Briefly, embodiments of the present invention describe an inexpensive, accurate, rapid and automated method to analyze for damage, defects, pitting, material changes, fracture, warpage, chips or contamination in a metal or ceramic turbine blade, pump blade, saw blade, saw tooth, gear tooth or cutting tool. This method utilizes vector signal analysis [also known as a phase-gain meter or automatic network analysis] to observe the phase and amplitude change in the transmitted energy versus the reflected energy in radio waves to detect damage, defects, pitting, material changes, fracture, warpage, chips or contamination in a metal or ceramic turbine blade, pump blade, saw blade, saw tooth, gear tooth or cutting tool. This method describes the means by which to develop specific circuits for the intended application. This method also describes the method by which to develop and tune a specific sensor/circuit for an exact application. This method also describes the type of sensor that would be used with the described method of detection. This method describes the method to obtain the signature of each tooth or blade in a rotating system. This method also describes the application of a sensor employing this method that includes: turbines, turbochargers, saws, pumps, geared equipment or cutting tools.