RF450
RF450
End of life900 MHz 1 W Spread-Spectrum Radio
No longer available to order
This product is retained for service, documentation, and compatibility information.
Replaced by
- RF452
900 MHz 1 W Spread-Spectrum Radio
- Model:
- RF450
- Item Number:
- 18326
- Warranty:
- 1 year
Overview
The RF450 is a frequency-hopping, spread-spectrum radio that operates within the 902 to 928 MHz license-free band. This 1 W radio provides a solution for wireless network communications over longer distances (13 to 60 miles, depending on antenna and line-of sight). Designed specifically for our PakBus® data loggers, the RF450 works particularly well in point-to-multipoint PakBus networks.
Technical Description
The RF450 consists of a radio module manufactured by FreeWave Technologies and a Campbell Scientific interface board. It reduces susceptibility to RF interference from other spread spectrum devices by providing user-selectable frequency hopping patterns.
Spread spectrum radios spread the normally narrowband information signal over a relatively wide band of frequencies. This process allows communications to be more immune to noise and interference from RF sources such as pagers and cellular phones.
Benefits
- Individual FCC license not required
- Maximum transmission distance of 60 miles, and realistic reliable transmission distance of approximately 13 miles
- Low current drain
- Wide operating temperature range
- High data transfer speeds
- High noise immunity—superior performance in noise congested environments
- Error Free Communications—32 bit Cyclical Redundancy Checking (CRC) with automatic retransmission
- Ability to have stand-alone RF router/repeaters (up to 8 repeaters)
- Real time remote diagnostics and setup, transparent to network communications
Specifications
- Operating Frequency
- 902 to 928 MHz
- Radio Type
- Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS) Transceiver
- FCC ID
- KNY-6231812519
- Canada ID
- 2329B-DGR09RAS
- Power Output
- 5 mW to 1 W
(user selectable)
- Transmit Range
- Maximum transmission distance of 60 miles, and realistic reliable transmission distance of ~13 miles.
(All transmission distances assume line-of-sight and appropriate antenna; line-of-sight obstructions, RF interference, and antenna type affect transmission distance.)
- Modulation
- 120 or 170 kbps
(GFSK)
- Occupied Bandwidth
- 230 kHz
(at 60 dB)
- Channel Spacing
- 230 kHz
- Hopping Patterns
- 15 per band, 105 total
(user selectable)
- Hopping Channels
- 50 to 112
(user selectable)
- Hopping Bands
- 7
(user selectable)
- Frequency Zones
- 16
(7 channels per zone)
- Receiver Sensitivity
- -108 dBm
(for 10-6 BER)
-110 dBm(for 10-4 BER)
- Receiver Selectivity
- -20 dB
(at Fc ±115 kHz;)
-60 dB(at Fc ±145 kHz)
- System Gain
- 140 dB
- Error Detection
- 32-bit CRC
(retransmit on error)
- Data Encryption
- Substitution, dynamic key
- Link Throughput
- 115.2 kbps
(maximum)
- Data Interface Protocol
- CS I/O, RS-232, DCE, ME and SDC
(user selectable)
- RS-232 Baud Rate
- 1200, 4800, 9600, 19.2k, 34.4k, 57.6k, or 115.2k bps
(user selectable)
- RS-232 Connector
- 9-pin D socket (female)
(4 wire: Tx, Rx, CTS, GND)
- CS I/O Connector
- 9-pin D pin (male)
(Newer data loggers provide power to the radio on the CS I/O connector; data loggers purchased before December 1997 require the #14291 Field Power Cable.)
- Antenna Connector
- Type SMA socket (female)
- Power Connector
- Barrel plug, center positive 12 V
(used to connect the 14291 Field Power Cable or 15966 AC adapter)
- Input Voltage
- 7 to 28 Vdc
- Operating Temperature Range
- -40° to +75°C
- Relative Humidity
- 0 to 95% RH
(non-condensing)
- Dimensions
- 3.66 x 8.05 x 14.48 cm
(1.44 x 3.17 x 5.7 in.) without mounting plate
3.66 x 8.05 x 19.05 cm(1.44 x 3.17 x 7.5 in.) with mounting plate
- Weight
- 0.3 kg
(0.7 lb)
Average Current Drain @ 12 Vdc
- Sleep
- 7 mA
- Idle
- 22 mA
- Receiving
- 76 mA
- Transmitting
- 500 mA
Accessories
(11)15966
Wall Charger with Barrel Plug
Orderable14291
Field Power Cable, 12 Vdc Plug to Pigtail
Orderable14205
900 MHz 6 dBd Yagi Antenna with Mounting Hardware
Orderable14221
900 MHz 3 dBd Omnidirectional Antenna with Mounting Hardware
OrderableCOAXSMA
LMR195 Antenna Cable with SMA and Type N Pin (Male) Connector
OrderableCOAXNTN
RG8 Antenna Cable with 2 Type N Pin (Male) Connectors
Orderable31317
Surge Protection Kit, Type N to SMA, 700 to 2700 MHz
Orderable21212
Black Cold Shrink Tape
Orderable18663
Null Modem Cable, 9-Pin PIn (Male) to 9-Pin Pin (Male)
Orderable20625
RF450 Diagnostics and Programming Cable with Software
Orderable28477
Coaxial Adapter, SMA Plug to RPSMA Jack
Orderable
Common Accessories
(10)15966
Wall Charger with Barrel Plug
A charger or field cable is required for ac power to serve as the power source for the RF450. This ac/dc transformer accepts inputs from 90 to 260 Vac @ 47 to 63 Hz, then outputs 12 Vdc @ 880 mA. The 15966 includes a 6-ft cable that terminates in a barrel plug for connecting the transformer to the radio.
Orderable14291
Field Power Cable, 12 Vdc Plug to Pigtail
The 14291 terminates in a barrel plug on one end for connection to the radio, and two pigtails for connection to the 12V and GND terminals of a power supply. This cable has a 2-foot length.
Orderable14205
900 MHz 6 dBd Yagi Antenna with Mounting Hardware
Used outdoors, this high-gain (6 dBd), directional (Yagi) antenna has a narrow beam width that requires precise aiming. Its higher gain makes it useful for communicating over longer distances.
Orderable14221
900 MHz 3 dBd Omnidirectional Antenna with Mounting Hardware
The RF450 requires the purchase of an antenna. A choice of four antennas is offered. The 14221 is the highest gain (3 dBd) omnidirectional antenna available for this radio. It is used outdoors and has a Type N Female connector. The COAXSMA-L or COAXNTN-L cable is required to connect it to the radio.
OrderableCOAXSMA
LMR195 Antenna Cable with SMA and Type N Pin (Male) Connector
Either this cable or the COAXNTN-L (see below) is required when using the 14221 or 14201 antennas. The COAXSMA-L is an LMR195 coaxial cable that terminates in a Type N Male connector on the "antenna end" and an SMA connector on the "transceiver end." This cable 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 COAXSMA-L (see above) is required when using the 14201 or 14221 antennas. The COAXNTN-L is a low-loss RG8 coaxial cable that requires the 31317 surge protection kit to connect it to the RF450. The COAXNTN-L/31317 combination is recommended over the COAXSMA-L when the antenna cable is longer than 10 feet (as measured between the transceiver and the antenna) or when the RF450 is used in an environment susceptible to lightning or electrostatic buildup.
Orderable31317
Surge Protection Kit, Type N to SMA, 700 to 2700 MHz
The 31317 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 SMA antenna connection. The other side connects to an antenna/antenna coaxial cable with Type N connector.
Orderable21212
Black Cold Shrink Tape
This 10 ft (3.1 m) roll of 1"-wide black self-vulcanizing tape can help protect the connections between the antenna cable and outdoor antenna.
Orderable18663
Null Modem Cable, 9-Pin PIn (Male) to 9-Pin Pin (Male)
The 18663 null modem cable connects the radio to the datalogger's 9-pin RS-232 port.
Orderable20625
RF450 Diagnostics and Programming Cable with Software
When the 20625 is purchased, the customer receives a Freewave Diagnostics & Programming Cable and a CD containing Freewave Software. These items allow advanced users to perform Network Diagnostics.
Orderable
Replacement Parts
(3)10873
Serial Data Cable, 9-Pin Socket (Female) to 9-Pin Pin (Male)
The 10873 is a serial cable that is useful for connecting the RS-232 port of the datalogger to the 9-pin RS-232 port of a computer. The cable is six feet long.
Orderable6044
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.
Orderable
Compatibility
Other Spread-Spectrum Radios
The RF450 can be used in networks containing FGR-115 radios. Campbell Scientific does not recommend using the RF450 with our RF401-series radios or RF430-series radios.
Enclosure Considerations
A desiccated, non-condensing environment is required. The RF450 includes built-in keyhole flanges for mounting to the backplate of a Campbell Scientific enclosure.
Compatible Products
(6)CR6
High-Capacity Data Acquisition System
OrderableNotes—ENC10/12
Weather-Resistant Enclosure, 10 x 12 inches
OrderableNotes—ENC10/12R
Raised Lid Enclosure, 10 x 12 inches
OrderableNotes—ENC12/14
Weather-Resistant Enclosure, 12 x 14 inches
OrderableNotes—ENC14/16
Weather-Resistant Enclosure, 14 x 16 inches
OrderableNotes—ENC16/18
Weather-Resistant Enclosure, 16 x 18 inches
OrderableNotes—
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Downloads
- RF450 OSv02Login required
July 31, 2013
OS and FirmwareCurrent RF450 firmware. The Device Configuration Utility is used to update the firmware in the RF450.
- 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)
Videos and Tutorials
Services Available
- Repair
- No
- Calibration
- No
- Free Support
- No