The Architect's Guide to the People's Network
Welcome to the bleeding edge of decentralized wireless. You aren't just buying electronics; you are building the infrastructure for the Internet of Things (IoT). Whether you are deploying a Helium Hotspot to earn HNT or building a private LoRaWAN network for asset tracking, the quality of your hardware determines your success.
At Fleetwood Digital, we specialize in the "RF Chain"—the critical path from your miner to the tip of your antenna. Below is the technical breakdown of our catalog.
🖥️ The Core: Hotspot Miners
The miner is the brain of your operation. It creates the bridge between LoRaWAN radio waves and the internet blockchain.
1. SenseCAP M1 (The Gold Standard)
The SenseCAP M1 is widely regarded as the most reliable, "set-it-and-forget-it" miner on the market.
- Architecture: Built on the Raspberry Pi 4B.
- RAM Variants: Available in 4GB.
- Security: Features an embedded ECC608 Crypto Chip for hardware-encrypted security.
- Cooling: Built-in cooling fan and aluminum heatsink case to prevent thermal throttling.
2. Nebra ROCK Pi (The Alternative)
- Architecture: Powered by the Rockchip RK3399 processor.
- Key Difference: A robust alternative matching the M1 in RF performance but running on a different compute architecture.
3. SenseCAP M2 Data Only Gateway
- Purpose: Designed strictly for LoRaWAN data transfer. An excellent choice for strengthening network density without the full mining overhead.
📡 The Physics of Range: Tuned Antennas
The #1 mistake beginners make is buying the "highest number" dBi antenna. Higher is not always better. You must match your antenna's Gain to your Topography.
Understanding Beamwidth (The "Doughnut" Effect)
- Low Gain (3 - 5.8 dBi) | The "Lantern": Wide vertical beamwidth (~30-40°). Best for cities and hills.
- High Gain (8 - 12 dBi) | The "Lighthouse": Very narrow beamwidth (~9-15°). Best for flat prairies and rural areas.
Our Premium Brands
A. McGill Microwave (The Engineer's Choice)
McGill antennas are "Tuned" specifically for the 902-929 MHz band used in North America. They guarantee a VSWR of ≤ 1.5:1, meaning >96% of your power leaves the antenna.
- McGill 3dBi Tuned Antenna (Best for hilly/urban areas)
- McGill 6dBi Tuned Antenna (The "Sweet Spot" all-rounder)
- McGill 9dBi Tuned Antenna (For long-range flat terrain)
B. Rokland LoneWolf (The Range King)
12 dBi Gain / 61 inches tall. Use this only if you have a clear Line-of-Sight for 20+ km. If you put this in a valley, it will only talk to the dirt walls.
C. Directional Options
McGill 10dBi Directional Antenna: Focuses energy into a wedge. Ideal for mounting on the side of a building or shooting signal down a valley.
🛡️ The Armor: Enclosures & Cabling
Moving your miner outside, directly next to the antenna, is the single best upgrade you can make.
Outdoor Enclosures (IP67)
The Setup: Miner inside the enclosure → 6-inch cable → Antenna. Zero signal loss.
🗺️ Verification: Mapping & Sensors
Don't guess. Measure.
- Helium Solar Mapper Kit: A portable GPS tracker that lights up "hexes" on the global map to prove your coverage.
- Helium Developer Kit: Perfect for building your first custom application.
- SenseCAP K1100 Prototype Kit: A complete "lab in a box" with Vision AI and LoRa modules.
🔧 Technical FAQ
Q: My miner is relaying. What does that mean?
A: "Relayed" means your miner cannot receive direct inbound connections. You need to log into your router and forward TCP Port 44158 to your miner's IP.
Q: Can I use a 915 MHz antenna in Europe?
A: No. Europe uses 868 MHz. Using the wrong frequency causes severe signal loss and hardware damage.
Q: Do I need a lightning arrestor?
A: Yes. If your antenna is outdoors, a Gas Discharge Tube arrestor is essential for safety.
🚀 Ready to Build?
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