Setting up multiple hotspots (procedure)
SETUP Pre-ship to your assigned locations:
Get a newer iPhone to use as your Hotspot app and wallet. I think iPhone 8 and later are ideal. Download the app. (requires IOS 11 or later and Android 8.0 and up)WRITE DOWN THE SECRET WORDS
Set up a work area to place hotspots next to each other.
Get a network switch or two if you can, not necessary, but I think it makes things easier. Get power strips. Get ethernet cables (optional. it's easier)
If you do have the switch when you receive Hotspot, just power Hotspot and plug the ethernet into the switch. The Hotspots need to update firmware and sync the blockchain. Syncing will take roughly seven days.
If you don't have a switch, no problem, we will go with WiFi. You will need to power one Hotspot at a time and go through the onboarding process and get the Hotspot connected to WiFi. Do this one at a time as it requires a BLE connection from your phone to the Hotspot. https://intercom.help/heliumnetwork/en/articles/3359926-setting-up-my-new-hotspot
Once you have all the Hotspots setup on ethernet or WiFi, the Hotspot LED will be green. https://intercom.help/heliumnetwork/en/articles/3251885-what-the-different-led-lights-mean
Check your app to see if Hotspots have fully synced. If so, you need to go to each Hotspot and assert it's the location to the address of where you will be assigning that particular Hotspot. A) It would be best if you marked the Hotspot physically so you can quickly tell where it's going. B) Make sure you are asserting that Hotspot to the correct address on the phone app.
Once you receive a confirmed assert location on your phone app, that Hotspot is ready to be shipped to the address.
Ship ASAP as the blockchain is continuing to build, and your Hotspot is not syncing when it's offline.
SETUP at the assigned location with your hosts:
Your hosts need to download the Helium Hotspot app. Hopefully, they all have IOS 11 or later and Android 8.0 and up.
Once your host receives the Hotspot, they need to find a location near a window, ideally with some open space (meaning, don't put it in a bookshelf).
Plug-in power.
Make sure the phone Bluetooth is on, and Location Services is on for Helium Hotspot App.
Press the black button on the side of Hotspot to put it in BLE pairing mode. (LED will be BLUE).
Use the Helium Hotspot App to find the Hotspot and go through the flow. Once they get to the WiFi section, select WiFi, and enter WiFi credentials. WiFi must be discoverable. Helium Hotspots can't see hidden WiFi access points.
Once they get a WiFi-connected confirmation, they can kill the app. The Hotspot LED light should be green, which indicates the Internet-connected via WiFi or ethernet.
Done.
You can check your app to see the status of that Hotspot.
One of our community members created a pretty good app that allows you to see the status and mining of all Hotspots on a dashboard: https://mylar.app/login
You can see the entire network of Hotspots and blockchain health here: dashboard.helium.com