

- #Rigol dsa815 tg spectrum analyzer how to
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The latter requires an easy and cheap to build return loss bridge, look up VK3DIP who has designs for these on the web. The TG version is far more useful to most amateur constructors as it enables relatively easy filter measurement, both loss/frequency plots and also matching. I have the DSA815-TG version which includes a tracking generator.
#Rigol dsa815 tg spectrum analyzer plus
So if you can afford around $1,600 for the 815TG plus extras you will ask yourself how you did without it for so long.Īt a similar price to a 10 year old, or more, analyser by the US and EU manufacturers, you can have a brand new DSA815 analyser with a 3 year warranty. Makes my MFJ269 analyzer look like a crude tool in comparison.

#Rigol dsa815 tg spectrum analyzer mods
Watching how an antenna responds to mods in real time is a total eye opener! Every little extra piece of wire/connector/etc can make a difference as does holding it one way or another. Some guys put a 6 or 10dbm pad on the input of the SA for extra protection, but probably not needed unless you have a strong signal source nearby. The CPL connector on the coupler goes to the input of the SA and the IN on the coupler hooks up to the antenna. I will save you a ton of frustration: the OUT connector on the coupler goes to the TG output.
#Rigol dsa815 tg spectrum analyzer how to
Took me a bit to figure out how to connect this to the SA. For this you will need something called a directional coupler (I can recommend the Mini Circuits 15542 ZFDC-20-5 BNC Directional Coupler) with 20dbm attenuation. The coming week will start off with antenna testing, the main reason I got the SA for. Found one BNC T-connector that was flakey within minutes.
#Rigol dsa815 tg spectrum analyzer Patch
Next I measured the loss of all of my patch cables and connectors. The first thing I did was use this as the world's most expensive FM radio.how? Just attach any short antenna to the input jack, turn on the DEMOD (FM) function, plug in earbuds/headset and set the frequency range to about 90-120 mhz. You will also need an assortment of N adapters, patch cables, T connectors, etc. 1-2W will be ok for most passive measurements, but if you want to hook up any transceiver you better do your math well. They must be of the DC-1500mhz (or higher) variety. So you MUST get a set of attenuators (called pads) to go with this.

It can be damaged very is NOT like a scope! 100mW (+20dbm) is the max you can feed into the input. First off let me say that you must be extremely careful in what/how you connect something.anything to this device.
#Rigol dsa815 tg spectrum analyzer generator
I got the TG model as I often heard that the tracking generator option is well worth the extra cost, and I must agree. In this case Rigol is good, but Siglent is much better.įirst let me state I had zero experience with a spectrum analyzer (SA). Do the research and I think you will agree. They make some really good stuff and I own a bunch of it! But the Siglent spectrum analyzer wins hands down as to performance. Please understand that I absolutely dont hate Rigol. So back it went, because the reality of the test numbers are not subject to opinion. But once the “wow” factor wore off, and after a friend brought his Siglent SA over for some back to back testing, I realized what a REAL spectrum analyzer could do. I reluctantly returned this unit after playing with it for several days. The equivalent Siglent product is between 12 and 18 db more sensitive, has a radically better noise floor, and only costs about $250 more. Yes, you can sweep an antenna with it (very nice, if you get the tracking generator option which is a mandatory option IMHO!) and you can easily see what mischief is coming out of your transceiver/amp in realtime, but the basic design of this unit is simply a bit flawed. But that being said, this spectrum analyzer just isnt a favorite of mine. In light of fact, I have a 4-channel Rigol scope, 3 channel Rigol programmable power supply, Rigol bench multimeter (6-1/2 digit), and a Rigol arbitrary waveform generator. They make quality test equipment at an amazingly low price. Let me begin by saying this is a good (not great) value for the money.
