Lower cost portable spectrum analyzer

[NECRAT]

The subject says it all.

Any recommendations on a lower cost, portable spectrum analyzer. Please note, I am *not* looking for SDR that relies on a second device (PC or Tablet), or any USB based. I prefer an "all in one" solution.

Thanks!

[djpcraze]

I recently bought one of these https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B00XZYPPZ8/ ... iyb6JCWBSR for a project I was working on, and I highly recommend it if it fits your needs. It definitely works stand alone, although the resolution of the data isn't awesome on the screen unless your looking at a pretty narrow swath of bandwidth (just a limitation of the type of display they chose to use).

This was okay for me, because I still have the option of hooking it up to a computer if I need higher resolution but thus far the built in display has been sufficient.

It is good from 15mhz to about 6Ghz, although there are cheaper versions that aren't as broad-banded if you don't need it.

[Deep Thought]

My Rigol DSA815-TG spent the day yesterday helping me eliminate a couple of nasty mix products at a triplexed AM site. It's small, travels well and is relatively inexpensive. If it had external (or internal) DC operation for use away from AC power it would be perfect.

http://www.rigolna.com/products/spectru ... rs/dsa800/

[RGORJANCE]

I have messed with one of these a few times and really like the unit. Yesterday one of the guys used one for an NRSC msmt. His only slightly negative comments related to storing the traces. It looked like it took several somewhat non-intuitive steps. Other that that, it was pretty quick.

Fossil

[NECRAT]

My Rigol DSA815-TG spent the day yesterday helping me eliminate a couple of nasty mix products at a triplexed AM site. It's small, travels well and is relatively inexpensive. If it had external (or internal) DC operation for use away from AC power it would be perfect.

http://www.rigolna.com/products/spectru ... rs/dsa800/

This seems like a fantastic option and the price is really good for it too.

[Deep Thought]

This seems like a fantastic option and the price is really good for it too.

It has turned out to be even more useful than I had anticipated. A couple months ago I used it to troubleshoot a dead 950 MHz STL link. I disconnected the receiver and connected the Rigol to the antenna using the same cable, tuned it to the frequency and enabled the built-in FM demodulator. Perfect audio, and I also verified that the signal path up to the receiver was OK complete with a reading of the received signal level above the noise floor. I even drove the exciter audio input with it to verify that the exciter was working. Saved a LOT of unnecessary tower climbing.

[nfr]

I am not sure what you consider portable. Similar to the Rigol DSA815 is the Siglent SSA3021X with 10 Hz RBW. Or the RF Explorer handheld will work if you just want to survey a site.
Note: I do not own either so no hands on experience just hearsay.

[dbuckley]

lower cost, portable spectrum analyzer

Lower cost than what?

The TTi PSAs are portable, and good, and, in my opinion, well priced... (But I'm not a broadcast engineer so I don't know how suitable these are for your particular application)

But it is several times the cost of an RF Explorer.

[Scott.Cason]

I have messed with one of these a few times and really like the unit. Yesterday one of the guys used one for an NRSC msmt. His only slightly negative comments related to storing the traces. It looked like it took several somewhat non-intuitive steps. Other that that, it was pretty quick.

Fossil

I purchased one last spring for my summer time NRSC tour of Indiana and Kentucky this year. It takes some getting used to. I was using a Tek 495P previously. however, being able to stay in my drivers seat while opening the sunroof of my Jeep to place my loop on the roof and doing a proof makes up for it.

[kkiddkkidd]

being able to stay in my drivers seat while opening the sunroof of my Jeep to place my loop on the roof and doing a proof makes up for it.

Ha.... Another "feature" to add to my new truck wish list. A test antenna deployment port.