TES 593 Radio Frequency Meter
©2024 by the EMF Center, EMFCenter.com
The TES 593 was once the best RF meter available to the general public. But it was never designed to detect the newer 4G and 5G digital signals peaks, and thus we no longer recommend it. However it still is helpful for analog and the lower RF frequency range.
(Michael Neuert, EMF Engineer and Health Consultant)
A Very Wide Frequency RF Detector
Originally, the TES 593 was a high-performance RF test meter, with the same features as meters costing thousands of dollars more. It was great for measuring almost all radio frequency (RF) sources at that time. It was the first RF meter to detect frequencies above 3 GHz — which has become more and more important over the years.
Helpful Features
The TES 593 has several important features including (1) a triple axis antenna, (2) easy conversion between different units of measure, and (3) the widest frequency range available to detect the most different kinds of RF sources with one instrument. So this was one of the best RF detectors available to the general public, until recently.
Good Detection of Analog and Lower Frequency RF Signals
The TES 593 is still a very helpful meter for detecting frequencies in the lower end of the RF spectrum. It can detect frequencies down to 10 MHz, much lower than almost all the newer meters now available. Unfortunately, it was never designed for some of the more recent digital technology signals like 4G and 5G.
Unfortunately, Not So Good for Modern Digital Signals
This meter is now an older design that is not as effective at picking up the fast digital signal peaks of some of the newest RF technologies (such as 4G and 5G cell towers and cell phones). Also, in recent years, our clients have experienced quality and accuracy issues with the manufacture of the newer TES 593 meters, so we no longer recommend it.
Better Meters Available for Digital RF
Therefore, we recommend more modern meters like the Safe and Sound Pro, the Acoustimeter AM-11, the Acousticom-2, and the Safe and Sound Classic. These meters are all better at detecting the newer digital technologies, such as 4G and 5G. All of these newer meters have the audio feature that helps you to determine sources, something the TES 593 did not have. Unfortunately, these newer RF meters mentioned here do not have the ability to detect the lower end of the RF spectrum as well as the TES 593 does.
Key Features and Specifications…
- Name of Meter: TES Model 593 Electrosmog Meter.
- Test Meter Measures: Radio frequency (RF) fields.
- Frequency Range: 10 MHz up to 8.0 GHz.
- Type of Antenna: Triple-axis (single-axis mode also available)
- Type of Fields: Both digital and analog RF/microwave fields.
- Type of Display: Digital display, auto-ranging.
- Features: Instantaneous (peak), maximum (max peak) or average measurement modes. Auto-ranging.
- Units of Measure: Microwatts per centimeter squared (µW/cm²), microwatts per meter squared (µW/m²), microamps per meter (µA/m) or millivolts per meter (mV/m).
- Sensitivity: Detects RF field strength as low as 0.001 µW/cm², 0.1 µW/m², 8.2 µA/m and 3.0 mV/m.
- Easy to Use: Both triple and single-axis sensing available. Using the triple-axis sensor, you can hold the meter in any orientation and get a three dimensional measurement.
- Battery: Uses one standard 9 Volt battery (included).
- Advertised Battery Life: Up to 3 hours of use (in reality about 30 to 60 minutes).
Important Feature #1 – Wide Spectrum up to 8 GHz: Measures RF/microwaves from 10 MHz up to 8 GHz – one of the widest frequency ranges available for any RF meter. This is important because some RF meters can only detect up to about 3 GHz, and then the 5.0+ GHz frequencies of newer cordless phones and Wi-Fi routers are simply not detected. This meter detects the RF frequencies from all FM and TV broadcast towers, all cell towers and cell phones, all cordless phones, all microwave ovens, all Wi-Fi routers, and most other digital devices in the modern wireless world. Special Note: This meter is not designed to pick up the modern faster digital signal peaks from 4G and 5G, therefore it tends to read those types of signals too low, especially at lower exposure levels. (Please note that the frequency range of this test meter does not include frequencies below 10 MHz, such as AM radio broadcasting and some ham radio frequencies. A special meter with a lower frequency range would be needed for this.)
Important Feature #2 – Triple-Axis: The TES 593 is a triple-axis meter, which allows you to take quick and easy measurements. Almost all lower cost RF test meters use a single-axis antenna to save costs. Also, this meter has several very helpful measurement options such as the selection of instantaneous (peak), average, and maximum (hold) readings, plus many other helpful features.
Important Feature #3 – Wide Sensitivity Range: The TES 593 is sensitive enough to detect both digital and analog types of RF fields. It also has the ability to measure relatively strong exposure levels, such as that near cell towers and FM radio station towers. It also has the ability to detect relatively low exposure levels, but is not nearly as sensitive for this purpose as the Acoustimeter AM-10 and Acousticom-2. Note: This meter is not designed to pick up the modern faster digital signal peaks from 4G and 5G, therefore it tends to read those types of signals too low, especially at lower exposure levels.
Limitation #1: Does not have audio function to help determine sources.
Limitation #2: Does not detect relatively low-level digital RF signals as well as the Acoustimeter AM-10 and Acousticom-2.
Limitation #3: Not designed to pick up the modern faster digital signal peaks from 4G and 5G, therefore it tends to read those types of signals too low, especially at lower exposure levels.