Socketing HopeRF Wireless Modules to Moteino

[NixHydra]

Hi Felix,

   I have made two purchases from the store so far. Both shipments took about eight days to get from the States to Sydney, Australia and ONLY cost about $9, unbelievable! Thanks for the site and the toys, please keep them coming.

   Have been using Hope wireless modules for several years now and have found socketing them provides a safe means of replacing/changing modules, without the possibility of damage to the microcontroller pcb and or the wireless module pcb due to desoldering. I wanted to do this with the Moteino and RFM69HW module as well. Modification was simple, just cut TWO 40 pin, 2.0mm 40 pin Female Headers to 8 pin lengths, bend all the pins back perpendicular, remove all but the eight pins required to attach the module to the Moteino pcb and then solder to Moteino pcb. Since Hope now go to the trouble to use "holes" on their wireless modules I used them and thus this modification is specific for a "hole" mounting scheme. Yes, I know
it's a simple idea but I'm sure some readers will find this of interest and who knows, might even try it themselves. I don't have any affiliation with ITEAD STUDIO but used their 2.0mm 40 Pin Female Headers (IM120531002) and 2.0mm 40 pin Male Headers (IM 120531003) because they were cheap. If nothing else just provides options. Attaching a photo, fig(iv) which should help with construction.

                                    cheers,

[john k2ox]

That's cool!

Maybe Felix can add those parts to his store. I'd buy them.

tnx,
john

[Felix]

Wow that looks really good. Have not really thought about it because in my own needs I'm always thinking of how to shrink the brains of a project. But some people may prefer to buy radios separately and do what you did. If someone wants this badly then please add comments here. Since it's so cheap at Itead it could just be easier to order from there even though the shipping time from china is sometimes very inefficient.

[A]

As someone who just completed his first order from your shop, I would have liked the option of modular radios. Order a couple of each type and do some interference & range testing. For "production" though I think I still prefer having the radio modules soldered on to save space.

[Lensdigital]

Hey that's a great idea!  But I don't understand how do u put RFM into those sockets? Do you solder male pins to them or are you saying Hope sells "thru the hole" RFMs now?

[Felix]

The RFM69 radios have pin holes in addition to side pads. So the male 2.0mm pins can go through those pin holes.

[NixHydra]

@LensDigital,

   Sorry for the confusion, concerning the "edge" versus "hole" layout of the Hope RFM wireless modules. I'm attaching another
photo (fig a), which hopeful will demonstrate Felix's previous comment.

   Also nice clock, I'll show you mine if you show me yours ... what's he on about? ... please see the following link!!!

http://littlebirdelectronics.com/blogs/news/4534282-yet-another-alarm-clock

[Lensdigital]

@LensDigital,

   Sorry for the confusion, concerning the "edge" versus "hole" layout of the Hope RFM wireless modules. I'm attaching another
photo (fig a), which hopeful will demonstrate Felix's previous comment.

   Also nice clock, I'll show you mine if you show me yours ... what's he on about? ... please see the following link!!!

http://littlebirdelectronics.com/blogs/news/4534282-yet-another-alarm-clock

Oops didn't see reply until now   Thanks for the info and nice clock project!
On related note, I need to swap already soldered RFM module. Has anyone had any luck desoldering it? If so what's the trick? I wasn't able to do it even with hot air workstation (which I just got recently so maybe I'm not doing it right)... Tried solder wick, too, but solder just get's under the RFM pads so I'm not sure how to get it out...

[Felix]

On related note, I need to swap already soldered RFM module. Has anyone had any luck desoldering it? If so what's the trick? I wasn't able to do it even with hot air workstation (which I just got recently so maybe I'm not doing it right)... Tried solder wick, too, but solder just get's under the RFM pads so I'm not sure how to get it out...

If you GENTLY desolder the side with 2 solder points then insert a razor while desoldering to separate the pads. Then on the other side use hot air to lift it up or slide it away. Don't overheat or you can damage it.