Mode LoRa raw

LoRa (raw): point-to-point LoRa frames as hex and text, SF / bandwidth set or searched (receive only, no decryption).

Group	IoT & sensors
Default frequency	868.1 MHz
Default sample rate	2 Msps
In the mode list	IoT, sub-GHz

Step-by-step: Tutorial-LoRa-raw

What LoRa (raw) is

LoRa is a chirp-spread-spectrum radio used for point-to-point links and IoT. This mode shows plain LoRa frames between two radios: not LoRaWAN and not a mesh.

Frequencies and settings

Plain point-to-point LoRa (not LoRaWAN, not a mesh) on 433, 868 and 915 MHz (and any frequency you type; 137 MHz to 2.5 GHz is what a typical radio reaches), SF5 - SF12, 125 / 250 / 500 kHz, from 1 Msps (an RTL-SDR works).

Setting	Value
Start frequency	868.1 MHz
Tuning range of the mode table	137 to 2500 MHz
Sample rate asked	2 Msps
Lowest working rate	1 Msps
Channel width	250 kHz

OnAir takes any frequency you type; the numbers above are the mode's starting point and the range its table describes. In the app the shortcut label is IoT, sub-GHz.

What OnAir shows

Every frame as bytes (hex and text) with SNR, level, carrier offset and time. You set the spreading factor, bandwidth, header mode (explicit, or implicit with coding rate, CRC and length), sync word and frequency (EU868, US915, 433 presets), or leave spreading factor and bandwidth on Auto and every combination is searched. Receive only: nothing is sent, decrypted or interpreted, the payload is just the bytes.

The mode's own tab has these screens: Frames, Settings, Decoders. The other tabs (Overview, Receiver, Scan, History) are described on the Main window page.

Tips and caveats

• Checked with generated signals and impairments; recordings of real signals welcome.
• Which radio: Usually yes for narrowband signals: an RTL-SDR tunes roughly 24 MHz to 1.7 GHz at up to about 2.4 Msps. Wide signals such as TV channels need a faster radio, and OnAir says next to the source what the selected radio can do.
• Try it without a radio: most modes include a built-in synthetic test signal, so you can open the screen and try the controls first.
• Receiving and the law: This mode is passive. It only receives, never connects, pairs or joins networks, and never decrypts payloads. Check the rules where you live. See Legal.

Related pages

• All modes, IoT & sensors
• Supported radios, Troubleshooting, FAQ
• More in IoT & sensors: ISM sensors, LoRaWAN, Meshtastic, MeshCore, Bluetooth LE, Zigbee / 802.15.4, Wi-Fi HaLow (802.11ah), ANT+ sensors, DECT cordless phones, Wi-SUN FAN, Wi-Fi networks