LoRaWAN Antennas UK — 868 MHz Selection
Gateway and node antenna selection for UK LoRaWAN deployments. 868 MHz, ISM band, height vs gain, common mistakes.
The 868 MHz UK LoRaWAN Band
LoRaWAN in the UK operates on the 863-870 MHz ISM (Industrial, Scientific and Medical) band. The primary channels are 868.1, 868.3, and 868.5 MHz. This is unlicensed spectrum — no operator permission required, but duty cycle limits (1% for most channels) apply. LoRaWAN devices must not transmit more than 1% of any 1-hour period on most channels.
Unlike cellular 4G/5G which uses licensed spectrum with managed interference, LoRaWAN operates in shared unlicensed spectrum. Interference from other ISM band users is a real consideration in dense deployments.
Gateway Antenna Selection
The gateway antenna is where the investment pays off. For a private LoRaWAN network, getting the gateway antenna specification right determines the range and reliability of the entire network.
Height matters more than gain. LoRaWAN is designed for long-range, low-power communication at ground level. The limiting factor is almost always terrain and obstruction — hedgerows, buildings, ground undulation. Getting the gateway antenna above these obstructions is worth far more than adding 3 dBi of gain at ground level.
Gain sweet spot. For UK agricultural deployments, 5-7 dBi fibre glass collinear is optimal. Below 5 dBi, you are leaving gain on the table. Above 8-9 dBi, the radiation pattern becomes so flat that nodes on slopes or at different elevations fall outside the beam. UK terrain is not flat enough for very high-gain LoRaWAN antennas to work well.
| Antenna Type | Gain | Best For | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quarter-wave whip | ~2 dBi | Indoor testing only | Needs ground plane |
| Half-wave dipole | 2-3 dBi | Simple outdoor pole mount | No ground plane needed |
| Fibre glass collinear | 5-7 dBi | Fixed outdoor gateway | UK agricultural sweet spot |
| High-gain collinear | 8-10 dBi | Flat terrain, urban rooftop | Too narrow for UK hills |
Node Antenna Selection
LoRaWAN node antennas are almost always embedded in the device. For battery-powered nodes designed for outdoor use, the antenna needs to be efficient at 868 MHz and mechanically suitable for the housing.
Small rubber stub antennas screwed onto the SMA port of a node are adequate for most applications. For nodes installed inside metal enclosures, run an external antenna cable to a feedthrough. Metal completely blocks 868 MHz signal — this is non-negotiable.
For embedded antenna design, see embedded IoT antennas.
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