Radio Communication Test Sets

Land mobile radio networks are known for dependable operation and strong performance, supported through consistent testing and maintenance. VIAVI offers a comprehensive range of analytics and test instruments used across sectors such as public safety, healthcare, utilities, transport, and rail.

These tools support key features required by diverse users, including Positive Train Control (PTC) to ensure compliance with strict railroad RF standards and Vocoder technology for visual assessment of digital audio signals.

Other users include security organisations and government agencies such as homeland security, defence, police, and border patrol, all of which require secure communications with strong interoperability.
VIAVI test sets support these needs with precise modulation testing, frequency error checks, channel analysis, and sensitivity measurements.

Growth in LMR adoption has expanded the broader support network, including installers, two-way radio dealers, and calibration and maintenance providers. VIAVI also offers automated signal mapping tools and drive-testing features for verifying coverage across indoor areas or defined outdoor regions.

LMR users range from small private organisations to large government bodies with thousands of active radios and multiple operational sites. Major sectors such as rail transport and utilities often manage maintenance and repairs internally using their own technicians and test equipment.

Smaller groups, such as local fire departments or schools, usually rely on an OEM service centre or an independent two-way radio dealer for testing and repairs. Many organisations also subcontract installation work to manufacturers or specialised external providers.

Because of this complexity, maintaining radio readiness while working within budget limits can be challenging. Highly integrated Communications Service Monitors (CSMs) with automated testing and alignment help organisations manage both needs effectively.

Each LMR manufacturer defines maintenance guidelines based on observed performance drift and recommended service intervals. These guidelines generally call for annual preventative maintenance for all portable and mobile radios. Infrastructure components may require additional attention, along with reactive maintenance when unexpected radio damage or hardware faults occur.

While annual testing may seem manageable for one device, organisations with thousands of radios face substantial cumulative testing and reporting workloads. Using manual procedures typically takes around 60 minutes per radio plus reporting time, making large-scale maintenance demanding.

VIAVI’s Auto-Test features reduce this process to around seven to ten minutes per radio, including model-specific testing, alignment, and report creation. The test equipment can automatically detect the radio model when the procedure begins, adding further efficiency.

LMR manufacturers publish detailed test and calibration procedures for their products. These procedures define criteria for frequency ranges, LMR technology standards, channel configurations, and trunking systems. Common measurements across all manufacturers include audio quality, frequency accuracy, transmission power, and sensitivity.
These robust procedures give RF technicians a structured framework to ensure reliable performance.

LMR testing is demanding due to the wide variety of products, strict performance requirements, and high reliability expectations. Creating a complete test setup requires connecting and configuring equipment such as signal generators, spectrum analysers, power meters, frequency counters, computers, and sensors.
This process is time-consuming and can lead to compatibility issues, configuration errors, and inconsistent results between technicians.

The challenge is amplified by limited RF expertise in the workforce, with high demand for experienced technicians and many long-serving professionals retiring.

VIAVI test sets address many of the difficulties in LMR testing by automating key processes and combining multiple tools into one integrated platform.
Automation minimises errors, shortens setup time, and ensures manufacturers’ specifications are met consistently. Repeatability across technicians is significantly improved, reducing variations in test results.

VIAVI radio test solutions are designed for versatility, ease of use, and portability, enabling efficient testing and maintenance across all major LMR manufacturers. Ongoing collaboration with these OEMs has produced the industry’s widest selection of approved Auto-Test and alignment applications.

Supported brands include BK Technologies, Collins Aerospace, L3Harris Technologies, Hytera, Icom, Kenwood/EF Johnson, Motorola, and Tait Communications.

Benchtop Test Sets

The 3920B Series Radio Test Platform is the benchmark benchtop communications service monitor. It includes a 4 MHz dual-channel oscilloscope, a full-featured spectrum analyser with typical –140 dBm DANL, and a three-port digital multimeter. Unique features include Vocoder technology for visual and audio digital signal analysis and a site-monitoring function for automated sensitivity logging.
The 3920B supports all major LMR technologies with Auto-Test, alignment, integrated PC functions, extensive save/recall options, and remote control.

Portable Test Sets

The 8800SX Digital Radio Test Set provides bench-level automated test and alignment capabilities in a rugged 17-lb field unit. It includes a built-in audio oscilloscope, channel analyser, and audio generator for analog testing.
Digital features include P25 Phase 2 analysis, TETRA base station testing, PTC capabilities, and advanced modulation plots. A 500 W in-line power meter option allows testing of high-power transmitters and remote repeater sites.

Handheld Test Sets

The 3550R Touchscreen Radio Test System delivers LMR testing in a compact, weather-resistant device rated for –20°C to +55°C.
It supports full analog and digital testing, including direct-connect radio tests, frequency error checks, power measurements, modulation accuracy, and sensitivity assessments.
Additional features include antenna testing and high-accuracy distance-to-fault measurement. When paired with VIAVI signal-mapping tools, it becomes a key instrument for indoor coverage analysis.

Signal mapping software is critical for designing, installing, and verifying land mobile radio and cellular DAS/BDA systems.
The NEON® Signal Mapper automatically determines indoor positioning and correlates it with radio signal data, removing the need for manual check-ins. It provides 3D visualisation and georeferenced signal data even in buildings where GPS is unavailable.
It also offers a signal-quality metric for verifying compliance with IFC and NFPA requirements and supports seamless indoor-to-outdoor measurement continuity.

A Communications Service Monitor is an integrated radio test instrument that combines the functions of a signal generator, spectrum analyser, oscilloscope, channel analyser, power meter, and other analog and digital radio test capabilities into a single standalone device.
Advancements in electronics have made modern service monitors more portable, efficient, and accurate to support today’s wide-ranging radio communication needs.

Modern CSMs perform power, modulation, and frequency testing for analog and digital LMR systems. They also support cable fault analysis, antenna testing, and infrastructure commissioning, along with base station and repeater validation.