LoRa module not working in RBLtAP-2HnD&R11e-LTE&LR8

Hardware MikroTik hardware general
1

Hello,

Whe have purchased 3 units RBLtAP-2HnD&R11e-LTE&LR8 some months ago and every worked fine: we could go to the LoRa module and configure the gateway.

Last week (december 2021) we have purchased more than ten units of this same device and we cant use LoRa module:

  • The routers came with RouterOS 6.47, but without the LoRa package installed
  • After updating to RouterOS 6.49 mmips and install the LoRa package, we could enter in the LoRa config, but no gateway was detected.
  • We have open one of the routers and it has the LoRa8 mini PCI in place. Even we have reconnected it to test if it was due to bad position. No luck.
  • This happens in at least three of the new routers, the rest will be tested tomorrow.

¿any suggestion?
¿is it needed another package additionaly to lora one?
¿could be some additional config step required?

Thank you

2

You need to add the LoRa package from the Mikrotik ->Downloads->“Extra Packages”, extract out the LoRa package and drag it into winbox, the same as you would to upgrade the router with the main software update.
So I would update to the latest long-term or stable(depending on your risk assessment), reboot , then (winbox)System->Routerboard->Upgrade(so the boards firmware is also updated), reboot again.
Then drag over the extra package(s) from the same version release as your main routerboard routeros version( eg your lora package).
Reboot, and all should be ready to go.

3

As I said, that is what we have done, with the last stable release and the last long-term release.
Nothink worked so far.
The 100% of the units are useless right now.
We suspect the mini-pci LR modules are broken or there is some problem with this hardware batch.

4

Do you see LoRa menu in winbox? If yes, then lora module is loaded correctly.
Do you see any devices in list when you enter Lora menu? If yes, then lora-card is connected correctly.
Do you see any numbers in Stats tab? If yes, then traffic is flowing througn.

It depends on what you want to achieve, but for TheThingsNetwork you have to register GatewayID in the portal and then you’ll see Connected and actual messages there in the portal.

5

SOLVED

With some clues from this post: http://forum.mikrotik.com/t/r11e-lora9-not-recognized-not-detected/139065/1
we finally managed LR8 to work.

Usually this model comes with RouterOS prepared to work with LoRa, but this batch came with the standard config,
so it is not enough to install the packages.
It was the USB configuration.

The solution:
Lateral Menu > System > RouterBOARD > Button “USB” > set type to “min-PCIe” > OK

When you get info from usb detail in terminal you should see 4 devices:
[admin@ltap] > /system resource usb print detail

Thank you all for your feedback.