Three Sigma VDA-100 Video Distribution Amplifiers (DA) have been sitting on my shelf for a while. The DAs have been waiting to be repurposed for something useful. When Jackson Labs sent me a custom variant of the FireFly-IIA GPS-Locked double ovenized 10 MHZ reference oscillator, I decided to repurpose one of the VDA-100 as a … [Read more…]
The Tektronix RSA 306 is a great low-cost USB 3.0 spectrum analyzer for up to 6 GHz in an ultra low-profile format. If paired with the RSA Map function of SignalVu-PC and a GPS receiver, it becomes an extremely powerful tool for interference hunting and signal strength mapping. This article shows a possible way to … [Read more…]
The Tektronix Vector Signal Analysis Software SignalVu has a great mapping tool, Tektronix RSA Map. Unfortunately, the default map supplied is extremely coarse and not really useful for real world measurements. This short article is going to show how to acquire free map files from openly available sources. If you use Tektronix SignalVu, odds are … [Read more…]
Dirty PCB offers – as the name implies – dirt cheap PCB manufacturing. The trick is a very low profile and a straight-forward system that needs minimum administration. This article is going to show how to set-up DipTrace to export a PCB layout correctly for Dirty PCB. DirtyPCBs.com offers super cheap PCBs for up to … [Read more…]
DipTrace is a sophisticated schematic and PCB layout software. I had it installed on my computer for over a year but have never really used it. Since I needed a super simple PCB for some 78XX / 79XX type linear regulators, I decided to use this opportunity for my first steps with DipTrace. DipTrace offers … [Read more…]
On February 5th, 2015 the electronics retailer RadioShack finally filed for Chapter 11 protection under US bankruptcy law after 11 consecutive quarterly losses. Many stores closed as a result of this. Before they closed their doors forever, RadioShack blew out their remaining inventory with great discounts. When I first heard of the RadioShack bankruptcy, I … [Read more…]
This week I am at the Teledyne LeCroy factory in Chestnut Ridge, NY. Besides enjoying the cold, rainy and dark weather, I’m going to share lots of pictures and videos with you throughout the next days and weeks. If there are any questions you’d like me to ask during interviews or there’s anything in particular … [Read more…]
After posting the teardown video of the Tektronix RSA306 USB 3.0 Spectrum Analyzer on my YouTube channel, someone asked me to verify that the IF sampled by the Linear Technology 14-Bit / 125 Msps ADC is really at 140 MHz. Using the Tektronix MDO4104B-6 and a passive RF probe, I gladly did so. With a … [Read more…]