Potential Elecraft Kit

classic Classic list List threaded Threaded
21 messages Options
12
Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Potential Elecraft Kit

Wayne Reed
Gang,
    One of the insturments I always wanted for home use was a spectrum analyzer.  Nice to have sound card analyzers with software and all, but a real rf analyzer in a small, functional package would be sooooo great.  With some careful trade off decisions it might even be affordable!  The display is a big headache if you don't have a good Oscope handy but a creative designer [or two] might be able to do the job.  I suppose it would not have the broad appeal of a K1, 2 or even a very compact antenna tuner, but it might appeal to a few hundred hams and others who do bench work.
Wayne
K9NE
Yes, I know about the projects already on the web, but how many of you have actually rounded up all the stuff to build that one?
_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
 http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft   

Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com

Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Potential Elecraft Kit

W5RCM - Ron
Shouldn't be too hard to even have it use a PC as a display, much like the sound card analyzers and PC-based oscilloscopes do, and that should help keep costs down.

Count me in!
--
72, Ron McDowell - W5RCM / ZS1MCD
w5rcm at volente dot us
Austin TX / Hermanus ZA


On 12 Apr 2005 19:43:35 -0500, [Wayne Reed <[hidden email]>] wrote:
Gang,
    One of the insturments I always wanted for home use was a spectrum analyzer.  Nice to have sound card analyzers with software and all, but a real rf analyzer in a small, functional package would be sooooo great.  With some careful trade off decisions it might even be affordable!  The display is a big headache if you don't have a good Oscope handy but a creative designer [or two] might be able to do the job.  I suppose it would not have the broad appeal of a K1, 2 or even a very compact antenna tuner, but it might appeal to a few hundred hams and others who do bench work.
Wayne
K9NE
Yes, I know about the projects already on the web, but how many of you have actually rounded up all the stuff to build that one?
_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
 http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft   

Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com



_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
 http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft   

Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com

Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Potential Elecraft Kit: Spectrum Analyzer, Specs?

Bob -  W5BIG
In reply to this post by Wayne Reed
Hi Wayne,

That's sounds very interesting.

What frequency range and resolution would you like to have in the spectrum
analyzer?
What dynamic range is required for it to be useful?
Other specification....?

73/ Bob - W5BIG


----- Original Message -----
From: "Wayne Reed" <[hidden email]>
To: <[hidden email]>
Sent: Tuesday, April 12, 2005 7:43 PM
Subject: [Elecraft] Potential Elecraft Kit


Gang,
    One of the insturments I always wanted for home use was a spectrum
analyzer.  Nice to have sound card analyzers with software and all, but a
real rf analyzer in a small, functional package would be sooooo great.  With
some careful trade off decisions it might even be affordable!  The display
is a big headache if you don't have a good Oscope handy but a creative
designer [or two] might be able to do the job.  I suppose it would not have
the broad appeal of a K1, 2 or even a very compact antenna tuner, but it
might appeal to a few hundred hams and others who do bench work.
Wayne
K9NE
Yes, I know about the projects already on the web, but how many of you have
actually rounded up all the stuff to build that one?


_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
 http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft   

Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com

Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Potential Elecraft Kit

N8LP
In reply to this post by W5RCM - Ron
There are a couple sources for boards for the W7ZOI spectrum analyzer
project that ran in QST some years back. Also, for about $500-700 on
eBay you can get a used HP or Tek SA that will blow the doors off an
inexpensive kit version. If you do a lot of RF design work, it's a must.
The two most useful pieces of rf test gear I have ever bought are an
HP-8640B signal generator and Tektronix 7L14 spectrum analyzer...
together they were less than a decently outfitted K2.

Larry N8LP



Ron McDowell - W5RCM / ZS1MCD wrote:

>Shouldn't be too hard to even have it use a PC as a display, much like the sound card analyzers and PC-based oscilloscopes do, and that should help keep costs down.
>
>Count me in!
>--
>72, Ron McDowell - W5RCM / ZS1MCD
>w5rcm at volente dot us
>Austin TX / Hermanus ZA
>
>
>On 12 Apr 2005 19:43:35 -0500, [Wayne Reed <[hidden email]>] wrote:
>Gang,
>    One of the insturments I always wanted for home use was a spectrum analyzer.  Nice to have sound card analyzers with software and all, but a real rf analyzer in a small, functional package would be sooooo great.  With some careful trade off decisions it might even be affordable!  The display is a big headache if you don't have a good Oscope handy but a creative designer [or two] might be able to do the job.  I suppose it would not have the broad appeal of a K1, 2 or even a very compact antenna tuner, but it might appeal to a few hundred hams and others who do bench work.
>Wayne
>K9NE
>Yes, I know about the projects already on the web, but how many of you have actually rounded up all the stuff to build that one?
>_______________________________________________
>Elecraft mailing list
>Post to: [hidden email]
>You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
>Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft   
>
>Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
>Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
>
>
>
>_______________________________________________
>Elecraft mailing list
>Post to: [hidden email]
>You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
>Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft   
>
>Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
>Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
>
>
>  
>
_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
 http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft   

Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com

Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Potential Elecraft Kit

G3VVT
In reply to this post by Wayne Reed
 
In a message dated 13/04/05 01:44:15 GMT Daylight Time,  
[hidden email] writes:

One of  the insturments I always wanted for home use was a spectrum analyzer.
  Nice to have sound card analyzers with software and all, but a real rf  
analyzer in a small, functional package would be sooooo great.  With some  
careful trade off decisions it might even be affordable!  The display is  a big
headache if you don't have a good Oscope handy but a creative designer  [or two]
might be able to do the job.  I suppose it would not have the  broad appeal of
a K1, 2 or even a very compact antenna tuner, but it might  appeal to a few
hundred hams and others who do bench  work.
Wayne
K9NE
Yes, I know about the projects already on the web,  but how many of you have
actually rounded up all the stuff to build that  one?



--------------------------------------------------
 
Al Helfrick, K2BLA did a series of articles in the 1980's on just such an  
idea. The one published in "RF Design", January 1988 had a 3 chip  design for
use with a cheap general purpose oscilloscope and was based on  the MC3356 chip
as the heart of the project.
 
In November 1989, "Radcom" published an article by Roger, G4PMK that  
expanded on Al's ideas with a practical version that would cover 1 - 90MHz with  a
logarithmic display, 50dB dynamic range and a built in marker generator. The  
MC3356 converts the incoming 1 - 90MHz up to 145Mz where a Toko helical filter  
provides some selectivity. Is then down converted to 10.7 IF with an NE602, at
 which point the main selectivity is achieved with filters. The  clever bit
after this is the use of the second section of  the MC3356 chip to provide a
logarithmic IF and detector. A kits of parts  and a PCBs were offered at the
time so one was  built. My basic analyser covers up to 97 MHz and have extended
the  range with external converters up to the 70cm UHF band. Believe the MC3356
 chip is now obsolete so could be difficult to replicate.
 
A handy tool for tracking down RF spurii and interference problems within  
it's capability. Commercial small spectrum analysers tend still to command a  
premium price on the surplus market and the main that are available  tend to be
large and heavy. I have such a one, the HP 141T/8554B combination.  Can make
your eyes bulge carrying the instrument, but still has a good  performance
considering it's age. This was our instrument of choice up to  recent years with
the HP 8555A plug in for maintaining analog microwave  systems. For my own
personal use at home tend to use the homebuilt device  first and only pull out the
HP 141T when circumstances force me to.
 
Noticed a more recent design offered at a hamfest last year that  covered up
to 500MHz or more with what appeared to be a cable TV tuner at  the front end.
There are probably other built and kit versions of these  spectrum analyser
adapters available in the market.
 
Bob, G3VVT
_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
 http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft   

Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com

Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Potential Elecraft Kit

Stewart Baker
On Wed, 13 Apr 2005 02:50:19 EDT, [hidden email] wrote:
> In November 1989, "Radcom" published an article by Roger, G4PMK that  
>
> expanded on Al's ideas with a practical version that would cover 1 - 90MHz
> with  a
> logarithmic display, 50dB dynamic range and a built in marker generator.

I built one of these simple spectrum analysers, and it works well within it's
design spec, however I find that I don't use it. This is because of the Wide
Resolution Bandwidth, it is OK for harmonics and widely spaced spurious, but for
in-close (<50kHz) measurements it does not cope.

With DDS and support chips now available at reasonable prices it should be
possible to produce a performance spectrum analyser (including good IF
filtering) at a modest cost. How about it Elecraft ?

73
Stewart G3RXQ

_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
 http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft   

Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com

Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Potential Elecraft Kit

g4ilo-2
In reply to this post by Wayne Reed
If Elecraft is going to get into making kits for more sophisticated test
equipment, I'd like to see an antenna analyzer. The MFJ ones are
ridiculously overpriced over here, and it's not practical to bypass
rip-off UK dealers and buy direct because MFJ levy a deliberately
inflated international shipping charge. Besides, I'm sure an Elecraft
product would be higher quality.

73,
--
Julian, G4ILO
G4ILO's Shack: http://www.tech-pro.net/g4ilo

Stewart Baker <[hidden email]> wrote:

I built one of these simple spectrum analysers, and it works well within
it's
design spec, however I find that I don't use it. This is because of the Wide
Resolution Bandwidth, it is OK for harmonics and widely spaced spurious,
but for
in-close (<50kHz) measurements it does not cope.

With DDS and support chips now available at reasonable prices it should be
possible to produce a performance spectrum analyser (including good IF
filtering) at a modest cost. How about it Elecraft ?

_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
 http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft   

Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com

Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Potential Elecraft Kit

N8LP
TAPR has a nice VNA project going, www.tapr.org... it was featured in a
July/August QEX. They are also going to offer it assembled I think thru
Ten-Tec. It does a lot more than an antenna analyzer to boot, but
requires a computer so is not portable. It does all the complex
impedance measurements, but since it has its own DDS signal source, it
can also display gain/loss type measurements, differential phase and
gain error, etc.

Larry N8LP



Julian, G4ILO wrote:

> If Elecraft is going to get into making kits for more sophisticated
> test equipment, I'd like to see an antenna analyzer. The MFJ ones are
> ridiculously overpriced over here, and it's not practical to bypass
> rip-off UK dealers and buy direct because MFJ levy a deliberately
> inflated international shipping charge. Besides, I'm sure an Elecraft
> product would be higher quality.
>
> 73,

_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
 http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft   

Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com

Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

RE: Potential Elecraft Kit

Sander Wissing-2
In reply to this post by g4ilo-2
I would second the Antenna Analyzer.  I have an MFJ unit, but it really
can't be difficult to design a better unit.  My requirements are as follows:

- I don't care for portability (Although the Elecraft one would likely
be small and portable anyway)
- The ability to calibrate out a certain piece of feedline.
- PC control, reporting
- Frequency sweeps, with graphing (on PC), sweep PC controlled
- Did I mention PC control?
- Preferably standard RS232 comms, to facilitate developing new
software.
- Freq range up to 145 MHz (2m) at leas, pref to 500MHz.
- OH, and PC control

Cheers!

73 de ZR6SW


-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Julian, G4ILO
Sent: 13 April 2005 13:28
To: Elecraft List
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Potential Elecraft Kit

If Elecraft is going to get into making kits for more sophisticated test
equipment, I'd like to see an antenna analyzer. The MFJ ones are
ridiculously overpriced over here, and it's not practical to bypass
rip-off UK dealers and buy direct because MFJ levy a deliberately
inflated international shipping charge. Besides, I'm sure an Elecraft
product would be higher quality.

73,
--
Julian, G4ILO
G4ILO's Shack: http://www.tech-pro.net/g4ilo

Stewart Baker <[hidden email]> wrote:

I built one of these simple spectrum analysers, and it works well within
it's
design spec, however I find that I don't use it. This is because of the Wide
Resolution Bandwidth, it is OK for harmonics and widely spaced spurious,
but for
in-close (<50kHz) measurements it does not cope.

With DDS and support chips now available at reasonable prices it should be
possible to produce a performance spectrum analyser (including good IF
filtering) at a modest cost. How about it Elecraft ?

_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
 http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft   

Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com


--
No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.
Version: 7.0.308 / Virus Database: 266.9.7 - Release Date: 12/04/2005


_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
 http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft   

Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com

Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Potential Elecraft Kit

Robert McGwier
In reply to this post by N8LP
May I suggest that people consider the N2PK Vector Network Analyzer.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/N2PK-VNA/

So far, I think it is a better design and is cheaper.

Bob
N4HY


Larry Phipps wrote:

> TAPR has a nice VNA project going, www.tapr.org... it was featured in
> a July/August QEX. They are also going to offer it assembled I think
> thru Ten-Tec. It does a lot more than an antenna analyzer to boot, but
> requires a computer so is not portable. It does all the complex
> impedance measurements, but since it has its own DDS signal source, it
> can also display gain/loss type measurements, differential phase and
> gain error, etc.
>
> Larry N8LP
>
>
>
> Julian, G4ILO wrote:
>
>> If Elecraft is going to get into making kits for more sophisticated
>> test equipment, I'd like to see an antenna analyzer. The MFJ ones are
>> ridiculously overpriced over here, and it's not practical to bypass
>> rip-off UK dealers and buy direct because MFJ levy a deliberately
>> inflated international shipping charge. Besides, I'm sure an Elecraft
>> product would be higher quality.
>>
>> 73,
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Post to: [hidden email]
> You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
> Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft   
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
> Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
>
>


_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
 http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft   

Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com

Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Potential Elecraft Kit

N8LP
I have one and it's great, definitely better than the tapr one... but I
didn't mention it because the project is currently closed unless you are
willing to take one of a handful of left over boards, which require
installation of some mighty small SMD parts. The original project had
those parts already installed.

They may get another one going, but it was a lot of work and I wouldn't
count on it. There's also a VNA project underway in Italy, but I can't
recall the details.

Larry N8LP


Robert McGwier wrote:

> May I suggest that people consider the N2PK Vector Network Analyzer.
>
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/N2PK-VNA/
>
> So far, I think it is a better design and is cheaper.
>
> Bob
> N4HY
>
>
> Larry Phipps wrote:
>
>> TAPR has a nice VNA project going, www.tapr.org... it was featured in
>> a July/August QEX. They are also going to offer it assembled I think
>> thru Ten-Tec. It does a lot more than an antenna analyzer to boot,
>> but requires a computer so is not portable. It does all the complex
>> impedance measurements, but since it has its own DDS signal source,
>> it can also display gain/loss type measurements, differential phase
>> and gain error, etc.
>>
>> Larry N8LP
>>
>>
>>
>> Julian, G4ILO wrote:
>>
>>> If Elecraft is going to get into making kits for more sophisticated
>>> test equipment, I'd like to see an antenna analyzer. The MFJ ones
>>> are ridiculously overpriced over here, and it's not practical to
>>> bypass rip-off UK dealers and buy direct because MFJ levy a
>>> deliberately inflated international shipping charge. Besides, I'm
>>> sure an Elecraft product would be higher quality.
>>>
>>> 73,
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
>> Post to: [hidden email]
>> You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
>> Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
>> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft   Help:
>> http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
>> Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
>>
>>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Post to: [hidden email]
> You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
> Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft   
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
> Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
>
>
_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
 http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft   

Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com

Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Potential Elecraft Kit

Stewart Baker
On Wed, 13 Apr 2005 09:28:56 -0400, Larry Phipps wrote:
> They may get another one going, but it was a lot of work and I wouldn't
> count on it. There's also a VNA project underway in Italy, but I can't
> recall the details.

The Italian VNA project is at
http://www.qsl.net/iw3hev/Antenna%20Analyzer%201.8-60%20MHz-Eng.htm

After much internal debate, mainly because of available time, I have placed an
order for a built one (shame!). I will let the group know how it performs when I
get it.

73
Stewart G3RXQ

_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
 http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft   

Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com

Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Potential Elecraft Kit

N8LP
This looks like a nice little analyzer. I have used the AD8302 and it
does a decent job within its 60 dB range limitation, which should be
enough for most measurements. Since it has its own oscillator, I assume
the levels are permanently set to maximize dynamic range. Note that it
is a one port device, however, so it can't measure DUT input vs. output
parameters such as gain and phase and other parameters between input and
output.

Larry N8LP



Stewart Baker wrote:

>On Wed, 13 Apr 2005 09:28:56 -0400, Larry Phipps wrote:
>  
>
>>They may get another one going, but it was a lot of work and I wouldn't
>>count on it. There's also a VNA project underway in Italy, but I can't
>>recall the details.
>>    
>>
>
>The Italian VNA project is at
>http://www.qsl.net/iw3hev/Antenna%20Analyzer%201.8-60%20MHz-Eng.htm
>
>After much internal debate, mainly because of available time, I have placed an
>order for a built one (shame!). I will let the group know how it performs when I
>get it.
>
>73
>Stewart G3RXQ
>
>
>.
>
>  
>
_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
 http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft   

Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com

Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Potential Elecraft Kit

Stewart Baker
On Wed, 13 Apr 2005 12:06:59 -0400, Larry Phipps wrote:
> Note that it
>
> is a one port device, however, so it can't measure DUT input vs. output
> parameters such as gain and phase and other parameters between input and
> output.

There is a mod that permits 2 port i.e transmission measurements to be made.

73
Stewart G3RXQ

_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
 http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft   

Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com

Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Potential Elecraft Kit

N8LP

Thanks Stewart, I missed that... the website was exceedingly slow here
and I got tired of waiting for the manual to download. That makes it
definitely worth a look, especially at that price. I love the N2PK, but
it's a bit slow and needs better software... but for detailed
measurements it's awesome.

Larry N8LP



Stewart Baker wrote:

>On Wed, 13 Apr 2005 12:06:59 -0400, Larry Phipps wrote:
>  
>
>>Note that it
>>
>>is a one port device, however, so it can't measure DUT input vs. output
>>parameters such as gain and phase and other parameters between input and
>>output.
>>    
>>
>
>There is a mod that permits 2 port i.e transmission measurements to be made.
>
>73
>Stewart G3RXQ
>
>
>.
>
>  
>
_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
 http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft   

Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com

Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Potential Elecraft Kit

Daems Johan
In reply to this post by Wayne Reed
Julian, G4ILO wrote:

>If Elecraft is going to get into making kits for more sophisticated test
>equipment, I'd like to see an antenna analyzer.

Here is a nice one if you are looking for a kit.
73, Johan on4aeb
http://www.amqrp.org/kits/kits.html



_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
 http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft   

Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com

Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Potential Elecraft Kit

John, KI6WX
In reply to this post by W5RCM - Ron
One of the problems with designing and selling kits is the production
volume.  Will enough of the kits be sold to justify the cost of developing
the product.  I don't know if there is enough demand in amateur radio to
justify the development cost of a spectrum analyzer.

Let me state the design specifications of a hypothetical high-performance
HF-VHF spectrum analyzer that could be developed as a kit that would retail
for $500.  To keep the cost down, the analyzer would use a PC for control
and display; the control of the RF portion would be done through a USB
interface.  The parts to do this design are available today - no great
invention is required.

Specifications
Frequency coverage:  100 kHz to 160 MHz
Resolution bandwidth: 100 kHz to 1 Hz
Video bandwidth: 10 kHz to <1 Hz
Dynamic range:  >80 dB
Power measurement error: <1 dB
Maximum sweep speed:  10 MHz/second
Maximum input power: +20 dBm
Input noise figure: <20 dB
Windows software included for control, display, printing and saving data;
user supplies the PC.

Option for $150
Tracking generator to make instrument into scalar network analyzer

It would take about a person-year of effort to design the hardware, write
the software, and create manuals.  However, I think you would only sell
about a hundred units per year.  That makes the development cost too high to
justify the effort.

-John
 KI6WX

>
>
> Gang,
>    One of the insturments I always wanted for home use was a spectrum
> analyzer.  Nice to have sound card analyzers with software and all, but a
> real rf analyzer in a small, functional package would be sooooo great.
> With some careful trade off decisions it might even be affordable!  The
> display is a big headache if you don't have a good Oscope handy but a
> creative designer [or two] might be able to do the job.  I suppose it
> would not have the broad appeal of a K1, 2 or even a very compact antenna
> tuner, but it might appeal to a few hundred hams and others who do bench
> work.
> Wayne
> K9NE
> Yes, I know about the projects already on the web, but how many of you
> have actually rounded up all the stuff to build that one?


_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
 http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft   

Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com

Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

RE: Potential Elecraft Kit

n6wg
In reply to this post by N8LP
Actually, Larry, the Italian VNA can be used for filters, etc.  On the
analyzer web site,
Davide posted info on adding a second BNC fitting to provide IN and OUT
ports
for this purpose.

I finally got my unit working.  Thought there was a problem with it, but it
turned
out to be in my laptop instead.  I'll be making that mod in my unit.

73, Bob N6WG

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]]On Behalf Of Larry Phipps
Sent: Wednesday, April 13, 2005 9:07 AM
Cc: Elecraft List
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Potential Elecraft Kit


This looks like a nice little analyzer. I have used the AD8302 and it
does a decent job within its 60 dB range limitation, which should be
enough for most measurements. Since it has its own oscillator, I assume
the levels are permanently set to maximize dynamic range. Note that it
is a one port device, however, so it can't measure DUT input vs. output
parameters such as gain and phase and other parameters between input and
output.

Larry N8LP



Stewart Baker wrote:

>On Wed, 13 Apr 2005 09:28:56 -0400, Larry Phipps wrote:
>
>
>>They may get another one going, but it was a lot of work and I wouldn't
>>count on it. There's also a VNA project underway in Italy, but I can't
>>recall the details.
>>
>>
>
>The Italian VNA project is at
>http://www.qsl.net/iw3hev/Antenna%20Analyzer%201.8-60%20MHz-Eng.htm
>
>After much internal debate, mainly because of available time, I have placed
an
>order for a built one (shame!). I will let the group know how it performs
when I

>get it.
>
>73
>Stewart G3RXQ
>
>
>.
>
>
>
_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
 http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft

Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com

_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
 http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft   

Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com

Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Potential Elecraft Kit

N8LP
Yes, that was pointed out to me later. It looks like a useful device,
and if the software is good might be worth it to have in addition to the
N2PK, especially at the price.

Larry N8LP



Robert Tellefsen wrote:

>Actually, Larry, the Italian VNA can be used for filters, etc.  On the
>analyzer web site,
>Davide posted info on adding a second BNC fitting to provide IN and OUT
>ports
>for this purpose.
>
>I finally got my unit working.  Thought there was a problem with it, but it
>turned
>out to be in my laptop instead.  I'll be making that mod in my unit.
>
>73, Bob N6WG
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: [hidden email]
>[mailto:[hidden email]]On Behalf Of Larry Phipps
>Sent: Wednesday, April 13, 2005 9:07 AM
>Cc: Elecraft List
>Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Potential Elecraft Kit
>
>
>This looks like a nice little analyzer. I have used the AD8302 and it
>does a decent job within its 60 dB range limitation, which should be
>enough for most measurements. Since it has its own oscillator, I assume
>the levels are permanently set to maximize dynamic range. Note that it
>is a one port device, however, so it can't measure DUT input vs. output
>parameters such as gain and phase and other parameters between input and
>output.
>
>Larry N8LP
>
>
>
>Stewart Baker wrote:
>
>  
>
>>On Wed, 13 Apr 2005 09:28:56 -0400, Larry Phipps wrote:
>>
>>
>>    
>>
>>>They may get another one going, but it was a lot of work and I wouldn't
>>>count on it. There's also a VNA project underway in Italy, but I can't
>>>recall the details.
>>>
>>>
>>>      
>>>
>>The Italian VNA project is at
>>http://www.qsl.net/iw3hev/Antenna%20Analyzer%201.8-60%20MHz-Eng.htm
>>
>>After much internal debate, mainly because of available time, I have placed
>>    
>>
>an
>  
>
>>order for a built one (shame!). I will let the group know how it performs
>>    
>>
>when I
>  
>
>>get it.
>>
>>73
>>Stewart G3RXQ
>>
>>
>>.
>>
>>
>>
>>    
>>
>_______________________________________________
>Elecraft mailing list
>Post to: [hidden email]
>You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
>Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>
>Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
>Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
>
>
>
>  
>
_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
 http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft   

Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com

Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Fwd: Potential Elecraft Kit

Robb Romans-3
Larry, sorry, meant to send it to the list.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Robb Romans <[hidden email]>
Date: Apr 14, 2005 6:31 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Potential Elecraft Kit
To: [hidden email]


On 4/14/05, Larry Phipps <[hidden email]> wrote:
> Yes, that was pointed out to me later. It looks like a useful device,
> and if the software is good might be worth it to have in addition to the
> N2PK, especially at the price.

What do y'all think of this:
http://www.picotech.com/picoscope-oscilloscope-software.html
http://www.picotech.com/picoscope-3000.html

The 3000 series runs from $750 - $1500 list price, depending on bandwidth.
Functions as as oscilloscope and spectrum analyzer.

Regards,
Robb
KD5SQF

--
Robb Romans
Linux Commando
.-- - ..-. ..--.. -...-.-


--
Robb Romans
Linux Commando
.-- - ..-. ..--.. -...-.-
_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
 http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft   

Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com

12