8devices Maca 2 – A ultra-long-range data radio with 80km range for drones and robotics

8devices Maca 2 high-power plug-and-play ultra-long-range wireless data radio targets drones, UAS, robotics, interceptor systems, industrial IoT, and defense-grade communications, where long range, resilience, and scalability are critical.

The device features high transmit power of up to 39 dBm (with 36 dBm per RF chain) and a receiver sensitivity of –98 dBm, and is designed for air-to-ground and point-to-point connectivity over distances of up to 80 km. To maintain stable links over extreme distances, the radio supports ultra-narrow channel widths ranging from 1.5 MHz to 19.5 MHz, significantly improving signal-to-noise ratio and resistance to interference and jamming. Additionally, it includes dual Ethernet, USB 2.0, UART, GPIO, and 14–33 V power input. It also supports industrial temperature operation and NDAA/TAA-compliant manufacturing.

For unmanned systems, the radio allows users to manage bandwidth asymmetry. It’s a feature where a user can allocate 90% of the channel to downstream video data while reserving 10% for control inputs, ensuring high-quality video feedback without losing responsiveness.

8devices Maca 2 specifications:

• SoC – Qualcomm SoC with CPU24Kc MIPS processor, 64 KB I-Cache and 32 KB D-Cache; 650 MHz  (Could be Qualcomm QCA9531 as previously found in MikroTik wAP LoRa gateway or GL.iNet GL-200 Thread border router )
• Memory – 128 MB RAM (1 Gbit on block diagram)
• Storage – 32 MB Flash  (256 Mbit on block diagram)
• Networking
  • Ethernet – 2x 100 Mbps Ethernet RJ45 ports
  • Wireless
    • Standard – Improved IEEE 802.11 b/g/n
    • Radio Mode – Single Band 2×2 MIMO
    • Frequency Range –  2152 MHz to 2852 MHz (covers 2.4 GHz ISM plus 616 MHz additional spectrum)
    • Channel Widths – 1.5 MHz to 19.5 MHz (in 0.5 MHz increments), plus 20 MHz and 40 MHz
    • Output Power – Up to 36 dBm per chain; 39 dBm total max output
    • Sensitivity – Up to -98 dBm
    • Modulation – Up to 64-QAM
    • Data Rate – Up to 300 Mbps @ 40 MHz bandwidth
    • Range – Up to 80 km (theoretical, air-to-ground)
    • Antenna – 2x MMCX connectors
• USB – 1x USB 2.0 port
• Serial – UART 3.3V for debugging
• Expansion – Programmable GPIOs
• Security – ChaCha20-Poly1305, AES-128, and WPA2-CCMP
• Misc
  • Reset button
  • Factory button
  • Power and Status LED
  • GPIO slider switch (use case unknown)
  • Fan header for external fan
  • Onboard temperature sensor
• Power
  • Input – 14V to 33V DC via JST connector (supports 4S-7S battery packs)
  • Consumption – 23.2 W at maximum output power
• Dimensions –  73 x 47 x 23 mm
• Weight – 74 grams
• Temperature Range – -40°C to +85°C  (Industrial)
• Compliance – NDAA and TAA compliant; Made in Europe

The device comes pre-loaded with Robosoft, 8devices’ Linux-based embedded platform, which includes several out-of-the-box features, including wireless unidirectional (ack-less) broadcast for improved link stability in congested RF environments. There is also a frequency hopping feature that uses the available spectrum to avoid localized interference. It also supports optional Meshmerize integration for networking features such as multi-path routing and traffic prioritization, available on the Maca-M variant, allowing a network of drones or robots to automatically find the best path for data and scale effortlessly. The company also provides full configuration control over an expanded 2152–2852 MHz spectrum through both a web-based GUI and a CLI for system management.

We previously covered various long-range gateways, such as the EDATEC ED-GWL2110, the RAKwireless’ WisGate Soho Pro RAK7267, and others, all of which use LoRa technology. I initially thought the Maca2 was using a similar technology, but instead of LoRa’s low-power spread-spectrum approach, the Maca 2 relies on brute force and spectral efficiency: it outputs up to 39 dBm (roughly 8 W total), far higher than typical Wi-Fi or LoRa devices, and by narrowing the Wi-Fi channel down to 1.5 MHz, it concentrates that power into a much smaller slice of spectrum to significantly improve signal-to-noise ratio over long distances. Combined with 2×2 MIMO to maintain link stability and throughput, the Maca 2 is better described as a “super Wi-Fi” for drones that need to stream data over tens of kilometers, while LoRa remains better suited for low-data-rate sensor applications. Last time we wrote about an ultra-long-range radio was when we covered the Ligowave LigoPTP wireless bridge offering up to 100km range for point-to-point communication between buildings or towns, so not quite designed for drones and robots.

The Maca 2 Development Kit includes the Maca 2 radio unit, an interface board, two RF cables with antennas, a power supply with an AC cable, interface board power and Ethernet cables, and a cooling fan, providing everything needed for evaluation and development out of the box.

The company lists this product as a “cost-effective” alternative to similar long-range solutions but doesn’t mention any pricing information. It is currently available for pre-order, with production expected to start in April 2026, and it comes in three variants: the standard Maca 2, the Maca 2 Development Kit, and the no-enclosure Maca 2-NE version for more compact system designs. More information is available on the product page and the press release.

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