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

[scopus]

No crash for me (W7 64bit) tested on 2 computers (not with a KA LNB yet but whatever the LNB, we don't care for the spectrum analyzer).

All OK for me, whatever the band in use, I've never seen any crash (yet)

View attachment 100520

View attachment 100521

Full
View attachment 100522

Even by the task manager ? with the Process off and USB unplugged: no way to fix this local crash ?

View attachment 100524

I sorted it with John on the phone, he was entering some things incorrectly....think he is a happy bunny now...

 

[John]

Actually all sorted now and running as sweet as a nut thanks to guidance from Chris (scopus).
What i can only describe as a senior moment, i was input the frequency for Ka 18GHz start/end as 18200-19200 and not the IF. Also the LO was entered with the decimal point which is incorrect.
Panic over .... me being a dumb-ass, i'll get me coat.
Thanks to scopus / Feedsat/ vma for responding.

 

[jeallen01]

FWIW, I run the latest version of vma's s/w on W10 Pro 64 bit on a pretty low-powered nettop without any problems, so far (even with Virtual Radar Server and other things at the same time) - although I did get some crashes with the earlier version, but can't recall the exact settings that caused that.

 

[jeallen01]

FWIW, I run the latest version of vma's s/w on W10 Pro 64 bit on a pretty low-powered nettop without any problems, so far (even with Virtual Radar Server and other things at the same time) - although I did get some crashes with the earlier version, but can't recall the exact settings that caused that.

 

[vma]

Glad that the "bug" is a user bug!

Perhaps I should add some routines to check what the users input, but that would cost me valueable computing time and make the GUI a little awkward. Right now, the input is being processed as one types in the values. If I would check the values for correctness, I could only apply them once they are fully input. Not going that route... But I agree, some error checking should be done, at least to prevent the program from crashing.

Anyway: I just uploaded a new version.

It features a corrected and improved channel power meter.

This is an advanced measurement, which determines the integrated power over a selected bandwidth (normally the channel bandwidth).

I keep this on a separate tab and the spectrum must be stopped to run this measurement.

My initial tests indicate that the precision is pretty accurate (see blog).

Regards,
Vitor

 

[John]

.. It has to be said, this is a cracking bit of software. There was a bit of a time span between the two grabs and one of the frequencies has dropped on the Promax but it gives you a good idea on how good & faithful the vma display is compared to the Promax.

 

[vma]

Try this version: http://www.filedropper.com/smasimplespectrumanalyzer-2016-11-23

It features MIN, MAX and AVG power values and optionally draws corresponding horizonal lines. Nice to see the MIN/MAX lines.

@John, can you repeat the screen grabs with your Promax set to dBm? Nice meter, btw.

Regards,
vma

 

[John]

Try this version: http://www.filedropper.com/smasimplespectrumanalyzer-2016-11-23

It features MIN, MAX and AVG power values and optionally draws corresponding horizonal lines. Nice to see the MIN/MAX lines.

@John, can you repeat the screen grabs with your Promax set to dBm? Nice meter, btw.

Regards,
vma

@vma ... will do, might be later on in the day though when i get back in ;)

 

[scopus]

Try this version: http://www.filedropper.com/smasimplespectrumanalyzer-2016-11-23

It features MIN, MAX and AVG power values and optionally draws corresponding horizonal lines. Nice to see the MIN/MAX lines.

@John, can you repeat the screen grabs with your Promax set to dBm? Nice meter, btw.

Regards,
vma

Ageed, brilliant piece of software...

 

[scopus]

Here it is on my HD monitor

 

[John]

@vma .... as promised
Using the Global active splitter to feed 18GHz scan to the two units. The signal levels on each leg out are virtually the same level & Promax set to dBm.
The grabs are taken off air live ..... iv'e matched them as close as i can get.

 

[jeallen01]

FWIW, please also see the most recent posts on this thread as I think they could be relevant

 

[jeallen01]

scopus

I'm interested in that Global Comms 4-way Active Splitter for another potential use in an SDR Virtual Radar Server application (need to feed power to an inline amp between the antennas and the SDR receiver).

Could not find that Global part on-line, and also so not an apparently equivalent Labgear PSA 140 unit that I found out about on a thread on AV Forums - so where did you get it from, and how long ago (and/or does anyone else have one of either sort that they can spare?)?

 

[scopus]

scopus

I'm interested in that Global Comms 4-way Active Splitter for another potential use in an SDR Virtual Radar Server application (need to feed power to an inline amp between the antennas and the SDR receiver).

Could not find that Global part on-line, and also so not an apparently equivalent Labgear PSA 140 unit that I found out about on a thread on AV Forums - so where did you get it from, and how long ago (and/or does anyone else have one of either sort that they can spare?)?

Quite hard to get hold of nowadays, they are well hidden on the Global site and only really a PDF document to download when you do find them and no price. I got my last one of E Bay, one or two selling them on there.

 

[jeallen01]

scopus

Thanks, and what a "pity"! . Nevertheless, I will do some ebay searches to try to find one or another of those units

 

[Anonymous_1]

Example of "temporary" DATA @ 55.5°W , thanks to the Waterfall !

 

[scopus]

scopus

Thanks, and what a "pity"! . Nevertheless, I will do some ebay searches to try to find one or another of those units

Amazon are showing them, but at a price!

 

[jeallen01]

scopus

A link, if you can (please)?

 

[scopus]

Just put 'Global split4af' in the search and it will find them..

 

[jeallen01]

scopus

"Best" I can find is here which says "stock imminent" - which probably means "whenever". Never mind, will have to try to find alternatives (some already possibly in sight from Televes, as on the SDR thread I referred to).