Long Range LoRa Communication with RM95 Breakout Board
By Official Hobby Components Online Store | Buy Electronic Kits, Components, Boards, Shields, Modules | Published: 2026-10-24
Category: How-to Guides
Learn how to set up the RM95 breakout board for long range wireless LoRa communication with Arduino. Step-by-step wiring, library setup, and code example included.
Quick Answer
The RM95 breakout board lets you add long range LoRa wireless communication to any Arduino project. This guide walks you through wiring, library installation, and sending your first packet.
Why Use a Breakout Board for the RM95 Module?
The RM95 module itself has 2mm pitch pads that are difficult to connect directly to a breadboard or Arduino. The breakout board converts those pads to standard 0.1" spacing, making it compatible with jumper wires and solderless breadboards. It also provides a dedicated antenna pad so you can attach a wire, coil, or SMA connector for better range.
This setup is ideal for projects that need kilometer-range wireless links, such as remote sensors, weather stations, or outdoor data loggers. LoRa's spread-spectrum modulation gives you reliable communication even in noisy environments, though data rates stay low (typically a few hundred bps).
Limitations to Know Before Starting
The RM95 breakout board does not include an onboard voltage regulator or level shifter. You must supply 3.3V logic and power—applying 5V to any pin will damage the module. If your Arduino runs at 5V, use a logic level converter or a 3.3V Arduino board like the Pro Mini 3.3V or ESP32.
LoRa range depends heavily on antenna quality and line of sight. A simple quarter-wave wire antenna works for testing, but for maximum distance, consider a tuned 868/915 MHz antenna matched to your region's frequency band.
RM95 Breakout Board Setup Steps
- Wiring the Breakout Board to Arduino: Connect VCC to 3.3V, GND to GND, TX to Arduino RX (pin 2), RX to Arduino TX (pin 3). Use a logic level converter if your Arduino runs at 5V. Double-check that you are using 3.3V, not 5V, on the VCC pin—applying 5V will destroy the module.
- Installing the LoRa Library: Open the Arduino IDE, go to Sketch > Include Library > Manage Libraries, search for 'LoRa by Sandeep Mistry', and install the latest version. The library expects the module to use hardware serial on pins 0 and 1 by default. If you use different pins, you must modify the library or use SoftwareSerial.
- Attaching an Antenna: Solder a quarter-wave wire (approx. 8.2 cm for 868 MHz, 7.8 cm for 915 MHz) to the ANT pad on the breakout board. For best range, use a proper SMA-connected antenna. Never operate the module without an antenna—it can damage the transmitter. Keep the antenna as straight and clear of metal as possible.
- Sending Your First LoRa Packet: Upload the LoRaSender example from the library. Open the Serial Monitor at 9600 baud. You should see 'Sending packet: hello 0' repeating every few seconds. If you see no output, check that the baud rate matches and that the module's TX/RX pins are correctly connected to the Arduino's RX/TX.
- Receiving the Packet with a Second Board: Upload the LoRaReceiver example to a second Arduino with an identical RM95 breakout board. The receiver will print received packets to the Serial Monitor. Both modules must use the same frequency and spreading factor. The library defaults to 868E6 (868 MHz) — change it in the code if you are in a 915 MHz region.
Product Details
- RM95 Breakout Board: The RM95 breakout board brings out the 2mm pitch pads of the RM95 module to a breadboard-friendly 0.1" pitch and adds a separate antenna pad. You can connect the module directly to an Arduino with standard Dupont wires and easily attach an external antenna for improved range.
RM95 Breakout Board
