RF Explorer 6G WB Plus - Slim with Aluminum Carrying Case [New 6G Combo] RF Explorer Pro Software for RF and Wi-Fi Analyzing on Windows and Mac

With the advent of most providers using Wi-Fi exclusively for all new installations (no time wasted installing wiring - just plug and go - Maybe remember to assign a password)... these bands are getting downright crowded. Wi-Fi may be digital, but it is still carried on analog RF channels. More traffic means more delays, slower service, etc.With the G6 combo, I am able to check the strength and utilization of all 2.4 and 5.8 GHz channels and can see how much room there may be left for me. Not much. Almost all of my neighbors are on these bands. Copper GigaBit is looking better and better....The 6Combo is a fantastic value for what it does, and Wi-Fi analysis is super simple. Optional directional antennas even tell you which direction it's coming from.Nice box, nice features and GREAT price.

My needs are relatively simple. I'm an audio recording hobbyist, doing some very easy and basic recordings for product featurettes, ceo messages, panel discussions, and the like.To have options, I typically bring both G3 wireless setups (radio waves, uhf, I think), and 2.5gHz rode setups.Using the RF Explorer, I can quickly take a look at how crowded the 500-600mHz range is and how crowded the 2.4gHz range is. Typically, I find that between wifi (2412-2484) and bt (also in the same range), is crowded, so I use the G3's more often.But it gets trickier in some areas. I did a recording at a construction site, and was surprised to find the 500-600mHz range was totally packed (which is only a little weird, because it makes sense to use walkies in such a situation, I guess, but I had thought previously that most walkie systems used 400-470mHz uhf ranges). Anyway, in that situation, it was better to use the rode 2.4gHz setups. While most of the time, g3's are best in office buildings, there was a situation where for some reason I was getting a lot of interference, and the rode 2.4gHz setups worked better. I did not have the rf explorer back then, so not sure why that was.Either way, in trying to quickly determine which range is less crowded, and which frequencies in the respective ranges is likely to produce the best result, is a much easier process with the rf explorer.A great feature of the rf-explorer is that you can set the frquency range you want to monitor, and save that range for future use. Since the 6G module goes from 4850 to 6100 or something like that, I can choose a range from 5030-5850 (not for my audio recording stuff, but I do sometimes check how crowded 5gHz wifi might be). and for the main 15-2700 module, I generally choose from 500-600 as a saved range. I don't have to choose the wifi range because there's a wifi channel analyzer screen always built in, separate from the spectrum analyzer.

I just purchased this and we have not actually had the chance to put it into real field use yet, but I have experimented with it and it is easy enough to set up. Be warned, to me the photo makes this case look larger than it is. It is pretty small and one complaint I have with it is that its padding seems to be glued in and if you want to purchase the rubber protector for the instrument, it will NOT fit in the case unless you cut the foam to be wider and a little longer. It will fit, but it is not easy to modify since the padding is glued into the case. Note: like others have stated, this unit will not charge via the USB port unless the On/Off switch is in the ON position. The manual clearly states this. When plugged into a USB port, the device will power up no matter which position the switch is in, but when in the OFF position, the charging circuit is bypassed.

The user manual was obviously written for an older model as none of the controls described in using it match up with what is actually on the unit.

Worked for a few months now will not turn on unless connected to power.

Great meter for the price! Lots of features. Easy to use and provides great spectrum info. My last Spectrum Analyzer cost over $6,000 and does not do anything near what this unit does. Only drawback is the small screen size, but you can connect to a laptop for a better look. This unit is easy to take to a rooftop to align antennas or to the top of a tower. Light weight, batteries run a look time on a charge. Nice unit for the money.

Had a little trouble getting the correct USB driver after that the unit has worked real well.

This is a useful gadget if you know what it is and need to have one. The menu setup could be a bit more intuitive (the reason for the 4 star rating) but it does cover all of the frequency ranges in the description in a small, portable package. It also interfaces nicely with a PC using free software available from the company web site. The same web site also has a very good user manual. Once you figure out how to use it, the device gives you a wide range of capabilities to look at the RF environment. I'm using mine in a live theater to look for RF interference in the 480 - 608 MHz range and also in the 2.4 ghz wifi band.