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RF Explorer



Introducing The RF Explorer - All Australian Local Stock

In a world with a growing list of wireless systems, there is a real need for monitoring tools and instruments everyone can use. Wireless microphones, video links, GSM / GPRS / 3G / 4G networks, WiFi, ZigBee, Bluetooth, ISM bands… The RF Explorer is an affordable Handheld Spectrum Analyser designed from scratch to be a sort of Swiss Army Knife for the specific needs of digital radio frequency communication. Commercial high-end spectrum analysers are traditionally expensive and bulky, in the order of many thousand dollars and you need significant expertise to master them. RF Explorer offers about 90% of what a high cost unit will do for RF band communication, at about 5% of the cost! Additionally, it can be carried around easily virtually anywhere, used remotely and efficiently for hours with a single battery charge. More information below products.

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RF Explorer Case
RF Explorer Case $12.00 each
RF Explorer Stand
RF Explorer Stand $20.00 each
 The RF Explorer!

RF enthusiasts have limited themselves to cheap "RF Power Detector / Frequency Counter" devices in the past. But these are limited to display data for a single point of maximum power, and traditionally power metrics are too unreliable, in the order of 20dB or even 30dB inaccuracy. In contrast, a spectrum analyser like RF Explorer will display full frequency spectrum in the band, including carrier and modulated shape, will display Spread Spectrum activity if that exist, and will show bandwidth to monitor collisions, frequency deviation from expected tone, etc.

RF Explorers are fully functional analysers used worldwide by radio enthusiasts, engineers, electronic technicians, installers and companies who deal with specific ISM bands only. But there are more advanced models available covering wider bands including the 3G model with a full coverage of 15-2700MHz with no gaps and with excellent dynamic range. There are some other devices in the market which offers some of these features in an USB key, and they are of reasonable cost, albeit with limited bandwidth and resolution when compared to RF Explorer. However, USB-Key devices always depend on a PC connection, and that is very inconvenient for outdoor work or if you need to save space in the lab desk. You can connect the RF Explorer to your PC for additional features and display quality, but that is optional; RF Explorer is fully functional as an independent unit. See below a quick summary of what you can do today with RF Explorer.

RF Explorer Model Range Map
RF Explorer Model Range Map

RF Explorer Current Supported Work-flows:

  • Monitor continuous wave (CW) and temporary transmissions in specific ISM band.
  • Detect whether a device is transmitting in the expected frequency and with expected power.
  • Check whether an antenna or amplifier change makes a difference in power, orientation and noise.
  • Detect band occupancy to move your gadget to a different channel.
  • Works as RF Generator to transmit pure RF tone so you can test your RF link in seconds.
  • Works completely automatic so you do not need to be an expert to use it. It will resolve RBW, Sweep time, for you.
  • Offer spectrum data in Normal, Average, Peak Maximum calculator modes.
  • Open communication API.
  • Open source PC client software for Windows and Mac OSX, unlimited capture and post-processing storage.
  • Optimised for all worldwide frequencies between 15 to 2700MHz. Check on the model map above for more details and comparison chart further below.

RF Explorer Combo - Spectrum Analyser Detailed Specification Comparison Chart:
RF Explorer Combo models include an expansion module already installed and therefore have two SMA RF ports. The combination of baseline and expansion module offer complete capabilities for specific use cases such as dual band WiFi, RC/FPV needs, etc.
 

COMBO Models 6G Combo 3G Combo ISM Combo
Spectrum Analyzer Frequency (MHz) 4850-6100 (left)
15-2700 (right)
240-960 (left)
15-2700 (right)
240-960 (left)
2350-2550 (right)
Spectrum Analyzer Span (MHz)

2-600 (left)
0.112-600 (right)

0.112-600 0.112-600 (left)
2-85 (right)
Baseline Installed Module 6G WSUB1G WSUB1G
Expansion Module Fitted RFEMWSUB3G RFEMWSUB3G RFEM2.4G
Frequency resolution (kHz) 1.0 1.0 1.0
DANL typical (dBm) -105 -115 (left)
-105 (right)
-115 (left)
-105 (right)
Amplitude resolution (dBm)

0.5

0.5 0.5
Automatic RBW (kHz) 2.6-812 2.6-600 2.6-600
Graphics LCD (pixels) 128x64 128x64 128x64
LCD Backlight 5 levels 5 levels 5 levels
LCD Contrast 10 levels 10 levels 10 levels
RF Impedance (Ohm) 50 50 50
RF Absolute Max input power (dBm) (**) +25 (left)
+30 (right)
+5 (left)
+30 (right)
+5
RF Max measurable input power (dBm) ** -15 (left)
-10 (right)
-5 (left)
-10 (right)
-5
RF Generator Frequency (MHz) Not Available Not available 2350-2550 (right)
RF Generator Power (dBm) Not available Not available -30 to +1 (right)
Wi-Fi Analyser Not available 13 channels
2.4GHz
13 channels
2.4GHz
DSP Filter/Fast Filter/Fast Fast
Frequency accuracy (typical) 0.5ppm (left)
10ppm (right)
10ppm 10ppm
Frequency stability (typical) 0.5ppm (left)
10ppm (right)
10ppm 10ppm
Amplitude stability (typical) ±1dBm ±1dBm ±1dBm
Amplitude accuracy (typical) ±3dBm (left)
±6dBm (right)
±3dBm (left)
±6dBm (right)
±3dBm
RF DC decoupled Yes (both) Yes (both) Yes (left)
No (right)
Max RF DC Voltage (V) 16 16 16V (left)
0.3V (right)
Windows PC Client tool 32/64 bits 32/64 bits 32/64 bits
RS232/USB API Yes Yes Yes
Internal CPU (MIPS) 16 16 16
Extra RAM 64KB 64KB 64KB
Extra ROM 2MB 2MB 2MB
Expansion Options Not available (i) Not available (i) Not available (i)
Size (mm) 113x70x25 113x70x25 113x70x25
Weight (grams) 285 220 220
Antenna included NA-773
Whip 2.4G
R Duck 5.8G
NA-773
Whip 2.4G
NA-773
Whip 2.4G
EVA Case included Yes Yes Optional
 

RF Explorer Baseline Units - Spectrum Analyser Detailed Specification Comparison Chart:
RF Explorer baseline units are available for a set of different frequencies and can be easily expanded to a Combo model by adding an expansion module.

Model 6G WSUB1G 2.4G 915M 868M 433M
Spectrum Analyzer Frequency (MHz) 4850-6100 240-960 2350-2550 910-920
900-930 (*)
860-870
850-880 (*)
430-440
420-450 (*)
Spectrum Analyzer Span (MHz) 2-300
2-600 (*)
0.112-300
0.112-600 (*)
2-85 0.112-10
0.112-30 (*)
0.112-10
0.112-30 (*)
0.112-10
0.112-30 (*)
Baseline Installed Module 6G WSUB1G 2.4G 915M 868M 433M
Expansion Module Fitted - - - - - -
Frequency resolution (kHz) 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0
DANL typical (dBm) -105 -115 -105 -115 -115 -115
Amplitude resolution (dBm) 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5
Automatic RBW (kHz) 58-812 2.6-600 58-812 2.6-600 2.6-600 2.6-600
Graphics LCD (pixels) 128x64 128x64 128x64 128x64 128x64 128x64
LCD Backlight 5 levels 5 levels 5 levels 5 levels 5 levels 5 levels
LCD Contrast 10 levels 10 levels 10 levels 10 levels 10 levels 10 levels
RF Impedance (Ohm) 50 50 50 50 50 50
RF Absolute Max input power (dBm) (**) +25 +5 +5 +10 +10 +10
RF Max measurable input power (dBm) ** -15 -5 -5 -5 -5 -5
RF Generator Frequency (MHz) Not available Not available 2350-2550 910-920
900-930 (*)
860-870
850-880 (*)
430-440
420-450 (*)
RF Generator Power (dBm) Not available Not available -30 to +1 0 to +21 0 to +21 0 to +21
Wi-Fi Analyser Not yet Not available 13 channels Not available Not available Not available
DSP Fast Fast Fast Fast Fast Fast
Frequency accuracy (typical) 0.5ppm 10ppm 10ppm 10ppm 10ppm 10ppm
Frequency stability (typical) 0.5ppm 10ppm 10ppm 10ppm 10ppm 10ppm
Amplitude stability (typical) ±1dBm ±1dBm ±1dBm ±1dBm ±1dBm ±1dBm
Amplitude accuracy (typical) ±3dBm ±3dBm ±3dBm ±3dBm ±3dBm ±3dBm
RF DC decoupled Yes Yes No No No No
Max RF DC Voltage (V) 16 16 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3
Windows PC Client tool 32/64 bits 32/64 bits 32/64 bits 32/64 bits 32/64 bits 32/64 bits
RS232/USB API Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Internal CPU (MIPS) 16 16 16 16 16 16
Extra RAM With expansion With expansion With expansion With expansion With expansion With expansion
Extra ROM With expansion With expansion With expansion With expansion With expansion With expansion
Expansion Options RFEM2.4G
RFEMWSUB1G
RFEMWSUB3G
RFEM2.4G
RFEMWSUB3G
RFEMWSUB1G
RFEMWSUB3G
RFEM2.4G
RFEMWSUB1G
RFEMWSUB3G
RFEM2.4G
RFEMWSUB1G
RFEMWSUB3G
RFEM2.4G
RFEMWSUB1G
RFEMWSUB3G
Size (mm) 113x70x25 113x70x25 113x70x25 113x70x25 113x70x25 113x70x25
Weight (grams) 185 185 185 185 185 185
Antenna included R Duck 5.8 GHz NA-773 Whip 2.4GHz Whip 915MHz Whip 868MHz Whip 868MHz
EVA Case included Optional Optional Optional Optional Optional Optional

Notes:

  • Some of these features require latest firmware upgrade, please upgrade your unit from www.rf-explorer.com/download page.
  • Models with two connected modules includes two RF SMA connectors. In such case, some differences may apply when comparing left or right SMA connector. This table above include clear details on which is applicable to each connector.
  • (*) This feature or range extension is available with an Expansion Module installed, such as RFEMWSUBxG or RFEM2.4G.
  • (**) Note some frequency ranges may have a more limited, lower measurable range. Please contact us for more details on a particular frequency range if you need to measure input power close to -10dBm. In all cases, using a 20 or 30dB attenuator is suggested in order to lower the input power to a -30 or -40dBm range, as it will exhibit better behaviour by limiting spurious and signal overload. If you use an attenuator, you also improve the VSWR of the measurement and can be adjusted in OffsetDBparameter of RF Explorer ATTENUATOR MENU in order to read the exact value on screen, saving you from doing any math.
  • (i) The Expansion Module is already installed in this RF Explorer Model and therefore there is no room for additional expansion.

Notes:

  • Some of these features require latest firmware upgrade, please upgrade your unit from www.rf-explorer.com/download page.
  • (*) This feature or range extension is available with an Expansion Module installed, such as RFEMWSUBxG or RFEM2.4G.
  • (i) The Expansion Module is already installed in this RF Explorer Model and therefore there is no room for additional expansion.

RF Explorer Roadmap and Likely Future Extensions

  • Transmission test tones in OOK and FSK.
  • Digital transmission decoding and packet sniffing for OOK and FSK, including Manchester code support.
  • Logging features for multi-hour transmission monitoring.
  • Frequency counter.
  • Automatic peak detection.
  • Storage for 1000's screen-shots in expanded memory.
  • Expansion modules for additional ISM band support, expanded RF Generator and Tracking Generator for circuit analysis, etc.

For an example of how easy and powerful RF Explorer is in a real use case, check this tutorial. To better know what others are saying about RF Explorer, check on online videos and references.

The RF Explorer is easy to learn to use and are ideal for both those who fly radio controlled models and those who are UHF users. Typical users would include home users checking interference to their security system, wifi, staging companies, radio enthusiasts and companies who deal with specific ISM bands. You can even check whether an antenna or amplifier change makes a difference in power orientation and noise.

Capture and analyse data with the free downloadable Windows and Mac Software. These units are also firmware upgradable and with the optional modules, some versions can have their capabilities expanded.