Video: What is a dB, dBm, dBc, etc., and their use in a Spectrum Analyzer - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: w2aew
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 23, 2014, 02:13:58 pm
content: This topic has been requested very often. This video describes what a decibel (dB) is, and what is meant by units such as dBm, dBu, dBmV, dBc, etc., and how these are used in a Spectrum Analyzer:

author: BravoV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 23, 2014, 02:43:04 pm
content: Great tutorial video as always.You're making this so painless and so effective, current new generation are so lucky. I wished this kind of video were there when I was trying to understand the dB.Btw, about that scope, is there any chance there are some spare unused one that you tucked somewhere ? I don't mind paying the premium shipping cost.

author: electronics man
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 23, 2014, 03:01:24 pm
content: briliant video, i was just watching it when you posted it on the forum. you do make it so easy, before i was confused as to how Dbm relates to watts but not now you have explained it, thanks W2AEW

author: KD0CAC John
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 23, 2014, 03:13:10 pm
content: You guys are double teaming on the drool factor , you and the signal path blog with the new 4000 .You need to lone me one of those also , I do not learn without repeated use of what I am taught!!!

author: ohmineer
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 23, 2014, 03:34:36 pm
content: Thanks for this excellent video. The way you teach some concepts is impressive.It is funny to see how simple they can be and how difficult made them some of my lecturers during my college years.

author: GreyWoolfe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 23, 2014, 11:44:11 pm
content: Most definitely clear as day instead of clear as mud. I agree with the other posters, you seem to have a knack of simplifying fairly difficult concepts and making them understandable by every one. Please keep up the good work and keep the videos coming.

author: w2aew
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 24, 2014, 12:35:00 am
content: Quote from: wilfred on March 24, 2014, 12:20:14 amYeah - I meant to say dB mu at that point. I added a short annotation to the video at that point. Sorry about that.I'm not sure why you paused - but the video has had a lot of hits over the last 10-12 hours, so maybe it was just traffic related.

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 24, 2014, 12:40:00 am
content: Quote from: wilfred on March 24, 2014, 12:20:14 amMy YouTube videos have been doing that a lot lately. I thought perhaps it was a background process in my computer doing it, but now you've mentioned it perhaps it is YouTube fiddling with their streaming algorithms. They've been making sorts of adjustments in recent months.

author: Technicial
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 24, 2014, 12:50:22 am
content: Great video. Now i want a spectrum analyzer hehe. Maybe i'll look up how to make one some time.

author: w2aew
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 24, 2014, 03:41:19 pm
content: Quote from: Technicial on March 24, 2014, 12:50:22 amThere are several plans on the internet showing how to make one using an old TV or VCR tuner. Here's a link to one such design:http://www.science-workshop.com/Also, one of Dave's recent videos where he visited a local ham radio club meeting/gathering, featured a completely homemade spectrum analyzer. Here's the link to that one:

author: Zh4ng
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 25, 2014, 08:29:27 pm
content: For me, the link towww.science-Workshop.comis down. I got a 403 Forbidden ?!Great Tutorial.... ThxZh4ng

author: w2aew
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 25, 2014, 10:34:47 pm
content: Quote from: Zh4ng on March 25, 2014, 08:29:27 pmMaybe it is some kind of a regional restriction? The link works for me (I just tried it).

author: HighVoltage
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 26, 2014, 10:26:18 am
content: I really enjoyed this straight forward explanation of units on a spectrum analyzer.Thanks for making these videos.One question I have, if it comes to SA:Why are so many of them have a minimum frequency of 9 kHzWhy not 10 or any other number?Probably is a simple explanation, that I do not see at the moment.

author: FrankenPC
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 26, 2014, 05:54:10 pm
content: The old saying is certainly true here: only an expert can sound like a beginner.Great video. It's a rough road on my way to understanding analog and RF electronics. You have really made that ride much smoother. Thanks.

author: Zh4ng
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 26, 2014, 08:19:42 pm
content: Quote from: w2aew on March 25, 2014, 10:34:47 pmDamned, way they block Germany.... or maybe the rest of the world..

author: enz
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 26, 2014, 11:13:34 pm
content: Quote from: Zh4ng on March 26, 2014, 08:19:42 pmSorry, but it works for me (also Germany). So it must be a problem on your side.

author: Zh4ng
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 29, 2014, 09:08:38 pm
content: Quote from: enz on March 26, 2014, 11:13:34 pmOk, it was the fucking google Proxy on Chrome Mobile....