Site Survey Tools for Public Safety Grid Testing

The demand for site survey tools in the public safety space is expanding quickly. Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs), system integrators, RF engineers, contractors, and businesses now need tools for not just LTE/5G networks but also for P25 and grid testing. These groups need survey tools that balance cost, portability, and ease of use while ensuring compliance with public safety testing standards.

Grid tests are no longer optional—they are a business opportunity for contractors and integrators who can offer site surveys, grid tests and conformance reports to municipalities, campuses, and enterprises. The choice of a survey tool directly affects the efficiency, credibility, and cost of these projects.

While PCTEL scanners have long been the industry benchmark, new alternatives are reshaping the market. Emerging options from iBwave and Nextivity are lighter, workflow-driven, and specifically designed to address public safety and grid test requirements. This article provides a comparison of the these options, and outlines which is best for public safety grid testing and reporting.

PCTEL Scanners: Strengths and Limitations in Public Safety

PCTEL scanners have set the standard in site survey and public safety testing for more than two decades. Their products offer unmatched flexibility and wide technology coverage, making them a natural fit for large integrators and service providers that need maximum scalability.

But PCTEL scanners like the PCTEL Gflex also come with trade-offs. They are high-end, relatively heavy solutions that require experienced RF specialists to operate them. Their cost and complexity often make them less practical for contractors and enterprises entering the grid test market.

• Coverage: 5G NR, LTE (FDD/TDD), NB-IoT, UMTS, CDMA, GSM, Wi-Fi 6, P25, UHF/VHF
• Capacity: The Gflex scanner handles up to 120 5G channels simultaneously
• Strengths: reliability, broad technology support, scalability
• Challenges: expensive, steep learning curve, less software integration, bulky (4.6–15.6lbs), laptop required

Why Consider PCTEL Alternatives?

The public safety and grid test market has new priorities: lighter budgets, simplified use cases, and broader user groups. AHJs, contractors, and enterprises do not need every legacy or mmWave technology—but they do require dependable LTE, 5G, and P25 testing, along with streamlined reporting.

Modern grid testing requirements include:

• Lower cost and faster ROI
• Compact, portable form factors
• Guided workflows to reduce errors and repeat visits
• Accessible, time-efficient education and certification
• Intuitive interfaces accessible to non-RF specialists
• Cloud-based collaboration and AHJ-ready reporting
• Shorter surveys and automated reporting

Alternative Options: iBwave Mobile Survey, Nextivity Compass XR, and Others

Two of the most relevant alternatives to PCTEL in the public safety and grid test space are iBwave Mobile Survey and Nextivity Compass XR.

Coming from the global leader of in-building wireless design software, the iBwave Mobile Survey tool combines a compact scanner and spectrum analyzer with a tablet and software designed for d public safety grid testing. Weighing less than 700 g (including tablet), it delivers AHJ-ready reports and integrates seamlessly with iBwave’s Unity cloud for collaboration.

The Nextivity Compass XR is a compact, low-cost entry solution (under $3,000). Paired with the WAVE PRO app, it offers floorplans, configs, and reporting—but is best suited for basic signal testing and network validation rather than full public safety grid testing.

Other vendors (Keysight, Anritsu, Rohde & Schwarz, Accuver, Enhancell) also provide portable analyzers. These devices cover wide frequency ranges and are valuable for spectrum insights, but they lack the grid test workflows and AHJ reporting integration of PCTEL or iBwave.

iBwave Mobile Survey: Designed for Grid Tests

The iBwave Mobile Survey solution is purpose-built for public safety grid testing and LTE/5G site surveys. It combines professional-grade scanning for both experienced RF engineers and contractors entering the market.

iBwave Mobile Survey for Public Safety and Grid Testing:

• Lightweight scanner attaches magnetically to Android tablets (<700 g total)
• Cloud workflows: surveys sync to Unity for AHJ-ready reporting
• Modular licensing: P25, LTE and 5G options available
• Pricing: ~$7K (P25) to ~$13K (LTE/5G + P25) plus software subscription, ~50% of PCTEL cost

Nextivity Compass XR Solution

Nextivity as a company is best known for its expertise in DAS (Distributed Antenna Systems) and cellular repeater solutions that improve in-building coverage and signal quality. The Compass XR extends that expertise as a survey tool for installers: a lightweight option for quick checks and validations.

Nextivity Compass XR: Low-Cost Entry Option

• Bluetooth scanner pairs with WAVE PRO app for configs, floorplans, and reporting
• Lightweight, compact, and affordable (under $3K)
• No built-in screen or spectrum insights
• Best for installers, walk tests, and simple validations—not designed for full AHJ grid testing

PCTEL and Alternatives: Cost and Portability

Cost, size and weight are key considerations for public safety contractors and integrators. Here’s a quick comparison of how these three vendors address them.

Training for Public Survey Grid Testing and Reporting

Public safety surveying and grid testing carry higher stakes than commercial LTE/5G surveys because they directly affect emergency responder communications. Training programs not only build technical knowledge but also create trust with AHJs, ensuring results are recognized and accepted as valid.

• PCTEL: Certification programs, including Public Safety curriculum
• iBwave: Certifications for surveying, grid testing, RF design, “RF Fundamentals” training for non-experts
• Nextivity: No formal training; relies on simplicity of product

Credibility of PCTEL, iBwave, and Nextivity

All three of these companies are recognized names with a legacy of innovation and thousands of global customers.

• PCTEL: Established in 1994, long-standing leader for operators and integrators in complex projects
• iBwave: Wireless design software leader for 20+ years, now offering integrated survey + design workflows for public safety
• Nextivity: Founded in 2006, known for DAS and in-building coverage solutions, with Compass XR as a low-cost installer tool

Cloud File Management and AHJ Reporting

Efficient grid testing depends on integrated connectivity features such as automated file handling, floorplan uploads, guided checklists, and certified reporting—capabilities that also enable teams to collaborate more effectively.

• PCTEL: Manual export or SeeHawk Central/Touch for AHJ collaboration
• iBwave: Seamless flow from Mobile Survey to Unity cloud, with AHJ-ready reporting and iBwave Design integration
• Nextivity: WAVE ecosystem provides cloud storage and reporting, but with limited depth for public safety

PCTEL vs Alternatives: Feature Comparison

Summary and Recommendations for Public Safety Grid Testing

Choosing the right tool depends on user role, project scale, and technical expertise. Each vendor targets different priorities: cost, usability, or maximum capability.

• Installers: Nextivity Compass XR is the lowest-cost option, suitable for validation but not comprehensive AHJ grid testing.
• Small/Medium Integrators: iBwave Mobile Survey provides portability, training, modular licensing, and AHJ-ready reporting at ~50% of PCTEL cost.
• Public Safety Integrators: iBwave and PCTEL both deliver AHJ-ready solutions. iBwave offers portability and cost advantages; PCTEL offers depth and legacy coverage.
• Grid Test Contractors: iBwave Grid Test is workflow-driven, affordable, and scalable, ideal for contractors building survey-as-a-service businesses.

The Future Beyond PCTEL Scanners

For public safety and grid test markets, tool selection depends on balancing portability, cost, and compliance. PCTEL remains the leader for technical coverage and is best suited to large integrators with complex projects and deep RF expertise on staff. While Nextivity offers a low-cost validation tool that’s useful for installers, it doesn’t provide the automation and reporting required for AHJ grid testing. iBwave Mobile Survey stands out as the most versatile option, combining portability, affordability, AHJ-ready workflows, and cloud integration.

As grid testing becomes more widespread, demand will favor solutions that deliver professional accuracy while remaining simple to use, cost-effective, and seamlessly connected to cloud collaboration and reporting platforms.