MikroTik R11e-LR8 LoRa 863–870 MHz MiniPCI-e Card

The MikroTik R11e-LR8 is a MiniPCI-e LoRa® radio card — a hardware expansion module that installs into the MiniPCI-e slot of a compatible MikroTik device and adds a full LoRa® 863–870 MHz radio to that device's capability set. Where the KNOT LR8 kit is a complete standalone LoRa® gateway in a dedicated enclosure, the R11e-LR8 is the expansion path for operators who already have a MikroTik RouterOS device deployed — a wAP LTE kit, a router at a fixed site, or any RouterBOARD with an available MiniPCI-e slot — and want to add LoRa® gateway capability to that existing device without deploying a second physical unit.

The SX1301 baseband processor is the industry reference chipset for LoRa® gateway hardware. Semtech's SX1301 is the same processor used in the majority of professional LoRa® gateways deployed in commercial and industrial LoRaWAN networks — it provides 8 multi-spreading-factor channels operating simultaneously, enabling the R11e-LR8 to receive LoRa® transmissions from up to 1,000 end-devices concurrently. The 8-channel multi-SF architecture means the gateway does not need to know in advance what spreading factor each end-device is using — SF7 through SF12 transmissions on each of the 8 channels are all received and decoded simultaneously. For a LoRaWAN network where end-devices use adaptive data rate (ADR) — adjusting their spreading factor automatically based on signal quality — the 8 multi-SF channel architecture handles the full ADR range without configuration.

The 863–870 MHz frequency range is the European and international LoRa® band — the same band covered by the KNOT LR8 kit and the HGO-LTE-W combo antenna. This is the correct band for European and international LoRaWAN deployments. For North American and Canadian deployments using the 902–928 MHz LoRa® band, the R11e-LR9 (915 MHz) is the correct card — confirm which frequency band your LoRaWAN network operates on before ordering.

The MiniPCI-e form factor is the key compatibility constraint. The R11e-LR8 installs into a standard MiniPCI-e slot — the same slot used by LTE modem cards in the wAP LTE kit, RouterBOARD LTE cards, and other MikroTik expansion modules. The compatible MikroTik devices with available MiniPCI-e slots should be confirmed from your MikroTik distributor or the MikroTik product compatibility documentation before purchasing — not every RouterBOARD has an available MiniPCI-e slot, and some devices have the slot occupied by a factory-installed LTE modem. Devices with two MiniPCI-e slots — such as the wAP LTE kit if the modem occupies one slot — may support simultaneous LTE + LoRa® operation from a single device with the R11e-LR8 installed in the second slot. Confirm slot availability and dual-card support with your distributor.

The -40°C to +85°C operating temperature range is the widest in this product batch — 15°C higher upper limit than most products in this session. The +85°C upper limit reflects the R11e-LR8's design for installation inside enclosures and equipment chassis where internal temperatures can significantly exceed external ambient — a relevant consideration for RouterBOARD devices installed in outdoor enclosures, equipment cabinets, or wall boxes in Canadian summer conditions.

RouterOS integration for the R11e-LR8 operates through the LoRa® package — MikroTik's RouterOS LoRa® software stack that provides the network server functionality, device management, and upstream connectivity to LoRaWAN network servers such as The Things Network (TTN), ChirpStack, and other LoRaWAN network server platforms. The RouterOS LoRa® package enables the host RouterOS device to function as a LoRa® packet forwarder or as an integrated network server — confirm the current RouterOS LoRa® package capabilities and supported firmware version from MikroTik's documentation before deployment.

CE and RoHS certifications are confirmed. No FCC or IC certification is listed. For a LoRa® radio transmitter operating in the 863–870 MHz band, IC certification (ISED) is required for legal operation in Canada. However, the 863–870 MHz band is the European LoRa® frequency — Canadian LoRa® networks operate at 902–928 MHz (915 MHz). The R11e-LR8 at 863–870 MHz is not the correct card for Canadian LoRaWAN deployments regardless of IC certification status — the R11e-LR9 (915 MHz) is the correct Canadian-market card. The R11e-LR8's Canadian market use case is limited to deployments using European-band LoRaWAN infrastructure in Canada, which is non-standard.

Key specifications:

- **Radio:** LoRa® 863–870 MHz

- **Baseband processor:** Semtech SX1301

- **Channels:** 8 multi-spreading-factor (multi-SF) channels

- **Max concurrent end-devices:** Up to 1,000

- **Form factor:** MiniPCI-e

- **Operating temperature:** -40°C to +85°C

- **Certifications:** CE, RoHS — no FCC, no IC published

- **Product code:** R11e-LR8

- **Suggested price:** USD 79.00

Note: 863–870 MHz European LoRa® band only — not the correct card for Canadian 902–928 MHz LoRaWAN networks. The R11e-LR9 (915 MHz) is the correct card for North American and Canadian deployments. MiniPCI-e slot availability in the host device must be confirmed before purchase.