[Test-Equipment] RF spectrum analysis

[Fuqua, Bill L]

   You have to better define what you want to do.
Do you want to observe signals over a broad bandwidth or narrow bandwidth.
With most simple SDR receiver kits you are limited to 20k to 40kHz since they down convert to
an audio bandwidth. 
   There are some USB devices that are quite cheap that tune 60MHz to above 900MHz  that
can be used with some shareware that allow larger ranges for be observed, up to several 
MHz. And you can make your own or get a kit that will up convert the lower frequencies to a 
range that these can handle. 
  73
Bill wa4lav

________________________________________
From: test-equipment-bounces at mailman.qth.net [test-equipment-bounces at mailman.qth.net] on behalf of Brian Burns [brian at lessonsinlutherie.com]
Sent: Sunday, January 19, 2014 12:28 PM
To: test-equipment at mailman.qth.net
Subject: [Test-Equipment] RF spectrum analysis

Hello All,



In my audio work as a Spanish guitar maker I use a wonderful audio spectrum
analysis program called Spectra Plus. I run frequency response curves on raw
wood, and partially completed guitars, to track the positions of resonances
in the audio spectrum, and with its Q calculating feature I can measure the
Q of any resonance. Initially I used an audio oscillator, frequency counter,
and a sound level meter to plot these out manually, but man was that a lot
of work! Once I got Spectra Plus, I never looked back (:->).



A couple of years ago I got seduced back into my old hobby of ham
radio---just what I don't need, a hobby! I would love to have a way to run
the same sort of frequency response curves at RF for checking the resonances
and Q's of tuned circuits, antennas etc. I could do it manually with my grid
dip meter, calibrated receiver, and VTVM, but now I'm spoiled! Does anyone
have a method, program, or a piece of hardware (down converter?) that yields
a graphic representation of a frequency spectrum? Any suggestions would be
greatly appreciated.



Cheers,



Brian Burns   Ex: W5BRO, K6UCD



See my website:  www.lessonsinlutherie.com





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