Best spectrum analyzers according to redditors
We found 15 Reddit comments discussing the best spectrum analyzers. We ranked the 12 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the top 20.
We found 15 Reddit comments discussing the best spectrum analyzers. We ranked the 12 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the top 20.
Vantage and RF explorer
https://www.amazon.com/Explorer-Handheld-Spectrum-Analyzer-WSUB1G/dp/B00H4B0KZI/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1496201849&sr=8-4&keywords=rf+explorer+spectrum+analyzer
You can buy an RF explorer from amazon for like $130. I got the basic silver model, but they have one that can scan the 2.4ghz range, as well. We run all Sennheiser, so I take scans with the RF explorer, which is plugged into my laptop via USB. I use Vantage to take the scans, convert it to WWB, and then coordinate. There are other programs for both PC and MAC for cheaper that takes in scans and converts them to WWB. Shure has an hour long tutorial on youtube that will teach you almost everything you need to know to get started.
​
The RF explorer comes with an antenna that screws on to the device itself. You can buy a SMA to BNC so that you can hook up your explorer to your wireless distro. I would check out Drew Brashler on Youtube about wireless coordination. He has a video that goes through RF coordination from beginning to end, and has some really good tips.
​
It you run all Shure wireless that can connect via cat cables, you can really do some cool things with WWB. It would let you monitor RF in real time, push new freqs without having to go to the receivers, and etc.
​
Best of luck!
I have one of these and I was happy with it. Link
However I recently picked up one of the NanoVNA and for just about $10 more than the one you linked this things is totally amazing. Here is a great YouTube video which is sort of a review and instruction video all in one.
This one is a quick solution, it covers most of the freqs that we deal with in the audio world.
https://www.amazon.com/Explorer-Handheld-Spectrum-Analyzer-WSUB1G/dp/B018WK2KK2/ref=mp_s_a_1_11?crid=2N7CRLWBDK9GC&keywords=rf+explorer&qid=1557065413&s=gateway&sprefix=rf+ex&sr=8-11
The 3G combo can let you see the 2.4GHz range which some systems (GLXD) run on. 6G unit will let you see up to 5G but we aren’t running gear that high yet. I haven’t run across an Audio gig where I had to coordinate everyone’s networks so I went basic. They also just dropped an “Audio Edition” that is black and covers the 2.4 range and has a typical bnc connector for the antenna
Personally I run my RF Explorer into Vantage then export that into Wireless Workbench with good success. The RF explorer also scans much faster than a receiver will.
The issue is that a lot of devices emit MHz to GHz noise. Ideally you want a device that can analyze the spectrum as various devices have different amplitudes and frequencies. Only a certain percentage will actually be a transmitter. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00GM72CGU/ref=pd_aw_sim_sbs_23_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=0TNMKC4DJYKW8YZ8YST2&dpPl=1&dpID=41Dws7FNQCL a single led does tell you much and her device will give a lot of false positives b/c it can distinguish a noisy power supply from a transmitter.
Also, everything electrical produces RF interference, and just about everything attenuates it. I worked in a Verizon store a long time ago and we would constantly have people in the spring complaining that their Xmas present phone suddenly had no reception... the leaves on their trees had come in. You can try narrowing the frequency by checking the additional channels for a clear one and see if maybe the interference isn’t consuming the whole band, or for about $175 USD you can get something like this RF Explorer https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XJ2H1CH/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_N7QCDbNP9MV5K
I have a lot of experience with spectrometers and use the NIST traceable version of the StellarNet Greenwave.
At this point you definitely want a quantum light meter rather than a lux meter. Lux meters are not going to work with color LEDs. If you do try to use a lux meter then refer to this chart for conversion factors.
Low cost quantum meters will not work with 660nm LEDs due to the spectral response of the sensor used. If you do want to use a low cost one then avoid this quantum light meter which is a complete piece of junk and use this quantum light meter instead. I've have tested both of them and they will read blue 30% too low.
You really want a >$500 quantum light meter for a flat response across PAR. This is the lowest cost light meter that I would trust.
For far red you can get pre-calibrated (!!!) spectral sensors. This will work with far red and this will work with red. You want to be able to read 660nm for red and the NIR sensor from Spark Fun will not. Together they make a 12 channel pre-calibrated micro spectrometer.
Don't forget to take dark readings!
Not sure what you mean in terms of white elephant, but there's good reviews on Amazon detailing some of the good and bad of the device:
http://smile.amazon.com/RF-Explorer-Handheld-3G-Combo/dp/B00GM72CGU
Not much on the 6g portion though. It does appear they are still working on smoothing out the band a little for accuracy, but it's just fine for the sort of work you'd be using it for.
You can see past updates for pc software and firmware here: http://j3.rf-explorer.com/news
It is my understanding that iOS does not have an app only wifi/analyzer (signal strength, etc.). There are plenty of scanners out there and apps that do uplink and downlink bandwidth. There are a couple of devices from Oscium that do wifi signal strength and spectrum analyzer.
If you want the standard scanner, pinger, read the ports thingy then my favorite is NET-Toolbox.
Thank you these great resources.
I've previously purchased a handheld spectrum analyzer that covers 1Mhz~6Ghz, and I could never find anything suspicious aside from a huge signal intensity spike at 1.6Ghz one day, while in a previous apartment. Orders of magnitude stronger than any other frequency at that location, but that's when I was hearing intense "ultrasonic noise", which could have been harmonics from that higher freqency, in retrospect.
While that device is based on software defined radio, I also have a USB SDR packed away, and will be dusting it off when I have my own place to stay again. I think I need to buy/make a shielded enclosure for the USB version, because the output was extremely noisy the last time I tried. I'll take a look for SDR# addons and other decoders.
I'd like to hear more of your ventillation shielding ideas. I'm currently suggesting copper heatercores (instead of the industry-standard and expensive honeycomb style vents), but metal foams and other deflection and absorbtion may be better for a similar price point.
HT: https://www.amazon.com/Oscium-WiPry-Spectrum-Analyzer-Android/dp/B01L7X0MO2
Are you thinking of this? SPA-6G Spectrum Analyzer and RF Explorer 6G Combo Bands. Handheld Frequency Analyzing for Ham Radio, Wireless Devices, WiFi Networks, Audio Engineers https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07J1NKHJD/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_u.o2BbT99WBND
I have not seen others that are as affordable as the NanoVNA... there is a “miniVNA” on amazon that goes up to 3GHz but its $500
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07JNLDJBJ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_GIkLDbCND1GR9