Helium Hotspots & IoT Devices | LoRaWAN Antennas, Mounts & FCC Guidelines
Reference Helium hotspots, LoRaWAN IoT devices, 900 MHz antennas, mounting options, and FCC Part 15 guidelines for compliant Helium Long-Fi deployments
Helium hotspot and IoT devices
Helium hotspots and IoT devices power a decentralized wireless network that enables long-range connectivity for LoRaWAN-enabled IoT devices.
If you’re familiar with HNT and Helium mining, you likely want to maximize the performance of your radio-based hotspot.
- Network Type: LoRaWAN / Long-Fi
- Primary Band: 900 MHz ISM
- Use Case: Public IoT coverage & HNT mining
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For those new to the ecosystem, HNT is the cryptocurrency of the Helium blockchain a distributed network of hotspots that provides public long-range wireless coverage for IoT devices, with private CBRS networks also under development.
Helium hotspots enable long-range, low-power IoT connectivity by operating in the 900 MHz ISM band. Coverage, antenna gain, mounting height, and FCC compliance directly impact network performance and mining effectiveness.
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This page brings together approved hotspots, antenna options, mounting hardware, and regulatory guidelines so installers and engineers can design compliant Helium LoRaWAN deployments using consistent reference tables.
How Helium Hotspots Work
The diagram below shows the general flow of data through a LoRa gateway:
- LoRaWAN devices transmit low-power packets
- Helium hotspots act as gateways
- Data is routed through the Helium blockchain
Network Topology & Deployment Examples
Sample drawing for remote Helium hotspot miner with solar power backup.
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Below is a list of approved Hotspots with RP-SMA Female Antenna Port
Bobcat Miner 300 (BC00001)
The Bobcat Miner 300 is an indoor high-efficiency hotspot miner designed to mine HNT (Helium Network Token) and IOT tokens on the Helium blockchain. It features 2GB of DDR3 RAM and a 64GB eMMC flash for increased storage capacity and longevity.
Nebra (NBR-0022)
Nebra (NBR-0022) refers to the Nebra Indoor Hotspot Miner for the Helium blockchain network, a device that earns HNT cryptocurrency by providing wireless coverage for IoT devices.
Kerlink (PDTIOT-IFE01)
The Kerlink PDTIOT-IFE01 is the model number for the Kerlink Wirnet iFemtoCell, a compact, high-performance indoor LoRaWAN gateway designed for deep indoor IoT connectivity in smart buildings, cities, and industrial sites, offering robust coverage for applications like smart metering or parking sensors, with Ethernet/Wi-Fi backhaul and support for multiple LoRaWAN regional parameters.
RAK Wireless (RAK Hotspot V2)
The RAK Hotspot V2 is a device for the Helium blockchain network, acting as a LoRaWAN gateway to provide wireless coverage, earning HNT cryptocurrency in return for validating network activity and providing coverage for IoT devices. Powered by a Raspberry Pi 4, it offers low power consumption (around 5W), fast setup via a smartphone app, and uses LongFi technology for long-range, low-power connectivity, featuring a robust quad-core processor and expandable memory for efficient mining.
Sensecap (XNM1US915)
The SenseCAP (XNM1US915) refers to the SenseCAP M1 LoRaWAN Indoor Gateway (US915 frequency), a high-performance, ready-to-use gateway for building Low-Power Wide-Area Networks (LPWANs) and connecting to the Helium Network for low-cost IoT applications, featuring capabilities like Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and compatibility with US/Canada LoRaWAN bands. It's designed for easy setup, allowing users to create wireless coverage for various IoT devices, especially in smart farming and city monitoring.
Antenna Options
900 MHz High Gain Antenna Options Table
| Product | Details |
|---|---|
| RFWO9008NF 8dBi, 900-928 MHz Omni Directional Antenna |
https://shop.rfwel.com/900-928-mhz-8-dbi-fiber-glass-omni-antenna-n-female/ |
| RFWO9006NF 6dBi, 900-928 MHz Omni Directional Antenna |
https://shop.rfwel.com/900-928-mhz-6-dbi-fiber-glass-omni-antenna-n-female/ |
| RFWP9008NM 8dBi, 902-928 MHz Omni Directional Antenna |
https://shop.rfwel.com/902-928-mhz-8-dbi-flat-patch-panel-antenna-n-male/ |
| RFWRD900RPSM 3dBi, 860-960 MHz Omni Directional Antenna |
https://shop.rfwel.com/860-960-mhz-3-dbi-rubber-duck-antenna-rp-sma-male/ |
Antenna Mount Options
Secure and position your Helium hotspot or IoT antennas with a range of mounting solutions, including pole mounts, roof mounts, wall mounts, and magnetic bases for flexible indoor and outdoor deployments.
| Product | Details |
|---|---|
| RFWOMT10L1P5D Antenna Pole Mounting |
https://shop.rfwel.com/rfwomt10l1p5d-antenna-pole-mounting-assembly/ |
| RFMT8WBAL 8ft Non-Penetrating Water Ballasted Antenna Roof Mount |
https://shop.rfwel.com/8-ft-non-penetrating-water-ballasted-antenna-roof-mount.html |
| FMW4-YMST4 4ft x 1-1/4 inch Aluminum Mast and two 4 inch Standoff Wall Mounts |
https://shop.rfwel.com/4-x-1-1-4-aluminum-mast-and-4-standoff-wall-mounts-2-brackets.html |
| 100-00043 Advanced J-Mount with Extra Twist |
https://shop.rfwel.com/mimosa-networks-advanced-j-mount-with-extra-twist/ |
| FRM238HC 2.5 ft FRM Non-Penetrating Roof Mount |
https://shop.rfwel.com/2-5-ft-frm-non-penetrating-roof-mount/ |
| 170011 Magnetic Antenna Base SMA connectors, CLF cable - 1.6ft |
https://shop.rfwel.com/magnetic-antenna-base-sma-connectors-clf-cable-1-6ft/ |
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902–928 MHz ISM Band (FCC Part 15)
Most privately operated LoRaWAN devices operate in the 900 MHz ISM band. FCC Part 15 outlines the requirements for this band:
- Maximum transmitter output power into the antenna: 30 dBm (1 W)
- Maximum EIRP: 36 dBm (after antenna gain and losses)
For more information on operation within the bands 902–928 MHz, 2400–2483.5 MHz, and 5725–5850 MHz, see the FCC reference link.