No one expects you to build this, but you can Learn from the Master:
https://lea.hamradio.si/~s53mv/spectana/sa.htmlThis was popular:
https://www.robkalmeijer.nl/techniek/electronica/radiotechniek/hambladen/qst/1985/11/page23/index.htmlThe must have books for a beginner in RF:
Experimental Methods in RF Design, Bob Larkin, Rick Campbell, and Wes Hayward
Has a full Spectrum Analyzer design that is very good and inexpensive. Covers home made crystal filters well, at levels from beginner to advanced. Covers VCO design and Preamp / IF /RF amplifiers from DC to 2 Ghz Its a great book, but it has doubled in price recently, for an 8 month school project it's perfect.. Try to find it used or on inter-library loan. Goes into the theory and design of every receiver circuit element without high order math from a amateurs' radio point of view. Learn what is in that book and have a good start on a career. I think of it as a book that you'd have to pry from my cold, dead, hands...
But NOT dumbed down like the
ARRL Handbook, of which OLDER like 1980s-1990s editions are a good read...
Navy
NEETS, the full set... Free from the US Navy...
Art of Electronics, Volume one, Winfield Hill.. Probably can find a PDF on-line.
You need this chart eventually:
https://www.minicircuits.com/app/DG03-111.pdfYou need this chart now...
https://www.minicircuits.com/app/AN40-012.pdf_-------------------------------------------------------
You will eventually need the circuit in figure 6 of this:
https://interferencetechnology.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/WyattArticle.pdfAlso make it with a 1 Mhz TTL Crystal oscillator
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Print out copies and download the images on this page:
https://techlib.com/electronics/detect.htmYou'll need a rudimentary RF voltmeter, the above page is it. Dr. Wenzel made that page for me way back when I was building a SA, like two decades ago. Its accurate.
You'll need attenuators:
https://www.qsl.net/z33t/rf_step_attenuator_eng.htmlEventually you will want a Ebay "DDS" frequency synthesizer for testing and measuring resolution and level.
For RF under 200 Mhz or so, Manhatten Style PC construction is great for beginners:
https://qrpme.com/docs/K7QO%20Manhattan.pdfSnag some Analog Devices inc RF log Amps and Detectors... Their web site is a treasure trove for a beginner
Like these:,
https://www.ebay.com/itm/166352071945?itmmeta=01HSMAM3EZGBGHTD6ZKK80N4PH&hash=item26bb5b2d09:g:rKgAAOSwKsFlFLEN&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA0EISSxez%2BBTXxKGsQFea8desWappsYYsz%2FnSnqNuzInJ8rr5A7OGWcg3xPL%2FHpJR4dAm3Ezj8EkPOLlidRfntmKKk7I%2FWGWCvFcJ2igsyf%2B6TpSgfCKaS10YeTcw3xzvehi4yjheZn3BaIzCvwXZfz1hoCE7%2BY0F9ssrStos%2Br5CdiobDBIDMEkeyRosjBwnX%2F85%2F5kv1USYFyMoSdK%2BaaL7hUWOVaYX0PMfy6i7v4hcfuro2xEOhwjxUXHP4Ai3pDlPypm9u8Bz%2B13hzrqujMU%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR9S30IrNYwThere are other varients.
Shop Class: Interdigital filters are a key part in High End Spectrum Analyzers with High Side IFs for greater performance. This is a Java calculator that helps you make them:
https://www.changpuak.ch/electronics/interdigital_bandpass_filter_designer.php Can be made with hand saw, file, taps, and drill, but have your parents permission before using power tools and have supervision.
This program, you may need later:
http://www.hp.woodshot.com/ One of my favorite tricks with Appcad is to turn hobby shop brass tubing into Solid Coax Cables and RF fittings such as cased diode detectors.
https://www.broadcom.com/info/wireless/appcad Also hosted at Broadcom...
Lastly:
www.minicircuits.com www.rfparts.com www.amplifiedparts.com (Great Knobs)
https://www.rf-microwave.com/en/home/ (Italy, but ships to US)
www.mcmaster.com = Hardware treasure trove.
Steve