Great cheap alternative as RF Generator. RF Gen go.tonyalbus.c... RF Gen go.tonyalbus.c... RF Tester go.tonyalbus.c... Manual www.tonyplaza.... Tshirt TopSecret go.tonyalbus.c... #RFtester #RFgenerator
Good video: I've actually had one of those for a while, I repair a lot of handsets & it's ideal for taking on site. Nice and lightweight, easy to use and not that costly to replace should it get damaged. The thing that lets it down for a lot of people is the lack of instruction manual.
Thanks! Yes agree on all your points, i run it form a 9V battery in the filed. one big thing, 12 volt is the max... i burned my first one with 13.8 Volt.. as i was used to use 13.8 for 12 volts for car radios, mobile transmitters etc.
Just got one. Noticed level goes lower below about 10 MHz by about 15 dB at 0.5 MHz. Also below about -120 dB the level goes off as well. Perhaps the level control is done differently. A big spur about 498 MHz (-47 dBm), which is probably part of a mixing process.
Thank you for the video, in fact, for all of your videos. Between my TinySA's and my NanoVNA's I now have lots of sig gens. Yep, there are harmonics, but anything cheaper than my HP sig gen has harmonics. You just have to be aware of them, and filter them out if you need to. And of course, the Nano and Tiny are the right gear to use to build such filters with. I also have a couple of step-attenuators to set the output sig strength with. But I might consider one of these units since it is a whole lot smaller than my commercial gear, and as I grow old I am finding that small and convenient is often more important to me than 'precise' is. BTW, I also have a Marconi service monitor like yours. It needs a bit of work, but I like it. I have most of the large, old commercial lab gear, HP, Fluke, Marconi, Advantest, etc, but I find I much prefer to use the tiny, battery-powered, cheap new consumer-grade gear. There are so many good reasons to use it in any situation where it will suffice. It's small, light, runs on batteries, and if I do something really stupid I'm out $80 instead of $2000. That's important. It actually makes electronics fun again. Plus, I find that this cheap gear often has features that my big, old gear does not have. I quickly bought a NanoVNA after my first glance at Joe Smith's Solver32 software. The feature and analysis set of his free NanoVNA software is mind-blowing. It's lab-grade stuff. It's easily worth 20 or 30 times the cost of the hardware it works with. I shudder at the thought of what Keysight would charge for such a feature set. Joe is a saint.
Yes, that was me (I have two channels at Odysee). I am familiar with spectrum analyzers, VNAs and things like that, and I realized, that you tried to measure something under the noise level, which is something almost impossible, so lowering the input attenuation is what reveals what is under the noise floor of that instrument, but everytime I am lowering the input attenuation I am a little bit scared, because there is possibility of frying the input mixer of the spectrum analyzer by overloading it. I am not happy with the Autotune function, which in fact finds the biggest peak, puts it into center and sets some reasonable span, ref level and RBW, but it doesn't set the maximum attenuation before you connect your signal source, which is a kind of unfortunate, because if you set your ref level to something under -30dBm and then you connect some 0dBm+ signal, you may destroy the input of your spectrum analyzer before you press the Autotune button, which is kind of unfortunate. I think it's intended to be used like push PRESET, which gives you fullspan at 0dBm ref level, which is reasonably high, then you connect your signal and then you press the auto tune button, but some pause after pushing the auto tune button which sets the maximal Ref Level with message "now connect your signal and pres ok" would be much better. It is a beginer's spectrum analyzer. Maybe that pause should be optional, but it would be nice to implement something like that. The autotune itself is decent (and maybe usefull) function, it finds the biggest peak, put it into center, sets some reasonable span, rbw, it's something you do very often manually, it's nice to have this one button option. In this case zoomed the SA to some weird huge signal, that comes from some internals of that generator, which revealed a huge disaster inside that generator, because if you set the RF generator to -70dBm you expect, that the biggest (and only wanted) signal is at -70dBm and there is nothing significantly higher present at the output. And if the generator would work this way, the autotune button would catch that -70dBm signal and I am almost sure about that, because that spectrum analyzer is capable of catching it and if this would be the biggest peak… Generators are typically made with a huge mechanically switched attenuator at the output. The signal is generated at +10dBm levels or even higher and then attenuated to the requested level, because every spurr, everything unwanted is attenuated with the output signal, which protects the ratio between wanted and unwanted signals. And the output of that attenuator must be protected against some potencial signal injection from the inside of the unit, which is in my opinion the Achilles heel of this particular design. They lowered the output signal using attenuator, but they were completely unable to protect it, so I stil think that the generator is kind of malfunctioning, maybe some cheap generator, that gives you -20 to +10dBm with proper external attenuator (or set of attenuators) would give you much better results than this one.
Hi Nikki, and thanks again. yes it is not the best generator, but for its money is it nice. Yes risky for SA or broadband receiver because of that unwanted signal, but for a single band receiver is perfect, the signal is so far away it prob. wont pass the first filters., and receiver can focus on wanted signal. secondhand alternatives like 20 year old Fluke/HP,R&S or Marconi are still multiples in price.
Turning pre amp on lower noise floor as well as adjusting resolution and lower reference level and turning automatic attenuator and set to zero DBm when looking at small signals. Curious on the TinySA ultra as like its small size and the fact it has a signal generator built in. Shame not a tracking generator but may still get one when back in stock? Curious how accurate it going to be? Happy with the VNA antenna analyzer bought from China way more useful for setting up antennas. I use it more then my reflection bridge for my rohde and schwarz
Great video Tony. However, what do you think about this generator compared to e.g. the generator function in the TinySA Spectrum Analyzer? At least the TinySA works between 0.1 to 960MHz, have internal modulation options and sweep function. And yes - it's a spectrum analyzer too :)
I use mine for a sig gen on a regular basis. It's very handy. You just have to keep in mind that there can be strong harmonics on frequencies where they can cause problems or even do harm. An external filter may be necessary.
Hi, a friend and I both purchased these units recently. For the price good value. The only thing we can’t figure is what level of deviation the sub tones and the 1,2 and 3 kHz are set at. Plus can the deviation be adjusted? Is that anything you or any of your followers know about. Thanks, Adrian M0OJR
Good to hear it works out, I may just buy one. You mentioned new firmware, is that something the end user updates or are they coming that way? Make sure I get the latest. Also, may I offer positive criticism? Can you start looking at the camera and stop looking at the monitor? Its very disengaging to the viewer when your always looking at yourself. Its OK to glance from time to time at the monitor to check yourself. Or, just add a monitor to the top of the camera. Thanks! ~Jack, VEG
Thank!.. It just comes with a firmware, i have no idea how a buyer has control over this, maybe buy in a store with high turnover. i have not found how to update it yourself. Thanks about the camera, i am filming with a phone, so the camera is almost in the screen, but i will try.
I bought one, it worked OK for a few days, then the ON/OFF switch decided to only work intermittently. I also bought a Multi Function Tester TC1, which tested three capacitor, then died.
@@TonyAlbus Thank you Tony for the great work you are doing! I've recently bought one of these things (from Ali), F/W v21.04. I've "cleaned it up" a little, removed all the hot glue, added a 3s 18650 battery and reshaped the wire stand to make it less ugly and more functional.. All in all, I'm happy with it and I've already had a play in conjunction with H/Ts, antennas, TinySA and a couple of LNAs, all good, no surprises.. A couple of questions please, do you know whether the output Z at the BNC is 50 Ohms? and second, the link to the "manual" doesn't seem to work. Grazie, ciao lm
Hi Tony, Do you have any instructions for this? I have one and it works but having to decode button functions to do anything basic. Not sure what else I maybe missing. Found your channel recently and really enjoy your work! Jim.
Hi Jim, Thanks! yes i have i think, i made several videos about is and in the description of the videos you find item and download links where i share what i have. Video #226, #223, #001, #174 hope that helps.
Hi Tony Hope you can help. I have the Feeltech Fy6900 (in one of your videos) and a db attenuator box, could I use that to align the receive of a fm cb radio for example or would the rf generator above be a better bet. Thanks from another Tony 2E0JTG
Actually i believe you can, all fm and am transmissions generate SSB signals. USB 1khz high, LSB 1khz above and below the center carrier. All you have to do is adjust your receiver to a zero beat. Just dont modulate the fm carrier on the tester. Also ebay has 100watt 50ohm load resistors from henry radio that will replace the 60 watt load resistor. I would like to purchase this tester to work with my singer FM10 for the simple reason it has ctcss generator. The instruction sheet for this is not very informative.
@@TonyAlbus so actually I could be using this on AM CB radios? That's excellent. Do you have a link as to where I could buy this updated version with these features as all the ones I've seen for sale only do 800hz tone.
@@N64player1996 It is only for FM and i have the links below my video in the description. the thing is, the specs on the website not always match the device its firmware at that time (most chinese seller have no clue what they sell) my advice on this is, buy it from an Ali store who offers 'free return no reason'. then you just send it back if it does not have this option.
@@TonyAlbus I was just curious why it wouldn't do AM if you can be on that same frequency. Especially if it has 1khz tone? Do you have a reason as to why it wouldn't work on AM?
@@N64player1996 It is a different way of modulating the audio. AM will be changing the Amplitude while FM changes slightly the frequency based on the modulation tone, it just different way.
Good video: I've actually had one of those for a while, I repair a lot of handsets & it's ideal for taking on site. Nice and lightweight, easy to use and not that costly to replace should it get damaged. The thing that lets it down for a lot of people is the lack of instruction manual.
Thanks! Yes agree on all your points, i run it form a 9V battery in the filed. one big thing, 12 volt is the max... i burned my first one with 13.8 Volt.. as i was used to use 13.8 for 12 volts for car radios, mobile transmitters etc.
Glad to hear it is a viable solution for us deal hunters. Thanks for putting this out.
Welcome! and thank for leaving a comment.
Just got one. Noticed level goes lower below about 10 MHz by about 15 dB at 0.5 MHz. Also below about -120 dB the level goes off as well. Perhaps the level control is done differently. A big spur about 498 MHz (-47 dBm), which is probably part of a mixing process.
Thanks for sharing your findings, yes is clearly not a R&S or Marconi :)
Thank you for the video, in fact, for all of your videos. Between my TinySA's and my NanoVNA's I now have lots of sig gens. Yep, there are harmonics, but anything cheaper than my HP sig gen has harmonics. You just have to be aware of them, and filter them out if you need to. And of course, the Nano and Tiny are the right gear to use to build such filters with. I also have a couple of step-attenuators to set the output sig strength with. But I might consider one of these units since it is a whole lot smaller than my commercial gear, and as I grow old I am finding that small and convenient is often more important to me than 'precise' is. BTW, I also have a Marconi service monitor like yours. It needs a bit of work, but I like it. I have most of the large, old commercial lab gear, HP, Fluke, Marconi, Advantest, etc, but I find I much prefer to use the tiny, battery-powered, cheap new consumer-grade gear. There are so many good reasons to use it in any situation where it will suffice. It's small, light, runs on batteries, and if I do something really stupid I'm out $80 instead of $2000. That's important. It actually makes electronics fun again. Plus, I find that this cheap gear often has features that my big, old gear does not have. I quickly bought a NanoVNA after my first glance at Joe Smith's Solver32 software. The feature and analysis set of his free NanoVNA software is mind-blowing. It's lab-grade stuff. It's easily worth 20 or 30 times the cost of the hardware it works with. I shudder at the thought of what Keysight would charge for such a feature set. Joe is a saint.
Thank you John, yes i must say i agree... nice small stuff.
Yes, that was me (I have two channels at Odysee). I am familiar with spectrum analyzers, VNAs and things like that, and I realized, that you tried to measure something under the noise level, which is something almost impossible, so lowering the input attenuation is what reveals what is under the noise floor of that instrument, but everytime I am lowering the input attenuation I am a little bit scared, because there is possibility of frying the input mixer of the spectrum analyzer by overloading it. I am not happy with the Autotune function, which in fact finds the biggest peak, puts it into center and sets some reasonable span, ref level and RBW, but it doesn't set the maximum attenuation before you connect your signal source, which is a kind of unfortunate, because if you set your ref level to something under -30dBm and then you connect some 0dBm+ signal, you may destroy the input of your spectrum analyzer before you press the Autotune button, which is kind of unfortunate. I think it's intended to be used like push PRESET, which gives you fullspan at 0dBm ref level, which is reasonably high, then you connect your signal and then you press the auto tune button, but some pause after pushing the auto tune button which sets the maximal Ref Level with message "now connect your signal and pres ok" would be much better. It is a beginer's spectrum analyzer. Maybe that pause should be optional, but it would be nice to implement something like that. The autotune itself is decent (and maybe usefull) function, it finds the biggest peak, put it into center, sets some reasonable span, rbw, it's something you do very often manually, it's nice to have this one button option.
In this case zoomed the SA to some weird huge signal, that comes from some internals of that generator, which revealed a huge disaster inside that generator, because if you set the RF generator to -70dBm you expect, that the biggest (and only wanted) signal is at -70dBm and there is nothing significantly higher present at the output. And if the generator would work this way, the autotune button would catch that -70dBm signal and I am almost sure about that, because that spectrum analyzer is capable of catching it and if this would be the biggest peak… Generators are typically made with a huge mechanically switched attenuator at the output. The signal is generated at +10dBm levels or even higher and then attenuated to the requested level, because every spurr, everything unwanted is attenuated with the output signal, which protects the ratio between wanted and unwanted signals. And the output of that attenuator must be protected against some potencial signal injection from the inside of the unit, which is in my opinion the Achilles heel of this particular design. They lowered the output signal using attenuator, but they were completely unable to protect it, so I stil think that the generator is kind of malfunctioning, maybe some cheap generator, that gives you -20 to +10dBm with proper external attenuator (or set of attenuators) would give you much better results than this one.
Hi Nikki, and thanks again. yes it is not the best generator, but for its money is it nice. Yes risky for SA or broadband receiver because of that unwanted signal, but for a single band receiver is perfect, the signal is so far away it prob. wont pass the first filters., and receiver can focus on wanted signal. secondhand alternatives like 20 year old Fluke/HP,R&S or Marconi are still multiples in price.
Good. However, I got the idea that this device is just an RF generator for FM (Frequency Modulation) and not AM (Amplitude Modulation). Will it be ?
Yes if i remeber correct, FM only
Turning pre amp on lower noise floor as well as adjusting resolution and lower reference level and turning automatic attenuator and set to zero DBm when looking at small signals.
Curious on the TinySA ultra as like its small size and the fact it has a signal generator built in. Shame not a tracking generator but may still get one when back in stock? Curious how accurate it going to be? Happy with the VNA antenna analyzer bought from China way more useful for setting up antennas. I use it more then my reflection bridge for my rohde and schwarz
Now i have the Siglent, i am not using my tinySA..but is a nice tool/toy to have.
Great video Tony. However, what do you think about this generator compared to e.g. the generator function in the TinySA Spectrum Analyzer? At least the TinySA works between 0.1 to 960MHz, have internal modulation options and sweep function. And yes - it's a spectrum analyzer too :)
The real original tinySA is prob build better, i never used it as a generator only, i like the idea.
I use mine for a sig gen on a regular basis. It's very handy. You just have to keep in mind that there can be strong harmonics on frequencies where they can cause problems or even do harm. An external filter may be necessary.
Hi, a friend and I both purchased these units recently. For the price good value.
The only thing we can’t figure is what level of deviation the sub tones and the 1,2 and 3 kHz are set at. Plus can the deviation be adjusted?
Is that anything you or any of your followers know about.
Thanks, Adrian M0OJR
Hi, as far as i know the modulation level is fixed. i have not found any setting for that.
@@TonyAlbus OK Tony, thanks. Thanks for replying.
Good to hear it works out, I may just buy one. You mentioned new firmware, is that something the end user updates or are they coming that way? Make sure I get the latest. Also, may I offer positive criticism? Can you start looking at the camera and stop looking at the monitor? Its very disengaging to the viewer when your always looking at yourself. Its OK to glance from time to time at the monitor to check yourself. Or, just add a monitor to the top of the camera. Thanks! ~Jack, VEG
Thank!.. It just comes with a firmware, i have no idea how a buyer has control over this, maybe buy in a store with high turnover. i have not found how to update it yourself.
Thanks about the camera, i am filming with a phone, so the camera is almost in the screen, but i will try.
Thanks for your time and effort.
Thank you for leaving a comment!
Is it good for audio tuners and receivers for adjusting?
Yes you can use it for FM receivers from 1 to 470 MHz.
J'adore vos videos, j'apprends plein de choses en électronique
Marci! Thank you, enjoy!
I bought one, it worked OK for a few days, then the ON/OFF switch decided to only work intermittently. I also bought a Multi Function Tester TC1, which tested three capacitor, then died.
yes it is for sure not the best... it needs 12 volt or less, i burned my first one too.. giving it 12.5 volts... its low quality
I wish you list devices specification when video begins. Does it have am or FM modulation, what is out level range, etc...
Thanks for the feedback. You find item links in the video description, those prob will have specs. its only FM
@@TonyAlbus Thank you Tony for the great work you are doing! I've recently bought one of these things (from Ali), F/W v21.04. I've "cleaned it up" a little, removed all the hot glue, added a 3s 18650 battery and reshaped the wire stand to make it less ugly and more functional.. All in all, I'm happy with it and I've already had a play in conjunction with H/Ts, antennas, TinySA and a couple of LNAs, all good, no surprises.. A couple of questions please, do you know whether the output Z at the BNC is 50 Ohms? and second, the link to the "manual" doesn't seem to work.
Grazie, ciao
lm
@@lmantuano6986 Hi, as far as i know the Z is 50 Ohms indeed. The manual link is a pdf, but may be you need to right click and pick 'save link as'
Hi Tony,
Do you have any instructions for this? I have one and it works but having to decode button functions to do anything basic. Not sure what else I maybe missing. Found your channel recently and really enjoy your work! Jim.
Hi Jim, Thanks! yes i have i think, i made several videos about is and in the description of the videos you find item and download links where i share what i have.
Video #226, #223, #001, #174 hope that helps.
Hi Tony Hope you can help. I have the Feeltech Fy6900 (in one of your videos) and a db attenuator box, could I use that to align the receive of a fm cb radio for example or would the rf generator above be a better bet. Thanks from another Tony 2E0JTG
For alignment, this one is better, you output is better adjusable.
why are you messing with CB radio? why don’t you put in the effort it takes to get your ham license? that’s where the action is son 🤨
Nice video Tony, I've thought about picking this generator up before 👍
Thank you!
It's a cool low cost genny, I've had mine for 4 yrs. Now if only it can take an external Ref input. Would make it very accurate.
Rubidium or GPSDO.
Yes that would be great, it runs also on a single 9V battery :)
It would be OK if I had the operating manual for it as thay don't send one with it
The manual is here in the video description for that reason.
Hi Tony,....Great video !! Any way possible to to add a quick & simple Amplitude Modulation Mode modification this unit ?? ......Thx for video...
Thanks! ... Not that I know of
hello
can I use this generator to calibrate my ssb receiver or this is for FM only?
It is FM only
Actually i believe you can, all fm and am transmissions generate SSB signals. USB 1khz high, LSB 1khz above and below the center carrier. All you have to do is adjust your receiver to a zero beat. Just dont modulate the fm carrier on the tester. Also ebay has 100watt 50ohm load resistors from henry radio that will replace the 60 watt load resistor. I would like to purchase this tester to work with my singer FM10 for the simple reason it has ctcss generator. The instruction sheet for this is not very informative.
I'm also curious about this as well for 28mhz for CB alignment. Did we ever get an answer?
How do you upgrade to a newer firmware version?
Hi, i have never found update files... so i don't think you can.
Does it have changeable tone? If so what tones does it output? I'm looking something at an affordable for CB AM alignment. Is modulation adjustable?
Yes it is, i even show that in the video, it is a nice cheap solution.
@@TonyAlbus so actually I could be using this on AM CB radios? That's excellent. Do you have a link as to where I could buy this updated version with these features as all the ones I've seen for sale only do 800hz tone.
@@N64player1996 It is only for FM and i have the links below my video in the description. the thing is, the specs on the website not always match the device its firmware at that time (most chinese seller have no clue what they sell) my advice on this is, buy it from an Ali store who offers 'free return no reason'. then you just send it back if it does not have this option.
@@TonyAlbus I was just curious why it wouldn't do AM if you can be on that same frequency. Especially if it has 1khz tone? Do you have a reason as to why it wouldn't work on AM?
@@N64player1996 It is a different way of modulating the audio. AM will be changing the Amplitude while FM changes slightly the frequency based on the modulation tone, it just different way.
Does it do sweep generation
Good question, it only does point.
@@TonyAlbus Thankyou
Another great video! Honestly is your middle name! Thinking about picking one up.
Thank you Brad!
The BG7TBL RF signal generators appear to be a whole lot better than the no-name one(s) you shown in your other videos. Just sayin'
Hi David, yes i agree with you, but this generator, has very low output level, that makes it better for adjusting receivers.
That output spectrum is awful. Limited use - looked like there was a lot of broadband noise as well.
Yes lot of unwanted signals also
I love goooooooold!
thank you
People keep your money they are RUBBISH
Okey, let us know your alternative for in the same price range, make and type please, urls are blocked bu UA-cam.
can it be set to give a 50uv output on 70cms for smeter alignment?
my old sig gen has no calibrated o/p.
Hi Paul, 0.5-470 MHz -70 dBm - -132dBm so -73 is about that 50uV so yes i would say.