Hello everyone,
I’m currently working on a project that involves deploying RAK Wireless gateways in a rural environment, and I’d love to get some insights from those who have experience with similar setups. The main goal is to establish a reliable LoRaWAN network for IoT applications such as environmental monitoring and agricultural automation.
Here are a few key points I’m trying to address:
- Optimal Gateway Placement – Given the challenges of wide open spaces, hills, and occasional tree cover, what are the best practices for positioning gateways to maximize coverage and minimize interference?
- Antenna Selection & Elevation – I’m considering different antenna options to improve range and signal quality. What antenna types (gain/dBi) have you found most effective for long-distance transmission? Also, how much does mounting height influence performance in rural deployments?
- Backhaul Connectivity – In remote locations with limited cellular coverage, what have you found to be the most reliable options for connecting gateways to the internet? Are satellite connections or long-range Wi-Fi bridges viable alternatives?
- Power Solutions – Since grid power isn’t always available, I’m exploring solar and battery solutions. What are the best power configurations for maintaining stable operation in off-grid environments?
- RAK Gateway Models & Firmware – I’m currently considering the RAK7268 and RAK7289 models. Has anyone had experience with these in rural settings? Are there any firmware updates or configurations that are particularly useful for improving performance?
I also checked this: https://forum.rakwireless.com/t/rak7243-pilot-pro-gateway-warning-gps-could-not-get-a-valid-message-from-gps-no-time/tableau
I’d appreciate any tips, lessons learned, or recommendations based on your experiences. Thanks in advance for your help!