I recently learned how to run terminal commands from desktop icons in linux, and that made turning on and off my line-in loopback really quick. I now have a (crudely built) carlson superprobe attached to the computer all the time, and getting its audio into my surround sound (or Friture, a real-time audio spectrum display software) is just a mouse click away.
This made me want to try sniffing for the 10kHz in my washington's PLL again. So I modified the probe with an SMA connector so I can change between E-field and H-field quickly. My first attempt with a single loop was a dismal failure. This probe must not be as sensitive as my battery one (or more noisy due to the PC wiring). I then tried using a small green-dipped 470uH inductor on the end of the coax. Wow, now that picks up some stuff! I can easily see the PLL's 10kHz on Friture now. This can't take the place of a single-turn loop for all jobs, but for sniffing the PLL, it worked wonders.
This made me want to try sniffing for the 10kHz in my washington's PLL again. So I modified the probe with an SMA connector so I can change between E-field and H-field quickly. My first attempt with a single loop was a dismal failure. This probe must not be as sensitive as my battery one (or more noisy due to the PC wiring). I then tried using a small green-dipped 470uH inductor on the end of the coax. Wow, now that picks up some stuff! I can easily see the PLL's 10kHz on Friture now. This can't take the place of a single-turn loop for all jobs, but for sniffing the PLL, it worked wonders.