I am searching for 6 x Lora modules (not LoraWan or IOT) for NZ rural application. Distance less than 3km. I am quite taken with SX1262 CE08628 Lora Board with headers, and a Pico can be plugged straight in.
…BUT… examining the devices pages, it is not obvious what is, or is not included. There is a parts list (implying included) but then several of the items appear in the additional list next to it.
Yes the pico is not included, but the shipping list says :-
1x LoRa node module
1x Interface cable
1x RF antenna
1x 600mAh LiPo battery
You receive the battery, yes? but not the battery cable??? (an exercise in perversity???)
RF antenna, Yes? Is this different to the 2dB antenna in the adjacent list ($17.35)
What does AU$24.41 actually contain?
Sorry about the product page, we’ll get that updated with some photos of the battery - it does come with a lead to plug into the connector on the LoRa shield (Picoblade).
Did you ever find any LoRa node modules with an AU/NZ RCM mark or a R-NZ label, one of which which is stated as mandatory for approved equipment for use in New Zealand. The widespread FCC and CE compliant products don’t seem to have any validity in this space in NZ. I have a simple rural LoRa application I want to explore too but I haven’t found any compliant R-NZ or RCM compliant devices yet. I have a couple of LILYGO TTGO 915MHz devices but I’m not sure if I can legally use them even if I keep to 0 dBW.
Wow, and I thought Australia’s radio frequency laws were strict and byzantine. Looking through the Frequencies Anyone Can Use page on the New Zealand Radio Spectrum website is a nightmare. They do not make it easy.
But, based on this warning:
If you bought your equipment in New Zealand, and it’s labelled with an RSM-approved RCM mark or R-NZ label, you can start using it immediately. If it’s not labelled with an RCM mark or R-NZ label, go back to your supplier and get New Zealand approved equipment.
If you bought your equipment online or overseas, you may not be able to set it up to operate on New Zealand frequencies. Go back to your supplier and ask for equipment with an approved RCM mark or R-NZ label.
It sounds like those LilyGo are definitely not legal to use without that mark, even if its in the 915GhZ range.
I had a look around the New Zealand hobby electronics space and apart from noting that Gogotronics have the best logo I have ever seen:
It seems like you guys are strapped when it comes to LoRa modules. The only things that you do seem to have are built around Arduinos (and I would definitely still want to check with the supplier over whether or not that is R-NZ labelled).
Thanks for those comments Jane. You’re right, there’s not much room to move. Not sure how to progress my point to point LoRa project at this stage. Most of the local maker suppliers with LoRa products that I’ve looked at don’t provide any evidence of RC-NZ certification so not sure how they get away with that, and a few that do are pretty expensive and/or require multiple hardware components to get a node up and running. No intergated LoRa-ESP32 options. I’ve also seen suggestions that the 915MHz channel plan for Australia/New Zealand is different to North America so the imported TTGO boards could probably never be compliant unless the AU/NZ variant can be provided. I might have to look at other communications options. I hadn’t seen Gogotronics before. Tis a good logo!
