#51: Basic Spectrum Analyzer Do's and Dont's ...

Can you recommend any videos or video courses for learning the basics (and even more advanced topics) related to of spectrum analyzers?

Also .. can you use an Anritsu MT8820C for the channel?
( 30 MHZ - 2.7 GHZ Radio Communications Analyzer)
It’s fully functional and was give to me by a friend’s wife after his passing.
I initially wanted it for spectrum analyzer use but discovered it couldn’t be used as a standalone SA.
So.. it’s just gathering dust.

Dottore, Shyful

I have a question around spectrum analyzer safety, power levels and preselection: Must the Reference Level always be selected according to the strongest input signal (to not potentially cause damage)? Even when its currently sweeping a different frequency range on a much smaller signal? (my gut feeling is "yes", because 1st mixer will still get everything, so the attenuator should not allow too much of the strongest signal to the mixer - which would also mean that a "peak zoom" function may be dangerous to use on smaller signals - because it'll adjust the overall reference level to that small signal's power) Thanks!

Hi there, I wanted to ask if it’s okay with you if I show some of these videos as part of my own twitch stream. I just received my first analyzer and I think it would make an interesting stream to show my „first steps“ with the device, using your videos as a guide. So it would be watching/reacting to a part of your video and then trying it out myself. Thanks in advance, and many greetings from germany :)

Good information, thank you! 👍

I really appreciate your videos. After a long career in the wireless industry where our labs were full of expensive hp/tek boxes, I'm setting up a home lab and sorting through used vna's and some newer siglent/rigol... boxes.

i have same scope with 75ohm rf input and the pad can this work to test cb radios?

Cal you make cheap rf spectrum analyser using crt tunner and Arduino ?

the price they gost and they don't have a dc blocker built in?

I just got one of these at a good price but the 50 ohm model. Great to see this video. You gave me the info I need to keep it in good working order. A lot to learn yet, but covering the fundamentals is always good, no matter how much I learn. Thanks for all of your videos.

What I marvel at is your command of knowledge in using such instruments. I wonder how did you learn to use such instruments to the level you know how to use them? Did you study the owner's manual or were you taught by someone and learned your way through that?

This was extremely useful, thank-you! It's good to understand the "why" of taking safety precautions.

I bought ESA E4407B and date , time is required to set during every ON so plz send the pick of CMOS bty with board

Plz share customer mail Id for india

Bom dia preciso o esquema elétrico da fonte power supply ..obrigado...

Thanks for these awesome videos, sometimes just doing the basics over again is a great fundamentals refresher. I always learn something from these no matter how simple they may seem.

Is there some significative difference between Analog and Digital SA? (about scopes I know the lack of single-shot in the analogs) thanks

What will happen if I am measuring very low power signal e.g. -40dBm and suddenly power will change to +25 dBm? Will automatic attenuation react fast enough to protect mixer?

as an OLD newb, i'd be screwed without your videos. many thanks

If you don't know the frequency you are measuring, what is the quickest way to determine the frequency? Do you just widen the span and adjust the reference level as necessary to detect any weak signal?

When you lowered down the RBW, the noise floor dropped down. When the noise floor dropped down, what is its effect on the peak of the signal? Did it change as well or did it stay at the same reading?

How can we test nonlinearity of a spectrum analyzer for L1/L2 band?

I've been binge-watchingh some of your stuff lately, I'm a noob in RF and electronics. My question is can I get these kinds of adjustments (span, center freq., resolution bandwidth...) out of the FFT spectrum analyzers built into cheap scopes (say $500 to $750)?

How can you use a spectrum analyzer to measure CCTS? Somehow you can calculate the Crew Curve of the audio signal by knowing the resonance frequency and the speaker frequency start and stop range. I'm not sure what the crew curve is used for

Nice. maybe explain the zero span next to have power over time

what happens if you connect a spectrum analyzer in parallel?

I know its a cowboy way to do this but could I use a multi position switch to sample off (coupled to an unused port). Problem is the attenuation is unkown

Thanks for the good advice sir. Most appreciated.

hello people … need a honest help from the experts here … need to buy a used spectrum analyzer .. I have 2 in sight .. one is like the one AGILENT on the video, 7ghz like 12 years old, LCD COLOR model and also, same price, also 7ghz, LCD color too, rodhe@schawrz … I am located in USA … what brand do you think is wise to buy .. ? both are 7ghz range, both color LCD .. .more or less same specs .... expert comments are welcome ...!!

Hi, is there a certification we can get online for Spectrum Analyser Operations?

I bought my spectrum analyzer off of ebay by winning a bid for only $150, and it is a good one and not too old. Isn't a DC bloc simply a capacitor? Can i build a DC block and power reducer myself with a resistor in series with a capacitor connected to the correct jacks?
Frank
Frank Reiser Video/Audio Service

So, if I build a 2m Ham Radio at an output of the typical 5 W, I would use the external attenuator to reduce that input power (voltage) down to 0 V? How does a spectrum analyzer be designed to only handle a 0 V input when RF in the air is typically in the micovolts range (I do understand that wave forms above and below 0 V cancel themselves out to 0 V. Is that the theory here?)
Frank
Frank Reiser Video/Audio Service

That unit was made for CATV/MATV. Line amps are phantom powered at 60 volts and on 75 ohm coax.

Hi. Do you heave link for DC blocker 50R?

Its really useful video, it helped when i worked in a satellite station as a freshman

Just bought an Agilent E4411B and I wanted to know where you got the 75 ohms to 50 ohms Minimum Loss Pad. I have seen them cost 200-300 dollars and more. I'm on a budget. Oh BTW, great video. I am so glad I found it.

You are a great teacher. Thanks a lot for your dedication to teach.

Love your videos. I have a question on the video. I see you are using a 75 to 50 ohms pad. How does this effect the output? Also could you use the pad on say on a sweep generator? Thanks and keep up the great work.

Can this spectrum analyser detect GSM signal boosters? If yes... Please, explain and how it works. If no, please tell me the equipment for detecting GSM boosters in an environment. Thank you all for your input.

very informative
subscribed

I hope that you please will answer this question.
I can read that Spectrum Analyzer often goes from i.e. 9KHz and up, but what if I want to look at an audio signal at 22Hz?

Here is another good tip to avoid blowing it up, don't use is as a workshop broadcast receiver as one day you will go home for the weekend and leave the outside antenna connected and it takes a lightning strike. Great channel.

Hello. first of all, thanks a lot for your knowledge condivision about this amazing equipment as a SA is.
My question: a 75ohm input impedance equipment is suitable for learning or you misadvise to buy it to a beginner as I am. You are right when you say that you could get it as a really bargain, but due to it would be sure the first but the only one, I would like to buy something which could be useful at all, not only for some nice intelligence game and to leave it off for unsuitability at all.
Thanks.
Danilo

Brilliant information, after rf attenuation should the spectrum analyser proceed the osciioscope or doesnt it matter?
Cheers
Andrew

Great video!!

What do you think of using a general coverage HF receiver and modifying it with a swept VCO and also sending the output of the ramp generator to the horizontal input of an oscilloscope.  If not where can you get the RF/IF plug in lke you have thanks Jim KD7TU

give the all button information how to work?
how to use?