RAKwireless Bulletin: New Gateways for LoRaWAN®, Field Testing Tools, and Deployment Innovations
Welcome to the RAKwireless Bulletin!
Our latest bulletin highlights new gateways, field testing tools, and deployment resources designed for real-world IoT network operations. Whether you're planning a new deployment or optimizing an existing network, these updates focus on faster setup, better coverage visibility, and more reliable long-term performance.
Let’s dive in.
New Gateways for LoRaWAN, Devices & Deployment Solutions
WisMesh 1W Booster Starter Kit for Meshtastic: Real Long-Range, Two-Way Performance
Long range only matters if communication works both ways.
The WisMesh 1W Booster Starter Kit for Meshtastic networks is built to deliver reliable two-way long-range performance, not just bigger numbers on a spec sheet.
For mesh deployments in the field, a stable uplink alone is not enough. Devices need to send and receive reliably across distances, especially in environments where terrain, interference, and infrastructure limitations affect performance.
BACnet Gateway RAK7437: Connecting Sensors for LoRaWAN to BACnet-Based BMS
The BACnet Gateway for LoRaWAN RAK7437 connects wireless sensors to BACnet-based Building Management Systems, making it easier to integrate them into existing building infrastructure.
Key features include:
- Unified LoRaWAN and BACnet management
- Automatic BACnet point generation
- Persistent point mapping for easier device replacement
- Protocol-level BACnet security
- Reliable performance under high-frequency polling
Built for smart buildings, factories, and facility operations, the RAK7437 helps scale wireless sensing without adding wiring complexity.
WisGate Connect Outdoor RAK7393/RAK7393C: Flexible Outdoor Connectivity for Serious Deployments
Another major launch was the WisGate Connect Outdoor RAK7393/RAK7393C, a new outdoor gateway for LoRaWAN built around the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4.
Designed for scalable outdoor deployments, it brought together:
- Up to 16 LoRa channels
- Ethernet, WiFi, and optional LTE backhaul
- IP67 enclosure for harsh environments
- PoE and power monitoring support
- Built-in GPS for geolocation and synchronization
- RAKPiOS with Docker support for edge services
This launch positioned the RAK7393 as a strong fit for smart cities, industrial IoT, and remote infrastructure projects that required both flexibility and industrial-grade reliability.
WisBlock HAT for Raspberry Pi RAK6421: A Modular IoT Hub for Pi Builders
We also introduced the WisBlock HAT for Raspberry Pi RAK6421, designed for Raspberry Pi 4, 5, and Pi Zero 2W.
The RAK6421 made it easier to connect WisBlock modules directly to a Raspberry Pi without requiring an extra baseboard. With support for LoRa®, GNSS, sensors, and IO modules, plus HAT+ compliance and plug-and-play integration, it opened the door to cleaner and more scalable prototyping.
Field Tester Pad RAK7590: Better Visibility for On-Site LoRaWAN Testing
To round out the recent hardware releases, we launched the Field Tester Pad RAK7590 for LoRaWAN.
Built for installers and engineers making gateway placement decisions on site, the Field Tester Pad helped visualize signal quality more clearly with:
- A large screen for easier location tagging
- Heatmap visualization for faster analysis
- Test report viewing and download for comparison
In challenging indoor, industrial, and urban environments, this new tool aimed to reduce guesswork and improve deployment planning.
Deployment Tools, Tutorials & Technical Guides
Field Tester Plus (RAK10701-Plus): Indoor Coverage Testing, Range Testing, and Firmware Upgrade
- Indoor Coverage Testing, Range Testing, and Firmware Upgrade (image 1).jpg?fm=webp)
Field testing remained a major focus, with several posts and tutorials centered around Field Tester Plus.
Watch this video to learn how to use Field Tester Plus with a WisGate gateway for indoor coverage testing, including extension installation, built-in LNS configuration, and live RSSI/SNR viewing.
Watch Video - image 2.jpg?fm=webp)
Watch this step-by-step tutorial showing how existing RAK10701-P users could upgrade to Field Tester Plus (RAK10701-Plus) using WisToolBox. You’ll be guided through downloading firmware, flashing the device, and unlocking advanced features, such as:
- Indoor and outdoor testing
- Real-time RSSI, SNR, and PLR analysis
- Tag positioning and data export
- Easier LNS connectivity
Want a tutorial focused on running a LoRaWAN range test with Field Tester Plus? This video includes test mode, manual point labeling, Force Uplink, and CSV export for post-test analysis.
Watch VideoWisGateOS 2 Tutorials: Practical Features for Long-Term Gateway Operations
We also published several new WisGateOS 2 video tutorials focused on everyday gateway operations.
This video explains Automatic Log Rotation, showing how it helped prevent storage overflow, reduce SD card slowdowns, and keep gateways running smoothly over long periods in the field.
Watch Video - image 5.jpg?fm=webp)
Another covered Auto Add Device (OTAA), demonstrating how users could automatically register compatible LoRaWAN devices when they sent a join request, reducing manual work during deployment.
Watch Video
A third tutorial walked through Multi-WAN Backup, explaining how WisGateOS 2 could automatically switch between Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and Cellular connections to maintain uptime during outages.
Watch VideoEarly FUOTA Demo on RAK3172 with ChirpStackOS
We also shared a step-by-step FUOTA demo on the RAK3172 using RUI3 v5 and ChirpStackOS.
The video showed the full process, from application creation and OTAA join to multicast-based firmware fragment delivery in Class C. Since this feature was still in early beta, the demo was positioned as a learning and testing resource rather than a production-ready workflow.
Watch Video
Platform Updates & Resource Improvements
WisDM: Documentation Reorganized Around Real User Workflows
One of the important platform updates was the restructuring of WisDM documentation.
Rather than organizing content mainly by feature, the new structure followed a more user-driven path from onboarding to deployment and ongoing management. It introduced a clearer sequence and expanded support for tasks such as:
- Location management
- Organization management
- Device pre-provisioning
- API integration in an operational context
This update reflected a broader shift toward making documentation easier to navigate based on what users were trying to accomplish, not just what features existed.
WisBlock Accelerator: A New Resource Hub for Faster Prototyping
We launched the WisBlock Accelerator page, a new resource hub designed to help IoT developers move faster from idea to working prototype.
The collection brought together practical materials such as:
- Step-by-step how-to guides
- Tutorials using RAK modules
- Integration guides with Blues Notecard
- Technical references and implementation examples
For engineers validating ideas, building proof-of-concepts, or preparing for production, the WisBlock Accelerator created a more focused starting point for development.
Strategy, Operations & Industry Conversations
LoRaWAN Scalability in 2025: Why Operations Mattered
Last month, our CEO Ken Yu shared a message about an important reality: scaling LoRaWAN sustainably requires operational maturity, not just more endpoints.
The post highlighted how network growth brings new demands around reliability, remote management, troubleshooting, and automation. It also reflected on progress made during 2025, including a stronger WisDM foundation, a more stable WisGateOS 2, and operational extensions shaped by field experience.
Read CEO’s messageGavin Brown Joined the Things Conference Conversation
At The Things Conference, our very own VP of Strategic Growth & Design Partner, Gavin Brown, joined Marc Pous, Developer Relations at Edge Impulse, for a discussion on the state of LoRaWAN, modular IoT hardware, and the future of private wireless networks.
The conversation touched on several themes that matter deeply to the RAKwireless community, including:
- The importance of modular design
- Cost-effective and reliable gateway infrastructure
- Mesh networking in real-world deployments
- Use cases across smart buildings, agriculture, and energy
A Practical Look at Solar-Powered Gateway Deployments
Carl Rowan, our Technical Marketing, shared a practical product highlight focused on solar-powered gateway deployments.
The post explored a common challenge in the field: securing reliable power for gateway installations, especially in remote or temporary setups. It pointed to solar-compatible options using WisGate Edge Pro and Soho Pro with Battery Plus, and highlighted capabilities such as cold-weather tolerance, multi-day runtime under limited sunlight, safe-temperature charging, and remote monitoring through WisDM.
Opening a Conversation Around Modbus Polling in Real Projects
Our Product Manager, Ting Ma, also started an industry conversation around a practical engineering question: how many scheduled Modbus polling tasks do users actually need in real projects?
Using the Bridge IO series as context, the post asked whether support for up to 200 tasks was truly valuable in the field or whether it risked becoming unnecessary complexity. The accompanying survey invited feedback from users in solar, energy, BMS, and industrial automation.
This kind of discussion helped ground product development in real deployment experience, which remained one of the strongest themes across the month.
The previous months highlighted practical progress: new products for smarter deployments, better tools for field testing, stronger gateway operations content, and improved resources for both developers and network operators.
From BACnet integration and outdoor connectivity to documentation updates and real-world discussions about LoRaWAN scalability, the focus stayed firmly on helping users build, deploy, and manage with more confidence.
More launches, tutorials, and product updates are on the way.
TL;DR:
- New LoRaWAN® hardware: long-range mesh kit, BACnet gateway, outdoor gateway, and Raspberry Pi IoT HAT
- Field tools improved: new Field Tester Pad + upgrades/tutorials for Field Tester Plus
- WisGateOS 2 updates: auto log rotation, auto device onboarding, multi-WAN backup
- New resources: WisDM docs redesigned + WisBlock Accelerator for faster prototyping
- Key focus: easier deployment, better testing visibility, and more reliable operations
- Industry insights: scaling LoRaWAN requires operational maturity, not just more devices
