In today’s RF environment where broadcast TV channels are densely packed and live events utilize a multitude of RF devices including mics, IEMs, control interfaces and wireless comms, the need for RF awareness is more critical than ever. Today, tours and events travel with their own RF frequency coordinator who provides onsite wireless management using an RF spectrum analyzer. But spectrum analyzers (SA’s) were large, expensive devices and dragging one to a gig was not a pleasant task. Known for its tour-tested RF solutions, RF Venue presents the RF Explorer Pro, a compact, self-contained, full-featured and affordable ($1,399) spectrum analysis tool.
RF Explorer Pro is a third-generation, high-performance instrument preconfigured with integrated spectrum analyzer, signal tracking generator and Wi-Fi analysis tools that offer advanced functionality to support any wireless mic or in-ear monitor system. With its wide RF scan range (15 MHz to 6 GHz), accurate and signal fast detection, the easy-to-use RF Explorer Pro covers wireless audio spectrum bands from VHF to UHF and beyond. Plus, a built-in Wi-Fi network analyzer enables quick troubleshooting of 2.4 and 5 GHz RF issues on Wi-Fi enabled audio gear.
Lightweight Powerhouse
Built around a compact (1.2-pound) Windows-based tablet, the RF Explorer Pro features an 8” high-resolution IPS TFT, multi-touch, color touchscreen and long-life internal lithium ion 4,500 mAh battery. Its internal GPS can be used for accurate RF area heatmap tracking, while the high-performance CPU enables fast frequency coordination calculations, real-time interference checking, and intermodulation analysis. The RF Explorer Pro constantly records display sweep information and by using the convenient video-style playback slider you can quickly go back and verify stray signals. A “pause” function freezes the on-screen display, while the RF Explorer Pro continues to capture and store data and a “hold” function fully stops SA activity and data capture.
Dedicated RF inputs (SMA connectors) are provided for the spectrum analyzer/power meter input; auxiliary/trigger signal; tracking generator signal out; and GPS antenna. Along with a low-loss direct signal input, the spectrum analyzer offers a selectable -30 dB input attenuator and LNA 25 dB low-noise wideband preamp for linear measurements up to -40 dBm. Both USB-C charging port and USB 3.0 data port are on the side of the tablet along with an 1/8” audio jack and micro-HDMI port to drive an external monitor. Recessed buttons along the top of the tablet control power and alert volume. A convenient removable tilt stand allows the unit to sit on a table and a ¼” x 20 threaded insert permits the RF Explorer Pro to be stand mounted.
Included with the RF Explorer Pro are two detachable antennas (UHF 400-900 MHz Flexible articulated SMA Whip, UHF 900-6,000 MHz articulated SMA Blade), USB-C Charging cable and a custom padded carry case.
Touch and Go
When the RF Explorer Pro is powered on, it automatically starts the spectrum analyzer function. An easy-to-read touch menu opens contextual data input windows allowing you to quickly configure key parameters Under Amplitude, set the top and bottom signal range in dBm, dBuV or Watts per dB. In the Frequency section, enter the display’s center frequency, span or start/stop frequencies. Choosing start/stop frequency values automatically calculates the span, while choosing a center frequency and span value calculates the start/stop frequencies. To help visualize the onscreen waveform, a 10-segment grid can be turned on if desired. My typical workflow is to select a center frequency and set the span for 60 MHz, so that each section of the grid indicates the width of a TV channel (6 MHz) — making it easy to see them on the display.
Touch Labels on the screen let you quickly enter specific values without having to navigate through the menus. Identification markers can be assigned to specific frequencies, providing numerical data in a marker display panel. Additionally, SA settings can be stored by name making it easy to recall commonly used configurations. As I work in several different cities, I found these to be useful timesavers. Spectrum data can be saved in RFE or CSV formats automatically or manually and exported for use in frequency coordination applications or reports.
Selecting Config; Display opens the display settings panel. Activate Max Hold, Max Peak, Average and Minimum display values, turn the grid on or off, choose its color and fill the space under the trace with color for easier viewing. When walking a site to look for potential interfering signals or dropout areas, I will turn on Max Hold and Minimum.
Selecting Full Screen hides the menu section and marker panel expanding the spectrum analyzer display to fill the entire screen. Simply touching anywhere on the screen restores the menus and marker panel.
Let the Water Fall…
Along with the familiar waveform spectrum display, RF Explorer Pro has powerful 2D and 3D waterfall modes that provide historical visualization of captured sweeps with the most recent one in the forefront. Using color gradient mapping where high amplitude signals appear red, medium ones green and weaker signals blue, 3D waterfall mode can show intermittent or time changing signals that would be difficult to detect on a normal spectrum display. Choose from one of four different perspectives, including a 2D view, which helps identify consistent signals among the fluctuating values that might otherwise be hard to see.
The 2D waterfall display can appear below the spectrum analyzer display to provide additional RF signal strength information. Touching anywhere on the waterfall display opens a context menu where you can change its screen size, base it on Max Hold or Real Time scanning, save current state as a Bitmap file or turn it off. I found the 2D waterfall display most useful while monitoring wireless mics as they moved about the stage. Plus, it was mesmerizing to just watch the water fall…
Wi-Fi Anyone?
Remote control of live sound consoles, remote speaker management, individual performer on-stage monitor mixers and those nice lighting folks with wireless DMX all want to operate using Wi-Fi. Toss in a few 2.4 GHz wireless mics and a few hundred (or thousand) social media posters in the crowd and you have a Wi-Fi disaster waiting to happen. But the RF Explorer Pro’s powerful Wi-Fi analyzer can help evaluate the 2.4 and 5 GHz Wi-Fi network for maximum efficiency and reliability. When Wi-Fi Mode is selected, the RF Explorer Pro captures Wi-Fi Data over a Resolution Bandwidth (RBW) setting of 2.5 MHz with an optimized scan process for improved accuracy that enables you to better visualize and manage co-channel Wi-Fi interference. Quickly visualize the often-congested Wi-Fi bands and make informed decisions to effectively manage Wi-Fi channel allocation and identify potential sources of Wi-Fi interference.
Let’s Get Coordinated!
The key to effective wireless deployment is frequency coordination. You can’t just randomly pick frequencies and expect them to play well together. Wireless equipment manufacturers offer computer-based frequency coordination tools including RF Venue’s own online Wireless System Builder. But, with RF Explorer Pro’s built-in Frequency Coordination tool you can quickly coordinate multiple wireless microphones and IEM systems from many manufacturers without the need for a computer or internet access. Simply create a project, select equipment from the built-in equipment database, choose exclusion areas based on the current site scan, set the threshold and touch Calculate. For any product not listed in the database, you can easily create and add custom entries.
But Wait! There’s More!
For advanced wireless users, the RF Explorer Pro has tools for evaluating the status of RF cables, filters and amplifiers. These tools — along with power channel and power meter functions — let users measure the characteristics of their system, help debug RF issues and fine tune performance. Additional functions include continuous monitoring with user configurable alerts, remote RF Explorer Pro management over a network and — seamless export of captured data to a USB drive for use in other software applications. Don’t let its size fool you, the compact RF Explorer Pro is a powerful, impressive RF analysis tool.
In the Trenches…
As a sports event frequency coordinator, I have lugged a heavy, bulky SA around a stadium many times, so I was immediately impressed by the RF Explorer Pro’s compact size, light weight, and clear, crisp bright display. And operation is familiar and intuitive. I was up and running in no time and the Touch Labels make it easy to enter values directly without the need to open menus.
I connected my 19” monitor to the HDMI output. Although its screen was larger, I felt that the RF Explorer Pro’s high-resolution TFT display was easier to read and looked sharper. Next, I exported the scan file data in CSV format and loaded it into my frequency coordination program with no issues.
On a large SA, battery life can be dismal, especially outdoors on a cold day. So, I took the RF Explorer Pro with a fully charged battery to my local community theater to look at their wireless installation. Running in spectrum analyzer mode, the battery lasted well over four hours. And it was nice to see all their 24 wireless mics were playing well together with no RF issues.
My next gig was helping a band with some wireless problems. After running a quick scan of the environment, I had them turn on all their wireless mics and IEMs. Sure enough, one wireless mic frequency was right on the edge of a local TV channel. Since they have never frequency coordinated their wireless equipment, I used the frequency coordination tool to configure their system.
The band’s sound “expert” always sets their wireless mics at high-power to get a strong signal even though the receivers were located just offstage. After explaining that some of his problems stemmed from the transmitter’s high-power overloading the receiver’s RF input section, I confirmed it using the RF Explorer Pro’s waterfall display. The bright red line and spurious spill on either side was all the proof needed and we set the transmitters to low power. Issue solved!
A Tool Worth Having
Since receiving the RF Explorer Pro, it has accompanied me on any gigs that use wireless devices. Even locations where I know the wireless equipment is set up correctly, it’s nice to have the RF Explorer Pro on hand to monitor the RF environment and watch for any “gotchas.” If you work with wireless audio gear in live sound, theater or house of worship, the RF Explorer Pro is definitely a tool worth having.
At a Glance
Compact, Robust, Affordable
RF Venue’s RF Explorer Pro spectrum analysis tool, designed to meet the needs of a wide spectrum of wireless audio equipment users, is compact, self-contained, full-featured and affordable.
PROS
- High-res color display
- Long battery life
- Waterfall display
- Powerful analysis tools
CONS
- Manufacturer inventory database not current
- Steep learning curve for some functions
- Would like a PDF manual
SPECS
- RF Frequency Range: 15 MHz – 3.3 GHz (baseline); 15 MHz – 6.1 GHz (license 6G); 15 MHz – 7.5 GHz (license 7G)
- Frequency Resolution: 1 kHz
- Sweep Time: 3 GHz / 280 ms (with RBW 2.5 MHz)
- Frequency Stability: ±1.5dB
- Absolute Max Power: +33 dBm (internal attenuator selected)
- Wi-Fi Analyzer: 2.4 GHz / 5 GHz
- CPU: Advanced Intel 64 Bits
- Save Replay: 100,000 sweeps on memory; unlimited sweeps on file
- File Export: Compatible CSV and Binary formats
- Display Resolution: 1280×800 pixels 16.7M color
- Power Supply/Charger: USB-C; 5 VDC 2A (charger not included)
- Charge Time: 3 hours
- Battery Type: Lithium Ion 4,500 mAh
- Battery Runtime: 3.5-5 hours, depending on operational mode
- Included Accessories: 400-900 MHz UHF antenna; 900 MHz-6 GHz wideband antenna; fitted carry case
- Street Price: $1,399, including 6 GHz extended range and frequency coordination tool license
Manufacturer: RF Venue
More Info: www.rfvenue.com
