Increase baseline when working with LoRa

[techsupport (Rathod Baswaraj)]

Hi,

This is Rathod from India

I have reach RS2 and facing issue in redio mode actually this device not getting range,getting only 1 to 1.5Km

This is important for me because where we have work there no Internet so.

Please suggest how to solve this issue and how to get atleast 3 to 5km range in Radio

[mark1st.john]

You might have a look at a couple discussions already on the Emlid’s Forum.

Reach RS+ tests with external UHF radio (450 MHz)

To collect cm-accurate data in the real-time, you need a reliable correction link between base and rover. With a set of Reach RS+, you can use built-in LoRa radio for RTK communication. This will work well for most applications on distances up to 8km (sometimes even up to 19km). In some cases, you might want to use other connectivity options of Reach RS to set up RTK link. For instance, if you send/receive RTCM3 corrections from RTK GNSS receiver of another manufacturer. With the good Inter…

Harxon external radio

does anyone here try this kind of radio for emlid. [Unboxing the Harxon Rover Radio (HX-DU1603D)]

Emlid with big external radio 5W in Cambodia

[Emlid_Radio2] [Emlid_Radio3] [EmlidRadio1] [EmlidRadio4] [EmlidRadio5]

Anyone using an add-on long range radio for RTK?

Has anyone successfully used an add-on radio for the RS2 (or RS+) for extended RTK range (ie up to 2 miles) for remote areas where there will be no cell service? In the past, the range of the built in LoRa was not good so I have used the Emlid Caster with great success. But need radio solution for area with no cell service.

And here is the search link I used:
https://community.emlid.com/search?q=external%20radios

Hope it helps you!

[svetlana.nikolenko]

Hi Rathod,

LoRa baseline can hit up to 8km but it really depends on the environmental conditions. 8km is possible on the line-of-sight when there are no obstacles between base and rover.

Can you describe your worksite? Is there any objects between base and rover? Maybe buildings or trees.

[techsupport (Rathod Baswaraj)]

Hi,

I understood, yes some obstacles between base and rover ate location but some time not available internet some places for that we need to work in Lora this device given range only 1 km

if possible any solution for this then it will give atleast 3 to 4 km

because we work in lora actually we don’t have internet some places.

[Africawaterdoc]

Hi Rathod,

What constellations (GPS, GLO, GAL, BDU) are you transmitting over Lora? And what is your Lora air data rate? The more data you are transmitting, the shorter the range. My experience is also about 1km when I am using all constellations. If you want to get maximum range you need to transmit a minimum number of messages. Antenna location at 0.1Hz and GPS (legacy) at 0.5Hz with all other messages off should give you maximum range. (Make sure to set the Lora air data rate to as low as possible and match it on the rover). The converse of that is you will have less available satellites so you will need better sky view or more occupation time and may need to mission plan in advance to check PDOP. If you need more satellites, you could add GAL at 0.5Hz and that might give you a medium range.

[Gabriel_C (GCG)]

@techsupport

if possible any solution for this then it will give atleast 3 to 4 km

Frankly, aside from @Africawaterdoc’s suggestions, you need an external, more powerful radio. 1km is already close to the maximum usable range that I’ve seen for normal operations.

There is also the possibility to work in PPK.

[svetlana.nikolenko]

Hi Rathod,

I like @Africawaterdoc suggestion about lowering the Air Data rate. You can try that. Also, Gabriel’s words about PPK or more powerful radio make sense.

LoRa is a low-powerful radio, so obstacles really affect the range. Mark previously shared some posts about choosing an external radio for Reach.

If you decide to go with PPK, take a look at our Stop & Go with ReachView 3 guide. It will give some understanding about the workflow.

[mauricioranzan (Mauricio master geo)]

Is there any way to use some kind of radio signal repeater to increase the range of LoRa?

[svetlana.nikolenko]

Hi Mauricio,

I think it’s possible to find almost everything, but we usually don’t recommend using repeaters. It’s a modification, which require much effort and not necessarily lead to the results you want.

LoRa is just not for cases where you have a lot of obstacles blocking the line-of-sight. It’s better to use Emlid Caster or external radio on such sites.