News & Announcements - Research Electronics International

New SWARM MESA^® IPMS

Published On November 19, 2025

New SWARM MESA® Portable, In-Place RF Monitoring System Delivers Continuous Wireless Threat Detection

Cookeville, Tennessee USA — November 18^th, 2025 — Research Electronics International (REI) announces the release of

SWARM MESA®, a new portable In-Place Monitoring System (IPMS) that provides continuous 24/7 automated RF and WiFi monitoring of structures, environments, offices, SCIFS, and events. SWARM MESA® leverages the proven capability of multiple MESA^® 2.0 portable spectrum analyzers networked to deliver detection, localization, and logging of wireless signals to identify known, unknown, or unauthorized transmissions.

Key Features

Comprehensive RF/WiFi Detection and Analysis

SWARM MESA^® detects and classifies a wide range of wireless emissions, including:

RF transmitters (including burst and covert signals)
Access points and clients
WiFi activity
Cellular devices

Once deployed, SWARM MESA® continuously observes RF energy in the Area of Interest (AOI), automatically alerting operators to new or unusual transmissions. Its built-in logging and heat-mapping features enable localization of emitters to help identify and respond to potential threats swiftly.

Portable, Modular, and Mission-Ready

Designed for rapid deployment, SWARM MESA® ships as a complete, transportable kit that includes four MESA® spectrum analyzers, four 30 MHz – 6 GHz Omnidirectional antennas, network cables, a pre-configured laptop controller , and software — all housed in a rugged hard-shell case. SWARM MESA can scale to connect up to six MESAs.

The SWARM MESA® Ethernet Cable Kit (included) extends range and connectivity with retractable Ethernet cables, a gigabit switch, and accessories for distributed operation across multiple rooms or structures.

Applications

SWARM MESA® is ideal for:

Technical Surveillance Countermeasures (TSCM) and RF threat detection
Monitoring secure rooms, government facilities, and critical infrastructure
Detecting unauthorized cellular and WiFi devices
Continuous RF surveillance during sensitive operations or events
Preventing IoT-based data exfiltration
Monitoring power plants, pipelines, and refineries for interference

Efficiency and Ease of Use

The SWARM MESA® software suite provides automated 24/7 monitoring, event alerts, and data playback. Operators can schedule, log, and compare data from multiple receivers while observing real-time transmission activity on dynamic heat maps.

Built for efficiency, SWARM MESA® enhances situational awareness in environments where wireless security and operational integrity are critical.

Technical Highlights

Live 24/7 RF/WiFi monitoring
Signal classification and geo-localization
Automated alerts and logging
Modular, portable IPMS design
Scalable deployment for small to medium AOIs
Full-spectrum analysis up to 6 GHz
Includes IRIS software for RF analysis
Includes four MESA® spectrum analyzers and fixed Omnidirectional antennas
SWARM MESA Cable Kit

For the full press release on the New SWARM MESA® In-Place Monitoring System click here.
For additional product information click here.

News Items, Press Releases, Product Announcements

REI Breaks Ground on Building Expansion

Published On July 1, 2025

Research Electronics International (REI), recently broke ground on a new building expansion. Over the next year, REI will add a total of 36,000 ft² to increase engineering, production and Training Center operations. The company has grown steadily over the past 40+ years as a leading manufacturer. This will be the second addition to the building since 2002.

New product development, growing markets, and increased staffing have created demand for more operating space. The REI Training Center has also seen increased attendance creating need for additional project rooms and offices.

Construction will be managed by J.A. Sergio & Sons General Contracting of Sparta, TN.

For the press release, click here.

News Items

New Portable Speech Masking System Provides Quick Eavesdropping Protection

Published On July 15, 2024

The New Portable Masking Kit provides short or long term audio security to prevent eavesdropping.

REI introduced the new Portable Masking Kit (PMK-8) to protect sensitive conversations from surreptitious eavesdropping and espionage threats. The PMK-8 is an acoustic speech masking system with 8 Voice Masking Generators (VMGs) that inject layered speech or masking noise into structural surfaces, gaps and free space making conversations inside the room unintelligible to anyone outside the room. The VMGs create a perimeter of masking noise that defeats acoustic leakage and eavesdropping devices like wired mounted devices, contact microphones, hidden audio transmitters, laser/reflections from windows, and the human ear pressed against the door or wall.

The VMGs easily attach to surfaces throughout a room such as doors, windows, walls, and near vents and other gaps making setup quick, easy and discrete. PMK can be operational in minutes and can run for up to 24 hours on a single charge. The hard protective case provides inductive charging to all of the units.

Layering conversational voice audio is a unique masking method and performs better at masking voice frequencies and characteristics than white noise or other noise options. When sensitive conversations mix with the layered speech mask, it becomes completely indecipherable. Multiple prerecorded voice files can be downloaded to the VMG and stored on the units.

PMK-8 is equipped with:

8 VMGs
16 transducers
3 ft of cable per transducer
Hard shell transport case with built-in inductive charging
Mounting strips
Data/charging cables

The Portable Masking Kit is also available as a kit of 2 VMGs, and 4 transducers and is called the VMK-2. PMK-2 Portable Voice Masking Kit
The PMK-2 includes:

2 VMGs
4 transducers
3 ft of cable per transducer
Hard shell transport case
Mounting strips
Data/charging cables

The Portable Masking Kit can be used in offices, conference rooms, hotel rooms, automobiles and just about any enclosure where private conversations occur and need protected. For the full press release on the New Portable Masking Kit click here.
For additional product information click here. For sales inquiries, contact sales@reiusa.net.

News Items, Product Announcements

REI Announces New TSCM Physical Search Kit

Published On July 15, 2024

Start every physical inspection with the confidence you have what you need.

TSCM Physical Search Kit

The new Physical Search Kit (PSK) from REI ensures you have what you need to successfully perform the physical search phase of a sweep, saving time and improving results. It is a portable, compact set of equipment, tools and supplies for conducting TSCM (Technical Surveillance Counter Measure) and other types of physical inspections.

Discrete searches of conference rooms, hotel rooms, offices, and sensitive areas make perfect applications for the Physical Search Kit to help find hidden electronics, illicit surveillance devices, or other forms of contraband.

Custom foam layers help neatly organize contents of the PSK into a convenient, easy to transport hard-shell travel case, weighing approximately 30 lbs/13.6kg. Contents of the kit include:

Articulating bore scope
Wireless inspection camera
Infrared detecting mini-monocular
Digital distance meter
Digital multi-meter
Stud finder/imager
Cordless screw driver with bits
White/UV flashlight
Hand tools (wrenches, pliers, sockets, screwdrivers, wire cutters, crimper)
Inspection tools (headlamp, telescoping inspection mirror, illuminated loupe)
Evidence protection (Faraday bag, evidence bags, security seals)
Site prep and restore (mini vacuum cleaner, repair kits, shoe covers, tapes and epoxies)
Safety products (first-aid kit, safety glasses)
Over 50 items

PSK is an efficient, portable, and durable system for any physical investigation. For the full press release on the New Physical Search Kit click here.
For additional product information click here. For pricing, contact sales@reiusa.net.

News Items, Product Announcements

REI Celebrates 40th Anniversary

Published On January 26, 2023

COOKEVILLE, TN | In 2023, Research Electronics International (REI) will be celebrating 40 years in business designing and manufacturing electronic security equipment.

So much technology has changed since 1983 when Bruce Barsumian, a young, self-taught inventor launched REI. Ronald Reagan was in his first term as U.S. President. Macintosh and Dell computers didn’t exist yet, nor did the 3.5 inch floppy disk, cellular phones, or the internet (aka World Wide Web). But espionage and information security was nothing new and Barsumian had a talent for making products to protect against eavesdropping.

Barsumian set up shop in Cookeville, TN and with a small staff began designing, producing, and selling their products. 40 years later REI is respected as a world leader in the design and manufacture of Technical Surveillance Countermeasures (TSCM) equipment serving government agencies, law enforcement, corporate and private security operations all over the world.

During a recent interview, Barsumian said “I never imagined REI would become an industry leader…at first, we just wanted to make the best products we could.”

REI President and long-time business partner, Tom Jones, stated “With the simple mission in mind of making the best products, REI has grown, matured and adapted to a lot of change over the years. As we celebrate our 40^th anniversary, we hope you’ll celebrate along with us.”

Be sure to keep up with us on our website, in our newsletters, and through our social media, and if you see us at a tradeshow or seminar, stop and say “hello.” We’d love to see you.

For more information about REI visit reiusa.net or follow along on LinkedIn.

News Items, Press Releases

REI Founder Retires

Published On October 25, 2022

COOKEVILLE, TN – Research Electronics International (REI), recently held a dinner honoring company founder, Bruce Barsumian.

This event celebrated more than 40 years of innovation, leadership and dedication as a pioneer in a niche technology industry. Bruce Barsumian, Founder of Research Electronics Int'l

In 1983, Barsumian, along with a handful of employees, relocated a small electronics business from Florida to Cookeville, TN to launch what would become an international leader in counter surveillance with:

75,000 ft² in-house manufacturing headquarters
International Training Center
In-house circuit board manufacturing
Multi-Engineering (electrical, RF, mechanical, etc.)
REI equipment in over 100 countries

A true pioneer in the counter-surveillance field, Barsumian has over 14 design patents relating to electronic security. Among the many products he designed are:

Spectrum Analyzers
Telephone and Line Analyzers
Non-Linear Junction Detectors (NLJD)
Acoustic Noise Generators
Voice Stress Analyzer
Phone Voice Scrambler
Broadband RF Detectors

The celebration honoring Barsumian’s legacy was held at REI’s headquarters in Algood, where company employees, family and friends gathered for dinner and recognition ceremony. During the event, Barsumian commented, “I never imagined REI would become an industry leader…at first we just wanted to make the best products we could.” Many stories, laughs, and expressions of gratitude were shared as attendees acknowledged his impact on the company and the community throughout the years.

The team at REI is excited for Barsumian to enjoy his retirement as they carry on his legacy.

News Items, Press Releases

New Mobile Bands Feature Available in MESA^® Update

Published On March 25, 2022

Cookeville, TN, March 25, 2022 – REI has released a new MESA® firmware update (version 1.1.17) with a new Mobile Bands feature. Discrete Bands displays enabled Bands simultaneously in the same spectrogram view. This spectrogram display shows only the custom spans the user wants to see.

Mobile Bands frequencies can be customized to desired spans in the
Mobile Bands Edit screen. In this example, some bands were renamed
and 4 bands (4G LTE, CDMA 3G, Band 4, and 2.4 WiFi BT) were
Enabled to display.

Here Mobile Bands shows the 4 custom bands Enabled in the Edit screen.
The orange border indicates the CDMA 3G band is selected. Discrete Spectrums was then selected.

Discrete Spectrums displays a spectrogram of the enabled bands. Here the
Average Trace (blue trace) and Waterfall features were also selected.

Discrete Bands are beneficial anytime multiple frequency spans need to be shown together in a spectrogram.

Other changes included in this update:

Improved Mobile Bands Edit Screen
A new default range is specified for the 5GHz Mobile Band
Quick Mute – activated by pressing and holding the speaker icon
More file naming options

The free firmware update is available to download here. Update instructions are included in the download.

The MESA® is a portable, handheld RF receiver that detects known, unknown, illegal, disruptive, or interfering transmissions. MESA® has portability and operational features that make it ideal for tactical use. It provides tools, specifications and design features for locating unknown signals throughout a wide frequency range up to 6 GHz (12 GHz with the Down Converter antenna).

News Items, Press Releases

New TTK – A Packed TSCM Sweep Kit for Fast, Easy Deployment

Published On July 6, 2021

Tactical TSCM Kit

Cookeville, TN, July 6, 2021 – REI has developed a compact, travel ready sweep kit – the TTK Tactical TSCM Kit – for the frequent Technical Surveillance Countermeasures (TSCM) traveler. The TTK provides a single compact, easily deployed sweep kit that fits most airline carry-on compartments and weighs approximately 25 lbs./11.3kg. The TTK combines the necessary equipment to perform effective sweeps for illicit RF transmitters and hidden electronics.

Porting multiple TSCM products and cases from office to jobsite can be unwieldy and inconvenient. It also increases risk of damage, especially when needing to be checked at the airport. The TTK is packaged in a hard-shell carry-on travel case with custom foam layers to secure and protect case contents.

Included in the TTK are:

TTK Carry-on TSCM Sweep Kit

MESA^® REI’s newest hand-held Spectrum Analyzer for portable RF analysis up to 6 GHz (12 GHz with Down Converter Antenna)
ANDRE^®Broadband Detector for near-field detection and location of RF transmitters up to 6 GHz (12 GHz with Downconverter Antenna)
ORION 2.4 HX^®Non-Linear Junction Detector for finding hidden electronics (active and inactive) (FCC 3.3W or G 6.6W)
CMA^®Countermeasures Amplifier for detecting wired surveillance devices
FLIR DM285 Industrial Imaging Multimeter (U.S. only, not included in export kits)
Accessories – cables, batteries, antennas/probes and tools

For the full press release on the New TTK Tactical TSCM Kit click here.
For additional product information click here.

News Items, Press Releases

REI Offers Online Seminars

Published On September 10, 2020

Cookeville, TN | REI Announced last week it will be hosting online seminars with topics including Technical Threats, an overview of the ANDRE Near-Field Detection-Receiver, OSCOR Spectrum Analyzer, the newest REI product, the MESA.

Seminars last approximately one hour, attendees are encouraged to turn on their video and ask questions, and registration is free.

Follow the link below for any upcoming seminars you would like to register for:

Technical Threats Seminar

GPS Tracking Device Seminar

Basic Telephony Security Seminar

TALAN Seminar

Introduction to VoIP Seminar

RF Fundamentals