Prerequisites: This guide assumes that your FreedomFi gateway is already set up and working. FreedomFi gateway software is updated to 1.8.x version.
Step 1: Radio Placement
To start, make sure you select a good place for the Small Cell as obstructions will decrease coverage. CBRS signals have less range than LoRa. Similar to Wi-Fi they can be weakened or blocked by obstacles like walls, trees, and buildings. To capture the most data you can, you want your Small Cell to point towards a populated area, a place with a lot of people and phones.
Here are some tips for good locations for your small cell:
Coffee Shops
Restaurants
Indoor malls or gathering areas
Near a street facing window of a home or small business
Step 2: Connecting your GPS
Connect the GPS Antenna to the back of the Small Cell labeled GPS. The other end should be placed near a window to help secure a GPS lock.
Step 3: Connect the Ethernet Cable to your Radio
Connect the ethernet cable to the port labeled WAN on the Radio.
Step 4: Connect Ethernet Cable to the Gateway
Connect the other end of the ethernet cable to the port labeled eNB1 the FreedomFi Gateway. Two additional CBRS small cells are supported on the eNB2 and eNB3 ports.
Step 5: Connect Power to the Radio
Connect the Power cable to the back of the Radio.
Step 6: Verify LED Status
If all goes well, you should see the leds come online. The SYNC, PWR, and WAN leds will be solid green after 10 minutes. The LTE led may take up to 24 hours and should be blue/ it may blink during connectivity. The small cell is now ready to use.
Step 7: Verify Connectivity Status
Visit the official Helium Dashboard and log into your wallet and review your Radio dashboard at the bottom. If all goes well you should see all statuses in green.
Step 8: You are all done!
Congratulations, you are all setup, please all 24-48 hours for the radio to fully come to life.