tinySA Ultra+ ZS-407 spectrum analyser, Vantaa

Used but functional. Includes the accessories shown in the pictures.

tinySA Ultra+ ZS-406 is a compact, battery-powered spectrum analyser that lets you see what radio signals are present in the environment, what frequencies they use and how strong they are. The 100 kHz - 6 GHz measurement range covers a large share of common radio applications, including the 4G and most common 5G frequencies used in Finland, as well as 2.4 and 5 GHz WiFi bands.

One of the most useful uses is finding the best installation location and direction for a 5G/4G modem, router or external antenna. You can also find out which operator has the best frequencies and strongest signals in the area. With tinySA, radio signals can be examined before installing the modem, and direct comparisons can be made between different locations or antenna directions.

Remember to connect the included antenna to the RF connector so that you can receive signals.

The only difference between tinySA Ultra+ models: ZS-406 frequency range is 100 kHz - 6 GHz and ZS-407 frequency range is 100 kHz - 7.3 GHz.

Find the best location for a 5G router or 5G antenna

When searching for a 5G connection, it is usually worth starting with the n78 band, i.e. around 3.5 GHz. In Finland this is the most important high-capacity 5G band and typically enables clearly higher speeds than lower 5G frequencies.

Finland's nationwide 3.5 GHz frequencies are allocated to operators as follows:

Telia 3410-3540 MHz Elisa 3540-3670 MHz DNA 3670-3800 MHz

This allocation makes tinySA especially useful: the spectrum can show not only the presence of a 3.5 GHz 5G signal, but also indicate from the frequency which operator's band the detected signal is in. For example, a clear signal around 3.7 GHz falls within DNA's band, while a signal around 3.6 GHz belongs to Elisa's band and the area below 3.54 GHz to Telia.

How to find a 5G signal in practice

• Connect a suitable antenna to the tinySA RF input (an omnidirectional antenna is supplied)

• Enable Ultra mode for measuring frequencies above 900 MHz

• First set the range to 3410-3800 MHz

• Move around the building, for example near windows and exterior walls, and follow the signal strength shown in the spectrum

• If you are using a directional antenna, slowly turn it in different directions and look for the direction where the desired operator's signal is strongest

• Mark the best location and direction and place the 5G router or external antenna based on this information

When measuring, compare the signal level at the same frequency in different places. The less negative the dBm value is, the stronger the received signal. For example, -60 dBm is a considerably stronger signal than -90 dBm.

However, the spectrum analyser does not measure the modem's RSRP, RSRQ or SINR values, nor does it identify the base station cell ID. It shows the frequency and strength of the received RF signal. The final connection quality should therefore be checked using the router's own signal readings and a speed test.

If 3500 MHz 5G cannot be found

If no n78 signal is found or it is very weak, continue to lower mobile network frequencies. Lower frequencies generally travel further and penetrate buildings better, but the capacity and maximum speed available are usually lower than with 3.5 GHz 5G.

A practical order to try is, for example:

• 3500 MHz - 5G n78, primary when looking for a fast 5G connection

• 2600 MHz - 4G/5G

• 2100 MHz - 4G/5G

• 1800 MHz - common 4G band

• 800 MHz - long-range 4G

• 700 MHz - long-range 5G

Frequencies of Finnish operators

The table below shows the frequencies transmitted by the base station. These are the frequencies to examine when using tinySA to look for mobile network base stations in the environment. The frequency allocation applies to mainland Finland; in Åland the allocation is partly different.

700 MHz DNA 758-768 MHz 4G / 5G

700 MHz Elisa 768-778 MHz 4G / 5G

700 MHz Telia 778-788 MHz 4G / 5G

800 MHz DNA 791-801 MHz 4G

800 MHz Telia 801-811 MHz 4G

800 MHz Elisa 811-821 MHz 4G

900 MHz DNA 925.1-936.7 MHz GSM / 4G

900 MHz Telia 936.9-948.3 MHz GSM / 4G

900 MHz Elisa 948.5-959.9 MHz GSM / 4G

1800 MHz Telia 1805.1-1829.9 MHz 4G

1800 MHz DNA 1830.1-1854.9 MHz 4G

1800 MHz Elisa 1855.1-1879.9 MHz 4G

2100 MHz Elisa 2110.3-2130.1 MHz 4G / 5G

2100 MHz DNA 2130.1-2149.9 MHz 4G / 5G

2100 MHz Telia 2149.9-2169.7 MHz 4G / 5G

2600 MHz DNA 2620-2640 MHz 4G / 5G

2600 MHz Telia 2640-2665 MHz 4G / 5G

2600 MHz Elisa 2665-2690 MHz 4G / 5G

3500 MHz Telia 3410-3540 MHz 5G n78

3500 MHz Elisa 3540-3670 MHz 5G n78

3500 MHz DNA 3670-3800 MHz 5G n78

The table shows the frequency range assigned to the operator, not that the operator uses the whole range at every base station or with the same radio technology.

Finding the location and direction of a 4G antenna

The same method can be used to install a 4G antenna. For example, if you want to find Elisa's 800 MHz base station, set tinySA to inspect the 811-821 MHz range. By turning a directional antenna, you can find the direction where the signal in that range is strongest.

It is worth examining several frequencies. A modern 4G router can use several frequencies at the same time with Carrier Aggregation. The best antenna location is therefore not necessarily the place where one 800 MHz signal is strongest. In a good location, the higher 1800, 2100 and 2600 MHz capacity bands may also be usable.

Antennas

A basic omnidirectional (360°) antenna is included. This makes it easiest to find the best location for the antenna, i.e. where you get the best signal. If you want to find out which direction the antennas should point in, you can then connect a directional antenna to the RF connector and measure from which direction you get the best signal.

Recommended directional antennas:

• ZA-048 400 MHz-8 GHz directional antenna - a wideband directional antenna especially for tinySA Ultra and Ultra+ spectrum analysers. Suitable for examining RF signals, direction finding and locating sources of interference over a very wide frequency range. The antenna gain is about 2-6.5 dBi over the 450-8000 MHz range and a hand grip and a mount for tinySA are included

• Poynting LPDA-500 5G/4G antenna - a high-quality directional antenna especially suitable for comparative measurements. The antenna gain remains exceptionally even across mobile frequencies: 10 dBi @ 698-960 MHz, 10 dBi @ 1710-1900 MHz, 11 dBi @ 2500-2700 MHz, 11 dBi @ 3300-4000 MHz, 10 dBi @ 5000-6000 MHz and 9 dBi @ 6000-7200 MHz. This makes it easier to compare signal levels between different 4G/5G bands without large differences caused by antenna gain

• Iskra P-60 Unicom 5G/4G/GSM antenna - an affordable directional antenna for locating the incoming direction of 4G, 5G and GSM signals

• Nedis ANOR5G10WT - a compact option for finding mobile signals and quickly comparing different measurement locations

Investigating WiFi networks

tinySA is also suitable for examining the 2.4, 5 and 6 GHz WiFi bands. The spectrum view can show how much radio traffic there is at different frequencies and whether there are strong other transmitters in the same area.

2.4 GHz WiFi can be examined in the approximate 2400-2483.5 MHz range. When examining 5 GHz and 6 GHz WiFi, the active 5 and 6 GHz bands can be inspected. The measurement can be used, for example, to find the access point location, investigate interference and determine how strongly the WiFi signal is attenuated between walls or floors.

tinySA shows the RF spectrum and does not replace a proper WiFi protocol analyser: for example, it does not show the SSID network name or the MAC addresses of WiFi devices. Its strength is seeing the actual radio spectrum and also non-WiFi signals.

Also for measuring TV and radio antennas

Using suitable SMA adapters, a UHF TV antenna or FM antenna can also be connected to the tinySA RF connector:
Adapter, SMA male - BNC male
Adapter, F female - BNC female
Antenna cable, F male - F male

This allows the device to be used, for example, to find DVB-T/T2 TV and FM transmissions, align antennas, compare different installation locations, and investigate interference in the UHF and VHF bands.

Common 75 ohm TV and radio antennas can also be used for signal finding and relative comparison measurements, even though the tinySA RF connector is 50 ohms. A 50/75 ohm mismatch can affect the accuracy of absolute signal level measurements, but in practical antenna alignment and comparing different locations it is usually of only minor significance. For accurate absolute RF measurements, a 50 ohm measurement system is recommended.

Other uses

Thanks to its wide frequency range, tinySA Ultra+ can also be used to examine, for example, the following signals and RF phenomena:

• 868 MHz ISM and IoT devices

• 433 MHz radio devices

• FM radio

• VHF and UHF radio communications

• amateur radio transmissions

• wireless microphones

• remote controls and telemetry devices

• RF transmitter harmonics and unwanted emissions

• locating RF interference caused by electronics

• comparison measurements of antennas and RF systems

Built-in signal generator

In addition to being a spectrum analyser, tinySA Ultra+ also works as an RF signal generator. A sine wave can be produced in the 100 kHz - 900 MHz range and a square wave up to higher frequencies. The generator can be used, for example, to test RF circuits, filters and receivers.

Portable measuring device for field use

The 4-inch 480 x 320-pixel colour touchscreen can be used without a computer. The built-in 5000 mAh battery enables around three hours of portable use, making the device especially suitable for antenna and base station measurements in different parts of a building or outdoors. Measurements and screenshots can be saved to a microSD card. The device can also be controlled with a computer via USB.

Note on protecting the RF input

The tinySA RF input is sensitive to excessive signal power and static electricity. Examining ordinary radio transmissions received via an antenna is different from connecting a transmitter directly to the measuring device.

Do not connect a radio transmitter, a modem antenna output or any other high-power RF source directly to the tinySA input without proper attenuation. If the strength of the input signal is unknown, the use of a separate RF attenuator is recommended.

Buying a used product is an environmentally friendly choice!

Our products are covered by a 14-day right of return in accordance with consumer protection legislation.