Spectrum Analyzer

[Anonymous]

Check out http://www.spectraplus.com/index.html to see a very interesting piece of software which coverts your PC into an audio spectrum analyzer. The program uses the PC's soundcard and goes up to 20KHz. I would have liked a bit more than 20KHz but it would still be interesting (as is) to check out a detectors response with. There are some external devices available from other companies which do the same thing when you add software. The external devices go from DC to many Megahertz and some also have a digital storage scope function. I am going to check these out and will post what I find, Dave. * * *

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Dave,
Had a look at the Spectra site and it looks interesting. I will download it tomorrow on my PC at work and have a play. I have a Vellemann PC scope which is very useful and I believe you can get spectrum analyser software for that. One word of caution to anyone doing spectrum tests on a PI. Never connect a spectrum analyser directly across the coil. The high voltage spike at the end of the TX pulse will do serious damage. Always use a front end amplifier with clipping diodes and look at the output of that. Always check the maximum input voltage rating of the analyser first as many of them have a very sensitive diode at the front end.
Eric.