<azonenberg>
bvernoux: wow that is a lot of solder on that board
<azonenberg>
the smas are flooded in it
<azonenberg>
did they have a monkey assemble it?
<bvernoux>
yes ;)
<bvernoux>
it is not quality soldering
<bvernoux>
what is amazing is the loss
<azonenberg>
the 20 dB has 3 dB of peaking at 6 GHz?
<bvernoux>
why it is so good with such cheap PCB and low cost SMA connector and soldering ...
<azonenberg>
Unsurprising since it's assembled with ordinary resistors
<bvernoux>
yes
<bvernoux>
anyway it is specified DC to 4 GHz
<bvernoux>
only 20dB Attenuator is defective towards tolerance like described in the document ;)
<bvernoux>
the other are quite good
<azonenberg>
not a symmetric layout either
<bvernoux>
yes it is a < 10USD board ;)
<bvernoux>
I was expecting something worth in fact
<bvernoux>
I have posted a review for the product ;)
<bvernoux>
just for fun
<bvernoux>
It is a reference for me of ultra low cost things ;)
<bvernoux>
I'm waiting my nice mechanical attenuator ;)
<bvernoux>
but they are specified only from DC to 2.4GHz or 2GHz
<bvernoux>
JFW Industries Rotary Step Attenuator 0-70db 2.4GHz 50DR-068 SMA => This reference does not exist in fact ;)
<bvernoux>
I doubt it is a fake as JFW do custom version for customer
<bvernoux>
and the price for such Attenuator new is about 1KUSD ;)
<bvernoux>
also bought this one
<bvernoux>
JFW Industries Inc RF attenuator Model 50BR-001. 0 to 110db 50 Ohm 2GHz
<bvernoux>
Very nice range 0 to 110dB -> 1dB Step ;)
<bvernoux>
even if it is limited to 2GHz
<azonenberg>
So i've done some more advanced simulations of my probe based on actual kicad exports and some tweaks
<azonenberg>
i'm starting to get sim results that track reality more closely
<azonenberg>
i still need higher version of sonnet to be able to do it right
<azonenberg>
but i'm closer
<bvernoux>
ha great
<bvernoux>
what do you have optimized on sonnet side ?
<bvernoux>
do you have applied some tricks ... ?
<azonenberg>
The geometry i'm modeling is now closer to what's actually fabricated
<azonenberg>
mostly
<azonenberg>
It's not perfect, there's some mismatches still but i think at i know the source of them
<azonenberg>
when i get sonnet gold i will be able to properly integrate s-parameter components right into field solver geometry
<azonenberg>
and i wont have to split the design up into quite so many pieces which introduces inaccuracies
<bvernoux>
yes clearly
<bvernoux>
but sonnet gold cost lot of money ?
<bvernoux>
something like 10KUSD I imagine ...
<azonenberg>
More
<bvernoux>
woo
<bvernoux>
20KUSD ?
<azonenberg>
I estimate, based on their last published prices, it will cost me about 8 kUSD on top of what i paid for basic
<bvernoux>
Maybe there is a possible deal with them ;)
<azonenberg>
They are willing to negotiate especially with one-man shops
<azonenberg>
they're a small business so they understand
<azonenberg>
The sales guy is aware that i'm on a budget and looking to upgrade, and wants to work with me
<bvernoux>
yes and you can bring them more and more guys
<azonenberg>
we haven't sat down to actually agree on a price as i don't yet have the cash in hand
<azonenberg>
The 8 kUSD delta is based on the pricing they had on their website before they took it down
<azonenberg>
apparently - would you believe this - a customer complained that they published prices??
<azonenberg>
i've never heard of a customer telling a vendor "we don't want you publishing prices" before
<azonenberg>
normally it's the opposite
<azonenberg>
So now all editions are $CALL_FOR_QUOTE
<azonenberg>
the base price has not changed, it's just no longer published
<azonenberg>
The last published prices, which i made a point of writing down, were $4625 basic, $8725 silver, $12495 gold, $27000 pro
<bvernoux>
yes I like to see price online too
<bvernoux>
what a stupid customer which ask to remove online price
<azonenberg>
yeah i have no idea
<azonenberg>
anyway, i paid a decent bit less than the advertised price
<bvernoux>
maybe he resell it for double price ;)
<azonenberg>
so i'm hoping for a similar level of discount on the higher versions
<bvernoux>
yes clearly
<azonenberg>
But until my budget recovers from buying the VNA it's not happening :p
<bvernoux>
you can provide them the KS link and other details on project using it
<bvernoux>
where you can advertise a bit that you have simulated the critical path with their tool ;)
<bvernoux>
it is a win-win strategy like chinese guy says ;)
<azonenberg>
also ~40% to the goal on the probe KS. I was hoping it would be building more momentum by this point but only have ten backers and several only wanted bare pcbs
<monochroma>
:<
<monochroma>
hmmm wonder if there is anywhere else it should be pushed for advertising :<
<bvernoux>
it is a very specific market too
<azonenberg>
now this is only week 1 of 4
<azonenberg>
But most of those 10 were in the first few hours after i tweeted the link
<bvernoux>
I'm not sure normal guys going in KS will think to find such stuff ;)
<bvernoux>
it will be great to advertize that on specialized web site
<azonenberg>
if you can think of places to push it, go for it
<monochroma>
probably get a bunch of orders when the signal path does a review
<azonenberg>
monochroma: that won't help the KS though
<azonenberg>
The KS will end before i get boards back at the current rate
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<azonenberg>
and i can't get TSP a board until i get boards
<azonenberg>
it will likely help longer term sales
<monochroma>
azonenberg: yeah :<
<bvernoux1>
oups disconnection
<bvernoux1>
yes on TSP it will be a must
<bvernoux1>
or EEVBLOG ;)
<monochroma>
nuuuu :P
<bvernoux1>
even if EEVBLOG is less and less specialized
<azonenberg>
if dave wants one of my probes he's gonna have to pay full price just like anybody else
<azonenberg>
:p
<bvernoux1>
I do not like the video since lot of month/years now
<monochroma>
azonenberg: haha
<bvernoux1>
not enough teardown ;)
<bvernoux1>
yes he sell a defective 121GW multimeter ;)
<bvernoux1>
do you have seen the debacle ?
<bvernoux1>
it is not compliant
<bvernoux1>
it fail some major test with safety
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<azonenberg>
monochroma: i mean part of the problem is the more fundamental issue that even a low-cost probe isn't much use to someone without a >1 GHz scope