A while back we created a guide to establishing the optimal Helium Hotspot setup for maximizing your HNT earnings. Now, we’ve officially launched our online store where you can purchase upgraded hotspot kits or individual add-ons to create the perfect Helium mining system for your home or building. You can still receive a free Helium Hotspot by registering with JAG here, but we highly recommend adding a few upgrades to significantly boost your HNT earnings.
Each Helium Hotspot miner (officially referred to as a “gateway”) is essentially a miniature cell tower that gets installed in your home or building. These “gateways” come equipped with a Helium-enabled chip that allows the device to participate in their LongFi (or LoRaWAN) network. The primary purpose of this network is to send and receive small amounts of data over a wide area from IoT sensor devices. That data is subsequently communicated to the Helium blockchain which then confirms the activity of the various devices involved.
As you probably know by now, participants are incentivized to install these Helium gateways through the HNT (Helium Token) rewards that they earn. Whenever a device establishes its active presence on the network or transmits data from IoT sensors, the Helium blockchain sends HNT directly to the digital wallet of the gateway owner. Basically, you earn HNT tokens by maintaining and facilitating the use of Helium’s LongFi network solutions.
In order for your device to participate in the Helium LongFi network, it requires a constant WiFi connection to access the blockchain and an antenna for transmitting radio waves (aka communicating) to other hotspots or sensors. While the specifics vary based on your location, the basic premise is that the more data your Helium Hotspot transmits, the more HNT you earn. The biggest factors that affect your HNT earnings include your area’s saturation, the placement of your device, and the antenna’s strength, directionality, and line of sight.
We’ll get into how these factors should inform your decision to purchase kits or upgrades below, but first let’s quickly recap how it works to join “The People’s Network” with the help of JAG.
By registering for a free Helium Hotspot miner with JAG, you can start earning HNT without any upfront costs (aside from shipping). In exchange for the free device, we collect 80% of the overall HNT that’s rewarded each month. We then send the remaining 20% to your JAG Portal where you can decide to receive payment in the form of USD, ETH, BTC, or HNT.
While that 80% commission might seem like a lot, it’s important to keep in mind that we assume the entire cost of the device (which range from $950-$1200) and we enable you to skip the 6-month or longer waitlists that most distributors currently have in place. Our leasing contracts are also month-to-month and we have no cancellation fees, so you can get connected and get rewarded immediately without any risk. We also don’t charge any fees for converting your HNT into USD, BTC, or ETH when you decide to cash out.
We aim to be fully transparent and upfront about our hotspot leasing program. Our commission rates are among the lowest in the industry and we have one of the highest acceptance rates out there. As long as you have a legitimate building or residence, then we’ll immediately qualify you for a free Helium Hotspot and get it to you within two weeks. JAG is the easiest and fastest way to join the Helium Network and start earning a truly passive income via HNT rewards.
Currently, JAG is leasing the Browan MerryIoT V1 Helium Gateway for free to all approved hosts that join our network. This device is preregistered and ready to use out-of-the-box. It includes a standard 2.6 dBi indoor antenna and is designed for indoor placements.
While you could decide to simply install the standalone Browan MerryIoT Hotspot, you’ll most likely find that your HNT earnings are not as exemplary as you’d hoped. This is particularly true if your building is in an overly saturated area (i.e. one with several nearby active Helium Hotspots).
The best-case scenario is to install your device in a building with fewer than three active hotspots within a 0.3-mile radius (the size of the Helium hexagon grid that each device forms). You’ll also want to be sure that your hotspot’s antenna has a clear line of sight so it can properly communicate to other distant devices. That usually means you’ll need to upgrade to an outdoor kit with a more powerful antenna so you can ensure the most optimal reach possible. You can think of it somewhat like a satellite dish. With higher placements and fewer obstructions, you can achieve a better signal distribution and potentially earn more HNT.
Through the new JAG online store, we offer pre-built kits for indoor and outdoor hotspot setups, as well as custom kit building options to fit your unique needs. Our kits are designed to be one-stop-shop solutions, however, you can also purchase individual upgrades or accessories via our product catalog.
We offer Bronze, Silver, and Gold tier kits for indoor hotspot setups. The Bronze Indoor kit is priced at $0.00 because it’s simply the free Browan MerryIoT Hotspot that we lease to our approved hosts.
Our Silver Indoor Kit is priced at $29.99 and includes the Browan MerryIot Hotspot and an Indoor Stick-on Antenna. As we mentioned above, the Browan MerryIoT devices do come with their own 2.6 dBi antenna. However, these out-of-the-box antennas attach directly to the hotspot, making it somewhat difficult to place near a window where it can have the clearest line of sight. The Indoor Stick-on Antenna upgrade offers a more convenient solution where you can actually attach or “stick-on” the antenna directly to or nearby a window. You can then run the antenna chord down to your hotspot device which can be stored however you see fit.
Our Gold Indoor Kit is priced at $39.98 and includes everything in the Silver Indoor Kit, plus an additional Cat 7 Ethernet cable. While the Browan MerryIoT hotspots don’t require a wired connection to your internet source, having an ethernet cable can ensure that your device maintains stable WiFi access to communicate with the Helium blockchain.
Indoor hotspot setups have been known to generate fairly decent HNT rewards depending on the area saturation and strategic device placement. That being said, you’ll more than likely boost your HNT earnings if you’re able to implement an outdoor solution. Windows and screens, landscaping, and tightly packed buildings are all common obstructions that can make it difficult for your device’s antenna to properly send and receive data. As we mentioned above, placing your setup at a higher level will almost surely increase your network connectivity and overall HNT earnings.
We also offer Bronze, Silver, and Gold tiered packages for our Outdoor Kits.
Our Bronze Outdoor Kits start at $89.97 and include the following: 1 Free Browan MerryIoT Hotspot, 1 Weatherproof Plastic Enclosure, 1 RG-58 Type N Male to RP-SMA Male cable, and 1 Plastic Waterproof Omni-Directional Antenna.
The Weatherproof Plastic Enclosure comes in Medium or Large sizes. The medium-sized version will perfectly fit the Browan MerryIoT Helium Gateway and enable it to be safely installed outdoors. The larger-sized option is designed to enclose both the Browan MerryIoT gateway and an additional cellular transmitter in case you’re hoping to leverage the Helium Network for your own device connectivity.
The RG-58 Type N Male to RP-SMA Male cable is a coaxial cable that connects your hotspot to your Waterproof Omni-Directional Antenna. We offer this cable in 1m, 2m, 3m, and 5m lengths. The length that you’ll need will depend on how far away your antenna placement is from your actual hotspot device. Keep in mind that your hotspot requires WiFi connectivity and will need a stable power source. At the same time, you’ll likely want to place your antenna as high up on your building as possible. We recommend scouting out a potential placement in your home or building and measuring the distance between your nearest power source, WiFi signal, and potential antenna location before you determine which length of cable you’ll need.
The Waterproof Omni-Directional Antenna is simply an outdoor version of the standard antenna that comes equipped with your Browan MerryIoT device. As we stated above, you’ll achieve the best results if you can place this antenna as high up as possible with the fewest possible obstructions in its line of sight.
Our Silver Outdoor Kits start at $109.97 and include 1 free Browan MerryIoT device, 1 Weatherproof Plastic Enclosure (medium or large), 1 RG-58 Type N Female to RP SMA Male cable (available in 1m, 2m, 3m, and 5m lengths), and 1 Rokland 5.8dBi Antenna.
The major differences between the Bronze and Silver Outdoor kits are the antenna and cable that’s offered. With the upgraded Silver package, you receive a 5.8dBi fiberglass antenna and a slightly different type of coaxial cable (female to male) which will connect it to your device.
The Rokland 5.8dBi Antenna measures 32 inches in length and is fluffy certified for outdoor environments. Generally speaking, the higher dBi your antenna has, the farther the signal will travel. At the same time, the signal width becomes narrower and narrower as the strength increases. This means that you’ll want to strategically place your higher-powered antenna in a direction where it will be able to transmit the most data across the Helium network.
Our Gold Outdoor Kits start at $363.97 and include 1 free Browan MerryIoT Helium Gateway, 1 120 VAC Weatherproof Enclosure with Cooling Fan, 1 LMR 400 Type N Female to RP SMA Male cable (available in 1m, 2m, 3m, and 5m sizes), and 1 L-com 8dBi Omni-Directional Antenna.
The 120 VAC Weatherproof Enclosure with Cooling Fan is designed to keep your Browan MerryIoT device cool while placed in rugged or high-temperature areas. In an indoor setting, a hotspot’s temperature is almost never an issue. However, when placed on a rooftop or area with direct sunlight and extreme outdoor temperatures, overheating and exposure to the elements can certainly become a problem. This weatherproof enclosure will ensure that your device remains cool and online in practically any climate.
The L-com 8dBi Omni-Directional Antenna is a high-performance device that’s designed to send and receive signals from far and wide. If you’re in an overly saturated area and are hoping to expand your device’s reach above and beyond your neighbors, then this is the antenna for you. Like our other outdoor equipment, it is suitable for outdoor use and should be placed as high on our building as possible for optimal performance.
Regardless of your situation, a standalone Browan MerryIoT Hotspot (or other Helium Hotspot device) properly installed inside your home or building will almost always earn you an exciting amount of HNT. No one can know for certain how much HNT your device will be rewarded on average until it’s actually installed and activated. Still, a basic rule of thumb is that the more powerful antenna you have and the higher you install it, the more potential you’ll gain to transmit data across “The People’s Network.” And, in general, the more data your device transfers, the more HNT you’ll earn.
With all of that in mind, we usually recommend opting for outdoor placements over indoor setups whenever possible. If you do choose to install an outdoor kit, then you’ll want to make sure your hotspot is always within range of a power source and your WiFi connectivity. If need be, you can supplement any outdoor kit with an ethernet cable to solidify its connection.
To receive a standalone Browan MerryIoT Helium Gateway and become a part of the JAG and Helium networks, click here and complete the checkout. Otherwise, click below to shop our pre-built kits and individual product catalog to maximize your HNT rewards and truly start earning a passive income with “The People’s Network.
