from an old thread ...Michael Watterson wrote ( in 03 April 2010):
>Indeed there are several designs for simple spectrum analyser for 42MHz=20
>to 870MHz using a I2C controlled TV tuner and a PIC.

>Old VHS or TVs or analog Sat receivers are good source of free parts for=20
>such simple projects.  You can even simply diode detect analog tuned=20
>(0.5V to 20V often) non- I2C old tuners with X-axis sweep of scope and=20
>feed diode to Y axis for a really  basic analyser. Sweep rate needs to=20
>be quite slow.

>I have a spare KS0108, 128x 64 and a 20x4 text and a nice box. Plus an=20
>LMX2430 synth with 400MHz to 800MHz and 800MHz to 1600MHz VCOs. by=20
>adding mixer and two filters that will give 10KHz to 2400MHz. I'll stick=20
>the UV917 I2C TV tuner,  50MHz converter, and comtech 900MHz to 1700 MHz=20
>I2C tuner in the box with batteries, keypad and the two displays to have=20
>a cheap portable signal generator / tracking generator and spectrum=20
>analyser. Also I have 100MHz to 3GHz noise gen I built.

>But not today. Maybe in the Autumn.

Michael, it's been 14 months, I would care to hear any update on this.

Me, I have not been very practical in getting the designs from my head onto
solder. I just ordered an analog tv tuner PC card of an auction site, havin=
g
searched in vain for the UV916/7/x type tuners for many months. Maybe I wil=
l
be able to mess around with the fm1216 type tuners. Recently I have spent
time on youtube looking at the work's of others, so the bug bit again.

I would like to make a scanner radio ( no, not buy one - make ) of my own
design, and I have seen sdr's ( software defined radios ) out there that
make use of the Dspic33f series - totally eliminating the PC, exotic IC's
and crystal filters. With the help of ebay and cheap shipping (and a little
sampling) in my parts bin sit's Ics like the SI570, AD9954, AD9835, NE602s,
LMX2226 etc, and I am feeling very guilty about not having done anything
with these.

So, again Michael I would like to hear about your experiences with the SA.

--=20
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