A label sensor that can be affixed to an item includes a first section and a second section. The first section includes a memory, an environmental sensor, a radio frequency (RF) front end that includes a tuning circuit, and a processing module. The processing module is operably coupled to the memory, the environmental sensor, and the RF front end. The second section includes an activation circuit that is operable, upon receiving an input, to activate one or more of the memory, the environmental sensor, the RF front end and the processing module. The activation causes the label sensor to be put in a first operational mode of a plurality of operational modes.