RF411A
RF411A
Orderable922 MHz Spread-Spectrum Radio
Pricing
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Configuration
- -25 to +50C (Ships as 30582, 16675, & 17648)RF411A-STPart Number: 42064
- -40 to +85C (Ships as 33959, 16675, & 17648)RF411A-XTPart Number: 42065
Select a configuration to add to your quote
- Model:
- RF411A
- Item Number:
- RF411A
- Warranty:
- 1 year
Overview
The RF411A is a 900 MHz radio designed for license-free use in several countries, including Australia and New Zealand. It provides a hassle-free way to create long-distance wireless links between your computer, data loggers, and measurement devices. The RF411A has a 920 to 928 MHz operating-frequency range and a configurable transmit-power output of 5 to 250 mW.
The RF411A is compatible with all of its RF400-series radio predecessors, including the RF410, RF411, and RF431. This also means that it is compatible with the CR210, CR211(X), and AVW211.
Note: The RF411A radios are recommended for existing installations that require compatibility with products such as the RF411, CR211, and AVW211. For new installations, Campbell Scientific recommends using the RF412 or RF451.
Technical Description
The RF411A is a frequency hopping spread spectrum radio designed for 900 MHz license-free ISM band operation. It has a 920 to 928 MHz operating-frequency range and a configurable transmit power output of 5 to 250 mW. It provides one of three selectable active connections including CS I/O, RS-232, and USB. It has a reverse polarity SMA (RPSMA) antenna jack connection. It is over the air compatible with legacy 9XStream products including the RF410, RF411, RF431, CR210, CR211(X), and AVW211.
Benefits
- Rugged, low-cost transceivers
- Can be used in the field as a transceiver or in the office as the base station
- Transmits up to one mile with omnidirectional antenna; up to 10 miles with higher gain directional antennas at ideal conditions
- Settings stored in non-volatile memory
- RS-232 port for connecting to a computer; CS I/O port for connecting to a data logger
- Frequency-hops over 25 channels avoids interference from other spread spectrum radios
- Optional extended temperature testing
- Faster communication due to elimination of some small "link state packets"
- Ability to have stand-alone RF router/repeaters (up to 8 repeaters)
- Greater immunity to interference and RF collisions by using RF retries
- Reduced power consumption by the data logger, as the radios perform "packet address filtering"
- Built-in setup menus allow access to advanced functionality
- Designed for use in PakBus networks
Specifications
- Radio Type
- Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS)
- Frequency
- 920 to 928 MHz
- Country Used In
- Australia, New Zealand
- Transmission Distance
- -Note- Transmission distance assumes line-of-sight and appropriate antenna. Line-of-sight obstructions, RF interference, and antenna type will affect transmission distance.Up to 1.61 km (1 mi) with omnidirectional antenna; up to 16.09 km (10 mi) with higher-gain directional antennas at ideal conditions
- Power Output
- 5 to 250 mW
(software-selectable)
- Receiver Sensitivity
- -109 dBm
(Campbell Scientific protocols will issue retries wherever a bit error occurs.)
- Channel Capacity
- 7 hop sequences share 25 frequencies.
- RF Throughput Data Rate
- 9.6 kbps
- Data Rate
- 10 kbps
- Antenna Connector
- Reverse Polarity SMA (RPSMA) jack
- LEDs
- Power on, Tx, Rx, diagnostics
- RS-232 Baud Rate
- 1200 to 115200 bps
- CS I/O Modes
- SDC 7, 8, 10, 11, and ME master
- Average Current Drain
- Transmit: < 80 mA
(250 mW TX power)
Receive: 15 mAStand-by: < 0.5 mA(depending on power saving mode)
- Power
- 9 to 16 Vdc
- Power Connector
- 2.5 mm DC power jack
- Operating Temperature Range
- -25° to +50°C
(standard)
-40° to +85°C(extended)
- Communication Ports
- RS-232 9 pin D femaleCS I/O 9 pin D maleUSB Type B jack
- Service Requirements
- Shares frequency with other devices.
Must not cause harmful interference to licensed radios. Requires line-of-sight.
- Dimensions
- 11.1 x 6.9 x 2.7 cm
(4.4 x 2.7 x 1.1 in)
Dimensions are from the tip of antenna connector to other side of case, and from the bottom of case to the top of DB9 connector jack screw. The width includes the thickness of the screw heads on the screws that hold the case together. - Weight
- 136 g
(4.8 oz) without "Ships With" items
283.5 g(10 oz) with "Ships With" items
Certifications
- United States (FCC Part 15.247)
- MCQ-XB900HP
- Industry Canada (IC)
- 1846A-XB900HP
- C-TICK Australia
- Yes, N3013
Accessories
(10)14204
900 MHz 0 dBd 1/2 Wave Omnidirectional Antenna with RPSMA Connector
Orderable15966
Wall Charger with Barrel Plug
Orderable14291
Field Power Cable, 12 Vdc Plug to Pigtail
Orderable14201
900 MHz 9 dBd Yagi Antenna with Mounting Hardware
Orderable14221
900 MHz 3 dBd Omnidirectional Antenna with Mounting Hardware
Orderable15731
900 MHz 0 dBd 1/4 Wave Omnidirectional Antenna with RPSMA Connector
Limited availability15730
900 MHz 0 dBd 1/4 Wave Omnidirectional Antenna with RPSMA Connector
Limited availability15970
900 MHz 1 dBd Omnidirectional Dipole Antenna with Adhesive Mount
Orderable18663
Null Modem Cable, 9-Pin PIn (Male) to 9-Pin Pin (Male)
Orderable10873
Serial Data Cable, 9-Pin Socket (Female) to 9-Pin Pin (Male)
Orderable
Common Accessories
(14)15966
Wall Charger with Barrel Plug
A 15966 wall charger is required for ac power to serve as the power source for the RF411A when the radio is connected to the computer's 9-pin serial port. This ac/dc transformer accepts inputs from 90 to 260 Vac @ 47 to 63 Hz, then outputs 12 Vdc @ 880 mA for use by the RF401. The 15966 is fitted with a cable and barrel plug to connect the transformer to the RF411A; cable length is 6 ft.
Orderable14291
Field Power Cable, 12 Vdc Plug to Pigtail
The 14291 power cable allows the RF411A to be powered from a suitable 12 Vdc battery.
Orderable14201
900 MHz 9 dBd Yagi Antenna with Mounting Hardware
The 14201 is a high-gain (9 dBd), directional (Yagi) antenna suitable for outdoor use. It has a narrow beam width, so precise aiming is mandatory. The 14201 is useful for longer distances and when communicating only with one other station (due to narrow beam width). The antenna has a Type N Female connector and requires an antenna cable to connect it to the radio.
Orderable14221
900 MHz 3 dBd Omnidirectional Antenna with Mounting Hardware
The 14221 has the highest gain (3 dBd) of our omnidirectional antennas. It is suitable for base station use where you need to communicate with multiple stations located in different directions. It's rugged FM2 antenna mounts will accommodate a vertical pipe of up to 6.5 cm (2.5 in) outside diameter. The antenna has a Type N Female connector and requires an antenna cable to connect it to the radio.
Orderable14204
900 MHz 0 dBd 1/2 Wave Omnidirectional Antenna with RPSMA Connector
The 14204 is a unity gain (0 dBd) omnidirectional antenna. It's right angle knuckle joint can be oriented vertically or at right angles. The 14204 attaches directly to the RF411A (antenna cable not required).
Orderable15731
900 MHz 0 dBd 1/4 Wave Omnidirectional Antenna with RPSMA Connector
The 15731 is a unity gain (0 dBd), straight, omnidirectional antenna that attaches directly to the RF411A (antenna cable not required).
Limited availability15730
900 MHz 0 dBd 1/4 Wave Omnidirectional Antenna with RPSMA Connector
The 15730 is a unity gain (0 dBd), right angle, omnidirectional antenna that attaches directly to the RF411A (antenna cable not required).
Limited availability15970
900 MHz 1 dBd Omnidirectional Dipole Antenna with Adhesive Mount
The 15970 is an omnidirectional antenna with a 1 dBd gain. It includes adhesive backing that adheres the antenna to a wall, rear-view mirror, window, or another suitable flat, non-conductive surface. A 79 in. cable is provided for attaching the antenna to the RF411A.
OrderableCOAXRPSMA
LMR195 Antenna Cable with Reverse Polarity SMA and Type N Pin (Male) Connector
Either this cable or the COAXNTN (see below) is required when using the 14201 or 14221 antennas. The COAXRPSMA is an LMR 195 cable that terminates in a Type N pin (male) connector on the antenna end and a Reverse Polarity SMA (RPSMA) pin (male) connector on the transceiver end. It is recommended for applications where the cable length is less than 10 feet.
OrderableCOAXNTN
RG8 Antenna Cable with 2 Type N Pin (Male) Connectors
Either this cable or the COAXRPSMA (see above) is required when using the 14201 or 14221 antennas. The COAXNTN is a low-loss RG8 coaxial cable that requires the 14462 surge suppressor to connect it to the RF411A. The COAXNTN/14462 combination is recommended over the COAXRPSMA when the antenna cable is longer than 10 feet (as measured between the transceiver and the antenna) or when the RF411A is used in an environment susceptible to lightning or electrostatic buildup.
Orderable31314
Surge Protection Kit, Type N to RPSMA, 700 to 2700 MHz
The 31314 is an RF surge protection kit with flange mounting bracket. It may be flange-mounted to an enclosure backplate or bulkhead-mounted through an enclosure wall. One side of the surge protector connects to a radio with an RPSMA antenna connection. The other side connects to an antenna/antenna coaxial cable with Type N connector.
Orderable21212
Black Cold Shrink Tape
This 10 ft roll of 1 in-wide black self-vulcanizing tape can help protect the connection of outdoor antennas. After connecting the coaxial cable to the antenna, wrap the tape around the connectors that are exposed to the environment.
Orderable18663
Null Modem Cable, 9-Pin PIn (Male) to 9-Pin Pin (Male)
The 18663 is a 9-pin to 9-pin null modem cable used to connect the RF411A radio to the datalogger's RS-232 port.
Orderable10873
Serial Data Cable, 9-Pin Socket (Female) to 9-Pin Pin (Male)
Use with DTE device like PC or NL201.
Orderable
Replacement Parts
(3)6044
Grommet for #6 or #8 Screw
These grommets are commonly used with the 505 screws to secure our equipment to the backplates of our enclosures.
Orderable505
Screw #6-32 x .375 Pan Phillips
These screws, along with the 6044 grommets, are commonly used together to secure our equipment to the backplates of our enclosures.
Orderable17648
USB Cable, Type A Pin (Male) to Type B Pin (Male), 6 ft
The 17648 is a USB cable for attaching our products to a USB port on a PC. It has a Type A pin (male) connector for connecting to the PC's USB port and a Type B connector for connecting to the Campbell Scientific device.
Orderable
Services
(3)21107
900 MHz Radio Test Kit Rental for 5 Business Days
The 21107 provides a two week rental of a 900 MHz spread spectrum demo kit that allows customers to test the 900 MHz spread spectrum radio incorporated in the RF411A. The kit includes two CR211X dataloggers; each CR211X datalogger has an internal 900 MHz spread spectrum radio. With this kit, customers can ensure that the spread spectrum radio will work in their system's environment, and can also determine the best antenna options for their system.
Orderable
An applications engineer must be connected with each order containing this demo kit. The applications engineer needs to ensure that all of the equipment is returned within the allotted two-week time period.21109
5 Additional Days of Usage of Radio Test Kit
The time period of the demo kit's rental starts when Campbell Scientific ships the kit and ends when Campbell Scientific receives the kit. Each week, or a portion thereof, past the original two week rental will be charged this amount.
Orderable
An applications engineer must be connected with each order containing the demo kit.32760
Upgrade RF401A-Series to RF407-Series
The UPGRADE-RF401A is a service that can be performed to convert an RF411A spread-spectrum radio to an RF412. The UPGRADE-RF401A requires an RMA (Returned Material Authorization) from Campbell Scientific.
Orderable
Similar Products
(1)Compatibility
Communications
The RF411A is over the air compatible with the RF411, RF431, CR211, CR211X, and AVW211.
Other Spread Spectrum Radios
The RF411A is also compatible with the RF410 and CR210, but the communication protocol must be set to transparent. Also, if RF410 and RF411A radios will be in the same RF proximity, do not use 28, 44, 52, 56, or 60 for the RF410 Net Address. RF410 radios with Net Addresses of 28, 44, 52, and 56 interfere with RF411A radios with Net Addresses of 0, 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The RF410 Net Address of 60 interferes with all RF411A Net Addresses.
Campbell Scientific does not recommend using the RF411A in networks containing FGR-115 or RF450 radios.
Transparent and PakBus Protocols
Do not mix RF411A radios using the Transparent protocol setting with RF411A, RF411, RF431, CR211(X), or AVW211 devices using a PakBus protocol setting. This will produce unsuccessful RF traffic. However radios with the PakBus Aware and PakBus Node settings can coexist in the same network.
Data Logger Considerations
| Data Logger | RS-232 | CS I/O |
| CR200(X) | ![]() |
|
| CR800/CR850 | ![]() |
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| CR1000 | ![]() |
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| CR3000 | ![]() |
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| CR5000 | ![]() |
![]() |
| CR9000(X) | ![]() |
|
| CR300 | * |
|
| CR6 | ![]() |
![]() |
| CR510-PB | ![]() |
|
| CR10X-PB | ![]() |
|
| CR23X-PB | ![]() |
|
| Mixed-array data loggers | ** |
Notes:
*Use a 18663 null modem cable.
**It is possible to connect a mixed-array data logger (e.g., CR10, CR10X, CR23X, 21X, CR7) by using an SC932A or SC105 between the data logger's CS I/O port and the RF411A's RS-232 port.
Related Resources
Documents
- Technical Paper
Line of Sight Obstruction
October 2016
View Document - Technical Paper
The Link Budget and Fade Margin
September 2016
View Document - Brochure
RF411A 922 MHz Spread-Spectrum Radio
March 2026
View Document - Manual
RF401A-Series Spread Spectrum Radios
March 2026
View Document
Showing 4 of 6 results
See all DocumentsDownloads
- RF401A Series OSv05Login required
July 22, 2015
OS and FirmwareCurrent RF401A and RF411A firmware. Requires the Device Configuration Utility.
- Device Configuration Utilityv2.36Login required
June 22, 2026
Software ApplicationsA software utility used to download operating systems and set up Campbell Scientific hardware. Also will update PakBus Graph and the Network Planner if they have been installed previously by another Campbell Scientific software package. Supported Operating Systems: Windows 11 or 10 (Both 32 and 64 bit)

