The Best Products for Helium Mining

Crypto currency. Block chains. Helium Mining. These are phrase’s are popping up in conversations everywhere, but what do they mean? Understanding how cryptocurrency is mined, and what hardware you need to do it can be valuable. Thanks to a block-chain based crypto currency called Helium, all you need is an internet connection, a gateway, a mining device, and an antenna. In this blog, we take a closer look at helium mining and the best devices for an optimal experience.

What is the Helium Network?

Helium was launched in 2019 with the intention of decentralising wireless infrastructure around the world. It is a global network designed for IoT devices, with the benefit a block-chain cryptocurrency. To clarify: Helium uses WiFi signals in a cost effective way, essentially peer-to-peer. Its main differences from traditional wireless are: 

• It is based in radio Long-Fi, which enables large numbers of IoT devices to connect to individual hotspots or gateways and for hotspots to interact with each other.
• Entire Helium Network is an open-source project. This makes collaborating with it easy.
• Better security and advanced privacy sensitivity thanks to enhanced data encryption.
• More reliable and scalable. 

The Helium block chain product was initially designed with the objective of allowing people with a gateway, internet access, and a mining device to get in on the excitement. It is designed for the Internet-of-Things (IoT) and based on “nodes”. These nodes or hotspots link together and connect to the network to expand it.

The idea is to assemble a network that spans across the globe, run on nodes which can be owned by anyone.

Once your hotspot is set up, and actively connected the helium network, you get rewarded with HNT coins. The concept behind this is to build an alternative option for IoT devices such as kiosks, access points and vehicle trackers to connect to instead of regular WiFi or cellular. It brings the ability to make money by crypto mining to a whole new chunk of the population, as well as building a global, stable, open-source network for IoT devices.

How Can You Earn Helium (HNT) Coins?

Cryptocurrencies have been around for some time, and in spite of some harsh criticism when they originally came out, It developed into a great investment opportunity.

HNT coins are a relatively new type of cryptocurrency and differ from other conventional cryptocurrencies. A prime example is that they are limited, which makes them more valuable. To obtain HNT coins, you need to supply  to the Helium network. This setup benefits both helium and the user. Helium gets to assemble a larger, sturdier network for IoT devices which will eventually lead them to becoming recognised as network leaders worldwide, and you make money. Remember, the whole point of HNT coins is not the actual cryptocurrency itself, it's a reward for growing a network.

To contribute, you will need a gateway, an antenna, and a little device known as a miner. The device mines the blockchain using a Proof-of-Coverage (PoC) algorithm. To do this is just needs to demonstrate  that it is active and online. It will have to respond to these “challenges”. Nearby nodes  or hotspots will fulfil these challenges using radio technology. This is different to older block chain technology that uses power intense GPU’s.

Your node will respond to the challenge by proving that it is online and active. It also provides network access to other IoT Devices in the area. You earn HNT coins for this service. In turn, your node will present  challenges to nearby nodes to ensure that they are active and online. It can also “witness” challenges issued and answered by nearby nodes, also gaining HNT coins.

The Helium network uses called Long-Fi. Your hotspot device connects directly to the Helium network using an antenna. The gateway or CAT router that you connect to your device will connect separately to either cellular or WiFi, purely to let you know what your miner is doing. This is all managed through the Helium app. The app needs a network connection from your miner to manage it. It's important to note here that your Helium node itself won't access your WiFi network. There is no chance of any of your data being hacked or otherwise compromised.

What Can You Do with HNT Coins?

The HNT coin started with a great value of around R7,89. It grew  to R31,57 within two months but dropped back to R19,73 one month later. By October 2020 HNT tokens were valued at R19,73 but dropped again to below R15,78. As of March 2022, they are worth R381,03, which shows that they are increasing in value. This is mostly because there are a capped number of coins, and that some coins get “burnt” during their lifecycle.

Trading in HNT coins  is done in in a similar way to other crypto currency. You can invest I in it  and sell it once the value increases. You can also get a crypto wallet from crypto.com which allows you to cash out your coins  or reinvest them in another crypto currency. 

What Do You Need for Helium Mining?

To contribute to the Helium network and monitor your miner, you need three things. A gateway, an antenna, and a Helium hotspot. When the network first began many people built their own hotspots. These home-built gadgets are still active today but are not eligible to earn HNT coins.

Gateways:

To monitor and manage your node device, it needs to be able to connect to your app. This can be done via WiFi or cellular signal. You can either use a gateway or a separate modem and router setup. You do not need a powerful router, as the requirements for bandwidth and power requirements of the helium miner are low. Unmanned stations in areas where the signal is better can also be set up with a gateway to keep them in touch. You can also set up a miner system on a vehicle so that it moves around to get the best chance of witnessing challenges. A CAT 4 router will be quite sufficient to keep an eye your Helium mining operation.

 We recommend:

InHand Networks InRouter302 Compact Industrial LTE CAT4 Router

• Certified with ICASA
• Remote Device Management
• Dual-Sim Card Capabilities
• Speeds Up to 150 Mbps
• Easy to Install

The InHand IR302 CAT4 is a powerful  LTE router that supplies reliable internet connection for your vehicle or home. It has two SIM slots as well as two ports. The CAT 4 allows up to 150 Mbps download and 50 Mbps upload speeds, which is great for people who require fast stable internet.

This product will be launching soon on our Bolton Technical South Africa online store!

Antennas:

 A vital part of the Helium set up is the Antenna. If your node is struggling to connect to the network, or see any other local nodes, then it cannot take part in challenges. If you live in a metropolitan area where there are a larger number of nodes, you will not necessarily need a strong antenna. However, if you live in a remote area, a long-range antenna is essential. All of our recommended antennas are able to receive Long-Fi as well as other signals.

 We recommend:

The Crossbow 5G Antenna | Bolton Technical South Africa

• High gain: up to +12 dB
• N-Female connector ports, 50 Ohm
• Over 8km of range
• Weatherproof, all-weather tested
• Works across the 617-3800 MHz cellular bands

The Crossbow has around 8km range, meaning that as long as you have some cellular reception, you can bring it directly to your node. With up to +12 dBi of gain you’ll see a significant difference when comparing it to the standard antennas that come packaged with hotspots. This makes The Crossbow ideal for remote areas, as well as inside a metal building or other structure with difficult building materials which distort signal.

The Long Ranger - Ultra High Gain Parabolic Antenna by Bolton Technical South Africa

• Can send and receive a wireless signal from 16kms away (under perfect conditions)
• Radiation pattern ranges between 4 to 20 degrees
• Designed to withstand extreme weather conditions
• Sends and receives vertically or horizontally polarized sound waves
• Provides up to +28 dB gain
• Perfect for long-range point-to-point and point-to-multipoint networks

The Long Ranger is the most powerful directional cellular antenna in the market. It’s perfect for remote environments with cell towers that a far away. 

This antenna features ultra-high gains of up to +28 dBi, making it extremely directional, which allows for farther reach. It has a radiation beam of about 10°. Thus, installation may take some time because it must be pointing at your closest cell tower with such precision for best results. In ideal circumstances, it can reach cell towers found 16kms away.

The Arrow LPDA – High Gain Directional Antenna

• Over 8kms of range
• Superior gain: up to +12 dB
• Works across the 698-2700 MHz cellular bands
• N-Female connector ports, 50 Ohm
• Weatherproof, all-weather tested

With over 8kms of range and is compatible with all South African network providers including MTN, Vodacom, Cell C and Telkom. The Arrow LPDA antenna brings signal directly from the tower to your building. Works with cell phone signal boosters, cellular modems, routers, and nodes - Plug in to your cell phone signal booster, cellular modem, mobile hotspot, range extender  or miner and see the improvement.

Miner:

A miner is a device that is used to create your Helium hotspot. It acquires challenges and shows that your hotspot is active and online in turn earning HNT coins. To manage your miner and coins, you need to install the app on your mobile, which can be found on both playstore and the app store. There are quite a few mining devices available, designed for different circumstances.

How May We Help You?

Bolton Technical is a leading provider of cell phone signal boosters, devices that amplify 4G & 3G LTE for any phone with any carrier for home, office, or car. We’ve boosted over 1,000,000 m² of signal for homes, buildings, and vehicles across America and Canada and now that same power is boosting signal across South Africa.

• Free consultation (ask us anything) with our South African-based customer support. Email us or Call us today.
• Free shipping over R500 to Major South African cities. Usually ships same day.
• 30-day money back guarantee. You want to make sure you're satisfied.

Our goal is simple: keep people connected. Ask us anything and we'll be glad to help.