Re:DIY Spectrum Analyzer 0 to 1750MHz (1999)
by MisterTea on Wednesday January 02, 2019 @02:14PM
(#18809048)
I think the important part many people fail to realize with analog projects like this is that they are constructed, diagnosed and repaired with common off the shelf tools and components.
Sure it can be done with a cheap SDR but can you fix the SDR in 15 years when a chip dies? The modern all-in-one digital stuff for the most part is throw away.
These old analog projects can be pulled apart, tested and repaired with ease. Try that with a 5x5 mm bga package running code you probably won't be able to find easily or at all. Then hope the chips are still available and not long obsolete. Then figure out how to program the chip.
Bob Pease said it best: "My favorite programming language is ... solder"
Sure it can be done with a cheap SDR but can you fix the SDR in 15 years when a chip dies? The modern all-in-one digital stuff for the most part is throw away.
These old analog projects can be pulled apart, tested and repaired with ease. Try that with a 5x5 mm bga package running code you probably won't be able to find easily or at all. Then hope the chips are still available and not long obsolete. Then figure out how to program the chip.
Bob Pease said it best: "My favorite programming language is ... solder"