Radio spectrum monitoring is greatly enhanced by the real time analysis and study of intercepted communication signals. The Spectrum Explorer is a spectrum monitoring tool that uses state of the art software and hardware technology, allowing the surveillance of communication systems using a software radio approach. This method provides the flexibility and the sophistication needed to quickly and accurately characterize the electromagnetic spectrum and analyze individual signals. Scanning in excess of 10,000 channels a second, users can quickly build database of "friendly" RF emissions, or log channel usage information. Using the communication signal analysis software, modulation identification, communication system identification and parameter measurement are possible in real time. This spectrum monitoring model operates on MS Windows operating system.