{
  "id": "meters:spectrum-analyser",
  "collection": "meters",
  "slug": "spectrum-analyser",
  "name": "RF spectrum analyser",
  "summary": "Resolves a reading into its constituent services and frequencies — the only way to attribute an RF level to a specific band, operator or device.",
  "status": "verified",
  "lastVerified": "2026-08-12",
  "data": {
    "aliases": [
      "spectrum analyzer",
      "SDR analyser"
    ],
    "measures": [
      "power-density",
      "electric-field-strength",
      "frequency"
    ],
    "bandCovered": {
      "minHz": 9000,
      "maxHz": 8000000000,
      "label": "instrument dependent"
    },
    "priceBandUsd": [
      500,
      20000
    ],
    "detects": [
      "Which band and service a reading comes from",
      "Pulse structure and duty cycle of a source",
      "Whether an elevated reading is one dominant emitter or many small ones"
    ],
    "cannotDetect": [
      "Absolute exposure, unless used with a calibrated antenna and the correct antenna factor",
      "Low-frequency magnetic and electric fields"
    ],
    "buyingCriteria": [
      "A calibrated antenna with a published antenna factor, which matters more than the analyser itself",
      "Max-hold and trace averaging",
      "Sufficient upper frequency for the bands in use locally, including C-band 5G"
    ],
    "related": [
      "protocols:rf-room-survey",
      "emitters:macro-cell-tower"
    ]
  },
  "sources": [
    {
      "id": "fcc-oet65",
      "title": "OET Bulletin 65: Evaluating Compliance with FCC Guidelines for Human Exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields",
      "publisher": "Federal Communications Commission, Office of Engineering and Technology",
      "url": "https://www.fcc.gov/general/oet-bulletins-line",
      "year": 1997,
      "kind": "government",
      "retrieved": "2026-08-12"
    }
  ],
  "links": {
    "self": "https://emfbase.com/api/meters/spectrum-analyser",
    "html": "https://emfbase.com/meters/spectrum-analyser",
    "markdown": "https://emfbase.com/meters/spectrum-analyser.md",
    "collection": "https://emfbase.com/api/meters"
  }
}