Last Updated on 2 years by admin
Identifying the right antenna for helium hotspot has been a common goal among the Helium Miners. Since Helium Mining can recover your antenna cost within a few days most of the people look for the best solution and they mostly don’t need a cheap solution. What they need is a long-term stable solution.
Most of us who join the helium mining community are not tech geeks. Therefore, we will try to have this post in an understandable language where everyone can get a better understanding.
Why does the stock Antenna that comes with the helium miner doesn’t work for you
First, we need to identify why the stock antenna does not fit for our requirement. The answers can vary for this question.
- Distance from other hotspots
- Line of sight distractions (hills, buildings…etc.)
- Elevation of your point of installation
These could be the main reasons that we need to go for an external antenna.
However, if your issue is not listed in the above main points there might be an option to use the stock antenna that comes with the miner.
Most of us go for aftermarket Helium Hotspot antennas as we have limited mounting options or powering options. Here’s one image I found on the web which can give your ideas to think out of the box. The miner is powered over POE. Antenna seems to be different from the stock, but you have the freedom to try it out with the stock antenna.
If you ever wondered about the technical specifications about the stock antenna here’s some information.
| USA/CAN/ Australia/New Zealand | EU | China | |
| Gain | 1.2dBi | 1.2dBi | |
| Frequency Range | 900MHz ~ 930MHz | 863MHz ~ 870MHz | |
| Frequency (Center/Band) | 915MHz | 868MHz | 470 MHz |
Aftermarket Helium Hotspot Antennas
So, if you have tried your options with the stock antenna and still didn’t get the results it’s time to try other antennas.
Things you need to know about the material used to make the antenna.
Most of the cheap antennas in the market are made with plastic and rubber parts. These antennas may not perform the way it is mentioned to be. The antenna shown below is listed as 10dbi but with the build quality and material used it does not give the best performance.
The best recommended durable, long lasting higher gain antennas are made with Fiberglass. This is something you need to keep in mind when selecting your Helium Hotspot Antenna.
Let’s check which antenna works well for your requirement
In this post we are mostly focusing on three antennas. 3dbi, 5.8dbi and 8dbi.We believe there is no requirement of looking for 10dbi for helium hotspots if you have the right quality antenna. All these models are priced between 40 -60USD. As said above, the cost of these antennas can be covered in less than a week if you find the right spot for mining.
8dbi Antenna for Helium Hotspot
These 8dbi antennas are best for distance coverage. If you are in a higher location or almost the same height as others and if there’s no obstacles, 8dbi will suit you well. Check the image for better understanding of the signals.
Here are some purchase links –
8dib 3.3feet antenna
Also, if you need more range, you could try the super long 8dbi Antenna for your helium hotspot
3dbi Antenna
If you are living in a hilly area or you have direct barriers, then you should use a 3dbi antenna. These 3dbi’s send the signal high and then go down which makes the perfect way to reach the other side of mountains. Compared to 8dbi and 5.8dbi the signal distance is lower.
5.8dbi Antenna
If you are living in the middle of an apartment and you need to cover a bit higher and further, then buying the 5.8dbi is the best for you. Drawing is just to get an idea.
Other things to consider for better signal strength
Almost every aftermarket outdoor antenna comes with fixing brackets and antenna cables, but some of these cables could lower the strength. Therefore, it is recommended to use a LMR400 cable. Also, wiring cables through a wall connector could reduce 5DB.
Post Updates
HELIUM ANTENNA SUCTION MOUNT
This mount is suitable for antenna mounting on Tiles, Windows, & Flat Metal Surfaces. No holes required, which makes the installation supper easy. The price of the antenna is £39.99 EX VAT. Website adds a mandatory condition under Important Note to have a back-up lanyard type wire rope or similar suitable securing devices to reduce any risk that could occur due to Suction mount/antenna mount failure.
Furthermore, the website statues that the antenna mount has excellent wind loading strength and the tubing diameter is 38mm which also supports a weight up to 60Kg.
LOW LOSS 40CM FLAT COAXIAL CABLE FOR HELIUM HOTSPOT ANTENNA
Mcgillmicrowave.com intradoses a Flat Coaxial Cable with the length of 40cm’s which is proven to be low loss. Manufactured specially to use with Antenna for Helium Hotspots. It is having a 1cm width and thickness of 1.5mm. Comes in both male and female connector types.
Hope this post helped you choose the best Helium Hotspot Antenna for your requirement. If you have questions, share through the comments section. And read our posts on purchasing helium miner, COTX-3 Miner.
| Distance | Vertical Angle | Applicable Area | |
| Antenna with High Gain | Far | Small | Flat terrain, low density area |
| Medium Gain | Medium | Medium | Other landscape |
| Low Gain Antenna | Close | Large | Rugged terrain, high-density area |
Filter for Helium Miner – 868 MHz for Helium LoRa Lorawan
Antennas can improve the signal for Helium Hotspots. However, sometimes you need to use a filter to enhance the quality of the signal. In other words filter allows to suppress harmonic frequencies.
One reason for needing a filter could be the interference that you could receive through outdoor antennas. This mostly happen when the Helium Miner antenna is closer to LTE transmitters. This is just one reason there could be other devices that add noise to helium network.
Here is one website that sells filters for Helium Hotspots. We are sharing this site as we noticed many users has purchased the same filter. Other than that we are not getting any commission for promoting the site or the filter.
Bandpass SAW Filter 868 Mhz for Helium LoRa Lorawan SigFox
RF IN connector : SMA female (to the antenna)
RF OUT connector: SMA female (to Hotspot transmitter/receiver)
Purchase Link – https://www.passion-radio.com/ism/868-saw-830.html
Tech Details
Frequency – 869 MHz / coverage: 868 to 870 Mhz
Loss: 2.8dB
Bandwidth: 2 Mhz
Max. input RF power 18 dBm / 63 mW max
Working Voltage (Max) : 6 volts
Connector Interface: SMA female
Impedance: 50 Ohms
Dimensions: 40 x 30 mm
