A few weeks ago the tinySA Ultra was released. This is a spectrum analyzer capable of operating between 0.1 - 800 MHz, or 0.1 MHz - 6 GHz with the 'Ultra' mode enabled. A spectrum analyzer is a tool that allows users to visualize signals on the radio spectrum.

Previously the standard tinySA was released back in 2020. The Ultra version brings enhancements to the frequency range, signal generator range, bandpass filter range as well as an optional 20dB LNA, and a larger 4 inch color display. 

The TinySA Ultra costs US$119 + shipping direct from the Aliexpress store in China, or $129.95 from R&L in the USA (currently out of stock). The full list of resellers can be found at https://tinysa.org/wiki/pmwiki.php?n=Main.Buying.

We wanted to thank RTL-SDR.com reader Ben for providing us with links to a bunch of reviews of the tinySA Ultra which we are posting below.

• #1325 TinySA ULTRA Spectrum Analyzer (a first look) - IMSAI Guy
• #1325a TinySA ULTRA Spectrum Analyzer 6GHz 'Ultra Mode' - IMSAI Guy
• #1325b TinySA ULTRA Spectrum Analyzer Teardown - IMSAI Guy
• #1326a TinySA ULTRA uSD Card - IMSAI Guy
• #1332 TinySA Ultra digital bandwidth filters - IMSAI Guy

• Unboxing of and short intro to the tinySA Ultra - Erik Kaashoek
• tinySA Ultra and its LNA - Erik Kaashoek
• tinySA Ultra mode performance and limitations - Erik Kaashoek
• tinySA Ultra Low Frequency performance - Erik Kaashoek
• tinySA Ultra Signal Generator functionality - Erik Kaashoek
• tinySA Ultra observing WiFi and other networks - Erik Kaashoek

Thank you to a few readers for suggesting a post about the "tinySA". The tinySA is a low cost standalone spectrum analyzer which was made recently available from Chinese manufacturer "Hugen" who was the manufacturer that popularized the original NanoVNA. It can be found on Aliexpress for about $49 shipped worldwide. R&L also have US based stock available. The official specs from tinysa.org/wiki read:

• Spectrum Analyzer with two inputs, high quality MF/HF/VHF input for 0.1MHZ-350MHz, lesser quality UHF input for 240MHz-960MHz.
• Switchable resolution bandpass filters for both ranges between 2.6kHz and 640kHz
• Color display showing 290 scan points covering up to the full low or high frequency range.
• Input Step attenuator from 0dB to 31dB for the MF/HF/VHF input.
• When not used as Spectrum Analyzer it can be used as Signal Generator, MF/HF/VHF sinus output between 0.1MHZ-350MHz, UHF square wave output between 240MHz-960MHz.
• A built-in calibration signal generator that is used for automatic self test and low input calibration.
• Connected to a PC via USB it becomes a PC controlled Spectrum Analyzer
• Rechargeable battery allowing a minimum of at least 2 hours portable use

A spectrum analyzer allows you to view a defined slice of the frequency spectrum on a graph. It does not allow for demodulation of signals. We note that SDRs like the RTL-SDR could be used as a spectrum analyzer too with software like QSpectrumAnalzyer and Spektrum, however the advantage of the tinySA is that it is a standalone package with it's own screen that can easily be used in the field. Unlike an SDR extra computing devices like a computer or smartphone are not required.

Over on YouTube IMSAI Guy has been uploading a few videos reviewing the tinySA. From his videos he found a few issues including a slow update rate, harmonics and high phase noise. However, later he finds that most of the harmonic issues disappear as long as the input signal level is kept below -30dBm. In some more recent videos he also finds a fault with the attenuator chip on one of his tinySA units and repairs it by replacing the chip.