RF Explorer

Local Australian Stock!

With more wireless systems in use than ever, there is a real need for monitoring tools that anyone can use. Wireless microphones, video links, GSM, GPRS, 3G, 4G, and 5G networks, Wi-Fi, ZigBee, Bluetooth, ISM bands and more: the RF Explorer is an affordable handheld spectrum analyser, designed from scratch as a Swiss Army Knife for the specific needs of digital radio frequency communication.

Commercial high-end spectrum analysers are traditionally bulky and cost many thousands of dollars, and they take significant expertise to master. The RF Explorer offers about 90% of what a high-cost unit can do for RF band communication, at about 5% of the cost. It is also easy to carry virtually anywhere, can be used remotely, and runs for hours on a single battery charge.

Cheap RF power detectors and frequency counters only show a single point of maximum power, and their power readings can be 20dB or even 30dB out. A spectrum analyser like the RF Explorer shows the full spectrum across the band, including the carrier and modulated shape, any spread spectrum activity, and the bandwidth, so you can spot collisions, frequency deviation from the expected tone and more.

RF Explorers are fully functional analysers used worldwide by radio enthusiasts, engineers, electronic technicians, installers and companies working with specific bands. The range now covers 50kHz to 6.1GHz, from narrow band 868MHz units through to wideband Combo models. The RF Explorer is fully functional as a standalone unit, and connecting it to a PC, Linux or Mac is optional for extra features and display quality.

New to Radio Frequency (RF)? Start Here:

Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, wireless microphones, remote controls, drone video links and mobile phones all send information through the air as invisible radio signals. Each one uses its own slice of the radio spectrum, a bit like cars using different lanes of a road. When too many devices crowd into the same lane, or something nearby is making electrical noise in it, things go wrong: Wi-Fi drops out, microphones crackle and video freezes.

The RF Explorer lets you see those invisible signals. Think of it as a graph for radio. It shows which frequencies are busy, how strong each signal is, and where there is clear space. You do not need to be a radio expert, because it sets itself up automatically, and it works on its own without a computer. Plugging it into a PC or Mac is optional if you want a bigger display or extra features.

What Can I Use It For?

• Fix slow or dropping Wi-Fi: See which Wi-Fi channels are crowded, so you can move your router or access point to a quieter one. The 2.4GHz and 5GHz models can show both Wi-Fi bands.
• Find clear frequencies for wireless gear: Check for interference around wireless microphones and similar equipment before the event, rather than finding out halfway through.
• Check that a transmitter is working: Confirm that a remote control, sensor, alarm or radio is actually transmitting, on the right frequency and at a sensible strength.
• Compare antennas: See whether changing or repositioning an antenna makes the signal stronger or cleaner.
• Hunt down interference: Find out whether something nearby, such as a faulty device or noisy electronics, is drowning out the signal you want.
• Set up drone and model video links: Check the 2.4GHz and 5.8GHz bands used by many drone, FPV and model aircraft controllers and video links.
• Troubleshoot smart devices: Look at devices on the 433MHz, 868MHz and 915MHz bands, such as garage door remotes, wireless sensors and smart meters.
• Amateur radio: Check transmitter output, align antennas and see what is happening on the HAM bands.

How Do I Read the Screen?

Each peak on the graph is a signal. The further left or right it sits, the lower or higher its frequency. The taller the peak, the stronger the signal. Flat, low areas are quiet, which means there is clear space you can use. If a peak appears where it should not, or a busy area is crowding out the signal you want, you have found your problem.

Which One Should I Choose?

• Wi-Fi on both 2.4GHz and 5GHz: The WiFi Combo or the 6G Combo+ SLIM.
• 2.4GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, plus remotes and sensors: The ISM Combo+ SLIM.
• Remotes, sensors, smart devices and other gear that works below 1GHz: The WSUB1G+ SLIM.
• Everything in one unit: The 6G Combo+ SLIM, which has the widest coverage.
• Just the 868MHz band: The Narrow Band 868MHz, our most affordable model.

What Is a Signal Generator?

An analyser listens to the air. A signal generator does the opposite: it makes a clean test signal on a frequency you choose. Used together, the two let you measure how well a cable, filter, antenna or amplifier is working, for example how much signal a long cable loses. See the Signal Generators section below.

Handy to Know:

• The antennas supplied cover the most common bands, but some frequencies may need a specific antenna to work well.
• The RF Explorer is designed to pick up signals through the air with an antenna. If you connect it by cable straight to a transmitter or other strong signal, use an RF Power Limiter to protect the input.

Choosing a Model:

 

 

 

What You Can Do With an RF Explorer:

• Monitor continuous wave (CW) and temporary transmissions in ISM and other bands.
• Check that a device is transmitting on the expected frequency and with the expected power.
• See whether an antenna or amplifier change makes a difference to power, orientation and noise.
• Check band occupancy so you can move to a clearer channel.
• Analyse Wi-Fi channels on the 2.4GHz and 5GHz models.
• Transmit a pure RF test tone on models with a built-in generator, so you can test an RF link in seconds.
• Pair an analyser with an RF Explorer Signal Generator to make a scalar network analyser for testing filters, cables, antennas and amplifiers.
• Work completely automatically, with resolution bandwidth (RBW) and sweep time set for you, so you do not need to be an expert.
• View spectrum data in Normal, Average, Peak Max and Hold, and Overwrite modes.
• Use the open communication API and the free open source PC client software for Windows, macOS and Linux, with unlimited capture and post-processing storage.

Specifications - Plus SLIM Series:

The Plus SLIM models have a solid aluminium chassis, an internal 1800mAh rechargeable battery, a selectable internal LNA and internal attenuators.

Specifications - Classic Series:

Combo models have an expansion module already installed, so they have two SMA RF ports. Single module models can be expanded with the 240-960MHz and 15-2700MHz expansion modules.

Common to All Analysers:

• 128x64 pixel graphical LCD with backlight, for good visibility indoors and outdoors.
• Standard SMA connectors, 50 Ohm.
• Frequency resolution of 1kHz and amplitude resolution of 0.5dBm.
• Rechargeable battery, charged and connected to a PC or Mac over USB.
• Free open source PC client software, with a USB API for your own applications.

RF Explorer Signal Generators:

The RF Explorer Signal Generators are pocket-sized handheld RF sources in a solid aluminium case, with an internal rechargeable battery and a backlit 128x64 pixel LCD. Use one on its own as a CW or sweep generator to feed a signal into a circuit or receiver, or pair it with an RF Explorer analyser on the same PC to make a scalar network analyser (SNA) for measuring filters, cables, attenuators and amplifiers. They are controlled with the free RF Explorer for Windows software, with open source Python and .NET API libraries for your own automation.

 

Which Signal Generator?

The RFE6GEN is the lower cost, general purpose source, but its output above 23.4MHz is unfiltered and contains harmonics. The Signal Generator Combo adds low pass harmonic filtering for a clean sine wave, extends coverage down to 100kHz, and offers finer power control with up to +18dBm output, so it suits more demanding measurements. Output between -40dBm and +10dBm is factory calibrated. Levels outside that range work in an extended, uncalibrated mode.

Already own an RFE6GEN? The Signal Generator Expansion Module upgrades it to a full Combo. It fits inside the RFE6GEN only, and cannot be used in the analyser models.

Accessories and Expansion:

We also stock expansion modules, antennas and accessories including carry cases, stands and protective covers.