REI OSCOR Blue User manual

Spectrum Analyzer
User Manual
Research Electronics International, LLC
455 Security Drive, Cookeville, TN 38506 U.S.A.
[phone] (US Only) •[phone]
www.reiusa.net
© Copyright Research Electronics International LLC

Spectrum Analyzer
This document is intended to provide guidance and instruction on using the OSCOR Blue Spectrum
Analyzer for detecting electronic surveillance devices.
The overall effectiveness of this product, and of any surveillance countermeasure, is dependent on the
threat level and the user’s ability to properly utilize the appropriate equipment.
REI offers the world’s largest commercially available Technical Security training facility. Training courses
include classroom instruction and hands-on exercises where students perform sweep exercises in “live”
environments utilizing “target rich” project rooms. The progressive course curriculum is designed for
the beginner or the seasoned Technical Security Technician.
Regularly scheduled courses are taught monthly; visit REI’s website (www.reiusa.net) or contact REI
([email protected]) for training dates.

Revision 1.2.0.13
© COPYRIGHT RESEARCH ELECTRONICS INTERNATIONAL
REI products are designed and intended for legal commercial applications, however because
laws and regulations vary from state to state and country to country, it is the sole responsibility
of the purchaser and user/operator to check and comply with all applicable laws and
regulations for the possession and operation of this equipment before and after making a
purchase.
This manual contains proprietary information intended solely for use with the OSCOR Blue
Spectrum Analyzer.
Information contained in this manual including product operation and specifications is subject
to change without notice.
Any product or brand names contained in this manual are used only for identification purposes
and are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.
U.S. PATENTS: 6,397,154; 7,058,530
Additional Patents Pending
NOTE: The overall effectiveness of any technical surveillance countermeasure is directly
dependent on the level of threat and the user’s ability to properly utilize the appropriate
equipment. REI’s Center for Technical Security offers training on technical surveillance
countermeasure equipment.
OWNER’S RECORD
The Serial Number of each OSCOR Blue is located on the back of the unit. Please record this
number and refer to it whenever you contact your dealer or Research Electronics International
concerning this product. Note: Removal or alteration of the serial number automatically voids
all warranties of this product.
SERIAL NUMBER: _________________________
Research Electronics International, LLC
455 Security Drive, Cookeville, TN 38506 U.S.A.
[phone] (US Only) •[phone]
www.reiusa.net

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PRECAUTIONS ..............................................................................................................1
EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION .........................................................................................2
Main Panel ............................................................................................................................. 2
Inputs/Outputs/Accessories.................................................................................................... 4
QUICK START EXERCISES...........................................................................................8
Exercise 1 – Listen to a Radio Station.................................................................................... 8
Exercise 2 – Basic Methods To Detect Threat Transmitters ..................................................12
SET-UP & BASIC OPERATION....................................................................................18
Power Control and Battery Charging.....................................................................................18
Updating the Software and Firmware ....................................................................................18
Help File................................................................................................................................19
Setting the Time Zone, Date, and Time.................................................................................20
Touch Screen Calibration......................................................................................................21
Saving Screen Shots to Thumb Drive....................................................................................21
File Operations......................................................................................................................21
Using the Storage Manager...................................................................................................22
Resetting to Factory Defaults ................................................................................................24
Setting up the Tuner..............................................................................................................24
Preset Spans.......................................................................................................................................25
Managing Preset Spans......................................................................................................................26
Setting up the Display............................................................................................................26
Showing/Hiding the Trace Legend......................................................................................................26
Showing/Hiding the Sweep Counts.....................................................................................................27
Adjusting the Input Attenuation..............................................................................................27
Using the Built-in Pre-Amp ....................................................................................................28
Using an External Antenna....................................................................................................28
SWEEP MODE .............................................................................................................30
Sweeping the RF Spectrum...................................................................................................30
Sweep Mode Screen Elements...........................................................................................................30
Navigating the Spectral Display..........................................................................................................31
Changing the Spectral Parameters.....................................................................................................32

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Changing the Position of the Cursor...................................................................................................33
RF Spectrum Trace Display Modes.......................................................................................33
Real Time Trace..................................................................................................................................35
Peak Trace..........................................................................................................................................35
Average Trace.....................................................................................................................................37
Persistence View.................................................................................................................................37
Merge Peak.........................................................................................................................................38
Math Trace..........................................................................................................................................42
Detail Zoom...........................................................................................................................45
Detail Zoom Screen Elements ............................................................................................................45
Navigating within the Detail Zoom Window.........................................................................................46
Setting Up the Tuner Range for Detail Zoom......................................................................................46
Signals ..................................................................................................................................48
Signal Lists..........................................................................................................................................48
Auto Analyze.......................................................................................................................................56
Live Raster Waterfall.............................................................................................................59
Receiver Overload – Sweep Mode........................................................................................63
ANALYZE MODE..........................................................................................................65
Analyze Mode Screen Elements............................................................................................65
Setting up the Analyze Mode Display ....................................................................................66
Demodulating an analog signal in Analyze Mode ..................................................................66
Changing the Scope Display in Analyze Mode...................................................................................68
Setting a Squelch Level for Demodulated Audio ................................................................................69
Recording and playback of demodulated audio..................................................................................69
Capturing and reviewing a frame of demodulated video ....................................................................70
Toggling the Traces in Analyze Mode....................................................................................71
Changing the Peak Trace Type in Analyze Mode...............................................................................71
Demod FFT/Subcarrier Demodulation...................................................................................72
Subcarrier Scope ................................................................................................................................74
Signal Lists in Analyze Mode.................................................................................................74
Locating Signals....................................................................................................................76
RSSI Locate........................................................................................................................................76
Correlation...........................................................................................................................................77
Ranging...............................................................................................................................................79

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IF Out....................................................................................................................................81
Baseband Out .......................................................................................................................81
Cursor Lock...........................................................................................................................82
Receiver Overload – Analyze Mode ......................................................................................82
THE MULTI-PURPOSE PROBE (MPP)........................................................................84
Connecting the MPP to the OSCOR Unit...............................................................................84
OSCOR Unit Operations with the MPP connected.............................................................................86
Selecting an MPP Input.........................................................................................................86
Coax (In-Line)......................................................................................................................................87
Coax (Single-Ended)...........................................................................................................................89
CCP (Carrier Current Probe)...............................................................................................................91
Receiver Overload - MPP Carrier Current Probe................................................................................93
VLF (Loop Antenna)............................................................................................................................93
IR (Infrared Light)................................................................................................................................94
VL (Visible Light).................................................................................................................................96
100 MHz Baseband Upconvert..............................................................................................97
Disabling/Disconnecting the MPP..........................................................................................97
SPECIFICATIONS........................................................................................................99
APPENDIX.....................................................................................................................A1

PRECAUTIONS
1
PRECAUTIONS
•Maximum Input Voltages and Power
-8 GHz – 24 GHz Antenna Input (see page 4): 0 VDC, +20 dBm
Caution: To avoid damage to the OSCOR unit do not apply any DC voltage to this input
-0 – 8 GHz Antenna Input (see page 4): < 5 VDC, +20 dBm
-Aux RF Input (see page 5): < 5 VDC, +20 dBm
•The Antenna Panel Control connector (see page 4), which is the 6 pin modular plug marked
“CTRL” on the back of the unit, is used for power to and communication with the antenna panel.
To avoid damage to the unit and internal circuitry, do not use this connector for telephone
connections.
•Only use REI approved power sources, batteries, chargers, and probes.
•CAUTION The antenna panel can be damaged by a high-level electrostatic
discharge (ESD) to the whip antenna connector. In an area where static
discharges are likely, such as in dry conditions, or on carpeting, avoid
contact with this connector located on the top of the antenna panel.
•CAUTION High-level electrostatic discharges (ESD) to the USB-A, USB-B, and Ethernet
connectors could result in possible damage or mis-operation of the OSCOR unit. Observe
industry standard precautions for handling static sensitive equipment.
•Provide adequate ventilation around the cooling fan inlet and outlet of the OSCOR unit. These
are located on the underside of the input panel located at the rear of the unit.
•There are no serviceable parts inside. Contact your dealer or Research Electronics International,
LLC for repairs. Opening the unit will void the warranty.
•Exercise care in walking or other movements while operating the OSCOR unit. Serious injuries
may result.

SET-UP & BASIC OPERATION
2
EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION
Main Panel
1. POWER – turns the unit off and on. Press and hold the power button until the unit shuts off to
do a firmware reset. As the unit powers on, the power button will display various patterns of
solid and blinking colors to indicate successful initialization and self-test. This is a list of the
various colors the power button will display during operation and what each color indicates:
Power Button Indications
With the Unit On:
Solid Blue – Operating on Battery with no AC connected
Solid White – Battery is charging
Solid Green – Battery fully charged
Solid Yellow – No battery detected
Decaying Yellow – Low battery

SET-UP & BASIC OPERATION
3
Decaying Red – Low battery, shutdown is imminent
Blinking Red – Battery Fault (disconnect power and remove battery)
With the Unit Off but with AC Power Connected:
Pulsing White – Battery is charging
Blinking Yellow – No battery detected
Blinking Green – Battery is fully charged
2. HELP – launches on-screen help file. Also used as part of the key sequence for capturing screen
shots (see page 21)
3. MUTE – mutes the speakers
4. VOLUME – increases/decreases volume level
5. F-KEYS – multi-use function keys. Functions corresponding to each F-key will be labeled on the
display screen and will change depending on the current mode or sub-menu.
6. ROTARY DIAL – allows precise frequency selection of whichever parameter is currently selected
(START, STOP, CENTER, SPAN, or CURSOR). Also provides ability to adjust various control
parameters.
7. TAB – used to navigate between fields (such as within signal lists or dialog screens)
8. UP/DOWN/LEFT/RIGHT (arrow keys) – function varies depending on context. In sweep mode, if
you are only displaying part of the spectrum, the left and right keys move up and down through
the spectrum.
9. OK – used for confirming selections and displaying context-sensitive menus
10. SWEEP/ANALYZE – allows instant jump between receiver’s spectrum graphic display and
demodulated signal analysis
11. EXPAND/MAX – Expands the displayed frequency span. When the SHIFT key is pressed
immediately before this key, the frequency span is expanded to the max frequency span of
24.025 GHz.
12. NARROW/MIN – Narrows the displayed frequency span. When the SHIFT key is pressed
immediately before this key, the frequency span is changed to the narrowest frequency span of
1.22 MHz.