"TinySA" joins nanoVNA product family

Under development since February, the TinySA (Spectrum Analyzer) is now available for purchase. This $49 piece of test equipment was developed by "hugen" and is his follow-on project after having released 4 versions of the highly popular nanoVNA.

Sales of the TinySA are currently only available via Alibaba here. And an IO.group for the device is here.

Links to full specs and a 7-minute video can be found here. At 5:30 into the video, note that the TinySA can also function as a signal generator with several configurable parameters.

I've been greatly impressed with the accuracy and versatility of the nanoVNA - those tests are documented in other parts of this blog. If the TinySA is as competent, it will be a winner and a very useful item for homebrewers, especially QRPers.

Orders now being taken by Ham Radio Outlet for Lab599 TX500 transceiver

Finally!

Thanks to Steven K1ST for alerting me to the fact that the Lab599's TX500 transceiver will soon be available for sale from Ham Radio Outlet.

Yes, one is on the way to my QTH!

HRO's page for the transceiver mentions that the rig has passed its FCC certification. The owner's manual is also available for download.

So far, I don't have any indication of when the rigs will begin to ship but when I receive mine, you'll be the 2nd one to know.

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83 years ago today: Guglielmo Marconi dies of heart attack

Marconi (left) watches as antenna is raised with kite in Newfoundland

Unlike many inventors, Guglielmo Marconi lived to see the phenomenal development of his life's work in the years preceding his death.

When he graduated university in 1895, Marconi's father urged him to study music.

Fortunately, for us and the world, Marconi had other ideas and decided instead to study, experiment and tinker with invisible waves that he believed might prove useful.

By the time he died 42 years later, Marconi had seen the full and ongoing implementation of "wireless" in everyday life around the world, including:

• 646 operating AM stations in the US
• an experimental FM station in Alpine NJ (W2XMN)
• SSB on the ham bands (began by W6DEI)

From silence to spark - and on to AM, SSB and FM in a few short decades - and Marconi saw it all. It must have been quite fulfilling for him.

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Propane conversion of Honda EU2000i generator

With Field Day almost here I thought some participants might be interested in the ease of converting a popular Honda generator model for use with propane.

This particular conversion kit from Hutch Mountain is for the Honda EU2000i. They also have other kits for different models of Honda generators to allow them to operate on gasoline, propane or LP gas. The LP gas conversion requires the installation of an included jet into the carburetor, but for propane/gasoline use, only one part is installed and no disassembly of the carb is required.

Total time for the mod is about 30 minutes and requires a drill, a stepper bit (or a 9/16th" bit) two wrenches, a screwdriver and a 9mm socket. Instructions are clearly written on good quality paper with plenty of photos.

Tom SQ9FVE releases lastest version of WSJT-Z

If you prefer the superior (and numerous) filtering options and QRZ.com look-ups available in Tom's modification of WSJT-X you'll be pleased to know that WSJT-Z MOD v0.3.4 is now available.

In addition to the above-mentioned attributes, WSJT-Z is full-auto selectable. Sort of like the M16 I shot once upon a time in the middle of the Indian Ocean.This version also incorporates the latest WSJT-X's 3-pass decoding scheme.