RF Technician - Ultimate Diagnostics Backpack - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / rf-microwave

author: 7685Ontario
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: September 24, 2025, 12:38:41 am
content: So here's a look inside my current sanity project.I apologize in advance, this is gonna be irrational and messy... lolThe General Goal::- To make & develop a portable custom spectrucm RF diagnostic scanner built inside a tool backpack.What I Have Done (aside from putting network tools in a backpack)::- 12v SLA / Solar Charge Controller / BT BMS / R-pi4 / SDR input.- WebServer / WiFi SSID / OpenWebRX Server / ".sh" bash script to perform ~》a systematic scan of whatever frequency range available or chosen, break into peak values of dbmV, process into visual heat map, then email myself the resulting information after its compiled. / a tree for index.html so that the local bash can be triggered by php handle.- Wire RG6 "F" coax for Hitron Meter in&out / RG6 SDR wiring with option for collapsible antenna or RF "F" RG6 / DC 15-24V input for charge / switched DC 12-5V power for pi / power tap 12VDC for charge of Hitron Meter.Future Goals ::- LTE or GSM connection with StaticDUN SIM for port forwarding server to net.- Android Java app development for trigger of said html-php exploit via external ipv4.- Translate hex broadcast of BT advertising data for BMS so no 3rdP app needed anymore.Current Hurdles ::- realtek USB driver compatibility for Bullseye 11. I want a USB WiFi connection to connect the pi wirelessly for updates & programming. I currently must connect that by eth0 for now.- Would like to use my Hitron DOCSIS meter for the setup somehow, it does have built in WiFi & eth DHCP, but the eth is realisticly only a server side connection for non app use, does have WiFi but again gotta get the app sniffed to figure a way in through the pi.So,, yeah,, welcome to my brain.... lol

author: shabaz
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2025, 01:33:29 am
content: I don't understand the purpose. But, seems to me it would all be far tidier with a more traditional tool bag or case, because it's out of place drilling holes in rucksacks for connectors and switches. It looks incongruous so no-one will understand it. Maybe you don't need others to understand it. It plays to 'weird nerd' stereotypes rather than 'engineer going about his business'. Coiled CAT5 on the outside looks like an Indiana Jones type thing. With some bags, with a flap to cover everything (or even like a satchel, or think soldier's backpack radio type of thing that you might see in a movie) you could simply put your electronics in a box, and lift the flap to access the controls.P.s. I don't mean it just for the sake of criticism; but I do think that now you've got experience about the type of space you need for tools, cabling, electronics etc., what worked and what didn't, it could be redone in a 2.0 version (if it's of use/interest).

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2025, 01:42:29 am
content: If I had to do this, I would pay for some movers to bring one of those good 500lb benches out by where I am workingI started getting allergic to that kind of work that the back pack might involvebetter yet, get a flat bed and move your ham shack over. with the refrigerator

author: 7685Ontario
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: September 24, 2025, 01:42:52 am
content: Nice n snarky.. Let's set some stuff straight.That's not CAT cable or even twisted pair BTW. I also don't remember asking how you would use it, or what you would use it for.I do use it in my job every day, which involves RF spectrum diagnosis. Kinda useful to just hook up, and click one button for a full diagnosis.Please, tell me more about what you don't know about such things or their usage..

author: fourfathom
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2025, 02:16:31 am
content: Quote from: 7685Ontario on September 24, 2025, 01:42:52 amSo please tell us more about your day job -- what kind of spectrum diagnostics and for what purpose?When I think of backpack RF Tech, I'm thinking about laptop, nanoVNA, tinySA, cables, adaptors, attenuators, DVMs, etc. Or possibly a more sophisticated portable SA. But it appears that you are trying to do something different?

author: 7685Ontario
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: September 24, 2025, 02:26:34 am
content: I have a van full of that stuff.I'm one of those crazy fellas (and occasional miss), who dabbles atop utility poles, coercing the electron souls & photon farries into your router (I pipe businesses and industry, not houses BTW). I will need a different 75% assortment of the tools in that bag for every call, up to 10 a day.So I need to know dbmV for freq of 200mHz - 1.8gHz & process the digital information packets on each channel in between. Also judge ingress and spectrum stability. I also have a duty to pipe them electron souls into an occasional PBX from the 70s @ low volt AC...Let's note as well that this is not, or does not include the optical side of things, mainly 1490λ...

author: fourfathom
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2025, 06:22:06 am
content: Quote from: 7685Ontario on September 24, 2025, 02:26:34 amThat's all very poetic, but it sounds like you already know what you need. But if you want advice I think you will have to get a bit more specific.And "spectrum stability" measurements in the outside plant??? If you have stability issues you need to look closer to the source (or else I don't understand what you are doing). I used to design optical networking gear (SONET) and that certainly needs a different toolkit than RF and copper transmission modes.FWIW, SignalHound makes some useful portable SAs with decent RF modulation constellation measurement capabilities.

author: 7685Ontario
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 05, 2025, 01:29:15 pm
content: Yes, Spectrum stability.These days there isn't always one plant. If you ONT or ONU node off a fiber you make your own RF plant onsite.And stability matters outside the broadcast plant. Or you must never of had to find why a hospital goes offline every so often for no reason, just to use such a tool to find some idiot places a cheap electric Hot Tub Spa over your buried drop and the custom transformer windings weren't a planned 60htz or another logical frequency and it's harmonics killed the RF drop whenever the heater and motor went outta phase with each other...But yeah,, let's armchair this till you understand I don't need your logic on how to use something useful.

author: fourfathom
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 05, 2025, 02:31:28 pm
content: Quote from: 7685Ontario on October 05, 2025, 01:29:15 pmSo it appears that you already know what you need in order to do the job, whatever that might actually be. Excellent! Sorry I couldn't read your mind.

author: Poroit
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 06, 2025, 08:14:31 am
content: G'day 7685Ontario,I like the concept and could see where it would be most useful.Remote Telemetry systems, Channel Marker Buoys which can have 4G & UHF (attached) etc.