Radio spectrum scope explained

The radio spectrum scope (also radio panoramic receiver, panoramic adapter, pan receiver, pan adapter, panadapter, panoramic radio spectroscope, panoramoscope, panalyzor and band scope) was invented by Marcel Wallace - and measures and shows the magnitude of an input signal versus frequency within one or more radio bands - e.g. shortwave bands.[1] [2] A spectrum scope is normally a lot cheaper than a spectrum analyzer, because the aim is not high quality frequency resolution - nor high quality signal strength measurements.

The spectrum scope use can be to:

Modern spectrum scopes, like the Elecraft P3, also plot signal frequencies and amplitudes over time, in a rolling format called a waterfall plot.

External links

Notes and References

  1. https://patents.google.com/patent/US2279151 Panoramic radio receiving system US 2279151 A
  2. http://www.astrosurf.com/luxorion/qsl-ham-history7.htm The History of Amateur Radio