Feasibility study – loop in ground for rx only on low HF laid out an initial design concept. This article sets out expected signal / noise degradation in a typical installation.
Let’s take ambient noise as Rural precinct in ITU-P.372-14.
An NEC-5.0 model of the 3m a side LiG gives average gain -37.18dBi. An allowance of 2.7dB of feed loss covers actual feed line loss and mismatch loss. Continue reading Loop in ground (LiG) – #6 signal to noise degradation (SND)
This article describes a small matching transformer built and measured by Luis, CT2FZI, using a Fair-rite 2643251002.
Above is the transformer with 100pF compensation capacitor across the input, and two resistors to make up a 3300Ω load in combination with the VNA port. Continue reading Another small efficient matching transformer for an EFHW – 2643251002
This article offers a simple Simsmith model for the Small efficient matching transformer for an EFHW.
Above is the model topology. D1 is a daemon block which essentially, calculates key values for the other blocks based on exposed parameters and the named ferrite material complex permeability data file. The prototype used a Fair-rite 2643625002 (#43) core. Continue reading Small efficient matching transformer for an EFHW – a Simsmith model
On review of the Ultrafire XML-T6 torch, I found the mode switching / mode memory so dysfunctional that it rendered the torch useless in my evaluation.
At Ultrafire XML-T6 LED torch – a fix for the dysfunctional mode memory ‘feature’ I gave a fix for that revision of the electronics, and updated it with description of a later fixed production model.
Years later, I bought two more of these due to switch failures on the originals… and guess what, the flash on power on returns.
Let’s pull them apart.
They have a new revision / version of the LED driver PCB, and it has provision for a resistor in parallel with the capacitor, but the resistor pads are not populated.
Above, the LED driver board with a 100k resistor added, it is the far component. This was an 0805 part that was on hand, but ideally should be a 0603. Continue reading Ultrafire XML-T6 LED torch – a fix for the dysfunctional mode memory ‘feature’ #2
The MXITA SMA-8 is a low cost torque wrench for 8mm, specifically for SMA connectors. It has an adjustable calibration, supplied at 1Nm but easily adjusted down to 0.6Nm to suit common brass SMA connectors, especially of doubtful quality.
I bought this after seeing several recommendations on a nanoVNA forum.
Above is the factory pic of the SMA-8. Continue reading Review of MXITA SMA-8 #2
The technique is to make a measurement near to the frequency of interest of Rin at resonance of the length of line with open circuit at the far end, and to calculate the matched line loss (MLL) using Calculate transmission line Matched Line Loss from Rin of o/c or s/c resonant section.
Let’s demonstrate the measurement of Rin of an o/c resonant section around the 160m band, which we will then use to calculate MLL.
Above, the AA-600 connected to the cable using a F(F)-N(M) adapter, the cable is 305m in length and the far end is open circuit. Continue reading A walkthrough of using a Rigexpert AA-600 to make a quick measurement of loss of a new roll of CCS RG11
Noise figure of active loop amplifiers – some thoughts discussed measurement of internal noise with particular application of active broadband loop antennas.
(Ikin 2016) proposes a different method of measuring noise figure NF.
Therefore, the LNA noise figure can be derived by measuring the noise with the LNA input terminated with a resistor equal to its input impedance. Then with the measurement repeated with the resistor removed, so that the LNA input is terminated by its own Dynamic Impedance. The difference in the noise ref. the above measurements will give a figure in dB which is equal to the noise reduction of the LNA verses thermal noise at 290K. Converting the dB difference into an attenuation power ratio then multiplying this by 290K gives the LNA Noise Temperature. Then using the Noise Temperature to dB conversion table yields the LNA Noise Figure. See Table 1.
The explanation is not very clear to me, and there is no mathematical proof of the technique offered… so a bit unsatisfying… but it is oft cited in ham online discussions.
I have taken the liberty to extend Ikin’s Table 1 to include some more values of column 1 for comparison with a more conventional Y factor test of a receiver’s noise figure.
Above is the extended table. The formulas in all cells of a column are the same, the highlighted row is for later reference. Continue reading Noise figure of active loop amplifiers – the Ikin dynamic impedance method
Let’s review of the concepts of noise figure, equivalent noise temperature and measurement.
Firstly let’s consider the nature of noise. The noise we are discussing is dominated by thermal noise, the noise due to random thermal agitation of charge carriers in conductors. Johnson noise (as it is known) has a uniform spectral power density, ie a uniform power/bandwidth. The maximum thermal noise power density available from a resistor at temperature T is given by \(NPD=k_B T\) where Boltzmann’s constant kB=1.38064852e-23 (and of course the load must be matched to obtain that maximum noise power density). Temperature is absolute temperature, it is measured in Kelvins and 0°C≅273K.
Noise Figure NF by definition is the reduction in S/N ratio (in dB) across a system component. So, we can write \(NF=10 log \frac{S_{in}}{N_{in}}- 10 log \frac{S_{out}}{N_{out}}\).
One of the many methods of characterising the internal noise contribution of an amplifier is to treat it as noiseless and derive an equivalent temperature of a matched input resistor that delivers equivalent noise, this temperature is known as the equivalent noise temperature Te of the amplifier.
So for example, if we were to place a 50Ω resistor on the input of a nominally 50Ω input amplifier, and raised its temperature from 0K to the point T where the noise output power of the amplifier doubled, would could infer that the internal noise of the amplifier could be represented by an input resistor at temperature T. Fine in concept, but not very practical.
Applying a little maths, we do have a practical measurement method which is known as the Y factor method. It involves measuring the ratio of noise power output (Y) for two different source resistor temperatures, Tc and Th. We can say that \(NF=10 log \frac{(\frac{T_h}{290}-1)-Y(\frac{T_c}{290}-1)}{Y-1}\).
AN 57-1 contains a detailed mathematical explanation / proof of the Y factor method.
We can buy a noise source off the shelf, they come in a range of hot and cold temperatures. For example, one with specified Excess Noise Ratio (a common method of specifying them) has Th=9461K and Tc=290K. If we measured a DUT and observed that Y=3 (4.77dB) we could calculate that NF=12dB. Continue reading Noise figure of active loop amplifiers – some thoughts
A new version of Antscope2 has been released.
Online posters are excited that it supports some versions of nanoVNA, and one thread attempts to answer the questions:
The SWR image shows that the SWR minimum is at the center phase angle as you would expect. My question is:
what are the other points that look like resonance,
and should I trim my antenna based on phase?
If so which one?
They are interesting questions which hint the ham obsession with resonance as an optimisation tartget.
Properly interpreting VNA or analyser measurements starts with truly understanding the statistic being interpreted.
In this case, the statistics being discussed are Phase and VSWR, and their relationship.
What is the Phase being discussed?
Above is an Antscope2 phase plot for an archived antenna measurement. The measurements are of a 146MHz quarter wave mobile antenna looking into about 4m of RG58C/U cable. We will come back to this. Continue reading Rigexpert Antscope2 – v1.1.1
A recent post by David Knight described dimensional issues with the N connector on his AA-600 and problems with the seller in having it resolved.
Warned of a potential quality issue, I measured my own AA-600.
Above, the test of the inner pin forward surface distance from the reference plane on the N jack on the AA-600. The acceptable range on this gauge for the female connector is the red area, and it is comfortably within the red range.
Above is a table of critical dimensions for ‘ordinary’ (ie not precision) N type connectors from Amphenol.
This dimension is important, as if the centre pin protrudes too much, it may damage the mating connector.
Pleased to say mine is ok, FP at 0.192″.
I used a purpose made gauge to check this, but it can be done with care with a digital caliper (or dial caliper or vernier caliper), that is what I did for decades before acquiring the dial gauge above.