Analyser, meter or generator?
| Instrument | Answers | Typical work |
|---|---|---|
| RF spectrum analyser | Which frequencies are present, and how strong is each? | Interference hunting, frequency coordination, site surveys, EMC pre-compliance |
| Broadband RF meter | How much total field is here? | Exposure checks, verifying shielding — see RF meters |
| RF signal generator | What happens when I inject a known signal? | Testing antennas, filters and receivers; measuring shielding attenuation; aligning equipment |
A meter gives you one number. An analyser gives you the trace that identifies the culprit — the reason interference work almost always ends up needing one.
Specifications that decide the purchase
- Frequency range. Sub-GHz ISM, LoRa and 433/868/915 MHz work needs a low-band model; Wi-Fi, LTE and 5G sub-6 need coverage to at least 6 GHz. Buy the range you need plus headroom for harmonics.
- Resolution bandwidth (RBW). Narrow RBW separates two close signals and lowers the noise floor; wide RBW sweeps faster. Interference work wants narrow.
- Sensitivity / DANL. Determines whether a weak interferer is visible at all.
- Sweep speed. Intermittent interference is only caught by fast sweeps plus max-hold.
- Antenna and connectors. The antenna determines what you can actually see. Directional and near-field antennas are what let you walk a signal back to its source.
- Logging and PC software. If you have to produce a report, you need capture and export, not just a screen.
What we stock
Handheld analysers
- RF Explorer — the widely used handheld family: WSUB1G for sub-GHz, ISM Combo, 3G/4G/6G Combo and WB models, plus the RF Explorer Pro. Slim PLUS versions, aluminium and heavy-duty cases, near-field antenna kits and frequency-coordination licences are all available.
- LATNEX SPA series — SPA-3G (15–2700 MHz), SPA-6G, SPA-7G and SPA-7GE (50 kHz–6.1/7.5 GHz with licence): larger screens and wider coverage at a mid-range price.
- Aaronia Spectran and NF series — laboratory-grade analysers for professional EMC and survey work.
- Oscium WiPry 2500x — Wi-Fi-focused spectrum analysis on a phone or tablet.
Signal generators
- LATNEX RF-SG6 (24–6000 MHz) — general-purpose generator, also sold bundled with the SPA-3G or SPA-6G analyser.
- RF Explorer Signal Generator (RFE6GEN) and the analyser + generator COMBO — the natural pairing for attenuation testing.
Browse everything in spectrum analyzers and signal generators.
Two jobs worked end to end
Finding an interference source
Set a wide span with max-hold to catch the signal, note its centre frequency, then narrow the span and reduce RBW to see its shape. Swap to a directional antenna and walk while watching amplitude: rising means closer. Confirm by switching the suspect device off.
Measuring how much shielding a material gives you
Place a signal generator on one side of the sample and the analyser with a fixed antenna on the other at a fixed distance. Record the level with no sample, then with the sample in place; the difference in dB is the attenuation at that frequency. This is the honest way to compare shielding paint, shielding fabric and window film yourself, and to check an installation after the fact.
Related: EMF meter buying guide · personal RF monitors