This should help
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Thanks,
not so easy, need to open, and switch position of 2 x 0603 capacitor. Risky 
I will keep to remove the SMA connector and put a cable adapter like on picture
So what are you going to output to the display. Basic console or something more graphical…?
So being well out of my depth I reinstalled the application which started without a problem. Not entirely sure why the packet forwarder stopped or wouldn’t restart and I haven’t physically examined the installation (it’s up on the roof!)
{
“gw_id”: “gk_gateway_1”,
“payload”: “QOQjASaAMAAB7vhaV2vxPiO7gGjI”,
“f_cnt”: 48,
“lora”: {
“spreading_factor”: 9,
“bandwidth”: 125,
“air_time”: 185344000
},
“coding_rate”: “4/5”,
“timestamp”: “2018-03-13T13:48:39.865Z”,
“rssi”: -80,
“snr”: 6,
“dev_addr”: “260123E4”,
“frequency”: 867500000
}
The first Heltec I pulled out of the parts bin with an antenna plugged in seems to have some code running. To answer your question @BoRRoZ, it seems to have survived the snow but the jury is still out regarding the packet forwarder…
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Hi I just deployed a RAK 831 Gateway in the AU915, the installation was straight forward however I’m encountering instability and I’m thinking this is maybe hardware related. I would like to know what the expected signal strength and SNR should be? At a distance of 4m (16 foot) I’m getting -55,25 when running at+signal.
I would have expected much better results given the distance between them. I have now tested with two nodes and the results a similar. All packets are received on SF12 at this distance I would expected SF7 or 8.
At one point I moved the end node directly next to the gateway and had some packets arriving at SF 8.
I some how starting to think that there is something not right with my radio, I tried a couple of different antennas, too. With the same result.
Dose anyone knows of a way to observe the packets coming into the radio of the *831 gateway?
I’m in 915 AU band.
I can see from the missing antenna trace that the RAK831 just hardly survived the (RP-)RMA connector removal. 
Earlier versions had the RP-SMA connector soldered on only one side. That made it much easier to remove than when soldered on both sides.
In case you will have to do it again:
When the RP-SMA is soldered on both sides: first try to remove some of the solder on the bottom side with solder wick and then while the solder is still fluid remove/break off the two grounding solder pins with a small cutting pliers.
This will make it a little easier to remove the connector, but still a nasty job that requires good soldering skills and proper tools.
I see that you use Chinese leaded solder. I think that you will appreciate something like Stannol Kristall 505 in 0.7mm much more (the 0.7mm is also available in 100g package but not listed on the site). It flows much better than several Chinese types (both 63/37 and 60/40) that I have tried (and thrown away).
Time for some bigger case maybe? In combination with an extension/converter cable like this SMA to angle RP-SMA RG316 cable?
RSSI looks about right.
SNR seems to max out at about +10 for me.
I would not rely on tests at such short distances myself.
You could try and ask Rakwireless, they might have a beter idea of what to expect.
Below is from a LoRa32u4 II node placed about 5m almost directly below a 3dbi antenna on the roof of our house, also a RAK831 but on EU868
Settling on sf12 would suggest something is not right with the RF (my limited experience). Everything OK with antenna on the node and gateway?
{
“gw_id”: “gk_gateway_1”,
“lora”: {
“spreading_factor”: 7,
“bandwidth”: 125,
“air_time”: 51456000
},
“coding_rate”: “4/5”,
“timestamp”: “2018-03-15T15:18:45.129Z”,
“rssi”: -69,
“snr”: 10.5,
It was soldered on one side, but my fault, wanted to do it too quickly, but never mind this one has fried ;-(
For sure, next DK or mouser order, I’ll take some, thanks
Cant possibly comment, given that its through a building and the node is directly under the antenna where there could (or could not) be a distinct null.
Trying to rely on measurements at such short range, in and around buildings, is a waste of time really.
Although regardless of whether the gear is OK or bad, an RSSI of -69 and SNR +10, is still a strong signal for SF7.
My thoughts too. It is way less than ideal placement of the two antennas but by comparison to a system with lower RSSI and which is selecting a high sf? Here the LoRa seems robust but 88’s?
I do not understand what you mean here.
88s are pairs of fat ladies in bingo I thought.
@BoRRoZ, I assume you went to TheThingsConference ! Do you know if any of the Day 1 sessions were recorded, and if they will get loaded up to YouTube at some point?
Sorry @BoRRoZ I wasn’t very clear.
I meant specifically the items you included in post 44 on this thread.
They were workshops related to Practical Skills and included, from memory, how to set up the RAK831. None of the workshops have been uploaded to YouTube. I just wondered if they will at some point.
Major update of PI Zero RAK831 Shield in action
Hardware build
Software setup
more things to come about this soon…
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