With a (more less) free evening I decided to finally start testing range of 868MHz LoRa E45-TTL-100 radio modules I described only yesterday. Instead of building new testing rig, I only upgraded testing setup I used to test range of FS1000A and XY-MK-5V 433MHz radio modules. Few hours later I came up with this:

LoRa range testing equipment

  • E45-TTL-100 at 9600bps, transparent serial mode
  • Stock (crappy) antannas
  • Logic driven by Arduino Pro Mini
  • Transmitter send 1 byte counter
  • Receiver counts packets and check if all subsequent packets arrived and then displays results on OLED screen
  • Powered from 2S LiPo batteries

I've left transmitter on a desk and went for a walk. Even before leaving the building radio signal had to cross around 1 meter of bricks. Then travel through another building and only then go into the direction when I walked.

LoRa range in urban area with E45-TTL-100

I must say: I was impressed. I still am. At 511 meters transmission was clear only when I was not blocking it with my body. Or standing near to metal fence. So I can safely assume: 500m is maximum range in densly populated urban area. On stock antennas and 100mW output power. Next week I will try stronger, dipole antennas.