RF Explorer RF Signal Generator: 24 MHz - 6 GHz

An attractively priced generator. Is it any good? Let's find out.

[xfol]

Nearly bought one of these a couple of years ago - now glad I didn't. Thanks for the insight.

[andrewwoodfield]

The oscilloscope used in the video does not show the output waveform particularly accurately because its bandwidth (100MHz) is too limited to permit the full energy of the measured 40MHz square wave 3rd harmonic (120MHz) and 5th harmonic (200MHz). And the square wave output is (naturally, and understandably) the reason for the flat output response. Thanks for showing us the inside view. Very helpful in determining the approach and likely performance, and the overall (limited) value for money.

[ohmedarick]

THank you for your review. I was interested in buying the RF Explorer. No way.!!!!

[spacewolfjr]

I'd rather spend $200 on Chicken McNuggets

[dosgos]

Learn so much from these videos! Could you recommend a few good electrical engineering intro texts? Thanks

[OneBiOzZ]

Looks like a useful tool for generating clocks, but im very dissapointed by the square wave output and that PCB looks like it was laid out by a highschool student
for RF sweeping a HackRF is actually not a bad choice, when i got mine it was $400 but you can get them now for around $200
produces a nice sine wave and plenty of modulation options available but not great protection but on the plus side its also a 100khz to 6ghz receiver

[GLITCH_-.-]

Can someone explain why it costs 200$? It looks like a 50 or less $ device.

[johnnyreb]

oscilloscope in use exhibits limited fidelity in rendering the output waveform due to its restricted bandwidth of 100 MHz, which is insufficient to accurately capture the full spectrum of a 40 MHz square wave. Specifically, the device fails to process the energy of the third harmonic (120 MHz) and fifth harmonic (200 MHz), essential components in reconstructing the square wave's shape. This harmonic attenuation leads to a flattened output response, inherently tied to the oscilloscope's bandwidth constraints. Nonetheless, the internal view provided in the demonstration offers valuable insights into the design limitations and expected operational performance, helping gauge its cost-effectiveness.

[prk]

What is the maximum value of power in dbm it can provide ?

[simontay]

That is not worth $200. I wouldn't even pay 200¢ for that because the output is so noisy. Surely a (multistage?) LC filter on the output using small capacitors and inductors to smooth the square wave output to a sinusoidal wave would not cost much to add, a few $ at most. I think they just couldn't be bothered. you could even build one using salvaged inductors from old SMPS and/or radios.

[EnricoConca]

Those PCB traces are all over the place: they aren't even parallel and have all funky angles to them... What the hell? The large amount of distortion appears to be a problem at low frequency where the IC uses a divider, it should be much better in the VCO fundamental frequency range (3 to 6 GHz).

[fullwaverecked]

I wish they could miniturize the price.

[atmel]

The frequency synthsizer costs less than $10 and probably even lower if you order thousands. The filtering is just a few passives probably less than $20. The microcontroller, PCB and case might be $30-40 so the BOM is probably lower than $70. If it was sold $120 it would be okay but this is certainely not worth $200.

[fatman]

Using that generator can it open garages?

[joereeser]

Seen all I needed, doesn't seem to be something I'd be interested in. Too dirty for me.