signal strength meters 1

[did2]

I'm working on a project, and I'm having a lot of trouble finding a particular piece of test equipment.

I need a handheld (or at least highly portable) signal strength meter that can take signal measurements from base stations up to several km away. It needs to be able to handle the 800MHz, 2.4GHz, and 5GHz bands. And most importantly, it must have some sort of PC connectivity, so that I can download data directly into a file for later use!

I've searched all over, but haven't found anything that fits - it seems PC connectivity on a signal meter isn't in high demand

Anyone have any suggestions? Can you at least point me to someplace where I'd have better luck? Thanks!

 

[VEBill]

Have you tried searching for 'Communications Analyzers' and/or 'Spectrum Analyzers'? I wouldn't bother trying to find 'Signal Strength Meters' as a standalone kit - never seem such a thing (at least not in recent years).

Many of these sorts of devices (Comm. A. or Spec. A.) will have facilities to save data to floppy disks or other memory devices. Some may have GPIB or other interfaces for complete PC control.

I've recently seen a handheld version of a very capable Communications Analyzer. If I happen to find a more specific reference (model number), then I'll post it here.

 

[leonar40]

A company called Anritsu just came out with a sweet hand-held spectrum analzyer that will be able to do all the things that you described. It has range up to 7.1GHz, and allows you to record data to compact flash. It also has ethernet capability. Here is the website where you can see all the specs. I was lucky enough to be able to score one of these at my work and it's a really cool instrument.

http://www.us.anritsu.com/products/ARO/North/Eng/showProd.aspx?ID=654&cat=1&cat2=2&cat3=5&cat4=0

 

[VEBill]

Rohde & Schwarz FSH3 "handheld" spectrum analyzer.

There is a version available for up to 6 GHz.

Brochure mentions RS-232 remote control, but you'll have to confirm if that includes the capability to automatically extract and save the data you seek.

Just type 'fsh3' into Google.