FreedomFi Gateway is the first omni-protocol miner for the Helium network. It will mine HNT for providing LoRa coverage, but is also expandable with a certified CBRS Small Cell (and later Wi-Fi access points) to mine cellular traffic.
We know you are excited, but please make sure to follow the steps carefully. We are still in beta and it’s easy to break things, particularly if you improvise the onboarding flow. Report any problems to our support.
It is highly recommended that you open this guide on a computer or tablet, or print this guide out instead of using it on the mobile phone. Since the mobile device will be used to complete the onboarding process and run the app, it’ll be difficult to ALSO follow this guide on it.
On the device you plan to set up the miner (usually a mobile phone), download and install the Helium App. A minimum app version 2.5.0 is required for iOS (iOS version 13 and above) and Android (OS 8 and above).
Once you have the app downloaded and a wallet created, unbox the FreedomFi Gateway and get ready!
To start with the onboarding flow, make sure you select a good place for the FreedomFi Gateway so it has a clear view of the sky!
Obstructions and hidden FreedomFi Gateway drastically impede earnings and coverage.
Make sure FreedomFi Gateway is powered off when connecting the antenna. Connecting or disconnecting the antenna to a powered device can cause permanent damage.
Plug an ethernet cable from your internet router to the port labeled WAN on the FreedomFi Gateway.
Obstructions and hidden FreedomFi Gateway drastically impede earnings and coverage.
Please ensure the ethernet cable actually provides an IP address via DHCP and gets to the Internet. A good test, take a laptop, plug in the same cable (make sure wifi is off) and test if you can Google your favorite meme.
Next plug in the power adapter to your wall outlet and the FreedomFi Gateway to power it on. A small red light will appear when it’s powered on.
FreedomFi Gateway is designed to conduct away the heat through it’s aluminum casing, hence all the ribs on top. They aren’t just for decoration. It is normal for the case to heat up while it’s operating.
Verify the internet connection. To access the FreedomFI WebUI, please connect to the following url from a device on the same network. Once there, it’ll take a few seconds to show the true status.
FreedomFI WebUI: http://freedomfi-gateway.local/
*Please bookmark this page for diagnostics, as it also displays stats and important information about the device.
In the Helium App, go to Hotspots and press + icon
Next Click on the link in the Helium App and you will be transferred to the FreedomFi On-boarding website.
Scan the QR code which is printed on the underside of the FreedomFi Gateway and click Next button to continue.
Confirm the Helium App Wallet ID and click Next button to continue
Once powered on, the FreedomFi Gateway will be connected to the main FreedomFi server to register, download and upgrade to the latest version of the software.
This process may take 5 to 15 minutes depending on the speed of your network. Once the process is complete, you will be allowed to transfer to the next screen by the app.
Plug an ethernet cable from your internet router to the port labeled WAN on the FreedomFi Gateway.
After you push the power button, nothing will beep or change on this screen. Just push it once and click Next to proceed to the next screen.
Wait until your Gateway is paired with your Helium Wallet and the “Authentication Successful” message is displayed.
Then Click on the “Link Gateway” button and you will be redirected back to the Helium App.
Follow the onscreen instructions in the Helium App.
Following the initial onboarding, it may take up to 96 hours for the FreedomFi Gateway to sync with the Helium blockchain before it starts earning any HNT.
The FreedomFi Gateway is now being added to the Helium Network. It may take some time to appear in the app as it goes through the Helium sync process. Once added, the Gateway can be viewed and managed in the hotspots tab of the mobile app.
To maximize HNT earning, it is highly recommended to set up port forwarding to the FreedomFi gateway to avoid being relayed. Check your Router’s manufacturing instructions on how to open port 44158 to the FreedomFi gateway.
To get started with port forwarding, check out https://portforward.com
“This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
– Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
– Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
– Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
– Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.”
This device complies with Industry Canada licence-exempt RSS standard(s).
Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference, including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device.
Le présent appareil est conforme aux CNR d’Industrie Canada applicables aux appareils radio exempts de licence. L’exploitation est autorisée aux deux conditions suivantes : (1) l’appareil ne doit pas produire de brouillage, et (2) l’utilisateur de l’appareil doit accepter tout brouillage radioélectrique subi, même si le brouillage est susceptible d’en compromettre le fonctionnement.
Cet émetteur doit être installé pour fournir une distance de séparation d’au moins 20 cm de toute personne.
