Spectrum Notes: To demystify the complex web of frequencies shown in the infographic, our Field Day site will feature a live, hands-on demonstration using the tinySA Ultra—a powerful, pocket-sized spectrum analyzer. While traditional test equipment can cost thousands of dollars, this compact device allows us to visually slice through the airwaves in real time, translating abstract numbers into a vivid "waterfall" display of active radio waves. By enabling its advanced Ultra mode, we can sweep across the entire RF spectrum displayed here—from legacy AM and FM broadcast signals, through our vital 2-Meter and 70-Centimeter amateur bands, and right up into the microwave frontier of $2.4\text{ GHz}$ and $5\text{ GHz}$ Wi-Fi networks. Most impressively, we will demonstrate how to capture active cellular uplink bands, letting you visualize the invisible RF bursts your own smartphone transmits to connect with local cell towers. Seeing the tinySA Ultra instantly identify these signal spikes, measure ambient RF noise, and capture hidden local transmissions gives operators and visitors alike an intuitive, eye-opening look at how densely packed and crucial our shared airwaves truly are.
AM Broadcast bandThe legacy AM band was populated in the first half of the last centruy. At that time it required significant power to broadcast the signal and was highly dependent on atmospheric propogation for distance.
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FM Broadcast bandHere is an analysis of the FM Broadcast band based on a Spectrum Analyzer scan. It is annotated by the AI and got most of the local FM stations.
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Field Day HF bandsThe Ham radio bands being used for this field-day are the 40 Meter, 20 Meter and 15 Meter bands. This chart shows how they fit into the lower portion of the Spectrum.
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AI Notice: Some of these charts are created as infographics from a detailed prompt using Gemini-AI Pro. They were generated from actual Spectrum Analyzer screen captures, then annotated by the AI with it's "best guess" at what the "blip" was. At the present state of AI there is likely to be a 4-12% error rate. These charts were all spot checked, but I suspect some errors got through. AM and FM broadcast are pretty accurate. The WiFi and Bluetooth were inside my house which has quite a few IOT (Internet of things) devices.



