# Using RAK2287 directly

**URL:** <https://forums.balena.io/t/using-rak2287-directly/288365>\
**Category:** balenaFin\
**Created:** [April 11, 2021, 6:44am UTC](https://forums.balena.io/t/using-rak2287-directly/288365 "2021-04-11T06:44:01Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![mar](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/balena/user_avatar/forums.balena.io/mar/32/5780_2.png) [@mar](https://forums.balena.io/u/mar)\
**Post date:** [April 11, 2021, 6:44am UTC](https://forums.balena.io/t/using-rak2287-directly/288365/1 "2021-04-11T06:44:01Z")

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From what I understand I an insert the [RAK2287](https://store.rakwireless.com/products/rak2287-lpwan-gateway-concentrator-module?variant=34533841535134) directly into the fin, correct? I don’t need their [Pi hat](https://store.rakwireless.com/products/rak2287-pi-hat) for that?

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**Author:** ![mpous](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/balena/user_avatar/forums.balena.io/mpous/32/4742_2.png) [@mpous](https://forums.balena.io/u/mpous)\
**Post date:** [April 12, 2021, 8:09am UTC](https://forums.balena.io/t/using-rak2287-directly/288365/3 "2021-04-12T08:09:34Z")

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Hello @mar welcome to the balena forums!

Actually the mpcie from the fin accepts USB boards and not SPI. Check if your RAK2287 is SPI or USB. If it’s SPI you will need to use the Pi Hat.

Let me know if you have more questions!

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**Author:** ![mar](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/balena/user_avatar/forums.balena.io/mar/32/5780_2.png) [@mar](https://forums.balena.io/u/mar)\
**Post date:** [April 12, 2021, 1:01pm UTC](https://forums.balena.io/t/using-rak2287-directly/288365/5 "2021-04-12T13:01:22Z")

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Oh, right, missed it - even though it is clearly stated on the shop page:

> Mini PCI Express subset socket (USB, UART and I2C with nano-SIM card reader)

As for your statement

> Check if your RAK2287 is SPI or USB

To my knowledge the RAK2287 is not available with USB, only SPI.

However, the older [RAK22 **4** 7](https://store.rakwireless.com/collections/wislink-lpwan/products/rak2247-lpwan-gateway-concentrator-module?variant=29444341956653) is available with USB. Despite being older and not offering GPS it is more expensive then the 2287.

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**Author:** ![nitish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/34f0e0/32.png) [@nitish](https://forums.balena.io/u/nitish)\
**Post date:** [April 12, 2021, 1:24pm UTC](https://forums.balena.io/t/using-rak2287-directly/288365/7 "2021-04-12T13:24:23Z")

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Hi,

As my colleague mentioned, in this case you would need the Pi HAT to make the RAK2287 work with balenaFin. Let us know if we can help with any other questions you might have.

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**Author:** ![mar](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/balena/user_avatar/forums.balena.io/mar/32/5780_2.png) [@mar](https://forums.balena.io/u/mar)\
**Post date:** [May 3, 2021, 12:10pm UTC](https://forums.balena.io/t/using-rak2287-directly/288365/8 "2021-05-03T12:10:43Z")

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> [@mar](#):
>
> To my knowledge the RAK2287 is not available with USB, only SPI.

Ok, I stand to be corrected. It would have to be “…is not available _anymore_” (at the least [CY model](https://docs.rakwireless.com/Product-Categories/WisLink/RAK2287/Datasheet/#models-bundles) isn’t). What a pity. Just makes build a gateway based on the balenaFin $30 more expensive due to the required Pi hat. I guess there was either way too much or too little demand for the USB version 🙂