Explorer 6G Combo (SeeeExplorer 6G Combo (see 109990063) 15 - 2700 MHz; 4850 - 61,000 MHz ++ Full 2017/484

RF Explorer is a handheld digital spectral analyzer, a very affordable tool to work in all popular frequency bands. It is based on a highly integrated frequency synthesizer and a double balanced mixer that offers high performance, compact size, low consumption and low cost. Designed to be used just as well both outdoors and indoors, it can be connected to a computer to make it more functional with the standard mini-USB 2.0 connector. This model includes a 6G base unit plus an RFEMWSUB3G expansion module that is conveniently assembled and tested. It comes with two SMA connectors and three antennas: a nice Nagoya NA773 broadband telescopic antenna for all sub-GHz frequencies, a 5.8 GHz rubber duck and a 2.4 GHz oblique spiral. The combination of the two models offers coverage for the most widely used communication frequency range used in modern communication technologies including WiFi, Bluetooth, wireless audio and video, LTE, GSM, GPRS, satellite, CATV, DTV, etc.

  Bag size and light weight

  Solid aluminium metal housing

  Spectrum analyzer mode with Peak Max and Hold, Normal, Overwrite, and Averaging mode

  Free firmware updates available for life, open to required community features

  16-hour high-capacity lipo + continuous operation, USB rechargeable

  Windows PC Client Open Source

  Broadband coverage of all popular high frequency frequencies, from 15 MHz to 2.7 GHz and 4.85 - 6.1 GHz. This includes very interesting frequency areas such as 2m HAM radio, all VHF and UHF, FM radio, GPS, WiFi and WiMax, Bluetooth, etc.

  Firmware: RF Explorer 6G Combo comes with updated firmware v1.12. Please note that some features and operational accuracy will improve in upcoming free firmware revisions.

Please note that this unit does not include the functionality of the RF generator, only the spectral analyser function is available. For signal generator and tracking, consider the RFE6GEN model of the RF Explorer signal generator.

Frequency band: 15 - 2700 MHz and 4850 - 6100 MHz

Frequency range:

Left SMA port (6G): 2 to 600 MHz

Right SMA port (WSUB3G): 112 kHz - 600 MHz

Graphic LCD display measuring 128 x 4 pixels, excellent outdoor visibility

PC Windows client supports Windows XP / Vista / Win7, 32 and 64 bits

The backlight ensures excellent visibility inside the

2 standard SMA 50 ohms Spectrum Analyzer connectors:

Left SMA port (6G): 4850 - 1600 MHz

Right SMA port (WSUB3G): 15 - 2700 MHz

Amplitude resolution: 0.5dBm

Dynamic range:

Left SMA port (6G): -105dBm to -15dBm

Right SMA port (WSUB3G): -110dBm to -10dBm

Absolute maximum input power:

Left SMA port (6G): + 25dBm

Right SMA port (WSUB3G): + 30dBm

Average noise level (typical): -105dBm

Frequency stability and accuracy (typical):

Left SMA port (6G): +0.5 ppm

Right SMA port (WSUB3G): +10 ppm

Stability and accuracy of the amplitude (typical):

Left SMA port (6G): + -3dBm

Right SMA port (WSUB3G): +6dBm

Frequency resolution: 1Khz 

Resolution Bandwidth (RBW):

Left SMA port (6G): automatic 58 kHz to 812 kHz

Right SMA port (WSUB3G): automatic 3 kHz to 600 kHz

Size: 113x70x25 mm

In a world with a growing list of wireless systems, there is a real need for monitoring tools and tools that everyone can use.

Wireless microphones, video connections, GSM networks / GPRS / 3G / 4G, WiFi, ZigBee, Bluetooth, BANDWIDTH ISM ... The list never ends. Some of them are amateur RF bands and therefore are nice to hacking and dronery. Some others are professionally licensed groups with specific uses where each Hertz assigned spectrum is scarce.

Solving this complexity is only possible with the right tool.

RF Explorer is an affordable manual spectrum analyzer designed from scratch as a kind of Swiss army knife for the specific needs of digital high frequency communication.

Commercial high-end analyzers are traditionally expensive and bulky, in the order of thousands of dollars, and you need considerable expertise to master them. RF Explorer offers 90% of what the truck will do for RF digital band communication, with 5% off. In addition, it can be easily transferred anywhere and efficiently used outdoors for hours with a single battery charge.

RF enthusiasts have in the past limited to cheap devices "RF Power Detector / Frequency Counter". However, this data is limited to displaying data for one maximum performance point and traditionally performance metrics are too unreliable, in the order of 20 dB or even 30 dB.

In contrast, a spectral analyser such as RF Explorer displays the full frequency spectrum in the band, including the carrier and modulated shape, if possible, displays spectrum propagation activity and displays the bandwidth to monitor collisions, frequency deviations from expected tone, etc.

For narrowband ISM models, RF Explorer apps start at $99 and are fully functional analyzers used worldwide by radio enthusiasts, technicians, and companies that only deal with specific ISM bands.

However, there are more advanced models covering wider bands, including the 6G model with full 15-2700 MHz and 4850-6100 MHz coverage in the same unit, with excellent dynamic range and lots of features.

There are some other devices on the market that offer some of these features in a USB flash drive, and are reasonably priced, though with limited bandwidth and resolution compared to RF Explorer. However, USB-Key devices always depend on connecting to a computer, and this is very uncomfortable when working outdoors or when you need to save space in the lab.

RF Explorer can connect to your pc to get additional features and display quality, but this is optional; RF Explorer is fully functional as an independent unit.

Below you'll find a brief summary of what you can do with RF Explorer today, along with the firmware extensions we're working on in the near future.

Let us know your suggestions in the RF Explorer distribution list because we are very motivated to extend this device based on community requirements.

Currently, in BETA the new RF Signal Generator is fully programmable, can work as cw single carrier, multi sweep and tracking generator from 23.4 MHz to 6 GHz. More information can be found on this page.

Currently supported RF Explorer workflows

Monitor continuous waves (CW) and temporary transmissions in a specific ISM band.

Find out if your device is transmitting at the expected frequency and expected power

Make sure that changing the antenna or amplifier does not change the power, orientation and

Find out the band cast and move the gadget to another channel

Works as an RF generator to transmit pure RF tone so you can test your RF connection in seconds

It works completely automatically, so you don't have to be an expert to use it. This will solve rbw, sweep time, for you.

Offer spectrum data in normal, average, and maximum calculator modes

Open COMMUNICATION API SCPI.

Open source software for WINDOWS and Mac OSX PC clients, unlimited storage for capture and subsequent processing

Optimized for all world frequencies from 15 to 2700 MHz. Details and comparison table can be found on this model map.

RF Explorer signal generator with tracking capabilities for full SNA test and characterization of 2 port RF devices. More information here.

For more information

If you've just received RF Explorer and want to start playing with it, go to the Get started page.

Detailed RF Explorer specifications and map models

Free download, including user guide and firmware updates

Windows PC Client - download it for free and see some of the examples you can try, and try RF Explorer right now!

Mac OSX Client - download it for free.

Uploading new firmware is easy and secureExample of an RFBee transceiner monitored using RF Explorer

Want to know what people are saying about RF Explorer? Check some of the reference threads online

High performance software for Windows

Real-time signals or modified signals, 3D spectrogram waterfall, CSV export, high-quality graphics and a large set of features are available for free to RF Explorer users.

RF Explorer Roadmap and future extensions

Test transfer tones in OOK and FSK

Digital transmission decoding and packet sniffing for OOK and FSK, including Manchester code support

Logging functions for multi-hour transmission monitoring

Frequency counter

Automatic peak detection

Storage for 1000 screenshots in extended memory.

Expansion modules for additional ISM support, extended RF generator and tracking generator for circuit analysis, etc.

As an example of how lightweight and powerful RF Explorer is in a real case, read this tutorial.

To better know what others are saying about RF Explorer, watch online videos and testimonials.

RF Explorer Sniffer - available public beta

This main feature for RF Explorer spectrum analyzers is now available as a public beta release.

Over the last few months, we've been working hard to insert a huge list of features, including the ability to create our own decoder add-ons:

View OOK / ASK modulation data packets at any frequency supported by your device model (range 15 -2700 MHz)

Filtering and trimming of data recording noise

Included decoders for REMOTE CONTROLS PT2264 and Oregon Scientific weather stations

Advanced transaction, context menus, text,d 109990063) 15-2700MHz ; 4850-6100MHz ++ Full 2017/484

RF Explorer is a handheld digital spectrum analyzer, 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 RFEMWSUB3G Expansion Module conveniently assembled and tested. It comes with two SMA connectors and three antennas: a nice Nagoya NA773 wideband telescopic antenna for all Sub-GHz frequencies, a rubber duck 5.8 GHz and a whip helical for 2.4GHz 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, Bluetooth, Wireless Audio and Video, LTE, GSM, GPRS, Satellite, CATV, DTV, etc. 

  Pocket size and light weight

  Solid aluminum metal case

  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 frequencies, starting at 15MHz and going up to 2.7GHz, as well as 4.85-6.1GHz. This include very interesting frequency areas such as 2m HAM radio, all VHF and UHF, FM radio, GPS, WiFi and WiMax, Bluetooth, etc.

  Firmware: RF Explorer 6G Combo is delivered with upgraded firmware v1.12. Note some of the features and operation accuracy will be improved in upcoming lifetime free firmware revisions.

Note this unit does not include RF Generator functionality, only Spectrum Analyzer functionality is available. For signal generator and tracking please consider RF Explorer Signal Generator model RFE6GEN.

Frequency band: 15-2700 MHz and 4850-6100MHz

Frequency span:
Left SMA port (6G): 2-600Mhz

Right SMA port (WSUB3G): 112KHz - 600MHz

Graphics LCD 128x64 pixels, great visibility outdoors

PC Windows client supports Windows XP/Vista/Win7 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 (WSUB3G): 15-2700 MHz

Amplitude resolution: 0.5dBm

Dynamic range:
Left SMA port (6G): -105dBm to -15dBm

Right SMA port (WSUB3G): -110dBm to -10dBm

Absolute Max input power:

Left SMA port (6G): +25dBm

Right SMA port (WSUB3G): +30dBm

Average noise level (typical): -105dBm

Frequency stability and accuracy (typical):

Left SMA port (6G): +-0.5ppm

Right SMA port (WSUB3G): +-10ppm

Amplitude stability and accuracy (typical):

Left SMA port (6G): +-3dBm

Right SMA port (WSUB3G): +-6dBm

Frequency resolution: 1Khz 

Resolution bandwidth (RBW): 

Left SMA port (6G): automatic 58Khz to 812Khz

Right SMA port (WSUB3G): automatic 3Khz to 600Khz

Size: 113x70x25 mm 

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 list never ends. Some of these are amateur RF bands and therefore nice for hacking and tinkering. Some others are professional, licensed bands with specific use where every Hertz of the assigned spectrum is precious.

Dealing with all this complexity is only feasible with the right tool at hand.

RF Explorer is an affordable Handheld Spectrum Analyzer designed from scratch to be a sort of Swiss Army Knife for the specific needs of digital radio frequency communication.

Commercial high-end spectrum analyzers are traditionally expensive and bulky, in the order of many thousand dollars, and you need significant expertise to master them. RF Explorer offers 90% of what a high cost unit will do for RF digital band communication, at a 5% of the cost. Additionally, it can be carried on easily anywhere, used outdoors efficiently for hours with a single battery charge.

RF enthusiast 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 analyzer 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 Explorer start at only $99 for narrow bands ISM models, and they are fully functional analyzers used worldwide by radio enthusiasts, engineers and companies who deal with specific ISM bands only.

But there are more advanced models available covering wider bands including the 6G model with a full coverage of 15-2700MHz and 4850-6100MHz in the same unit, with excellent dynamic range and plenty of features.

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 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, together with firmware extensions we are working on for the near future.

Let us know your suggestions in RF Explorer distribution List as we are highly motivated to extend this device based on community requests.

Currently in BETA the new RF Signal Generator is fully programmable, can work as a CW single carrier, multi Sweep and Tracking Generator from 23.4Mhz to 6GHz. More details available on this page.

RF Explorer currently supported workflows

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 SCPI.

Open source PC client software for Windows and Mac OSX, unlimited capture and post-processing storage

Optimized for all worldwide frequencies between 15 to 2700MHz. Check on this model map for more details and comparison chart.

RF Explorer Signal Generator with tracking capabilities for full SNA test and characterization of 2 port RF devices. More details here.

Additional information
If you just received your RF Explorer and want to start playing with it, please go to the Getting Started page.

RF Explorer detailed specifications and model map

Free Downloads, including User Manual and firmware upgrades

Windows PC Client - download it for free and check some of the included examples to try RF Explorer right now!

Mac OSX Client - download it for free.

Uploading new firmware is easy and safe

Example of an RFBee transceiver monitored with a RF Explorer

Do you want to know what people say about RF Explorer? Check some of the reference threads online

High performance software for Windows

Realtime or adjusted signals, 3D spectrogram waterfall, CSV export, high quality graphics and a large feature set is available for free to RF Explorer users

RF Explorer roadmap and 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 screenshots 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.

RF Explorer Sniffer - public Beta available

This major feature for RF Explorer Spectrum Analyzers is now available as public Beta release.

We have been working hard the last few months to embed a huge list of features, including the ability to create your own decoder Add-ins:

Capture OOK/ASK modulation data packets at any frequency supported by your device model (in the range 15-2700MHz)

Filter and trim noise out of the data capture

Included decoders for PT2264 remote controls and Oregon Scientific weather stations

Advanced zoom, contextual menus, text, configuration settings for sample rate and frequency.

There are so many features included, the only way to elaborate them is through an accompanying guide included in the software package.

Download available in the BETA area of the download page.

How the RF sniffer works
You can detect RF transmission and decode data either manually or automatically.

Most gadgets and devices like the ones depicted below can be easily captured and processed by RF Explorer sniffer tool:

The RF transmission would look like a train of pulses at first sight, but it can include a large number of unusable noisy data, as well as duplicated data packets transmitted by the gadget.

Thanks to RF Explorer Sniffer tool advanced features, you can easily remove unwanted noise and detect envelope digital modulated signal, so it can be interpreted according to available documentation or reverse engineering.

If the device transmit a protocol currently supported by one of the included Decoders, the RF Explorer Sniffer will do all decoding with a single click:

Using this extremely advanced feature, checking any RF transmission is now a trivial task.

Below is a fully decoded RF remote control data packet including address and data values when pressing button [1] of that particular remote control. A good example of use for this would be to adjust your remote control receiver to the right address to react to that remote control.

And this is an example of fully decoded Oregon Scientific Weather Station sensor transmitting 7.9C temperature and 55% humidity.

This useful tool enables RF Explorer models such as 433M (by a mere $99) assist you on debugging RF projects, detect wanted and unwanted transmissions and interpret any gadget at hand. As opposed to other tools available, you do not need to disassemble or connect cables to the RF gadget in order to detect what is being transmitted: your RF Explorer connected to a Windows PC is all you need for the antenna capture and sniff around!

Developing your own Decoder add-ins

By using a simple yet effective Add-in model, RF Explorer for Windows can be easily extended with your own Decoders.

You can develop decoders in any language, samples are provided in Python and C#, but others like Perl, VB, C/C++, Java and pretty much any environment you are familiar with can do the work just fine. The only requirement is to produce a command line tool, following certain convention for data communication between the Add-in and the RF Explorer for Windows tool.

Happy hacking!