New video on “The Untold Story of Our Wireless World – A new understanding of how EMFs affect us.”  Watch it on our Youtube Channel.

Michael's affordable eCourse, with practical EMF info for everyone, now includes lifetime membership!
Concerned about EMFs but don’t know where to start?

Satya Giordano, CECT

Michael R Neuert, MA, BSME

Neuert Electromagnetic Services

Electrical Contractor License #687093

Acousticom-2 Radio Frequency Meter

©2024 by the EMF Center, EMFCenter.com

In my opinion, the Acousticom is the lowest cost meter available, with enough accuracy and reliability, to measure RF fields —including cell towers, cell phones, smart meters, Wi-Fi, and most of the 5G frequencies used at this time.

(Michael Neuert, EMF Engineer and Health Consultant)

The Acousticom is a Lower Cost but Dependable RF Meter

This is the meter that we usually recommend for the lowest cost detection of radio frequency (wireless) fields, yet still having these three important features:
(1) high sensitivity, accuracy and reliability,
(2) detection of frequencies up to 8 GHz, and
(3) an audio function to help you determine sources.

Helpful Audio Function

The audio function transforms modulated (pulsed) RF signals into a distinct sound pattern that you can hear.  This is very helpful when you are trying to determine sources.  Different RF sources have different sound patterns that you can learn to recognize — for example, a cell tower vs a smart meter, vs a Wi-Fi router, vs a DECT phone.

Detection of 5G Frequencies?

At this time, most of the frequencies used for 5G are the same as for 4G, and the Acousticom picks them up very well.  And in the future, as 5G systems begin to add higher new frequencies above 8 GHz, those 5G systems will continue to emit a substantial amount of the older 4G frequencies — because frequencies under 8Gz are still the best for getting through walls, into buildings, and traveling further distances.

Other Good RF Test Meters

The Acousticom is a “budget” RF meter (less than $200) that is similar to the Acoustimeter AM10 (around $400) — but it does not have the digital display, average, or peak-hold functions of the Acoustimeter.  The Acousticom only has LEDs to show you the field strength.  (Both have the same audio feature.)  If you can afford it, we recommend the Acoustimeter, which has more of the helpful features.

 

Safe and Sound “Classic”

Another very good RF meter — in the same price range as the Acousticom — is the Safe and Sound “Classic”.  Similar to the Acousticom, the Classic is a “budget” version of the higher priced Safe and Sound “Pro” meter, with only LEDs to measure the RF field strength and no numerical display.  Both Safe and Sound meters detect the same frequency range, and have the very helpful audio feature.

 

Special Note About Low Cost Meters

We are generally concerned about the accuracy and reliability of most of the other cheaper (less than $200 in cost) RF test meters on the market, especially the multi-purpose types of test meters like the Cornet brand, which try to measure all three kinds of EMFs with one instrument.

Key Features and Specifications of the Acousticom-2

  • Name of Meter:  Acousticom Model 2 (Acousticom-2)
  • Test Meter Measures:  Radio frequency (RF) fields.
  • Frequency Range: 200 MHz up to 8.0 GHz (±6 dB).
  • Type of Antenna: Single-axis
  • Type of Fields Detected:  Both digital and analog RF/microwave fields.
  • Audio Feature: Special sound function helps determine and distinguish specific RF sources.   (The speaker may be switched on and off.)
  • Measurement Modes:  Peak (instantaneous) mode only.
  • Units of Measure:  Volts per meter (V/m).
  • Sensitivity Range:  Peak mode from as low as 0.01 V/m up to 6.00 V/m.
  • Display: “Peak” levels in V/m using column of colored LEDs.
  • LED Increments: 0.01  0.02  0.05  0.1  0.3  1.0  3.0  6.0 V/m;  (equivalent to 0.5 through 100,000 µW/m2)
  • Alarm:  An alarm sounder at higher exposure levels (may be disabled)
  • Battery:  Uses one 9 Volt battery (included).
  • Advertised Battery Life:  10 hours.
  • Size: 110 mm x 63 mm x 21 mm (LxWxD)

Important Feature #1 – Special Audio Function:  The Acoustimeter has a special audio feature that can help you determine and distinguish various RF sources.  With a small amount of practice, you can learn to recognize the distinctive reproduced sound patterns from different types of RF sources.  For example you can learn to distinguish a cell tower signal, from a Wi-Fi router, from a smart meter, etc.

Important Feature #2 – Up to 8 GHz:  The Acousticom measures RF/microwaves from 200 MHz up to 8 GHz.  This is important because some RF meters can only detect up to about 3 GHz, completely missing the 5.0+ GHz frequencies of newer cordless phones and Wi-Fi routers.  The Acousticom detects most RF emissions from cell towers and cell phones, cordless phones, microwave ovens, Wi-Fi routers, Bluetooth, smart meters, TV channels 12 and up, and most other digital devices in the modern wireless world.   (Please note that the frequency range of this test meter does not include frequencies below 200 MHz, such as AM, FM and some TV broadcasting, and some ham radio frequencies.)

Important Feature #3 – High Sensitivity to Digital Signals: The Acoustimeter is one of the best RF meters available today for capturing the relatively “difficult to detect” peak pulses from low-level digital RF signals.   Thus it can detect relatively weak digital signals that many other RF meters miss.   It is one of the most sensitive RF meters available, and thus it makes it an ideal RF test meter for highly sensitive individuals.

Simple and Affordable:  In our opinion, the Acousticom-2 and the Safe and Sound Classic are the lowest priced RF meters available today with enough accuracy and reliability to trust their measurements.   (We find that most other RF test meters in this price range or less tend to have serious accuracy and dependability issues.)  The Acousticom is conveniently small, and so it fits discreetly in your hand or easily in your pocket.  It is very simple to use, so there is not much you can do wrong.

Important Information from the Manufacturer

When first turned on the Acousticom 2 is silent. The sound may be turned on and off by pressing the button. The Acousticom 2 also has an “alarm” sounder which emits a pulsing warning at higher exposure levels. If the alarm is not required, then it is easy to disable it each time when you turn the Acousticom 2 on. The demodulated sounds allow you to determine, with a small amount of practice, what type of device is creating the pulsing microwave levels that are present. These features make the instrument one of the most useful and practical available – especially for people with severe electrosensitivity.

Sound samples are available you identify what kind of signal your Acousticom 2 is measuring. The sounds made by different transmitters can change with time, so these are meant as a rough guide only. If you are subject to a number of sources of RF, the sounds may intermingle and be less easily identified.

The Acousticom 2 reacts to very short pulses. Peak readings are what they say – the highest sampled reading – though the sampling and processing rate means that there are some gaps and it will not always react to a SINGLE VERY short pulse (less than about 5 microseconds duration) – though it will react correctly to much shorter pulses that are regularly transmitted (such as from WiFi).

Scroll to Top
Subscribe to our email list to be notified about free new EMF videos when they are available, and occasional discounts for our training courses!
Would you like to gain access to special subscriber-only benefits? Including Michael’s free webinars on topics such as 5G? Please subscribe below:
Also, click below for info about Michael’s newly revised eCourse, EMF Solutions for Your Health! which includes 5G updates and monthly live Q&A’s with students.