This is obviously a rebranded "RF-Explorer 3G COMBO". The RF-Explorer is available in a number of different configurations, the larger of which cover up to over 6 GHz and do offer the "WLAN Analyzer" for the 5GHz band. Additionally, this one seems to be based on the older range of models: There is a "+"-range with new casing and more features, including an optional "Expansion License" that brings the range up to 7.5 GHz.
@@TimStanfield No, I mean as in "repackaged": For example, the RF-Explorer has a micro-USB-Port, not USB-C. Also, the port on RF-Explorer does establish a data connection to the host, contrary to this device. So there are differences in between the original RF-Explorer and this model. I'm not speculating if this new version is better or worse than the original. I wouldn't buy it - but that's an opinion, nothing more.
BTW, the Tiny spectrum analyzer you recommended turned out to be useful for me. I found good use for it as a RF noise source sniffer. With it, I was able to observe that some power supplies I bought were interfering in my shortwave radio hobby. Now it will serve as a very versatile troubleshooting tool.
This is certainly a copy of the RF Explorer. I bought the Explorer years ago, before the TinySA line were released, and the newer products certainly have much better RF specifications and speed. Where the Explorer shines is ruggedness; it has a die-cast enclosure with a hard, almost lacquered finish. I've used it for transmitter finding outdoors, and for characterizing transmitters (measuring spurious emissions) and finding defective or noisy components in my shop. You need special probe antennas to probe components, but Aliexpress has sets of them for less than $10 CAD.
I use the RF explorer for tracking down interference. Last summer I had issues with all my GPS receivers on my boat. It was very easy to find the defective GPS antenna where the LNA would oscillate at exactly the 1575 MHz, killing all GPS reception in a radius of about 50 meters.
I didn't pay much more for a genuine Tiny SA Ultra and that comes with customer support, regular upgrades and user groups. If I should need help, there is plenty available. Thanks for the video, hope your cold is better soon.
@@SeedyKidd I don't know how this particular brand name is simply a translation error. This name, like almost every other one I see, makes no sense at all
@@GeorgeLiquor if you translate to Chinese then copy the Chinese characters and translate back to English, you get "Jiangsu TV Station" I find this happens a lot but don't get why they translate into the brand names we dont understand in the first place. I can only speak English but I believe we complicate words more than other languages do if that makes sense. Ill have to ask a multilingual person one day
TinySA Ultra have lot better value and can be used to listen to transmissions via headohones jack, cheaper version TinySA also can be modified to RX via headphones jack, both devices also have wider spectrum range.
Old tech based on the RF Explorer. I bought a 6G combo version back in 2016. I now have a TinySA ultra which is a better value for my current projects.
Why would you want this over a TinySA (Ultra)? Sure the WiFi channel thing is neat but there are free smartphone apps that can do a much better job at that, including 5 GHz WiFi, too.
I've used "Wifi Analyzer" by olgor on my phone for decades. Works better than the WiFi channel function of the knock-off and doesn't have the frequency limitations.
The screens and menus are exactly like the RFExplorer. I think this is a Chinese knock off. The RF Explorer has been useful to me not only around the the ham shack but also in our television mobile productions as I am able to check frequencies on an around our wireless mics and track down interference and find clear frequencies if needed. Each time we’re working in a new location we have different types of interference on various channels that we need to steer clear of.
Can this be used to locate jamming a repeater if not might I suggest a video about locating or which product works in locating a person (jammer) thanks love your videos and radio reviews very in depth
I owned an RF Explorer but didn’t like it. The display was to small for serious use and the refresh rate is to slow so sold it and bought a used HP, soo much better!
Thanks for this educational information I think very good for home use but a lot of telcoms are starting 5Gs as I was reading some of the comments before I made mine maybe spend a little more to cover the newer bands.
Yep, I have a standalone pc in my garden bunker 200 feet underground, just to be sure. It's also built around a Faraday cage just incase it emits any RF.
@@TechMindsOfficial 200 feet underground !!! amazing how did you manage to get that far down ? That is some depth.. Do tell as im wondering if an extra zero was added by mistake, thanks.
Yeh, I tried a few just to be sure and still no detection. there is no HID detection in windows when I plug it in, so I will be opening it up to take a look inside at some point. Cheers
Hmmmm... Would you like to explain this in more detail? Even routed phones, with radio receivers built in probably wouldnt be able to cover the frequency range this product can.
This is obviously a rebranded "RF-Explorer 3G COMBO". The RF-Explorer is available in a number of different configurations, the larger of which cover up to over 6 GHz and do offer the "WLAN Analyzer" for the 5GHz band. Additionally, this one seems to be based on the older range of models: There is a "+"-range with new casing and more features, including an optional "Expansion License" that brings the range up to 7.5 GHz.
By rebranded, I assume you mean cheap copy?
@@TimStanfield
No, I mean as in "repackaged": For example, the RF-Explorer has a micro-USB-Port, not USB-C. Also, the port on RF-Explorer does establish a data connection to the host, contrary to this device. So there are differences in between the original RF-Explorer and this model. I'm not speculating if this new version is better or worse than the original. I wouldn't buy it - but that's an opinion, nothing more.
is it only software limited?
you would think it would be more than 10 bucks cheaper, cuz its a knockoff. I honestly thought it would be at $99@@TimStanfield
BTW, the Tiny spectrum analyzer you recommended turned out to be useful for me. I found good use for it as a RF noise source sniffer. With it, I was able to observe that some power supplies I bought were interfering in my shortwave radio hobby. Now it will serve as a very versatile troubleshooting tool.
Awesome, glad it helps! Thanks for watching.
This is certainly a copy of the RF Explorer. I bought the Explorer years ago, before the TinySA line were released, and the newer products certainly have much better RF specifications and speed. Where the Explorer shines is ruggedness; it has a die-cast enclosure with a hard, almost lacquered finish. I've used it for transmitter finding outdoors, and for characterizing transmitters (measuring spurious emissions) and finding defective or noisy components in my shop. You need special probe antennas to probe components, but Aliexpress has sets of them for less than $10 CAD.
I use the RF explorer for tracking down interference. Last summer I had issues with all my GPS receivers on my boat. It was very easy to find the defective GPS antenna where the LNA would oscillate at exactly the 1575 MHz, killing all GPS reception in a radius of about 50 meters.
I didn't pay much more for a genuine Tiny SA Ultra and that comes with customer support, regular upgrades and user groups. If I should need help, there is plenty available. Thanks for the video, hope your cold is better soon.
I would be inclined to support Erik Kaashoek rather than some faceless Chinese entity.
Has this channel reviewed his original model? If not, can we persuade him? 😊
@nataliegrn17 Not yet, but I may see if I can get one to look at.
The Chinese employ a cat walking across a keyboard to create their brand names
Maybe they don't translate well - I find it easier to read broken English than Chinese 🙈
@@SeedyKidd I don't know how this particular brand name is simply a translation error. This name, like almost every other one I see, makes no sense at all
@@GeorgeLiquor if you translate to Chinese then copy the Chinese characters and translate back to English, you get "Jiangsu TV Station"
I find this happens a lot but don't get why they translate into the brand names we dont understand in the first place.
I can only speak English but I believe we complicate words more than other languages do if that makes sense.
Ill have to ask a multilingual person one day
There used to be a bad joke when I was a kid... about the sound of coins dropping
Lol, that’s good. 😂 I’ve not heard that one! Bravo 👏
TinySA Ultra have lot better value and can be used to listen to transmissions via headohones jack, cheaper version TinySA also can be modified to RX via headphones jack, both devices also have wider spectrum range.
Old tech based on the RF Explorer. I bought a 6G combo version back in 2016. I now have a TinySA ultra which is a better value for my current projects.
@@buddypage11 same...
Why would you want this over a TinySA (Ultra)?
Sure the WiFi channel thing is neat but there are free smartphone apps that can do a much better job at that, including 5 GHz WiFi, too.
TinySA Ultra is very good too and I use it almost every day.
I've used "Wifi Analyzer" by olgor on my phone for decades. Works better than the WiFi channel function of the knock-off and doesn't have the frequency limitations.
Looks pretty much identical in operation to my RF Explorer from back in the day...
The screens and menus are exactly like the RFExplorer. I think this is a Chinese knock off. The RF Explorer has been useful to me not only around the the ham shack but also in our television mobile productions as I am able to check frequencies on an around our wireless mics and track down interference and find clear frequencies if needed. Each time we’re working in a new location we have different types of interference on various channels that we need to steer clear of.
Incredible! Good video, thank you
Glad you liked it!
Can this be used to locate jamming a repeater if not might I suggest a video about locating or which product works in locating a person (jammer) thanks love your videos and radio reviews very in depth
How does the info presented from the analyzer tell you if someone is watching you or even listening to you?
Why you would buy this over a PortaPack or a NanoVNA? Even the K5's have spectrum display firmware now.
The NanoVNA is not a spectrum analyzer but a vector network analyzer. What you probably mean is the TinySA and yes I wonder the same thing.
Does that stock antenna only screw onto the SMA jacks to the point you show in the video or all the way down to the case??? 73 - Dino KLØS
The SMA sockets are extra long, which is looks like its not all the way screwed down, but to confirm, it was. Thanks
Looks like a clone copy of the RF Explorer I have had the RF Explorer for about 6 years now.
I owned an RF Explorer but didn’t like it. The display was to small for serious use and the refresh rate is to slow so sold it and bought a used HP, soo much better!
Is it performing better than a RTL SDR?
Thanks for this educational information I think very good for home use but a lot of telcoms are starting 5Gs as I was reading some of the comments before I made mine maybe spend a little more to cover the newer bands.
Interesting. The RapidFire in my FPV goggles kinda do this. For 5.8 only, as far as how it was sold.
still expensive compared to the real rfexplorer... and for that price a tinysa ultra is more than better !
Oh yeah very
That's what I'm talking about
Thanks, Matt 👍
My pleasure!
Have you tried Jtag or uart?
Gonna open it up and take a look inside, might give some clues. I do have the appropriate interfaces if needed.
i hope you use a sandboxed pc before plugging random usb gear from abroad
Yep, I have a standalone pc in my garden bunker 200 feet underground, just to be sure. It's also built around a Faraday cage just incase it emits any RF.
@@TechMindsOfficial
200 feet underground !!! amazing how did you manage to get that far down ?
That is some depth.. Do tell as im wondering if an extra zero was added by mistake, thanks.
maybe try a data transfer cable some cables just for charging
Yeh, I tried a few just to be sure and still no detection. there is no HID detection in windows when I plug it in, so I will be opening it up to take a look inside at some point. Cheers
Crack it open and see what that USB port is connected to. You may just need a generic driver?
Yep, I plan to do this soon. Cheers
Or just plug an antenna into a rooted phone and enjoy a cheaper and better solution
Hmmmm... Would you like to explain this in more detail? Even routed phones, with radio receivers built in probably wouldnt be able to cover the frequency range this product can.
Oh wow
Looks like a half-baked Chinese garbage knock-off item.
This is clearly an illegal clone of the rf explorer, it looks like they pirated the firmware
That's what I was thinking too, considering the lack of PC support too looks like they only ripped half of it. Cheers
same as RFexplorer
Sounds as if you have a cold
Indeed i do.. It was way worse a couple of days ago so I was quite lucky my voice was intelligible! lol.
@@TechMindsOfficial Be well, it's that time of year.
Nice...
I bet they are, those paranoid schizos worrying that I might be spying on them.
The WiFi .. just buy an Android phone.
Too expensive to justify its purchase
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