Using the "138MHz-4.4GHz USB SMA Source/Signal Generator/Simple Spectrum Analyzer" for TV/CATV/SAT

[vma]

You are right - it is low band. I got confused about that...

Other than that, you really think they are beacons?

Cheers,
Vitor

 

[vma]

That was embarrassing, as I could have done this:

1) FIRST identify the satellite, band and polarisation:


2) THEN zoom in:

 

[vma]

Next try:

 

[Llew]

11196H is a beacon according to the beacon sites, don't know yet which of the Astra 19E sats is sending the other one.

 

[Tururu]

This looks like the beacons on the SRM-50 Rover, similar to Promax.
Asi se ven las balizas en el Rover SRM-50, similar al Promax.
Max. 50Mhz.

 

[vma]

1) New version online with small bug fixes and GUI additions: you can now use the keyboard to type frequencies.
2) My blog has now a featured post on the right side (in PC view), where the latest release can be downloaded. This should make it easier to "find" the download link. This "download post" hast hardware specs and other information, too.
3) Next developments will be focussed on:
- Manual update and possibly translation to German and Portuguese, eventually to Spanish
- Satellite Identification: better support for C-band, as currently transponders with circular polarisation are ignored when read from *.ini files
- Licensing: currently the software locks on the first MAC address found. This can lead to problems. In future the user may select which MAC address should be used.
- Support for NWT4000-3 and NWT6000 (increased frequency range)

Regards,
Vitor

 

[vma]

This looks like the beacons on the SRM-50 Rover, similar to Promax.
Asi se ven las balizas en el Rover SRM-50, similar al Promax.
Max. 50Mhz.

Nice! I never saw these meters in real life, only know them from Internet. They are indeed Promax OEM. They used to be Rover Instruments OEM, hence the name. I think they are only sold in Spain.

Beacon is visible, but with less resolution.

How fast is the spectrum? Do you like the field meter?

My field meter collection lacks the following brands: Promax, Televés (kind of, I have a R&S EFL-120, which is a Televés OEM), FTE. Perhaps one day I find a good deal on second hand ones.

Regards,
Vitor

 

[Tururu]

I know it's Promax, only the front really, with a screen of 4'3 "instead of 7" and a black box full of air that occupies more than double the Promax Explorer.

The meter of Rover I have borrowed from a friend, is not bad the analyzer that has, as always, depends on you compare.
Against the meters of 300 € is very good,
With the new Promax 4000 €, almost as bad.
Compared to the HP Spectrum Analyzers Hewlett Packard or Tektronix? Trash the truth.
Until the 88 works with equipment PACE generators of Radio frequency RX / TX with spectrum analyzer and of UNAHOM RF generators.

I have an old PROMAX MC-843-E from then, this week I got a Prolink-4.
Now I work with electrical network analyzers, at home I have an old BMI4800, the new Dranetz look like toy.
------------
Se que es Promax, solo la parte frontal realmente, con pantalla de 4'3" en lugar de 7" y una caja negra llena de aire que ocupa mas del doble que el Promax Explorer.

El medidor de Rover lo tengo prestado de un amigo, no es malo el analizador que tiene, como siempre, depende contra que lo compares.
Contra los medidores de 300€ es muy bueno,
Con los nuevos Promax 4000€, casi igual de malo.
Comparado con los analizadored de espectro HP Hewlett Packard o Tektronix? Basura la verdad.
Hasta el 88 trabaje con equipos PACE generadores de Radio frecuencia RX/TX con analizador de espectro y de UNAHOM generadores RF.

Tengo un viejo PROMAX MC-843-E de entonces, esta semana me dieron un Prolink-4.
Ahora trabajo con analizadores de red electrica, en casa tengo un viejo BMI4800, los nuevos Dranetz parecen de juguete.

Regards.

 

[vma]

Uploaded latest manual.

Regards,
Vitor

 

[jeallen01]

Vitor

As I just commented on your blog, the filedropper link to the 2016-12-16 version of the s/w is not working for me, although the one to the V1.4 manual is working.

 

[vma]

Hi,

I think Filedropper only mantains the link active for a short period or up to a given number of downloads. Not sure what the problem is.
I added an alternative download link using MediaFire. Let's see how good their service is!

UPDATE: Wadn't Filedropper's fault - I screwed up with the link! It is fixed now.

Regards,
Vitor

 

[John]

Hi,

"@vma
With the spectrum analyzers, you can read a tp and if it has the correct information, it identifies the network/RED (satelite) where you are.
I do not know if the program can do the same thing, upload a sample photo."

This function uses the NIT (Network identification Table" to identify the satellite. This has the following problems:
1) Many satellite transponders do not carry NIT information (transponder used for feeds, data, provider, etc.) or have wrong NIT information (transponder that are distributed from one site to the other: uploaded to Astra and then retransmitted through Hispasat - the provider doesn't remux a new NIT). In these cases, the field meter does not show the satellite name or it shows the wrong satellite name.
2) In order to evaluate the NIT, the field meter has to first lock the signal. This requires perfect aligment of the dish. My method works with badly aligned dish, when the signal cannot be locked, but the transponders can already be identified as such.
3) The NIT table is carried within the TS (transport stream), but after a successfull signal lock, it takes quite some time for the NIT to be received. It can take up to half a minute (normaly around 10-20 seconds, which is a lot).

My software will never support that, because the SMA device is just the equivalent of a sweeped spectrum analyser. It does not have a tuner and as such cannot demodulate any analogue or digital signal!

I recommend the following setup for Satellite DX:

1) Crazyscan compatible SAT card.
2) SMA Device
3) LNB -> splitter like the Global Communications Split 4AF -(1)-> SAT Card -(2)-> DC Blocker (not needed with the 4AF but better be safe than sorrow) -> SMA device

This way you can always see the live spectrum with my software, do measurements, satellite identification without signal lock, etc.
Use EBSpro (discontinued?) or CrazyScan for blind scan, constellation diagram (CrazyScan) and picture (through VLC and/or TS Reader).

Regards,
Vitor

... Re: EBSPro, in case everybody is not aware. Would be a shame if it all stopped, i really like EBSPro.


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Hello,

As you know, some EBSpro related features like SatFeeds or even DVBHispano forum is turned off. Also the last update of EBSpro is dated 29th june of 2016 (almost six months now)

Well, this happened because some things happened in my life (some are good some are bad). I could say that I don’t have so much free time to dedicate for EBSpro, but this isn’t the main reason.

I will like to continue working on EBSpro like I did until now, but some things are against me. I hope you can understand my words.

I can’t say that EBSpro project is over, is too soon to say that.

P.S: No more licences for now, but this may change. I don’t know when and how yet.

Thank you and Merry Cjcrmas Christmas.

 

[vma]

Yes, that is sad and I new about it (I am lucky to have a paid Pro license).
I cannot guess what happened in detail, but hopefully CJCR will eventually be back...

I expect that many users on this forum do have EBSPro licensed, if not there is still the light version, CrazyScan and of course TS Reader (Light/Pro).

I find it great to combine those with my software, as a) you can run them simultaenously if you use a splitter and b) it is great to continue to see the spectrum, while demodulating a signal.

Regards,
Vitor

 

[vma]

Hi,

New version available:

- Bug fix with Satellite Identification
- Added cricular R/L in C-Band Satellite Identification
- Implemented small speed up in Satellite Identification

I need some feedback on C-Band Satellite Identification: does it work?

Regards,
Vitor

 

[jeallen01]

Vitor

You are implementing changes so quickly that I can't keep up

OTOH, we have been out to a Xmas dinner with a large group to which we belong - so it's not "your fault"

 

[John]

Hi,

New version available:

- Bug fix with Satellite Identification
- Added cricular R/L in C-Band Satellite Identification
- Implemented small speed up in Satellite Identification

I need some feedback on C-Band Satellite Identification: does it work?

Regards,
Vitor

.... have just tried 58° West & 55° West Hor and Ver C-band Vitor with negative no match results. I will tweak my settings on the program and re-try. Will also try a more busy bird, say 40.5°West next.

 

[vma]

Can you please post pictures?

Cheers,
Vitor

 

[John]

Can you please post pictures?

Cheers,
Vitor

These three grabs are of 55.5° West, Intelsat 34, Horizontal Pol.
Vertical grabs have same negative identification.
I will start a dedicated folder to collect different grabs from different birds Vitor.
Regards.

 

[vma]

Try setting amplitude so that the transponders get "higher".
Increase the Min. Bandwidth to 10-15 MHz.

 

[vma]

Also, My software ignores transponders in the *.ini files with an SR less than 7000. Maybe I have to change that.
Regards,
Vitor