News

There is a new BETA version available for download, and includes several fixes and markers for SNA tracking graphics. Download is freely available at the bottom of our download page.

There are up to 10 markers available, same as for Spectrum Analyzer graphics. They work virtually the same in SNA, with the important difference in marker 1: while it detects Peak value in Insertion Loss mode, it will automatically change to negative Peak in Return Loss mode.

All other markers from 2-9 can be defined at any arbitrary frequency, same as with Spectrum Analyzer. Values of markers defined for SNA and Spectrum Analyzer are independent and stored in configuration settings, so you can define markers for a particular configuration and restore them easily anytime.

Fixes include MaxHold now working in toolbox group control and RF Explorer Signal Generator automatically power off RF signal if Windows application is closed or disconnected.

New available RF Explorer for Windows BETA version v1.12.1506.1

This new version is still under test, but provides significant benefits for Windows scaled text configurations. We recommend this version if you are working with scaled text in your computer or tablet.

Background details: Scaled text is frequently used to show larger text in Windows while working on devices with small screens and high resolution.

This typical configuration used by laptop and tablet users, may have side effects on earlier versions of RF Explorer for Windows where certain controls and forms are cut out or incorrectly placed. This is a defect from internal bugs in Microsoft programming libraries. To overcome this, we produced our own libraries in this version, using internal code and not relying on Microsoft libraries for these features any longer.

 As an example of how older RF Explorer for Windows may look on these configurations, see picture below

Using specific libraries and manual code to correct these problems, the new BETA version looks correct in all configurations

Thanks to this new effort and internally produced code, a new feature exclusively developed in RF Explorer for Windows is a collapsible control available for each toolset group. As depicted in next image, circled in red, there is a new arrow button available on each toolset group and located top-right; by clicking on it you can collapse the toolset so no longer takes screen space and makes room available for other controls.

Once collapsed, the toolset group will display a brief informative text. In this case to show the Analyzer is connected (Analyzer ON). By clicking again on the arrow button the toolset group gets expanded back.

This dynamic toolset location advanced feature will allow us to add more functionality on limited screens that was impossible before.

To download and test this new version, please visit our download page and scroll down to the bottom of the page to get access to the BETA software.

Starting today and lasting three days until Sunday, you can visit RF Explorer booth #342, Silver Arena

SeeedStudio and NutsAboutNets staff will help you with any question, check our demos and save 10% by getting your RF Explorer Spectrum Analyzer and/or RF Explorer Signal Generator right there at DAYTON HAMvention.

There is a bunch of news including software, firmware and accessory upgrades available for your RF Explorer device.

Firmware upgrades

• New firmware upgrade for RF Explorer Signal Generator v1.12 Beta 14 includes Frequency Sweep features, added stability and best handling of internal calibration table. We will soon offer graphic display of amplitude calibration on screen, this Beta version is just the foundation for the upcoming changes.
• New firmware upgrade for all RF Explorer Spectrum Analyzer models in v1.12 Beta 19. They are now all supported by the same firmware, not matter which model you use. This stabilizes and simplify the prior process where new 6GHz models used a separated firmware when compared to lower frequency models.
• Please download firmware from our download page.

RF Explorer for Windows

New RF Explorer for Windows version v1.12.1505.1, includes several GUI improvements and stability fixes, and Limit Lines for SNA mode. It also brings new VSWR automatic calculation from DB, so Linear or Logarithmic return loss can be used. 

• Please download software from our download page.

Accessories

New accessories available for the RF Explorer product family includes LTE / 3G / 4G antenna, red color protection booth, 60dB 6GHz attenuator and replacement LCD. For more details on any of these products, please click on the image.

LTE antenna

Nagoya NA-773 telescopic replacement antenna

2.4GHz Whip replacement antenna

 LCD replacement

SMA precision Attenuator – 60dB up to 2W at 6GHz

Red Color Silicone booth protector