LoraWAN coverage issue

Gateways MikroTik Gateways
1

Hi all !
I’m trying to setup a Mikrotik LR8G with an 5dBi fiber antenna but I’m facing coverage problem :frowning:

Here’s my antenna mounting setup :

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This is a Fiberglass Lora Antenna (model ZCD0860-06W608NM), 860-930 MHz

And the Mikrotik configuation :

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To make my test, I use a LoraWAN field tester (RAK10701) and the result is the following :
Few meter away, I can reach the gateway well, but more far away (400m, even less), I cannot :flushed:

Configuration of RAK10701 (tried also with others settings - same problem) :

  • Band : EU868
  • DR : DR5
  • TxPower : 7

Here are the beams shown on ttnmapper :

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The testing point 480m far away, with direct clear view :
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is not working :sob:

What I’m making wrong ? Any suggestion ?

Thanks for your help !

2

Did you read the documentation and notice you need to switch the antenna connectors inside the LR8 to switch from internal antenna to the external antenna connector? If you didn’t change it your gateway will be using the internal antenna.

What kind of cable and what length is used to connect the gateway to the antenna?

3

Thanks for your notice - indeed the cable was well switched :

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The cable used is the one that was provided with the Antenna : about 1m long.
The antenna is the one from Seeed : https://www.seeedstudio.com/Lora-Fiberglass-Antenna-860-930MHz-5dBi-600mm-p-4927.html

4

Does that mean it was on the internal antenna and now it’s on the external antenna with new results pending.

Or does it mean it was already on the external antenna? If so, the next thing to check is the sex/polarity of the connectors - male to male is usually noticed, female to female is not always obvious. This is particularly important to check as the Seeed listing says it is an RP which means it is the exact opposite of what you’d expect!