LoRa Antennas for 868 MHz: How to Choose, Connect and Mount Them
LoRa has become the go-to radio technology for low-power sensors: soil probes, water meters, asset trackers, environmental monitors and smart building kit. The modules are tiny and the batteries last for years, but the range a deployment actually achieves comes down to one component more than any other. The antenna. This guide covers how to choose LoRa antennas for 868 MHz networks, how to avoid the most common connector mistake, and why ground planes matter.
LoRa Frequencies in the UK
In the UK and Europe, LoRa and LoRaWAN operate in the licence-exempt 863 to 870 MHz band, commonly referred to as EU868 or simply 868 MHz. North America uses 902 to 928 MHz (US915), and some markets use 433 MHz. An antenna tuned for 915 MHz will work poorly at 868 MHz, so always confirm the band before ordering. Many low-cost antennas sold online are tuned for the US band.
Antennas for End Devices
End devices, the sensors themselves, usually need small, robust antennas:
- Whip antennas. A half-wave whip such as the PT868 1/2 (SMA), a semi-flexible full half-wave antenna with SMA connector, gives good efficiency without needing a ground plane.
- Embedded and PCB antennas. Ideal for sealed enclosures, but performance depends heavily on placement inside the device.
- Compact external antennas. Low-profile designs such as the 2J5215P-868 suit devices where a protruding whip would be damaged.
Antennas for Gateways
A gateway serves every sensor in its area, so its antenna is where investment pays off most. Mount it high, in the clear, and choose an outdoor-rated omnidirectional antenna with modest gain. A fibreglass collinear of around 3 to 6 dBi is a common choice. Very high gain antennas flatten the coverage pattern, which can leave sensors below or close to the gateway with weak signal.
For a deeper look at how gain trades against coverage shape, see our guide to omnidirectional vs directional antennas.
SMA vs RP-SMA: Avoid the Most Common Mistake
SMA and RP-SMA connectors look almost identical and screw together, but they do not connect properly:
- SMA male has a threaded sleeve on the inside and a centre pin.
- RP-SMA male (reverse polarity) has the same thread but a hole in the centre instead of a pin.
Fit an RP-SMA antenna to an SMA socket and the threads will tighten, but the centre conductor never connects. The result is a device that works at a few metres and fails beyond that. Check the connector on your module or gateway before ordering, and check again before fitting.
Ground Planes and Ground Plane Independent Antennas
A quarter-wave antenna is only half of an antenna. It relies on a metal surface beneath it, the ground plane, to form the other half. Without one, the pattern distorts and efficiency drops sharply. That is fine on a metal enclosure or vehicle roof, but plastic housings, poles and walls offer no ground plane.
In those situations use a half-wave design or a ground plane independent antenna. Our range of ground plane independent antennas for VHF, UHF and ISM/IoT is designed for exactly this, and the 2JW0515-868-C952B is an option for 868 MHz.
Getting the Most Range
- Height. Raising a gateway antenna a few metres often does more than doubling its gain.
- Line of sight. LoRa is robust, but trees, hills and buildings still cost range.
- Cable loss. At 868 MHz, thin cable loses signal quickly. Keep runs short and use low-loss coax for anything over a few metres.
- Polarisation. Keep gateway and sensor antennas vertical where you can.
- Weatherproofing. Seal outdoor connectors with self-amalgamating tape.
Planning a LoRa deployment? Send us your module, enclosure and mounting details and we will recommend antennas for both ends: renair.co.uk/contact-us.
Frequently Asked Questions
What frequency does LoRa use in the UK?
LoRa in the UK uses the 863 to 870 MHz licence-exempt band, known as EU868.
Can I use a 915 MHz LoRa antenna at 868 MHz?
It will connect, but performance will suffer because the antenna is tuned for a different frequency. Use an antenna specified for 868 MHz.
How can I tell SMA from RP-SMA?
Look at the male connector. SMA male has a centre pin; RP-SMA male has a hole where the pin would be.
Does my LoRa antenna need a ground plane?
Quarter-wave antennas do. Half-wave and ground plane independent antennas do not, which makes them better for plastic enclosures and pole mounts.
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