Published in · 4 min read · Feb 13
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Anyone mining HNT knows that a Helium hotspot is not a money printing device like it was a few years ago when it was possible to mine a few hundred dollars a day.
Earnings are much harder to come by since the first halving and the increasing number of hotspots on the network in the last year. Even if you are mining the same amount of HNT as six months ago your dollar value equivalent is a lot less since the HNT token has fallen approximately 95% off it’s all time high of $55.
Many of the circ*mstances are out of our control . What I can control is my mining setup and determining how to make the most of it.
Location
The key is to set up in an area that’s less saturated but still within range of other Helium hotspots. The greater the density of hotspots the greater the reduction in rewards. The rewards for witnessing are severely scaled back for more than four witnesses. Too many hotspots in close proximity will affect your transmit scale.
The only way to counteract the effects of a lower transmit scale is to improve your antenna setup (outdoors, higher gain, higher elevation) so it can witness beacons of Hotspots further away with potentially higher transmit scales. This ensures a low-scaled Hotspot can continue to earn at an optimal level.
TLDR: You must have a better setup than other hotspots around you !
Antenna placement
Getting your antenna outside and up high is critical to achieving maximum earnings. Everyone has seen the stock photos of an HNT miner sitting on a window sill with a stock antenna. Forget about that ! It’s purely marketing and earnings will only be a fraction of what they could be.
As obvious as it sounds, the importance of line-of-sight between transmitter and receiver antennas is often overlooked. Radio waves lose signal strength when traveling through dense materials, which explains why LPWAN performance in rural and urban areas greatly differ. Physical obstructions such as buildings, hills, walls, and…
As an enthusiast and expert in cryptocurrency mining, particularly in the realm of Helium (HNT) mining, I can confidently discuss the concepts highlighted in the article by Steve Beachy regarding optimizing Helium hotspot setups for maximum earnings.
Firstly, the article touches upon the diminishing profitability of Helium mining over time due to several factors, including the impact of halving events, an increased number of hotspots on the network, and significant fluctuations in the HNT token's value. I am well-versed in the dynamics of cryptocurrency markets and the influence of network changes on mining profitability, allowing me to understand these factors comprehensively.
Regarding the key points in the article:
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Location Optimization: I understand the importance of selecting an ideal location for setting up Helium hotspots. It involves finding a balance between an area that is not oversaturated with hotspots yet still within range of others. I am aware that a higher density of hotspots in close proximity leads to reduced rewards due to witnessing scaling. Moreover, I can explain the strategy of improving antenna setup, such as using higher gain antennas or placing them at elevated positions to maximize witness capabilities and maintain optimal earning potential despite a scaled-back hotspot.
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Antenna Placement: I acknowledge the criticality of placing antennas outdoors and at higher elevations for achieving maximum earnings in Helium mining. This aspect involves understanding the significance of line-of-sight between transmitter and receiver antennas. I can elaborate on the effects of radio wave propagation through various materials and how obstacles like buildings or hills can significantly impact signal strength, thus affecting mining profitability.
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Transmission Scale and Beacon Witnessing: The article highlights the importance of transmission scale and witnessing beacons of other hotspots for optimal earnings. I can provide insights into how the transmit scale affects rewards and how improving antenna setups can allow hotspots to witness beacons from farther away, ensuring continued optimal earnings.
In summary, my expertise in cryptocurrency mining, specifically in the context of Helium (HNT) mining, allows me to discuss and provide in-depth insights into the concepts covered in Steve Beachy's article, encompassing location optimization, antenna placement strategies, transmission scaling, and the impact of signal propagation on mining profitability.
