I'm trying to chase down some kind of a point-to-point solution for communication between two devices that would be low power consumption and able to make a reasonably good connection on ranges from 1-2 miles apart.
I'm an extra class ham, so I can design/build directional antennas for more gain and less interference from other devices or signals. I'm planning on experimenting with these things in northern michigan where other electronic noise may be at a minimum. (I say may because there's a HUGE radio tower a few miles away broadcasting among other things, a high power tv broadcast signal on VHF channel 6 digital [three sub channels])
Two of my requirements are that I want something reasonably low in power consumption as I'll be powering these devices on small battery packs charged by small solar panels, the other requirement being I want stuff that's reasonably inexpensive if possible as I'm going to be hiking these things up trees and leaving them out in the weather (encased of course, but weather can be pervasive as can people or critters running off with interesting looking things)
The locations I'm looking to try to link up are pretty much line-of-sight. (hilltop-to-hilltop type locations using the high-spots for greater gain at both ends, I just need to find ways to get above or otherwise point antennas through openings in trees)
I know this is more of a radio-centric question, however, the thing(s) I am trying to connect on at least one end are remote systems, most likely to be raspberry pis. So something that can be plugged into the GPIO and powered off a similar power source are also big pluses.
I am unfamiliar with things like lora, but a spread-spectrum with a directional might be something worth looking that. I just don't know what the good ones are, or what's easy to work with. (I bookmarked a bunch such as SX1278, PTR8000+ and SI4463 type devices with IPEX or SMA external antenna connections. I just don't know if those can make that kind of hop with directional antennas or not.
If anyone has any input, knows of any other devices or can give any other advice, it's greatly appreciated. Also, keep in mind that I can use ham bands (I also bookmarked an XL4432 device that works in the 440MHz ham band)
SW