RSA306B Real-time Spectrum Analyzer, 9 kHz to 6.2 GHz, 40 MHz Acquisition Bandwidth

At just shy of $4,000 some people might think that the Tektronix RSA306B Real-time Spectrum Analyzer is expensive. Others will see the same price and think that it's a real bargain. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and so is price for that matter. However, in this case, considering the capabilities that you receive and the excellent build quality of the unit, I tend to see the RSA306B as a bargain. You can spend very much more for a standalone spectrum analyzer that has roughly the same features.The RSA306B spectrum analyzer works from 9 kHz to 6.2 GHz, and has a 40 MHz acquisition bandwidth. It is compatible with PCs having a USB 3 port (more on this in a moment,) and included is a free version of Tektronix's Signal-Vu PC software.Now for the PC, to use the RSA306B you need a Windows PC running in 64-bit mode. Not just the processor but also the Windows Operating System must be 64-bit compatible. This means that any 32-bit processor or 32-bit Windows version likely won't work. (The System Control Panel will tell you what version of Windows you are running and whether it is 32-bit or 64-bit.) You also need 4 GB of RAM (8 GB is better) and at least 20 GB free on your hard drive. Please heed these requirements. I didn't and attempted to install and run Signal-VU PC on an underpowered Dell laptop running Windows 10 (64 bit.) As a result, I received all kinds of installation errors and, in the end, the software reported all kinds of errors in communicating with the RSA360B. There just wasn't enough memory or disk space to allow things to work.This was not Tektronix fault, it was my fault! I should have known better. Tektronix specifications call this out for the customer. When I installed the software and connected the RSA306B to a more capable Asus desktop with 4 GB RAM, a 500 GB hard drive with plenty of free space, running Windows 8.1 64-bit, both the installation and the operation of the RSA306B was seamless. (I subsequently upgraded the Asus to Windows 10--probably because I am a glutton for punishment. However the upgrade caused no difficulty for the Signal-VU PC software.)If there is anything significant that a standalone spectrum analyzer can offer that the RSA306B can't, I am at a loss to find it. This is, in every sense of the word, a versatile and full-featured real-time spectrum analyzer. Plus the RS306B runs entirely from USB power and that means that there is no need to lug around an external power supply. Just it and your Windows laptop or desktop with Signal-Vu PC Software is all that is required.Conveniently, as a primarily software defined spectrum analyzer, Tektronix can easily make improvements and provide them through software updates.I used the RSA306B to check the signal quality of several handheld transceivers (amateur radio and GRMS.) I also used it as a panadapter to monitor the ham bands and find the frequencies where various ham radio stations were operating. I connected my 20-meter dipole to the input of the RSA306B. I set the bandwidth and frequency to cover part of the U.S. SSB 20-meter band (14.250 to 14.350 MHz.) The top window was set to Spectrum mode. The bottom window was set as a waterfall (technically, they call it a Spectrograph.) This made it easy for me to see amateur radio stations and evaluate their relative signal strength.While I have other panadapters in my ham radio shack, none offer anything close to the 40 MHz bandwidth of the RSA306B. (If you are feeling exceptionally crazy, you can monitor the entire shortwave bands all at the same time. Looking at a single band or a part of a band at a time makes more sense and helps preserve your sanity!)I used the RSA360B to analyze the signal and modulation of several local commercial broadcast AM and FM radio stations. (I could also listen to their audio through the RSA306B, but the audio quality was choppy and of low quality.) I even used it to look at the various Wi-Fi bridges and routers in my home and around the neighborhood. (The Signal-Vu PC software has presets for monitoring 802.11 wireless LAN routers and bridges.)I found the licensing options of the included Signal-Vu PC to be somewhat confusing. Tektronix stated it to be free, but there are also a number of choices for evaluating and buying options with a 30-day demo period for each. I am not sure if I am running in permanent free mode or temporary trial mode. However, as long as the software keeps operating, the free version without the options suits me fine.The ability to save screen shots or record full data streams is impressive and handy. That, plus the wide frequency range, wide bandwidth, small form factor, easy upgradability, portability and capabilities make the RSA306B Real-time Spectrum Analyzer an extremely useful tool that is offered at a price that is appealing and affordable even for hobbyists like myself.

One warning. Check you PC requirements. This is going to need a few more things than your average laptop.It works easily enough, with minimal instruction. To be honest, if you know how to use them already, you won't have to worry about the learning curve. I was able to test a few different signals and then test those results against other analyzers and came away convinced that this machine works, works fast, and works for a bargain. Try it on Wi-Fi and see how soon you get a new router.