News
Possible UPS Strike- what you need to know (updated July 28th)
As of the July 19th, 2023 publication of this article, it appears UPS workers may go on strike on August 1st. It is unknown how long a strike may last. If a strike occurs, these things will happen:
YouTube Sponsorships Available
Are you a tech enthusiast or company with your own YouTube channel demonstrating IoT or WiFi parts or projects? We would love to work with you. Our company is currently looking for partners that use our ALFA Network, RAKwireless, and LILYGO products in their videos.
New product: ALFA Tube-2HQP
The ALFA Tube-2HQP takes the place of the ALFA Tube-2HP. The key difference is this new version comes with an 802.3at/af standard module power supply.
It has official OpenWrt support as well as a web-based recovery and system serial console access make development extremely easy. Read more.
LILYGO® TTGO Meshtastic T-Echo now available in colors
New for July we have black and grey color options for the LILYGO T-Echo H505 SKU, and black and brown for the T-Echo H511 SKU with BME280 Humidity and Pressure Sensor.
New discounted FedEx options to United Kingdom, Germany, Austria, and Australia
As part of our commitment to expanding low-cost worldwide shipping, we have teamed up with FedEx to offer FedEx International Connect Plus pricing at checkout to various countries. We just expanded to include UK, Germany, Austria, and Australia. Rates start at $28.16 USD.
Indentity Verification for Fast Shipment Release
Beginning in May of 2023, in an effort to combat fraud and streamline the fast release of high value orders, we implemented an ID verification service check that may request a copy of your identification. Here are some more details about the program...
Helium Mobile network beta testing in Gainesville, FL
Helium Mobile beta service went live last month, and we have tested the service out in Gainesville, Florida. Helium Mobile Beta is a closed beta, so we will not be showing pictures of the setup process or sharing any bugs in this video. This video has been released with permission of Nova Labs.
Chirpstack vs TTN (The Things Network)
Chirpstack and The Things Network (TTN) are both popular open-source platforms for building and managing LoRaWAN-based IoT (Internet of Things) applications. While they serve similar purposes, there are some differences between them.
New product: ALFA Network Tube-ELoRaGW9 LoRa Gateway
Tube-ELoRaGW is a LoRa Gateway solution for long range and low power IoT networks. It has two models available, Tube-ELoRaGW8 for 868 Mhz, and Tube-ELoRaGW9 for US/915 MHz. This is model Tube-ELoRaGW9
Revolutionizing WiFi Technology: Harnessing AI for Enhanced Connectivity
WiFi is an amazing technology that plays a crucial role in keeping us connected to the digital world. With AI, we can improve WiFi, making our connections smarter and more optimal than ever before. At Rokland Technologies and ALFA Network Inc., we are committed to using WiFi in our technology, and here are some of the ways we can do that.
RVers, do you need Starlink?
Starlink is a satellite internet constellation project developed by SpaceX, the aerospace company founded by Elon Musk. It aims to provide global broadband internet coverage by deploying a large network of small, low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, and offer high-speed internet access to areas where cellular signals can't reach.
New product: ALFA AWM27921U 802.11axe WiFi 6E & Bluetooth M.2
New this month from ALFA Network Inc. is part ALFA AWM27921U, an M.2 module that is 802.11axe/WiFi 6E compliant. It supports 20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz bandwidth in 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6GHz band, and Bluetooth 5.2. Read more here.
Tackling a WiFi 6E challenge- newer routers not supporting older WiFi devices
You finally upgrade your home WiFi system to a WiFi 6 or 6E router, and at first everything works great. Your new laptop and your iPhone 14 connect fine. But then you find out another device- such as an older laptop, TV, or USB WiFi adapter can see your new WiFi signal but it just won't connect. Here's what you need to do...
International Buyers: Ask us about FedEx Connect Plus shipping
With a transit time of 2-5 days, this service can be cheaper for heavier shipments than items shown at cart. Because it is not currently integrated into our cart, it won't be available during regular checkout. If you are looking to make a larger purchase on Rokland.com to be shipped outside of the USA, and plan to reach out directly to us for a quote, make sure to ask for FedEx Connect Plus shipping rates to your country.
Helium Mobile is coming soon- how does it work?
You've probably heard about Helium Mobile by now. A forthcoming cellular provider, they inked a deal with T-Mobile last summer (see our video analysis), and are expected to launch publicly later this spring. What is it, and how does it work?
Undersanding Power over Ethernet: PoE vs. PoE+ vs. PoE++
PoE (Power over Ethernet) and PoE+ are both standards for delivering electrical power to network devices over an Ethernet cable, but they differ in terms of the amount of power they can deliver...
LoRaWAN: difference between SX1262 and SX1276
SX1262 is an ideal choice for low power applications that require long-range wireless data transmission. It supports a maximum data rate of 300 kbps over distances of up to 15 km. It also features a low power consumption of 6 mA, a high sensitivity of -148 dBm and configurable preamble length. Its working frequency range is 150~960MHz, and it can transmit at up to 22 dBm.
What is Arduino?
The Arduino project began in 2005 as a tool for students at the Interaction Design Institute Ivrea, Italy, aiming to provide a low-cost and easy way for novices to create devices that interact with their environment using sensors and actuators. In 2005, building upon the work of Hernando Barragán (creator of Wiring), Massimo Banzi and David Cuartielles created Arduino, an easy-to-use programmable microcontroller board.
WiFi 6E USB adapters are coming, why does that matter?
WiFi 6E provides the fastest and most stable WiFi experience yet. WiFi 6 does not mean 6 GHz. To receive 6 Ghz signals, you must have a WiFi 6E product. Your WiFi router and receiving card must be WiFi 6E. WiFi 6E products are backward compatible with previous WiFi standards but performance will be limited to the specs of those previous standards...
How to verify antenna gain
A common question to our support team is "how do I verify my antenna is really X dBi gain?" Gain inflation is rampant online (see related article), and because the gain of an antenna varies based on frequency, advertised gain may be true but misleading. Read more...
Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Solana Phone...
The Solana Saga Phone is a flagship Android mobile phone developed by Solana Mobile, a subsidiary of Solana Labs. With the Solana Saga Phone, developers can create a wide range of projects, such as wallets, digital asset exchanges, decentralized applications, and blockchain-enabled solutions.
An update on Helium Mobile
Rokland has the lowest coaxial cable prices online!
We are so confident we have the cheapest coaxial cable online for your Helium or WiFi project that we will beat any competitor. If you find a better price for comparable length, contact us for a price match.
A Helium User's Guide to ChirpStack
ChirpStack is an open-source LoRaWAN Network Server. It allows you to manage your LoRaWAN network and devices in a centralized way.
With ChirpStack, you can:
- Manage your LoRaWAN network in a centralized way
- Add, remove and update devices on the network
- Monitor the performance of your devices and network
- View detailed device logs
With ChirpStack, you can:
- Manage your LoRaWAN network in a centralized way
- Add, remove and update devices on the network
- Monitor the performance of your devices and network
- View detailed device logs
Military and First Responder 