LowPowerLab Forum

Hardware support => RF - Range - Antennas - RFM69 library => Topic started by: mfuller0 on July 03, 2020, 06:05:14 PM

Title: Converting MoteinoMega Trace Ant to Wire or Helical
Post by: mfuller0 on July 03, 2020, 06:05:14 PM

I am using the MoteinoMega Trace Ant in an outdoor project and I want to see if I can improve the range by switching from trace antenna to wire or Helical antenna. 

1.What changes do I need to make to the board? 
2.Remove capacitor that connects ANT pad to trace Antenna? 
3.Do other capacitors need to be removed? 
4.Any other HW changes?


As reference, the following is in my code:
#define IS_RFM69HW_HCW 
#define ENABLE_ATC   
#define ATC_RSSI  -80

#ifdef ENABLE_ATC
  RFM69_ATC radio;
#else
  RFM69 radio;
#endif

#ifdef IS_RFM69HW_HCW
  radio.setHighPower();
#endif

#ifdef ENABLE_ATC
  radio.enableAutoPower(ATC_RSSI);
#endif

Title: Re: Converting MoteinoMega Trace Ant to Wire or Helical
Post by: Felix on July 06, 2020, 11:09:01 AM

You just need to remove the capacitor you mention in Q #2.
ATC RSSI could be at -90