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RF Explorer WiFi Combo Spectrum Analyser with 2350-2550 MHz (2.4G) and 4850-6100 MHz (5G) Frequency Range
RF Explorer is a hand-held digital spectrum analyser, a very affordable tool for work in all popular frequency bands. It is based on a highly integrated frequency synthesizer and double balanced mixer which offers high performance, compact size, low consumption and low cost. It has been designed to be used equally well outdoor and indoor, and can be connected to a PC for extra functionality using standard mini-USB 2.0 connector.
This model includes a 6G baseline unit plus an RFEM24G Expansion Module conveniently assembled and tested. It comes with two SMA connectors and two antennas: a rubber duck 5.8 GHz and a whip helical for 2.4 GHz band. Additional, specific band antennas may be needed to cover efficiently some of the frequencies supported. The combination of these two models offer coverage for most used communication frequency range used in modern communication technologies including WiFi 2.4 and 5 Gig ranges, Bluetooth, Wireless Audio and Video, 5GHz ISM, etc.
RF Explorer Wifi Features (See details specs in the table further below):
- Features: Pocket size and light weight
- Solid aluminium metal case
- Carry case included
- RF Explorer Spectrum Analyzer mode with Peak Max and Hold, Normal, Overwrite and Averaging modes Lifetime free firmware upgrades available, open to community requested features
- High capacity Lipo for 16hs+ of continuous run, rechargeable by USB Windows PC client Open Source
- Wide band coverage to all popular RF ISM frequencies, starting at 2350MHz and going up to 2550MHz, as well as 4850-6100MHz.
- Firmware: RF Explorer WiFi Combo is delivered with upgraded firmware. Note some of the features and operation accuracy will be improved in upcoming lifetime free firmware revisions.
Important: Note this unit includes RF Generator functionality limited to the 2.4GHz range. For full signal generator and tracking coverage please consider RF Explorer Signal Generator model RFE6GEN.
Specification:
- Frequency band: 2350-2550 MHz and 4850-6100 MHz
- Frequency span: 2-600MHz Graphics LCD 128x64 pixels, great visibility outdoors
- PC Windows client supports Windows XP/Vista/Win7/Win8/Win10 both 32 and 64bits
- Backlight for great indoor visibility
- 2 standard SMA 50 ohms Spectrum Analyzer connectors:
- Left SMA port (6G): 4850-6100MHz
- Right SMA port (2.4G): 2350-2550MHz
- Amplitude resolution: 0.5dBm
- Dynamic range: -105dBm to -15dBm
- Absolute Max input power:
- Left SMA port (6G): +25dBm
- Right SMA port (2.4G): +5dBm
- Average noise level (typical): -105dBm
- RF Generator amplitude: -30dBm to +1dBm (Right SMA port only)
- RF Generator frequency: 2350-2550MHz (Right SMA port only)
- Frequency stability and accuracy (typical):
- Left SMA port (6G): ±0.5ppm
- Right SMA port (2.4G): ±10ppm
- Amplitude stability and accuracy (typical): ±3dBm
- Frequency resolution: 1kHz
- Resolution bandwidth (RBW): automatic 58kHz to 812kHz
- Size: 113x70x25 mm
What is included:
- RF Explorer WIFI combo x 1
- 5.8GHz rubber duck x 1
- 2.4GHz whip antenna x 1
- EVA protection case x 1
RF Explorer Wifi Combo front and rear views
Detailed Specification Comparison Chart:
Model | 6G Combo | 6G | 3G Combo | WiFi Combo | ISM Combo | WSUB1G | 2.4G |
Spectrum Analyzer Frequency (MHz) | 4850-6100 (left) 15-2700 (right) |
4850-6100 | 240-960 (left) 15-2700 (right) |
4850-6100 (left) |
240-960 (left) 2350-2550 (right) |
240-960 | 2350-2550 |
Spectrum Analyzer Span (MHz) | 2-600 (left) |
2-300 2-600 (*) |
0.112-600 | 2-600 (left) 2-85 (right) |
0.112-600 (left) 2-85 (right) |
0.112-300 0.112-600 (*) |
2-85 |
Baseline Installed Module | 6G | 6G | WSUB1G | 6G | WSUB1G | WSUB1G | 2.4G |
Expansion Module Fitted | RFEMWSUB3G | - | RFEMWSUB3G | RFEM2.4G | RFEM2.4G | - | - |
Frequency resolution (kHz) | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 |
DANL typical (dBm) | -105 | -105 | -115 (left) -105 (right) |
-105 | -115 (left) -105 (right) |
-115 | -105 |
Amplitude resolution (dBm) | 0.5 |
0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 |
Automatic RBW (kHz) | 2.6-812 | 58-812 | 2.6-600 | 58-812 | 2.6-600 | 2.6-600 | 58-812 |
Graphics LCD (pixels) | 128x64 | 128x64 | 128x64 | 128x64 | 128x64 | 128x64 | 128x64 |
LCD Backlight | 5 levels | 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 | 10 levels |
RF Impedance (Ohm) | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 |
RF Absolute Max input power (dBm) (**) | +25 (left) +30 (right) |
+25 | +5 (left) +30 (right) |
+25 (left) +5 (right) |
+5 | +5 | +5 |
RF Max measurable input power (dBm) ** | -15 (left) -10 (right) |
-15 | -5 (left) -10 (right) |
-15 (left) -5 (right) |
-5 | -5 | -5 |
RF Generator Frequency (MHz) | Not Available | Not available | Not available | 2350-2550 (right) | 2350-2550 (right) | Not available | 2350-2550 |
RF Generator Power (dBm) | Not available | Not available | Not available | -30 to +1 (right) | -30 to +1 (right) | Not available | -30 to +1 |
Wi-Fi Analyser | Not available | Not yet | 13 channels 2.4GHz |
13 channels 2.4Ghz | 13 channels 2.4GHz |
Not available | 13 channels |
DSP | Filter/Fast | Fast | Filter/Fast | Fast | Fast | Fast | Fast |
Frequency accuracy (typical) | 0.5ppm (left) 10ppm (right) |
0.5ppm | 10ppm | 10ppm (right) 0.5ppm (left) |
10ppm | 10ppm | 10ppm |
Frequency stability (typical) | 0.5ppm (left) 10ppm (right) |
0.5ppm | 10ppm | 10ppm (right) 0.5ppm (left) |
10ppm | 10ppm | 10ppm |
Amplitude stability (typical) | ±1dBm | ±1dBm | ±1dBm | ±1dBm | ±1dBm | ±1dBm | ±1dBm |
Amplitude accuracy (typical) | ±3dBm (left) ±6dBm (right) |
±3dBm | ±3dBm (left) ±6dBm (right) |
±3dBm | ±3dBm | ±3dBm | ±3dBm |
RF DC decoupled | Yes (both) | Yes | Yes (both) | Yes (left) No (right) |
Yes (left) No (right) |
Yes | No |
Max RF DC Voltage (V) | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16V (left) 0.3V (right) |
16V (left) 0.3V (right) |
16 | 0.3 |
Windows PC Client tool | 32/64 bits | 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 | Yes |
Internal CPU (MIPS) | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 |
Extra RAM | 64KB | With expansion | 64KB | 64KB | 64KB | With expansion | With expansion |
Extra ROM | 2MB | With expansion | 2MB | 2MB | 2MB | With expansion | With expansion |
Expansion Options | Not available (i) | RFEM2.4G RFEMWSUB1G RFEMWSUB3G |
Not available (i) | Not available (i) | Not available (i) | RFEM2.4G RFEMWSUB3G |
RFEMWSUB1G RFEMWSUB3G |
Size (mm) | 113x70x25 | 113x70x25 | 113x70x25 | 113x70x25 | 113x70x25 | 113x70x25 | 113x70x25 |
Weight (grams) | 285 | 185 | 220 | 185 | 220 | 185 | 185 |
Antenna included | NA-773 Whip 2.4GHz R Duck 5.8GHz |
R Duck 5.8 GHz | NA-773 Whip 2.4GHz |
Whip 2.4GHz R Duck 5.8GHz |
NA-773 Whip 2.4GHz |
NA-773 | Whip 2.4GHz |
EVA Case included | Yes | Optional | Yes | Yes | 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.
Downloads:
Click here for available firmware updates, documentation and software (use at your own risk!)
Expansion Modules:
In addition to that, RF Explorer can fit an optional Expansion Module for further band coverage and enhanced capabilities. You can combine various RF Explorer models with any Expansion Module you wish. The firmware will correctly recognize your configuration and will work in all cases. Check compatibility on the above table.
Compliance:
- All RF Explorer models are compliant with FCC as well as CE regulations.
- All RF Explorer Wideband models have been certified under EN/IEC61236 and EN/IEC61000.
- All RF Explorer models are RoHS compliant.
Getting Started:
The first thing you want to do is to power up your unit and play with it! This is perfectly ok; just make sure you are not near any strong RF field before plugging in your antenna in the SMA connector. At very same instant you plug in the antenna, the device will start receiving RF energy even if it is powered off. This is not much of an issue if you are using a 3G Combo or a RFEMWSUB3G card, but other RF Explorer models are not protected against very strong fields.
Please read this article for more details on how to protect your device from strong RF fields. Failing to do so may damage your RF Explorer.
This is a battery operated device, please charge the battery before use; it comes with half charge as the standard way to extend the battery life when it is stored for an undetermined period of time. But to use it you should fully charge it. Never charge your device unattended.
Note the device will automatically switch ON as soon as you plug it in the USB port, but that doesn't mean it is being charged: to charge the battery you need to switch the battery power to ON. There are more details in this FAQ article, including battery handling and care information.
To start learning the many things you can do with RF Explorer please download the user manual and release notes. We also suggest upgrading your unit to the very latest firmware available. Everything is available in the download area.
You can connect your PC or Mac to RF Explorer for additional functionality, please check the download area as well as the user manual online.
If you ordered an Expansion Module together with your main unit, you may want to follow these simple instructions to install and use it.
Last but not least, there are a few online pointers you may want to be aware of:
- Latest news, subscribe to RSS feed or follow the RF Explorer on Twitter
- General support distribution list
- RC Group support thread for RC and FPV pilots
- Article list and FAQ if you run into any problem or question, let us know.
If you run into any problem or question, let us know. We want this to be a useful tool, your comments, questions and suggestions are of high value to us.
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