Is there a low cost spectrum analyzer so that I could see where the action is from 1 to 30mhz, say on my computer screen! just wondering does anyone use one?
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Spectrum analyzer
- Thread starter Grogan
- Start date
if you want a decent SDR capable reciever check out a TenTec 320d or an icom R1500 the TenTec 320d is more reasonably priced, but the Icom also covers more (vhf/uhf/ and up to 1300)
TenTec 320d TEN-TEC RX-320D HF Receiver RX320
Icom 1500 Icom R1500 IC-R1500 Wideband Receiver R-1500
if it was up to me i would go with the TenTec 320d since i am not interested in anything above CB/10 meters HF is my favorite part of the spectrum
TenTec 320d TEN-TEC RX-320D HF Receiver RX320
Icom 1500 Icom R1500 IC-R1500 Wideband Receiver R-1500
if it was up to me i would go with the TenTec 320d since i am not interested in anything above CB/10 meters HF is my favorite part of the spectrum
Pretty much the same thing that the Zelscope link you posted does.
That Zelscope spectrum analyzer is nothing like what Grogan is looking for. It is a cheap unit that is meant to look at a small low power RF circuit or audio source and certainly not an RF unit for 1-30 MHz. A real spectrum analyzer will cost thousands of dollars and will show hundreds of signals depending on the overall display width. It is also not really what one would want for seeing where the signals are because there are thousands of signals on 1-30 MHz at any time.I have used a spectrum analyzer connected to an antenna before and the result was :thumbdown: About the only time one would want to connect a spectrum analyzer to an antenna would be when looking for a source of interference which is what I was doing at the time. A wideband receiver such as Black Bart is far more usefull.
Pretty much the same thing that the Zelscope link you posted does.
Of course a real one will costs a lot.
The dev said inexpensive/ low cost?
That link I posted is of course cheap. There is far far more accurate ones far less expencive then your average one. I do believe there is a pci one u can hook to a desktop, but is course its not cheap.
Sent from Outerspace, on the DarkSide of X.
the one's i posted were within the price range of most people
the TenTec and the Icom both have display a spectrum of several hundred kilohertz + & - so it will do what you want nicely, what i like about them is all you have to do is click on the spike where the signal showed up on the screen with your mouse/cursor and the radio automatically tunes to it, so no more fumbling around with a channel knob on a radio when you get bleed-over or if you just want to see what the band is doing. i like these types of radios, plus you can listen to ham on the HF SSB bands, plus utility stations, international shortwave etc...
the TenTec and the Icom both have display a spectrum of several hundred kilohertz + & - so it will do what you want nicely, what i like about them is all you have to do is click on the spike where the signal showed up on the screen with your mouse/cursor and the radio automatically tunes to it, so no more fumbling around with a channel knob on a radio when you get bleed-over or if you just want to see what the band is doing. i like these types of radios, plus you can listen to ham on the HF SSB bands, plus utility stations, international shortwave etc...
My point is that it will not do what Grogan wants and is only for a half reasonable approximation of something that is on a test bench and not for off-air pick-up. It just doesn't have the sensitivity nor the resolution for what he wants.
My FT-857 has a crude spectrum scope built in but I never use it as there is just too much activity on an HF band and as for finding out where the QRM is coming from I simply turn the VFO knob a few turns.
What's your definition of "low cost"?
Depending on the rig you use, a panadapter might be what you're looking for. It will only display one band at a time, but it shows you quickly where the action is across the band.
What you posted is fine for looking at a signal from your rigs receive audio out or your transmitted audio if you have a monitor function. Like the incoming signal, PSK 31 or whatever you are hearing in the rigs speaker. What he is looking for is a unit to sweep the incoming signal input similar to the spectrum display on an Icom 756 ProII or III. You can get free software to look at the former but the latter can be pretty expensive. You also need a converter board that connects to the radios receive circuitry to convert the incoming data so it can be displayed on the scope.
