Over on Twitter/X @lamdbaprog, creator of Airspy products and the SDRSharp software has teased his next upcoming software-defined radio hardware called the "Airspy HF+ Ranger". The Airspy HF+ Ranger prototype was also seen at the Dayton Hamvention through their local Airspy.us reseller.
The specifications appear to be very impressive, with a wide frequency range of 0.5 kHz to 1750 MHz and excellent sensitivity, linearity, and dynamic range figures. The Ranger is based on the same main RF chips used in the HF+ Discovery, so it will retain the relatively small maximum bandwidth capability of 710 kHz. However, for many use-cases this small bandwidth is more than sufficient.
Currently, there is no word on a release date or pricing but given the prototype status, it must be close. We expect this to be priced higher than the Airspy HF+ Discovery which sells for US$169.
Update: A page for the Airspy Ranger is now on the Airspy website. It shows a block diagram and further details. RTL-SDR.COM reader Ladislav has also sent us a PDF with the specs and a Dynamic Performance graph.
Over on Twitter/X, patrons of the Dayton Hamvention event have posted a few pictures of the display.
#FMDX our man @hamvention Tod Sudmeier, K6SUD sent some specs on the new AirSpy Ranger. @AirspyUS @lambdaprog #SDR pic.twitter.com/1pNiBdXwJz
— N1LF-Les Rayburn (@LesN1LF) May 17, 2024
And not a toy pic.twitter.com/HqTTCPUu2y
— Paul PD0SWL (@PD0SWL) May 17, 2024
@lamdbaprog also demonstrates the incredible dynamic range of the Ranger when up against strong pager signals in Paris.
Pretty decent behavior of the AGC in presence of strong (and noisy) pagers in Paris. Plenty of dynamic range left. #AirspyRanger pic.twitter.com/uAAG8uti1x
— prog (@lambdaprog) May 19, 2024