NWT device or noise generator

Regards,
Vitor

 

[vma]

New Version:

This might interest some of you...

Now you can have 255 presets! These are edited directly in an *.ini file with your favourite text editor.

Regards,
Vitor

 

[jeallen01]

Vitor

Many thanks for all the updates and the new manual - but I (at least) get a little lost in the manual in terms of the new features that you add each time.

Therefore, at the next revision of the manual, is there a way you can somehow indicate the revised/new sections so that readers can identify what has been amended or added (or even deleted)?

John

 

[vma]

Thanks for the feedback.

I know I am much behind with the manual... It is difficult to keep it up to date with so many changes.

The best way to know what has changed is to look at the change log in the About tab (or on the download page).

Also, I normally write in my blog about the new functions.

The only exception is the SWR measurement. I developed this function without actually being able to perform it, due to lack of equipment! So I just followed what a few users were telleing me, while they tested it (very throughly, I might say - they are Germans and were only satisfied when it really worked in all aspects).

Anyway, I hope to be able to focus on the manual and update it.

Regards,
Vitor

 

[jeallen01]

Vitor

Thanks - we will be very happy when you can find the time to do that. Some sketches of the new setups would also be great if you can manage them - especially for ignorant mere mortals like myself !

 

[vma]

Hi,

I uploaded a new version of the software (small bug fix) and...
...an updated manual!

Don't get your expectations too high, though. Because I implemented some functions without having the required gear to actually use them, I am sort of limited in providing examples.

Also, many functions are demonstrated/explained in my blog.

But overall, the manual should give a good starting point.

Regards,
Vitor