AU-520M Dual-SCU 500W Integrated SDR Transceiver with Maestro Front Panel

The Aurora AU-520M combines the power of a high-performance dual-SCU SDR with the convenience of an integrated Maestro™ front panel—offering unmatched versatility for operators who demand both flexibility and control.

Inside its compact chassis, the AU-520M integrates a full-featured software-defined transceiver, a high-efficiency 500W amplifier, an automatic antenna tuner, and a wide-range AC power supply—delivering serious performance without the need for external components.

At its core is a state-of-the-art transmitter module capable of up to 500W PEP at up to 80% efficiency, significantly reducing heat, power consumption, and physical size. The built-in Maestro front panel gives you instant touchscreen access, with responsive knobs and buttons for an intuitive, stand-alone operating experience—no PC required. However, the AU-510M is also designed for remote use with SmartSDR clients on Windows, macOS, iPad®, iPhone®, or a separate Maestro™. Whether you’re in the shack, or on the road operating remotely, the AU-510M puts advanced SDR performance at your fingertips. Radios are licensed for SmartSDR Basic.

The AU-520M features two independent SCUs (Spectral Capture Units), each capable of simultaneously digitizing wide portions of the spectrum. This allows for up to 4 slice receivers and 4 independent panadapters, giving you true multi-band visibility and operation—covering 30 kHz to 54 MHz in real time.

Inside the AU-520M:

• 500W high-efficiency transmitter

• Integrated AC power supply (80–264VAC)

• Automatic antenna tuner

• SmartSignal™ adaptive predistortion

  for cleaner signals and improved IMD performance

• Controlled Envelope SSB (CESSB): Up to 3 dB more talk power with clean, punchy audio

• MultiFlex™: Two SmartSDR clients can operate independently—perfect for shared stations or remote collaboration

With its dual-SCU design, integrated touchscreen interface, and full complement of SDR features, the AU-520M delivers the full power of a modern multi-component HF station in a single, self-contained package—ready for the shack, field, or remote site.

The AU-520M is a true SO2R (Single Operator Two Radio) solution, designed for serious contesting with dual SCUs, integrated 7th-order bandpass filters, and full isolation between receivers. Built-in OTRSP support makes integration with logging software like N1MM+ effortless—no extra hardware or wiring needed. It’s a plug-and-play SO2R contest powerhouse, ready right out of the box.

Full Specifications of the Top-of-the-Line Aurora AU-520M:

General

• Remote Operation: SmartLink™ included

• Delivered with the current licensed SmartSDR Basic firmware

• Client Options: Integrated Maestro™, plus PC, Mac, iPhone®, iPad®

• Integrated GNSS Receiver: 12-channel GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, QZSS, SBAS

• Time to First Fix (Cold): <35s

• Frequency Stability (0°C–50°C): 0.001 ppm (GNSS), 0.5 ppm (TCXO)

• Optional High-Performance GPSDO: 10 MHz output, 5 × 10⁻¹³ stability over 24 hours

• External 10 MHz Reference Input: Yes

• Power Requirements: 80–264VAC, 35W Receive, 675W Transmit

• Dimensions: 6.74”H × 14”W × 13.25”D (17.1 × 35.6 × 33.7 cm)

Aurora AU-520M Receiver:

• Spectral Capture Units (SCUs): 2

• Independent Band/Mode Receivers: 4

• Slice Receivers: 4

• Frequency Coverage: 30 kHz–54 MHz

• 2 kHz RMDR: 110/115 dB

• Dynamic Range (Max Zoom): >145 dB

• ADC: 16-bit @ 245.76 Msps direct sampling

• Amateur Band Preselectors: 7th order

• DAX / DAX IQ Channels: 4 / 4

• Receive-Only Ports (Base / Including XVTR Ports): 2 / 4

• Full Duplex RX/TX Operation: Yes

Aurora Transmitter

• 160m–10m Transmitter Output (Amateur Bands Only): 1–500W PEP (125W AM)

• 6m Transmitter Output: 1–200W PEP (50W AM)

• Harmonic Suppression: ≤ –60 dBc

• Transverter Ports: 2

• Transverter IF Frequency Coverage / Power: 100 kHz–54 MHz / adjustable up to +10 dBm

• Integrated Automatic Antenna Tuner Range: 3:1 SWR

• Adaptive Pre-distortion: Included (SmartSignal™)

• Supported Modes: SSB, CW, AM, FM, RTTY, Digital

AU-520M Spectrum/Waterfall Display

• Internal Touch Panel Display Size: 8-inch (integrated)

• Integrated Display Resolution: 1920 × 1200 IPS

• Spectrum/Waterfall Displays (Max): 2

• Spectrum/Waterfall Bandwidth (Min / Max): 5 kHz – 14 MHz

• Spectrum Resolution Bandwidth (Min): 1.46 Hz/pixel (bin)

• Spectrum Dynamic Range (Max Zoom In): >145 dB

• External Display Support: HDMI®