The FreedomFi Gateway is a multi-protocol miner for the Helium network. It comes with the ability to mine HNT for providing LoRa coverage, and is also expandable with plug-and-play support for Powered by FreedomFi certified Helium 5G CBRS Small Cells to mine MOBILE for providing cellular coverage and data for the Helium 5G network.
We know you are excited, but please follow the setup steps carefully. Report any problems to our support team.
It is highly recommended that you open this guide on a computer or tablet, or print this guide out instead of following it on the smart phone that you will use to run the app and onboard the gateway.
It is highly recommended that you open this guide on a computer or tablet, or print this guide out instead of following it on the smart phone that you will use to run the app and onboard the gateway.
On the mobile device you plan to set up the miner (usually a smart 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, create your account and a wallet, then unbox the FreedomFi Gateway and get ready!
Before you start the onboarding flow, find a good location to place the FreedomFi Gateway, ideally so it has a clear view of the sky!
Obstructions reduce the antenna’s ability to communicate with the LoRa network and can reduce earnings and coverage.
Attach the included LoRa antenna to the FreedomFi Gateway.
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 (CAT6 or CAT7 is recommended) from your internet router to the port labeled WAN on the FreedomFi Gateway. It needs to be able to get access to the internet and DHCP from your internet router to work.
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 supply into your wall outlet and the FreedomFi Gateway to power it on. A small red light will appear when it’s powered on.
DO NOT press the pairing button before the app tells you to. When you plug in power, the Gateway will automatically start booting without pushing the pairing button.
NOTE: The Pairing button light is always red… so red is good, it means the gateway is on!
In order to keep the FreedomFi Gateway quiet and remove the need for a fan for cooling, the aluminum case is designed to function as a heat sink, dissipating heat through the ribs on the top and sides. It is normal for the case to feel warm to the touch while the gateway is on.
To link your gateway, open the Helium App. If you haven’t done it already, create an account now to proceed with the next steps. Open 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 mobile website.
Click the Scan button to launch the camera app. (You may have to grant your web browser access to the camera in order to scan the QR code). Scan the QR code (containing the gateway serial number) which is printed on the underside of the FreedomFi Gateway and click Next button to continue.
Confirm the Helium App Wallet ID and click the Next button to continue
Once powered on, the FreedomFi Gateway will be connected to FreedomFi servers to register, download and update the gateway to the latest version of the FreedomFi 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 proceed to the next screen by the app.
Once “Press the Pairing Button” appears on your phone as shown, quickly press and release the pairing button and then click “Next.”
After you push the Pairing 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 Helium app and Helium Explorer as it goes through the Helium registration and synchronization process. Once added, the Gateway can be viewed and managed in the hotspots tab of the Helium mobile app.
To access the FreedomFI Local Console WebUI, please connect to the following URL from a device on the same local network. Once there, it’ll take a few seconds to show the true status. (Remote access is in development)
FreedomFI Local Console WebUI: http://freedomfi-gateway.local/
*Please bookmark this page for diagnostics, as it also displays stats and important information about the device.
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.
