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  • Author Author: ralphjy
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LoRa Gateway Activated

ralphjy

It has been a while since I received The Things Network (TTN) LoRa Gateway and two MKR WAN 1300 boards for winning the IoT in the Cloud challenge.  I've been busy with roadtests, but really would like to start playing with LoRa based sensors.  I checked in my local area and there are 5 gateways listed on the TTN map.  One is a Things Gateway like mine, two are homebrew (RPi/Arduino) and two are unspecified.  The closest gateway to me is about 4 km away as the crow flies.  It's possible that I could manage to get a connection to TTN through that gateway.  Being anxious to get started, I decided that I would just bring my gateway on-line and worry about signal strength testing later.

 

The setup process is straightforward but a bit anomalous.  You create an account with TTN and then use a browser based setup process.  The configuration initially requires that you go to the activation website and then connect to the gateway through its WiFi access point.  I was using a desktop computer that did not have a WiFi interface so I couldn't continue.  I had to switch to my iPad and run the configuration with it.  I guess they presume everything has WiFi nowadays.

 

Anyway, got everything configured and the gateway activated.  I am running indoors with the antenna that came with the unit, so I'll have to see how much range I can get.  I've read some discussions that the range could only be as short as 0.5 km depending on the construction of the house (materials, etc.).  That would be fine for me since I have a small lot, but it probably wouldn't provide much value in extending the TTN network to others.  We'll have to see if I get any external traffic.

 

I successfully ran the "hello world" program on one of the MKR WAN 1300 boards.  It just sends the text "hi" to the TTN console.

 

Here is the description of my gateway:

image

And the gateway with 4 solid LEDs indicating alive and connected to TTN.  The fifth LED blinks to indicate traffic.

image

 

My next experiments will be to see if I can operate sensors outdoors around the perimeter of my property and see what kind of signal strength I get.  I'd also like to see what kind of battery life I can get running off 2 AA batteries.  Need to look for or make a suitable weatherproof enclosure.

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  • I’m looking forward to seeing your progress on this.  I’d like to get a TTN gateway, but the price is above my hobby budget.  I’ve bought the adafruit raspberry pi Lora HAT, but haven’t had time to get it working.

  • in reply to mp2100

    I have to admit that I haven't tried LoRa before because of the lack of gateways near me.  It will be interesting to see how much range I get with an indoor installation and the supplied antenna.  I had considered building a single channel gateway for personal use but never got around to buying the hardware.  LoRa is better deployed in Europe than in the US.  Hopefully that will change and that I can be part of the solution image

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  • in reply to mp2100

    I have to admit that I haven't tried LoRa before because of the lack of gateways near me.  It will be interesting to see how much range I get with an indoor installation and the supplied antenna.  I had considered building a single channel gateway for personal use but never got around to buying the hardware.  LoRa is better deployed in Europe than in the US.  Hopefully that will change and that I can be part of the solution image

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  • in reply to ralphjy

    On the TTN web site, there was a TTN gateway ~ 10 miles from my house 6 months ago, but it was behind a range of hills, so I assumed I couldn’t reach it with LoRa.  Now it has disappeared from their web site.  I’m in densely populated NJ, I thought there would be more.  Just not enough hackers around here.  Looking at the picture you posted, maybe I will do a drive-by when I’m in Portland for the wine celebration this month, and see if I can attach to your gateway. image

  • in reply to mp2100

    It would be interesting to drive around and see how much range these various gateways have.  Of the few here in Portland, only one is listed as being outdoors.