Hi everyone,
I’ve built a tool called AirScope, a visual frequency-scanning dashboard for MikroTik devices. It’s designed specifically for WISP operators who rely heavily on tools like Scan and Frequency Usage in Winbox but want something more visual, persistent, and insightful.
GitHub: GitHub - berksmbl/AirScope: MikroTik Frequency Analyzer · GitHub
What is AirScope?
AirScope replaces the raw tables in Winbox with a modern, real-time dashboard that helps you see what’s happening across the spectrum.
It connects to your MikroTik via the RouterOS API and continuously collects scan + frequency usage data, then visualizes it in multiple ways — including a live spectrum graph, waterfall, and channel heatmap.
Key Features
• Device Connection Panel
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Connect via RouterOS API (port 8728)
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Save device profiles (no passwords stored)
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Supports both legacy wireless and RouterOS v7 wifi
• Dual Scan Modes (Continuous)
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Networks Scan — detects and accumulates nearby APs (like Winbox scan, but persistent)
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Frequency Usage — real airtime % + noise floor per frequency (~200 bins per sweep)
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Max-hold logic ensures bursty/TDD signals are not missed
• Live Spectrum Graph
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dBm vs MHz visualization
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Signal + noise floor
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Network overlays
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Zoom + hover + PNG export
• Spectral Waterfall
- Scrolling spectrogram of recent activity
• Channel Heatmap
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One cell per 20 MHz channel
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Combines:
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Wi-Fi congestion
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Raw spectrum energy
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Clearly shows non-WiFi interference too
• Non-WiFi Interference Detection
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Detects spectrum energy not explained by Wi-Fi networks
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Flags things like:
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Microwave interference
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Radar
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Proprietary links
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Visualized as dashed bands + heatmap indicators
• Persistence (CDF) View
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Mimosa-style frequency analysis
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Shows how often airtime levels occur (not just averages)
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Easily distinguish constant load vs burst interference
• Smart Channel Recommendation
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Scores channels based on:
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Overlapping signal strength
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Spectrum usage
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Suggests:
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Best channel
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Alternates
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Cleanest 40/80 MHz blocks
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• History & Compare
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Save scans locally
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Overlay past scans on live data
• Export Options
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CSV (networks + usage)
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PNG (spectrum graph)
• UI/UX
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Dark mode (default) + light mode
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Fully responsive
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Real-time updates (SSE stream)
How It Works
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The frontend (Next.js) opens a live stream (SSE over POST)
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Backend maintains continuous RouterOS scan/usage streams
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Data is accumulated server-side and pushed every second
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Analysis (congestion, interference, recommendations) runs client-side
Getting Started
git clone https://github.com/BerkSMBL/AirScope.git
cd AirScope
npm install
npm run dev
Then open:
http://localhost:3000
Connecting to MikroTik
- Enable API:
/ip service enable api
- Enter:
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Router IP
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Username / Password
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Select wireless interface
Scanning starts automatically after connection.
Notes / Limitations
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Background scanning is used when possible, but some modes require foreground scan → may interrupt traffic
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One radio = one active tool (multiple sessions may conflict)
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API (8728) is unencrypted → use only in trusted networks
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Streams auto-stop after ~20s if UI disconnects
Why I Built This
As a WISP operator, I found Winbox tools:
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Not visual enough
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Not persistent
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Hard to correlate spectrum vs detected networks
AirScope tries to combine:
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MikroTik scan data
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Real spectrum usage
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Interference detection
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Smart channel selection
…into a single, usable interface.
Feedback
I’d really appreciate feedback from other MikroTik / WISP users:
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Feature ideas
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Performance improvements
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Compatibility issues (especially RouterOS v7 wifi)
Feel free to open issues or PRs on GitHub.
Thanks 