This Kit Provides a Fun Way to Learn LoRa

The LoRa wireless protocol allows for long-range transmission of small bits of data without a cellular infrastructure. Distributed IoT monitoring is a great application for such a device, and it can also be used for off-grid messaging. Actually getting started with this tech, however, leads to a variety of questions, including what hardware to use, and how to program it.

As an easy way to get started with this wireless tech, Patrick Thomas Mitchell is offering the LoRa Kit as a crowdfunding project on Kickstarter. The main physical parts of this ensemble are a Heltec WiFi LoRa 32(V2) board, along with a custom carrier module that has niceties such as an array of buttons, level shifter, microphone, and motion sensor. The full kit also comes with an antenna, enabling it to transmit hundreds of meters.

With at least two of these devices other, you could monitor distant areas for motion or sound, unlock a door from many meters away, or send a message to your neighbor. Everything is ready to go (or ready to assemble depending on the reward level), and there are multi-kit rewards that provide two or more modules for full back-and-forth communication.

In addition to the hardware itself, Mitchell plans to include commented code samples, as well as setup and discussion videos. Documented projects are set up as sequential lessons, so that you can learn and make without getting lost somewhere in the process. There’s even an info-only tier that you can sign up for if you’d like to provide your own hardware and simply want access to the learning resources.

The kit looks like a great way to get started with LoRa. This is Mitchell's 43rd Kickstarter campaign (39 of which were successful), so it would seem that ultimate delivery of the device is a good bet!