studiomprd Posted September 20, 2012 Report Share Posted September 20, 2012 " In other words it does NOT appear to be terribly accurate. " <cap> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Joachim Posted September 20, 2012 Report Share Posted September 20, 2012 Surprise, surprise. DHL delivered our RF Explorer 3G's and 3G expansion mods today. They also delivered some RF Explorer-ISM's but they are all already committed. If you would like a 3G unit or, would like the 3G expansion mod for your existing RF Explorer, give us a call. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrd456 Posted September 21, 2012 Report Share Posted September 21, 2012 The RF explorer is great to take on location scouts. The producers think it's "Magic".Very impressive. J.D. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProSound Posted September 21, 2012 Report Share Posted September 21, 2012 The RF explorer is great to take on location scouts. The producers think it's "Magic".Very impressive. Yes even though I don't really need it every time I have pulled it out on a Scout or upon arriving on location it impresses everyone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Spaeth Posted September 21, 2012 Report Share Posted September 21, 2012 Wo cares to share their settings? Mine: Calculator: Average Iterations: 4 Top dbm: -010 Bottom dbm: -110 (to get rid of the noise floor) Marker: Peak DSP: Filter I'm curious to know what settings are working best for you guys. I found the USB driver for the Mac: http://www.silabs.com/Support%20Documents/Software/Mac_OSX_VCP_Driver.zip Unfortunately it's not working for me yet (iRFExplorer gets stuck while trying to initialize). Anyone got their RF Explorer to talk to a Mac? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanK Posted September 28, 2012 Report Share Posted September 28, 2012 My RF Explorer seems to always be "off" the center frequency of the wireless mics I'm using. In other words it does NOT appear to be terribly accurate. Has anyone else noticed this? Thanks, Tom i have noticed this too. a tx set to 608MHz shows up at 607.9MHz but i dont necessarily need it to pinpoint other users mics, i just want to see what the noise floor looks like Have you tried to calibrate your units for frequency? It's easy, but you need to install the Windows PC Client (or MAC equivalent), plus USB driver. Then run your RF Explorer via your computer. Select the Configuration tab. Now you'll see a Calibration area -- This requires a known reference frequency, & it's suggested in the documentation that you use a signal generator to provide that signal. You think don't have a signal generator? You do -- use one of your wireless mic transmitters! Turn on one (just one) of your wireless mic transmitters (better with no microphone plugged in, and place it in the next room as you don't want to overload the receiver). Note the frequency you are transmitting on, and enter it as the Reference (MHz). Then press the Calibrate button -- & the unit will calibrate itself to the accuracy of you wireless mic transmitter. Best, Alan PS: I'm a retired RF/microwave engineer with 33+ years with HP/Agilent. While inexpensive, I can tell you this is much more than a toy. No, it's not a $15K spectrum analyzer, but it's extremely useful for surveying wireless mic frequencies -- and it's a bargain! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blas Kisic Posted October 5, 2012 Report Share Posted October 5, 2012 Wo cares to share their settings? Mine: Calculator: Average Iterations: 4 Top dbm: -010 Bottom dbm: -110 (to get rid of the noise floor) Marker: Peak DSP: Filter I'm curious to know what settings are working best for you guys. I found the USB driver for the Mac: http://www.silabs.co..._VCP_Driver.zip Unfortunately it's not working for me yet (iRFExplorer gets stuck while trying to initialize). Anyone got their RF Explorer to talk to a Mac? I got my RF Explorer today. I downloaded the Mac OS X driver, but haven't hooked it up yet. I was mostly interested in updating the device's firmware to 1.10 (this one shipped with 1.09) but that can't be done with the Mac, sadly. In any case, it took it to my neighbor, an electrical engineer, and he felt it was a pretty good deal, considering the price. I'm leaving in a week for a shoot, and it came right on time. I'll report back once I've actually used in the field. BK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RPSharman Posted March 9, 2014 Report Share Posted March 9, 2014 Resurrecting this thread... So the go to RF Explorer would be this... ? http://www.locationsound.com/rf-explorer-3g-combo-handheld-spectrum-analyzer---tes09102p--1451 Allowing for scanning down to Comtek level? The other options seem not to scan below 240MHz Is it worth paying the extra? What about the "lowest" model? What are people using? Big price jump from $125 to $269. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikewest Posted March 9, 2014 Report Share Posted March 9, 2014 Used one for 2 years On the basis that I trust the alignment of my Lectro products, calibrate using one of you RM channels Brilliant product in these days of changing allocations! mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RPSharman Posted March 9, 2014 Report Share Posted March 9, 2014 Used one for 2 years On the basis that I trust the alignment of my Lectro products, calibrate using one of you RM channels Brilliant product in these days of changing allocations! mike Which model do you use? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanK Posted March 9, 2014 Report Share Posted March 9, 2014 I would get the $129 WSUB1G model. It covers 240-960 MHz. Also get a 50 ohm load for overload protection. Since this model doesn't have a limiter to protect it from signal overloads, you've got to be careful not to "burn out" the front end. When not using RF Explorer, remove the antenna & screw on the 50 ohm load. When making measurements, remove the load & screw on the antenna...but use caution... Before you replace the 50 ohm load with the antenna, make sure you are not close to a strong RF signal. Keep RF explorer at least 5 or 10 feet away from a wireless mics that are transmitting, cell phones that are turned on, etc. The RF Explorer works well when looking for interference-free frequencies & is a great value. --Alan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pindrop Posted March 9, 2014 Report Share Posted March 9, 2014 I would get the $129 WSUB1G model. It covers 240-960 MHz. Also get a 50 ohm load for overload protection. Since this model doesn't have a limiter to protect it from signal overloads, you've got to be careful not to "burn out" the front end. When not using RF Explorer, remove the antenna & screw on the 50 ohm load. When making measurements, remove the load & screw on the antenna...but use caution... Before you replace the 50 ohm load with the antenna, make sure you are not close to a strong RF signal. Keep RF explorer at least 5 or 10 feet away from a wireless mics that are transmitting, cell phones that are turned on, etc. The RF Explorer works well when looking for interference-free frequencies & is a great value. --Alan Well I've never taken any precautions like that and fed my RF explorer through airport scanners (with the antenna removed) and been to many countries with it and never had any signal overload, it still works fine. But I guess I'm inviting trouble stating that...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sergiofucchi Posted March 9, 2014 Report Share Posted March 9, 2014 I also bought one of these, one from 240/960 MHz I have updated it with the firmware v.1.11. But in the pdf manual that I downloaded from the website it is not very clear, at least to me. I use a Lectrosonics system on the blocks 19 and 20. What should be the parameters to set the RF Explorer to have a correct view of the situation? Sergio Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studiomprd Posted March 10, 2014 Report Share Posted March 10, 2014 I love mine, --I actually have two of them now, one basic + 2.4, the other one max loaded loaded. The price difference is peanuts for a working professional, and of course deductible. I have other uses for these units besides Production Sound, and the deluxe model is a great value, and a terrific tool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RPSharman Posted March 10, 2014 Report Share Posted March 10, 2014 You're right Mike. And it'd be useful to scan into 216 range. I do get some weirdness there from time to time. I have sold a few bits lately, so looking to repurpose the $$. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnpaul215 Posted March 10, 2014 Report Share Posted March 10, 2014 I have one that can do Comtek range as well as WiFi ranges (Zaxnet). I don't use it a ton, but when you need it, it's great. If I work on something with tech scouts, I take it along to get a feel for the area. It's a lot easier than carrying a few 411 receivers like I did a few times in the past. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studiomprd Posted March 10, 2014 Report Share Posted March 10, 2014 rps: "You're right Mike. " glad I could post something useful... Rehab has been helpful... I have no plans to resign... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark LeBlanc Posted March 14, 2014 Report Share Posted March 14, 2014 Picked up one last week with the Standard Scan plus wifi. The WiFi scan was money helping find a clear channel for the CL-WiFi. New B camera guy shows up with his remote focus pull and sprayed all over default CL channels...Combine that with the Sound Stages in house WiFi and the RF explorer saved lots of headaches! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boomboom Posted March 15, 2014 Report Share Posted March 15, 2014 3G combo seems to be worth it then... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ninjafreddan Posted October 23, 2014 Report Share Posted October 23, 2014 Been using the basic WSUB1G model for six months now and it's a very valuable tool. It's in my mixer bag all the time. After some experimentation I found the proper settings that works adequately for me. When I scan I only change the center frequency and manually step around in the frequency spectrum keeping the rest of the settings the same. Did two day documentary filming in Manchester and it was interesting watching com radio traffic going on and off in the 500MHz band, big lumps appearing and disappearing. A static scan with my Shure UR5 receivers probably would have missed them. Then I did a conference gig and forgot to bring the RF Explorer the first day and felt kind of naked. It was almost like forgetting to bring headphones. :-) Brought it along the second day and sure enough, two of the in-house wireless channels was set to less than ideal frequencies and after changing them the reception was spot on. RF Explorer - buy with confidence! Cheers Fred Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soundtrane Posted October 24, 2014 Report Share Posted October 24, 2014 50 ohm 1 Watt dummy load - 2$ http://www.ebay.com/itm/320847631462?_trksid=p2059210.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boomboom Posted February 18, 2015 Report Share Posted February 18, 2015 Bringing back the topic; I noticed there is a 6G version that covers more Spectrum (240 to 960-3G-6G) but the manual (and compiled info) is a little sloppy as to menu pages; with this unit, I'd just like to confirm the 240-960MHz Spectrum page has remained the same ? I wouldn't like to have so much wide covered on one page (15-2700MHz) that I'd lose definition or have to constantly zoom in for a minute before getting a nice reading of, say, one to three blocks...? (I hope it's clear...) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RPSharman Posted February 18, 2015 Report Share Posted February 18, 2015 You program what you want to see. I look at 538-638 for my radios, 216-218 for Comteks, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boomboom Posted February 18, 2015 Report Share Posted February 18, 2015 Thanks RPS. I was so much into finding the 240-960 menu page I skipped the programming steps in the manual... shame... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erkal Taskin Posted February 21, 2015 Report Share Posted February 21, 2015 Does anyone else have issues with the power switch not always working as it should? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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