RoadTest Forum - Recent Threads

RE: Is there a place we can request RoadTest products?

MATRIX7878 — Sun, 21 Jun 2026 01:55:56 GMT

Alright, I think I found something: SM-K26-XCL2GC AMD, SYSTEM-ON-MODULE, ARM, CORTEX-A53 | Newark Electronics.

Is there a place we can request RoadTest products?

MATRIX7878 — Fri, 19 Jun 2026 07:05:33 GMT

I know [mention:e533a280d27446f88d5eca64e725a4fb:e9ed411860ed4f2ba0265705b8793d05] created a thread about products we DID own for a RoadTest...well...test. I wish to know if there is a place where we place our own requests in for products we do NOT have. I have some ideas, but do not know where to post them.

RE: Is there a place we can request RoadTest products?

MATRIX7878 — Sun, 21 Jun 2026 00:31:01 GMT

Unfortunately, I do not think so. I would have that that since Avnet/Farnell are European countries Trenz would be a manufacturer as it is German. Oh well. Perhaps there are other things.

RE: Is there a place we can request RoadTest products?

cstanton — Sat, 20 Jun 2026 22:45:42 GMT

[quote userid="510770" url="~/products/roadtest/f/forum/57040/is-there-a-place-we-can-request-roadtest-products/236170"]Here are a few things I would like to test out (don't know how expensive they can be)[/quote]

Are these available on the Farnell/Newark/element14 online stores? That's part of the criteria.

RE: Are there any products you own - that you'd like to write a RoadTest Review for?

Fikri — Sat, 20 Jun 2026 14:53:38 GMT

Excuse me. As a beginner, I find Element 14 very helpful. It's quite helpful in my learning and development. Shabaz explains several topics for my final project in Element 14. Thank you. That's why I'm quite focused on this platform and am still exploring its features.
The great thing about this platform is that it has a place to write articles about projects, and I'm quite interested in posting my final project here. I think I have a lot to learn about writing and a friendly writing style here.
Thank you.
Best regards

Are there any products you own - that you'd like to write a RoadTest Review for?

cstanton — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 13:51:37 GMT

Predominantly we setup RoadTests based upon discussions we have in the element14 Community team, or when we're approached by suppliers or manufacturers that would like their hardware 'tested'.

It occurs to me though, that many of our members may already have hardware, equipment or kit that they could or would like to write a RoadTest for, maybe we could even supplement these with accessories to help the RoadTest along.

We would need some way of deciding which product to setup the page for to RoadTest, but we've had a number of times now where people have stepped forward and said they'd like to RoadTest an item that they already have. It may have to be something that Farnell stocks, fundamentally.

Let me know your thoughts.

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RE: Is there a place we can request RoadTest products?

MATRIX7878 — Fri, 19 Jun 2026 21:54:49 GMT

I will accept that answer. Here are a few things I would like to test out (don't know how expensive they can be):

1. Tang Mega 138K Pro

2. Any Trenz Electronic SoMs, with FPGA (PL) based transceivers broken out.

I know the Trenz can get up there in price, but I care about functionality not size of internals.

RE: Is there a place we can request RoadTest products?

cstanton — Fri, 19 Jun 2026 12:41:13 GMT

[quote userid="510770" url="~/products/roadtest/f/forum/57040/is-there-a-place-we-can-request-roadtest-products"] I have some ideas, but do not know where to post them.[/quote]

Here in the forums is a good start 🙂

RE: Are there any products you own - that you'd like to write a RoadTest Review for?

alabek — Sun, 14 Jun 2026 20:54:39 GMT

As a new member in this roadtest community, I would like to make a review of something that I know to learn the process of reviewing in general and improve how I use my tools along the way.

RE: Are there any products you own - that you'd like to write a RoadTest Review for?

gam3t3ch — Sun, 14 Jun 2026 18:07:28 GMT

As long as audio is good people can forgive quality a bit is what I found.

RE: Are there any products you own - that you'd like to write a RoadTest Review for?

beacon_dave — Sun, 14 Jun 2026 17:59:27 GMT

I sometimes grab the external webcam to use handheld but often need a third hand to be able to hold it in the right position, whilst still holding the part you are working on; then you still need to adjust focus and hit the shutter release to take the photo.

Not so bad here at the desk but if you are in a MEWP bucket 8m off the ground working by torchlight, it might start to get a wee bit tricky. 🙂

There appear to be a couple of design flaws in the older style SpeakON chassis connectors when working with 4mm² wire. Firstly, you can't use bootlace ferrules and secondly there is an obstruction partly inside the terminal requiring the wire to be inserted at a particular angle to avoid it, however with bare stranded wire it then starts to get a bit 'interesting'. Trying to quickly get a photo/video of that whilst you are working is tricky but it is exactly the type of thing you might want to be able to include in a write-up.

RE: Are there any products you own - that you'd like to write a RoadTest Review for?

shabaz — Sun, 14 Jun 2026 17:27:23 GMT

I'd love to see these sorts of items in quick videos/photos too. Regarding recording, often nowadays I just use my mobile phone, because if I get out the proper camera and set it up, it's just too much time consumed. For me, I've decided I'm willing to tolerate the lower-quality, if it means I become more likely to record something than not.

RE: Are there any products you own - that you'd like to write a RoadTest Review for?

gam3t3ch — Sun, 14 Jun 2026 17:09:12 GMT

I like this idea this is great. I usually have a shopping cart of connectors, supplies, random sale items I dont need but want for no reason and things on newark and wait til I hit the minimum for shipping. reminds me I need to go buy some more connectors thanks Dave lol and my wire strippers I like are in my storage locker....might have to take a look at them knipex.

RE: Are there any products you own - that you'd like to write a RoadTest Review for?

beacon_dave — Sun, 14 Jun 2026 17:01:19 GMT

Speaking of connectors, this week I was thinking that my desk was starting to resemble a Farnell advert...

144x Neutrik SpeakONs
Multicomp 4mm² bootlace ferrules
Penn Elcom 19" punched rack panels
Multicomp 4mm² tri-rated switchgear wire
Knipex cable shears
Knipex wire strippers
Knipex bootlace ferrule crimps
Knipex cable dismantling tool
Wiha nut driver

so perhaps there is some scope to combine a number of stocked products into a useful product-focused blog.

Not only that but like many will have done, I've gone through a number of tools along the way so potential for comparisons between tools along the way.

One of the issues perhaps is capturing enough video/photo content, especially in the field, to then be able to later create a blog around. I suspect that will soon change with the wider adoption of camera glasses.

RE: Are there any products you own - that you'd like to write a RoadTest Review for?

beacon_dave — Sat, 13 Jun 2026 18:24:19 GMT

How about something like a 'Product14' area based along the lines of the current 'Project14' area ?

RE: Are there any products you own - that you'd like to write a RoadTest Review for?

gam3t3ch — Sat, 13 Jun 2026 13:22:10 GMT

One aspect I really like about this idea is that it could provide a valuable entry point for newer community members who may not yet have a RoadTest history.

Many applicants have strong technical skills and interesting project ideas, but they often have no previous RoadTest reviews to reference when applying for more competitive opportunities. Allowing members to create RoadTests using equipment they already own could help build a portfolio of work and demonstrate their testing methodology, technical writing ability, photography, data collection, and overall review quality.

In a way, it could serve as a RoadTest "resume builder." Members would have an opportunity to show the community what they can do before applying for larger RoadTests, while manufacturers and the element14 team would gain additional insight into the quality of a member's work.

It could also encourage greater community participation by giving members a reason to create detailed technical content around products they already use and understand well. Even modest supplemental items, accessories, sensors, test equipment, or expansion modules could help enhance these reviews and make them more valuable to readers.

Overall, I think this could be a great way to help develop new reviewers, increase community engagement, and create a stronger pool of applicants for future RoadTests.

RE: Are there any products you own - that you'd like to write a RoadTest Review for?

kk99 — Sat, 13 Jun 2026 11:42:57 GMT

I think that is a good idea. Additionally, it could be a nice motivation e.g. a small discount for Farnell store on a product that given person wants to buy and, thanks to that, perform a RoadTest.

RE: Would you like to review the NI USRP B206mini-i?

MechWarrior — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 16:37:54 GMT

I love everything that NI offers. I'm an NI super fan! I'm looking for a project to present to the University (ETS in Montreal, Quebec, Canada) for them to consider my application as a mature student for entry into the Masters of Electrical Engineering program. I think that using this module would put me ahead of the competition and also provide you with a thorough evaluation of the product. I'm already dreaming up ways I can use it to its full potential. It would be a WIN-WIN. Please consider me!

Would you like to review the NI USRP B206mini-i?

OwainM — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 12:26:04 GMT

We are exploring the opportunity to offer you the [embed:ad4490ac-0ce8-4f2d-a04c-9285646d5689:df6872b3-46a2-48db-9b69-3d0a2566b6c7:text=USRP%20B206mini-i%20from%20NI%C2%A0&style=link&farnell=4739131&newark=%2046AM8492&cpc=&avnetemea=&avnetema=&avnetasia=&comoverride=&cmpoverride=&AreaInteracted=rte-content&bom=] to review.

What is the B206mini-i?

The NI USRP B206mini-i is a Software Defined Radio (SDR) / cognitive radio witha frequency range of between 70 Mhz to 6 GHz. It contains a user-programmable AMD Spartan-6 XC6SLX150 FPGA and the RF front end uses the Analog Devices AD9364 RFIC transceiver with 56 MHz of instantaneous bandwidth. The board is powered by USB 3.0, and includes connection for GPIO, JTAG, 10 MHz clock reference or PPS time reference input signal.

Details

https://www.ni.com/en/shop/hardware/software-defined-radios/model-usrp-b206mini-i

https://www.ni.com/docs/en-US/bundle/usrp-b206mini-i-specs/page/specs.html

https://learn.ni.com/learn/article/getting-started-with-usrp

[View:/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-discussions-components-files/14/USRP-B206mini_2D00_i-Datasheet.pdf:640:360]

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RE: Would you like to review the NI USRP B206mini-i?

F1GWR — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 13:12:21 GMT

I'm a NI customer since Labview 1.1. Currently using Labview Community 2026Q1patch2.

Also radio-ham F1GWR since 1982, and can compare this SDR with my Icom 9700, Kenwood TS-990 and Elecraft K3s in real world. Can also test it via geostationary satellite QO-100 with my offset 120 cm dish and PLL LNB converter.

And to evaluate this SDR for specifications, own a full range of VNA (HP8753C, HP 8510C + 8341A), SA (HP 8565E, Agilent N9020A), NF test set (HP 8970B + 8971C), synthesized generators (HP 8663A, Systron-Donner 1720B), and receiver measurement test set (HP 8901A+8902A+8903A)

RE: Would you like to review the NI USRP B206mini-i?

saramic — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 12:02:11 GMT

yeah wow cool toy, I am not sure I could do it justice but some experiments I would love to be able to run are

attempt Passive Radar - detect pasing aircraft by correlating direct signal against reflections from the airplane
a home EMC Survey - sweep 70 MHz to 1 GHz for all the worst RF polluters, I have done this a bit with a TinySA and you find some cool things emitting RF
I had a car stolen recently (I ended up finding it randomly abandoned in next suburb) but it has made me think of checking out the reply attacks on my car remote control
see if I can measure the Doppler shift of individual satelites by capturing raw satellite signals for GPS tuned to 1575.42 MHz
see if I can have a 2.4GHz Household RF Map watch Wi-Fi channels, Bluetooth hopping, Zigbee sensors, and microwave oven leakage coexist in real time. Turn devices on and off, identify each protocol purely by signal shape before confirming with a decode tool.

good luck all!!!

RE: Would you like to review the NI USRP B206mini-i?

afernandez — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 10:52:00 GMT

Absolutely yes! I’m working now with rf systems and I try to learn all i can do!

RE: Would you like to review the NI USRP B206mini-i?

Sudhanshu555 — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 04:58:22 GMT

I would like to test video transmission on it. Thanks 😀

RE: Would you like to review the NI USRP B206mini-i?

dougw — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 22:12:19 GMT

Looks interesting. SDR exploration is on my bucket list.

RE: Would you like to review the NI USRP B206mini-i?

Mpcldwll — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 20:16:47 GMT

I would, but I would have to leave out proprietary secrets 😁