3DR RADIOV2

QUICK START GUIDE

PARTS

GETTING STARTED

3DR Radios provide an air-to-ground data link between the autopilot and your ground station laptop or 

tablet. Follow this guide to install the radios on your plane, copter, or rover. 3DR Radios arrive ready to 

use. Just mount and connect to view real-time data from your drone.

Android adapter cable

6-wire Pixhawk connector cable

Micro-USB cable

Two 3DR Radios in 915 or 433 mHz

Attach the antennas, and use either radio as an air or ground module.

6-to-5-position APM and PX4 connector cable
MOUNT

CONNECT TO AUTOPILOT

Connect to the APM 2.5 or 2.6 telemetry port using 

2.6 the 6-to-5-position cable.

Connect to the PX4 I/O telemetry 

port using the 6-to-5-position cable.

Connect to the Pixhawk telemetry 

port using the 6-wire cable.

Mount the air module securely to your vehicle keeping the antenna clear of any propellers or moving 

components. Ensure that the antenna is oriented vertically for maximum range.

CONNECT TO MISSION PLANNER

Use the micro-USB cable to connect the ground module to your laptop. In Mission Planner and APM 

Planner ground station applications, select the communication option that shows COM, set the rate 

to 57600, and select Connect. The radio will not connect unless the vehicle is powered. Use the Flight 

Data screen to view your vehicle’s status and control missions in flight.

LEARN MORE 

about installing a mission planner application for your laptop or tablet and interacting with the 

autopilot using 3DR Radios (including retrieving flight data logs) at planner.ardupilot.com.

Mission Planner
TIPS

Orient the ground radio 

antenna vertically for 

maximum range.

CONNECT TO TABLET

Connect the ground module to your tablet using the Android adapter cable. Connect the colored end 

to the tablet and the black end to the radio. In DroidPlanner or Andropilot, select Connect.

DroidPlanner Flight Data screen

View the strength of the radio signal in the 

mission planner’s flight data screen.

SETTINGS

To change the radio settings in the mission planner, connect the radio to your computer, but do not 

select Connect. Radios can only be configured while unconnected to MAVLink. Select Initial Setup, 

3DR Radio, and Load Settings to configure the radios.

All settings should be the same for both modules. Ensure that the Net ID setting is identical on each 

radio to enable pairing. Select Save Settings to apply settings. For flying with friends, make sure your 

Net IDs do not conflict.

Use the configuration options on this screen to apply the correct airspace regulation requirements 

for your area. You are responsible for complying with all airspace regulations in your area, including 

frequency restrictions, power levels, and licenses. For more information on configuring 3DR Radios to 

comply with local regulations, visit the online documentation at goo.gl/Tsrksf.
SPECIFICATIONS

3DR Radio Guide V1 © 3D Robotics, Inc. 28 October 2013

SUPPORT

For more information about mission planner applications and APM firmware, visit ardupilot.com. For 

online documentation of 3DR Radios, visit goo.gl/Tsrksf. 

For customer support, contact us at help@3drobotics.com or call our support line at +1 (858) 225-1414.

Processing

100 mW maximum output power (adjustable)

-117 dBm receive sensitivity

Based on HopeRF’s HM-TRP module

RP-SMA connector

2-way full-duplex communication through adaptive TDM

UART interface

Transparent serial link

MAVLink protocol framing

Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS)

Configurable duty cycle

Error correction corrects up to 25% of bit errors

Open-source SIK firmware

Configurable through Mission Planner & APM Planner

Features

Interchangeable air and ground modules

915 or 433 mHz

Micro-USB port

6-position DF13 connector

Power

Supply voltage: 3.7-6 VDC (from USB or DF13)

Transmit current: 100 mA at 30 dBm

Receive current: 25 mA

Serial interface: 3.3 V UART

Dimensions

26.7 cm x 55.5 cm x 13.3 cm 

(without antenna)

3

4

5

1 Micro-USB port

2 6-wire cable connector

3 Antenna

4 Frequency

5 LED indicator

1

2

RADIO DESCRIPTION

LED MEANINGS

Solid green

Link established with paired radio

Blinking green

Searching for paired radio

Blinking red

Transmitting data

Solid red

Firmware update mode