I've been wanting to write this review for a long time, I'd heard so many great things about the HF35C.
If you're new to this subject; the HF35C measures a form of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) called radio frequency, or RF, radiation.
First lets look at the technical side.
Technical Specifications
[1]Here's the technical specification as per the manufacturer:
Frequency Range: 800 MHz to 2700 MHz (2.7 GHz)
Measurement Range: Power flux density (PFD) 0.1 to 1999 µW/m²
Basic accuracy including linearity tolerance : +/- 6dB
Display: Zero offset and rollover +/- 9 digits
Microwave Sensor: Logarithmic periodic antenna
Audio: Identification of pulsed radiation sources by means of an acoustic signal proportional to the modulated frequency
Power supply: 9 Volt alkaline manganese battery (included). Average operation time 6 to 7 hours.
Low-Battery indication, auto-power-off
Signal Rating: Display of peak and average value (switchable)
Warranty: 2 years warranty
Weight: 0,49 kg
What Can You Measure With The HF35C EMF Meter?
You can use this meter to measure EMFs from the following sources:
– cell phones
– cell phone towers
– Wireless video games (like the Xbox or Sony Playstation etc)
– smart meters
– Wifi
– Cordless DECT phones
– Bluetooth
– Digital baby monitors
– Digital TV Broadcasts
– Audio/Video Sender Receivers
– Wireless burglar alarms
– Microwave ovens
and more.
How To Use The HF35C EMF Meter
[1]The HF35C is delivered with external antenna. When you open the box this is what you see (picture on the right). Remove the contents of the box, insert the battery (supplied), clip the antenna to the top of the meter and screw the antenna cable into the socket. You're ready to go.
[1]
This meter is simple to operate, its got just 3 buttons and an audio knob all situated above the display (as shown in this close up). The button on the bottom right is the power button, slide it up vertically to switch on. Use the audio knob to set the volume to a level where you can comfortably hear whats going on. Hold the meter with your arm slightly outstretched and start moving the meter around slowly, methodically, in all directions all the time listening for any signal and watching the LCD display. The display always gives readings in microwatts per square meter [ μW/m2 ] but there are two settings. If you are in a location where the readings are low then you want to be on the fine grain setting (you slide the button above the power button to the top). If you are in a location where the readings are high then slide the button down to read up to 1999 µW/m².
You can also choose between displaying peak and RMS in the display. The RMS setting is used by for certain official limits but for general use the peak setting is the most appropriate.
Here is a video I made which gives a brief introduction of the HF35C:
And here is another video which shows the HF35C as I get up a bit closer to a cell tower:
What I Like About This Meter
The thing I really like about this meter is that its a true directional meter. Which means its useful for determining where RF radiation is coming from. This is a really important feature.
Does that mean you can just point the meter in a certain direction to know what the radiation is in a particular location from that direction? Not exactly. RF radiation is reflected and reverberated in practically any environment. Outside in a rural environment if you point point the meter in different directions you should be able to pinpoint the source of RF radiation exposures.
But sometimes this can be difficult to do if you are in an environment where there are metal and other reflective surfaces which cause the radiation to bounce round. This is particularly true indoors. Nevertheless this meter does have true directional capability which few meters in this price range can offer.
Disadvantages
The directional capability comes at a price. When the antenna is fitted on the top of the meter it makes this meter bulky and quite fragile. If you're out and about with this meter you're best advised to keep it in the box when you transport it. Take it out of the box when you want to use it and mount the antenna. Its easy to do but if you're in an area where there are people you might get some strange looks. This meter is not discreet.
2 other drawbacks:
- the frequency range. This meter measures from 800MHz to 2,7 GHz which is not bad. But there are a growing number of devices that work in a higher frequency band (some WiFi) or lower frequency band (some smart meters), in which case your meter won't measure anything.
- the measurement units. For RF measurement for health V/m is considered the best unit of measurement because it indicates peak signal strength remember some devices have peak power levels up to 100 times more than their average power levels.
Is This The Right EMF Meter For You?
A common fallacy is that there's one EMF meter that is significantly better than any other. OK if you go into a high price bracket you get way better meters. But for what this meter costs you get your monies worth – its no surprise that this is the best selling meter made by Gigahertz. This is a great meter. But that doesn't necessarily mean its the right meter for you.
Where this meter scores is in its directional capability. Read carefully this review and compare with the other meters I reviewed. Then make your decision.
Where To Purchase The HF35C
You can buy it from this company [1]. I've found them to be very competitive on price and their customer service to be excellent.