# Airspy R2

> Monitor VHF and UHF signals with a USB SDR receiver.

- **Category:** Radio & mesh
- **Availability:** Listed by maker
- **Price:** £179.96 (at nevadaradio.co.uk), checked 2026-09-15
- **Good for:** Monitor VHF and UHF signals with a USB SDR receiver.
- **You'll need:** Compatible host software and an SMA-connected receive antenna.
- **Trade-off:** HF reception needs an external converter; this is a receiver.
- **Page:** https://gadgets.sh/devices/airspy-r2/

## Where to buy

| Shop | Status | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Airspy | Orderable | https://airspy.com/airspy-r2/?utm_source=gadgets.sh&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=airspy-r2&utm_content=api |
| ITEAD Studio | Orderable | https://itead.cc/product/airspy/?utm_source=gadgets.sh&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=airspy-r2&utm_content=api |
| Nevada Radio | Orderable | https://www.nevadaradio.co.uk/airspy-r2-high-performance-sdr-receiver?utm_source=gadgets.sh&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=airspy-r2&utm_content=api |
| Airspy.US | Sold out at Airspy.US | https://v3.airspy.us/product/a-airspy/?utm_source=gadgets.sh&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=airspy-r2&utm_content=api |

## Blueprint

**Open firmware.** USB/DSP firmware and host driver/software are open source (GPL-2.0); the RF/PCB hardware design itself is not published anywhere.

### Source repositories

- [airspy/airspyone_firmware](https://github.com/airspy/airspyone_firmware) — firmware, GPL-2.0, ★174
- [airspy/airspyone_host](https://github.com/airspy/airspyone_host) — sdk, ★279

### Key parts

| Part | Role | Datasheet |
|---|---|---|
| Rafael Micro R820T2 (or R860) | RF tuner front end |  |
| NXP LPC4370 (Cortex-M4F + dual M0, 204 MHz, on-chip 12-bit 20 MSPS ADC) | MCU / DSP / ADC | https://www.nxp.com/part/LPC4370FET100 |

_Notes:_ airspy.com product and quickstart pages describe firmware/host tools as open source but make no mention of published schematics/PCB files; airspyone_firmware repo (GPL-2.0, verified via gh api) is USB-side MCU firmware only, no hardware directory. R820T2 has no public datasheet from Rafael Micro (fabless RF vendor, NDA-only).

## Specifications

### Receiver and signal path

| | |
|---|---|
| Native coverage | 24–1700 MHz receive; HF needs an optional SpyVerter. |
| Tuner | R820T2 or R860 low-IF front end. |
| ADC | 12-bit, 20 MS/s; maker figures: 10.4 ENOB, 70 dB SNR, 95 dB SFDR. |
| I/Q output | 10 MS/s; 10 MHz view, up to 9 MHz alias/image-free. |
| Reduced-rate mode | 2.5 MS/s is experimental; use 10 MS/s plus decimation for dependable narrowband workflows. |
| RF input maximum | +10 dBm. |
| Noise and linearity | Maker figures: 3.5 dB NF at 42–1002 MHz; 35 dBm IIP3. |
| Output format | I/Q or real; 16-bit integer or 32-bit float. |
| Processor | Cortex-M4F up to 204 MHz with dual M0 cores. |

### Connections and accessories

| | |
|---|---|
| RF connectors | SMA input; U.FL RF loopthrough. |
| Bias tee | Switchable 4.5 V; 50 mA budget. |
| Clock | 0.5 ppm reference, timestamp RTC; external 10–100 MHz reference through MCX. |
| Expansion | 16 SGPIO, eight GPIO, two ADC inputs, clock outputs and JTAG; see maker port diagram. |
| HF accessory | Connect SpyVerter IF output to R2 RF input; compatible software can power it through the bias tee. |
| Temperature | −10 to 40 °C; maintain ventilation. |

### Host and software

| | |
|---|---|
| Suggested computer | Third-generation Core i3 2.4 GHz equivalent, 2 GB RAM, high-speed USB 2.0. |
| Host throughput | Quickstart warns of dropped samples on slow hosts and discourages hubs at full rate. |
| Platforms | Maker lists Windows 10/11, Linux, BSD and macOS; application support varies. |
| Windows setup | Normally automatic; maker provides a WinUSB compatibility driver if detection fails. |
| Linux/macOS API | Open-source libairspy and host utilities are in airspyone_host. |
| Firmware | The Airspy One repository links build and flashing instructions in its wiki. |
| Network receiver | SPY Server has Windows and Linux builds; Linux x86-64 build requires AVX2 and FMA. |
| ARM server choice | Separate ARM64 and ARMHF downloads; select the host architecture. |
| Plugin boundary | The download page cautions that older plugins may fail with SDR# x64. |

## Firmware & community

- [Airspy Host Tools](https://github.com/airspy/airspyone_host) — High-dynamic-range VHF/UHF software defined radio drivers, calibration tools, and streaming server.
- [Gqrx SDR](https://github.com/gqrx-sdr/gqrx) — Open source software defined radio receiver powered by GNU Radio and Qt.

## Documentation

- [R2 specifications and port diagram](https://airspy.com/airspy-r2/)
- [R2 quickstart, bias tee and throughput](https://airspy.com/quickstart/)
- [Software, server and driver downloads](https://airspy.com/download/)
- [Airspy One host tools and library](https://github.com/airspy/airspyone_host)
- [Airspy One firmware source](https://github.com/airspy/airspyone_firmware)

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Source: gadgets.sh · https://gadgets.sh/devices/airspy-r2/ · JSON: https://gadgets.sh/api/v1/devices/airspy-r2.json