Filter By Category:  

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 40th 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.

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.


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).

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.

MESA™ Mobility Enhanced Spectrum AnalyzerCookeville, TN | REI announces the new Mobility Enhanced Spectrum Analyzer (MESA™), a portable handheld spectrum analyzer that delivers precision, high performance, and versatility for assessing RF energy in a variety of environments. The MESA™ is capable of detecting known, unknown, illegal, disruptive, or interfering transmissions throughout a wide frequency span up to 6 GHz (12 GHz with Down Converter antenna).

The MESA™ includes testing modes for RF spectrum analysis, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Mobile Bands and includes a new Patent Pending SmartBars™ mode that displays like a broadband receiver and uniquely highlights changes in RF energy in a bar graph display.

MESA™ is slightly larger than a typical DSLR camera, weighs about the same and is the only spectrum analyzer of its kind to be completely touch screen controlled.

For the full press release on the New MESA™ click here.
For additional product information click here.

COOKEVILLE, TN, March 6, 2020 – Research Electronics International (REI) President, Tom Jones announced today the company will donate $20 thousand to the Cookeville-Putnam County Tornado Relief Fund, to help victims of the March 3rd tornado that hit middle Tennessee. Additionally, Victor H. Mendelson Co-President and Chief Executive Officer for HEICO Corporation’s Electronics Technology Group, REI’s parent company since June 2019, announced it will make a matching donation of $20 thousand for a combined contribution of $40 thousand.

The fund was established to provide direct financial support to the victims of the tornado in the Cookeville-Putnam County area. The EF-4 tornado that caused 18 fatalities and tremendous damage throughout middle Tennessee, struck the area in the early morning hours, catching many people by surprise. “We have many friends and neighbors throughout this community who are really hurting from this tragedy, and we feel this is one of the ways we can help contribute to healing and rebuilding,” Jones said. “The people of middle Tennessee have shown tremendous character in the aftermath of this disaster with the turnout for relief efforts, and we know they are just beginning.”

Click here to read the entire release

MIAMI & COOKEVILLE, Tenn.–()– HEICO Corporation (Hollywood, FL, USA)(NYSE HEI.A and HEI) today announced that its Electronic Technologies Group acquired 75% of the ownership of Cookeville, TN-based Research Electronics International, LLC (“REI”) in an all cash transaction. REI’s two owners/managers retained the remaining 25% ownership. No further financial details were disclosed.

Click here to read the entire press release on Business Wire

New antenna extends frequency detection range to 12 GHz

ANDRE Deluxe TripodCOOKEVILLE, TN – June, 2018 — Research Electronics International (REI), a leading manufacturer of counter-surveillance equipment, announces the release of the ANDRE Deluxe Near-Field Detection Receiver. The ANDRE detects signal activity and displays a histogram of signal strength over time. It is a handheld broadband receiver capable of detecting covert electronics including GSM bugs, microphones, cameras, RF and Wi-Fi transmitters, and mobile phones. Applications may include:

  • RF emissions detection
  • Prison contraband
  • RF spectrum management
  • Executive protection
  • Technical surveillance countermeasures (TSCM)
  • Intelligence protection
  • Fraud detection at exam testing sites

The ANDRE’s success at detecting and locating the source of RF, infrared, visible light, carrier current and other types of transmissions has expanded in the new Deluxe model with several additional antennas/probes, accessories, software and operational features.

Continue reading “New ANDRE Deluxe Offers Higher Frequency Detection Range, Ultrasonic Detection, and New Software”

ANDRE Advanced Near-field Detection Receiver Front ViewThe newly-launched ANDRE Advanced Near-field Detection Receiver from Research Electronics International is helping prevent fraud at exam testing sites. Originally designed for counter surveillance operations and intelligence protection, the ANDRE is now also helping educators prevent cheating during examinations by detecting covert electronic transmissions.

According to news reports out of Brazil*, eleven individuals were arrested last year for using electronic devices during the high-profile National High School Examination (Enem). This year, the Ministry of Education will be using ANDRE to locate and identify participants who attempt to use electronic devices during the exam who may have circumvented inspection by metal detectors.

Continue reading “Preventing Fraud at Exam Testing Sites using the ANDRE Advanced Near-field Detection Receiver”

ORION 900 HX Non-Linear Junction DetectorThe new ORION 900 HX Non-Linear Junction Detector (NLJD) from REI detects electronic semi-conductor components through dense materials such as bricks, concrete, and soil.

The longer 900 MHz wavelength does better at detecting older, less refined circuitry and also penetrating building and construction materials compared to the shorter wavelength of the 2.4 GHz model, which is better suited for detecting modern, surface mounted circuitry in normal office environments.

Continue reading “ORION 900 HX NLJD Uses Lower Frequency to Detect Electronics Through Dense Materials”