What is tinyspectrum?

TinySpectrum is a macOS application built for use with the tinySA Ultra and Ultra+ hardware devices. These small devices are spectrum analyzers, meaning they measure radio frequency (RF) activity in a given area. The app connects to the hardware over USB and turns the Mac into a desktop scanning tool for capturing, reviewing, and exporting those measurements. It keeps all scan data and presets stored locally on the computer, rather than sending them to an online server. The application supports two main scanning modes. A user can perform a single sweep to capture a one-time snapshot of RF activity, or run a continuous scan that repeats sweeps at timed intervals to build a timeline survey. When running a continuous scan, a countdown timer shows when the next capture will begin. Users can also enable a feature called Peak Hold, which overlays a red line on the graph that remembers the strongest signal recorded at each frequency, never dropping down even if newer readings are weaker. To help users compare data, the app allows multiple saved scans to be displayed on the same graph using different colors. It also supports saving presets, so frequently scanned frequency ranges can be recalled with a single click. The resolution bandwidth settings, which control the level of detail in a scan, are linked to the timing intervals. The app adjusts these estimates automatically based on the frequency range selected, since scanning with finer detail takes longer over a wide range. TinySpectrum includes an export feature designed for compatibility with Shure Wireless Workbench, a separate audio management software. Single scans export as CSV files containing frequency and amplitude data. Continuous scans export as SDB3 timeline files with timestamps. Export filenames can include an approximate city name, but this location feature is entirely optional and the app does not upload any measurement data. Installing the app involves downloading a zip file from the GitHub releases page and moving it to the Applications folder. It requires macOS 14 Sonoma or newer. Since the app is not notarized through Apple's official developer program, the operating system may ask the user to confirm the launch in privacy settings.