Where are the "bargin" Signal Analyzers? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Wmacky
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2015, 12:47:42 am
content: Rigol, Siglent, and others have revolutionized the electronics hobbyist market with fantastic DSO's, and Function Generators below the $1000 mark as well as very serviceable starter units below $500. It seems that every "serious" hobbyist has at least one of each, yet Signal Analyzers still remain just out of reach for most. (new units). Are they that much more expensive to produce? What the hobby needs is a solid if limited stater unit in the below $800 range. I assume this just isn't going to happen. And, yes I know DSO's have the FFT function, but it's very very limited at 8 bits, and is pretty much useless for audio work, which is the interest of a great number of hobbyists. I'm also aware of the sound card units, but I'm specifically referring to a stand alone dedicated unit. The used market for the newer Rigol units is a dead end as a used one is as rare as hens teeth. Maybe it will take Owan to step up to the plate?

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2015, 02:16:58 am
content: The DSA815 is the flavour ATM, but you thoughts are not unrecognised.Siglent displayed a new model at Munich last year, which reminds me, I must to check on it's progress and projected release date.Might come back with an edit.

author: FrankenPC
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 12, 2015, 03:21:02 am
content: There's some really interesting signal analyzers out there on Ebay. Stuff that cost the GDP of a small country when they were first made now cost under a grand.

author: nowlan
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2015, 12:35:05 pm
content: I didn't think SA went down to audio, i must be confusing for something else.Rigol 815 = 9 kHz to 1.5 GHz Frequency Range.I too am surprised they arent more affordable.http://rfexplorer.com/https://www.signalhound.com/products/usb-sa44b/Was wondering if HackRF might be cheaper option via pc. $299.10 MHz to 6 GHz operating frequencyTenma make some 1G SA, but still around $1,000.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 12, 2015, 01:08:07 pm
content: What type of signal analyser are you talking about?A low frequency dynamic signal analyser?or a wider range network analyser?

author: nixfu
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 12, 2015, 01:38:58 pm
content: The Rigol DS815 at less than $1500 US is starting to open up a whole new market at the lower cost for Spectrum Analyzers.Suddenly even those old HP SA's with the analog screens don't look like such a great value at $1500, when you can just buy a new Rigol for the same or less than those old used gear costs now.It will take some time, but eventually the cost will come down.When Rigol comes out with their next generation, it will probably be better and cheaper, and then the older one will possibly be found for even cheaper after that.Maybe someone else in the low end device market like Owan or someone will come out with a device to compete with Rigol and also bring the market closer to the hobbyist.It will happen eventually. I expect a decent SA for less than $1000, from Rigol or someone will happen sooner than later. Then it will finally be something more of us hobbyists can put on the bench.

author: Wmacky
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2015, 02:02:53 pm
content: Quote from: EEVblog on March 12, 2015, 01:08:07 pmDave - I guess a lower Freq dynamic unit that covers audio, and then goes as high as a bargain unit would allow.As for the older units, I have a old Tektronics oscilloscope that one of the channels has gone out, so I don't want to spent $1000 on a old unit. I'd rather have a new bargain unit!The $1500 Rigol unit aren't quite there. We need them themto release one that is the SA equivalent to the revolutionary 1052E !!!!

author: f5r5e5d
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2015, 02:11:39 pm
content: "prosumer" soundcards that do 96 or 192k sample rate give more resolution/$ than any other tech in the audio bandwidth - free sw for soundcards does a lot, more powerful signal analysis sw is relatively cheapthe Analog Discovery14 bit/100Ms may be a hobby level "bridge" part getting you to a MHz EEVblog 692

author: dom0
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2015, 02:13:03 pm
content: I don't think there is a real market for such an analyzer... for audio work just an SA or SNA is not very attractive. You'll either use your sound card or a real audio analyzer...Quote from: Wmacky on March 12, 2015, 02:02:53 pmAs I said, there is no real use for a SA in the kHz or lower MHz range. It just doesn't make a lot of sense. Or, asking the other way around: what do you want to do that you think you need a SA in that range?

author: Wmacky
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2015, 02:22:05 pm
content: Quote from: nowlan on March 12, 2015, 12:35:05 pmI actually have a RFexplorer. It's pretty nifty for a portable, but I need a more robust unit. AS for PC solutions. Naaaaaa. I tried a PC external bandscope (kinda of SA like) for my ham radio, and never got it to work well. The recommended sound card had driver, and Win capability issues. It was a big headache, and waste of money. I'd rather have a well priced Rigol / Siglent solution.Edit. As I'm fairly new to test equipment, I really wasn't aware that SA's didn't normally range down to audio frequencies. Ive' read of them being used for audio, and assumed these were standard models?

author: necessaryevil
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2015, 04:42:55 pm
content: Isn't it a possibility to use a frequency upconverter and a spectrum analyzer?

author: Wmacky
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2015, 02:19:18 am
content: Perhaps I spoke to soon? These seem to be available brand new for $620. Surely this would suffice for hobby used?

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2015, 02:32:52 am
content: Quote from: dom0 on March 12, 2015, 02:13:03 pmAn audio analyzer is/should be an LF spectrum analyser. If you work on audio a lot it can be helpful to analyse distortion, bandwidth and phase/frequency plots.

author: Kilrah
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 14, 2015, 05:50:52 am
content: Quote from: Wmacky on March 14, 2015, 02:19:18 amHmm frankly I'm pretty sure my 6G Combo RF Explorer SA and Siggen pair have more capability and flexibility than this thing... and for about the same price. Really impressed by these units.

author: dom0
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2015, 09:10:40 am
content: Quote from: nctnico on March 14, 2015, 02:32:52 amNa, most analog AAs work with a good (or two for IMD tests) notch filters and a level meter for the residual. Not to imply there were no LF SAs, but they were few in number (for example HP 3580A/3581A) and it's harder to calculate THD(+N), IMD etc. with those things.Digital AAs are essentially reference-grad ADCs + DACs or an analog source plus some nice software and proper input circuitry (protection, attn, amplifiers).That HAMEG thing that you got over there is not a Hameg design at all and developed and manufactured by some Chinese vendor and is not a great analyzer iirc.

author: Andy2
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2015, 03:20:11 pm
content: Quote from: Wmacky on March 14, 2015, 02:19:18 amThat would be OK if all you wanted to do was have a casual look around for spurii, interference, harmonics etc, but with a min RBW of 20KHz (as far as I can see) it would be of no use whatsoever for sweeping narrow filters or doing other 'close in' work.

author: Wmacky
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2015, 04:25:00 pm
content: Ok, then. Perhaps I should forget about such a piece of test gear for now. I'm putting together a hobbyist test bench, and I just thought it would be a nice thing to have when needed, and hoped it could possible teach me some things too. (hands on you know) I currently have this 339A on my bench, and I guess I should just be happy with that.

author: Wmacky
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2015, 04:32:41 pm
content: Quote from: Kilrah on March 14, 2015, 05:50:52 amYes I have the 6G combo too, but had used it strictly for RC debugging. Your user name is familiar. Do you do R/C, Drones, or Fpv piloting?

author: Kilrah
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 14, 2015, 09:54:03 pm
content: Yup, likely meI've been quite active on the RFE thread on RCG since the 6G unit came out, reported a few bugs.

author: Thomas
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2015, 10:07:59 pm
content: That's a nice instrument, looks to be in good shape

author: coflynn
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2015, 01:01:49 am
content: It's not as useful as a SA, but I've got a VNWA which works great for most of my basic VNA needs (checking amplifiers, filters, etc). Seehttp://sdr-kits.net/VNWA3_Description.html.Beyond measurements, it's a wonderful tool for learning/teaching about RF stuff. If you are setting up a bench with a strong interest in experimenting for the purposes of learning more about higher-frequency circuits I highly recommend it! There's a very active Yahoo group specific to that instrument too.

author: cdev
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2015, 03:12:44 am
content: I am surprised that nobody has pointed this out yet. A $10 RTL2832U/R820T (or R820T2) DVB-T dongle - as cheap as $8 on ebay - plus shipping, or around $10 shipped, can act as a poor persons wide band receiver and spectrum analyzer, to a point. People have used them to replace some fairly high end equipment, and generally do a subset of what the high end equipment can do "for a fraction of the cost".Some people have designed software to use them that way. Also, the Linrad software (http://SM5BSZ.com)seems to be designed to offer a fairly high precision measurement capability with an SDR. Personally, using cheap DVB hardware Ive been able to receive and to some extent "measure" (but with the caveat that it is a very cheap piece of consumer electronics that has its drawbacks) However they can, with the caveat that one needs to connect to unused pins 4+5 on a QFN chip- do signals from slightly above DC to around 2200 MHz. Gnuradio has a spectrum analyzer widget- They will also "direct sample"down way below AM BCB. .Seehttps://sdr.osmocom.org/trac/wiki/rtl-sdrandhttps://sdr.osmocom.org/trac/wiki/gr-osmosdr

author: Wim_L
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2015, 03:32:20 am
content: Quote from: Wmacky on March 12, 2015, 02:22:05 pmThey are. The cheap ones (read: barely affordable for most hobbyists) tend to have a lower limit of several kHz. The expensive toys often have a lower limit of a few Hz, while still going up to several GHz. Useful from audio to microwave.

author: nixxon
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 16, 2015, 10:52:42 pm
content: How about the Rigol DS1000E series scope and the.wfm viewerby 4-post-memberdexter2048?https://www.eevblog.com/forum/chat/using-rigol-ds1052e-for-spectrum-analysis/I have not used the program myself, but someone at hackaday liked it:http://hackaday.com/2012/10/10/giving-the-rygol-ds1052e-scope-a-spectrum-analyzer/"rygol"