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Increase range of 433MHz TX module — Parallax Forums

Increase range of 433MHz TX module

MoskogMoskog Posts: 554
edited 2009-01-02 15:30 in General Discussion
Hello again and Happy new year!

Due to bad and icy weather lately I notice some problems with the transmission from the 433 TX module. It's placed outside, maybe 30 meters (90 ft) from the house and the signal has to go through two, maybe three walls to reach the RX module on the kitchen wall. Yesterday the·antenna was covered by wet snow that froze to ice and the result was incorrect and bad data coming through, something I think seems to happend when signal gets low.
Several months or so.. maybe a year ago I think I read about a way to increase the range of the TX module, simply by removing or short a resistance but I can't find that thread no more.
So the question is.. is it recommended to do that operation on the module or is there a better way to increase the range, without have to move the modules? And if·I can manipulate the TXmodule, how?

As there is a bs2 on both tx and rx side I·hope this is the right forum!

Comments

  • Mike GreenMike Green Posts: 23,101
    edited 2009-01-01 16:41
    There are no modifications. The transmit and receive modules have to be "type approved" by the FCC and other regulatory agencies for sale and cannot be modifiable. The best way to increase the range would be to have a good signal path like construct a box for the unit or a cover that would protect it from ice and snow. Another way would be to transmit the data several times with a checksum or CRC value, then discard any values that don't check. This won't take care of really marginal conditions where all the data received is bad, but it will help.
  • Tom CTom C Posts: 461
    edited 2009-01-01 17:10
    Mike,

    I remember the thread that Moskog is referring to.

    A user outside the US had found that the 433TX module output power could be increased by shorting out a resistor on the module to increase the drive signal.

    That's all I remember.

    Regards,
    TCIII

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    If you are going to send·a Robot·to save the world, you·better make sure it likes it the way it is!
  • Chris SavageChris Savage Parallax Engineering Posts: 14,406
    edited 2009-01-01 21:42
    This thread is being moved from the BASIC Stamp Forum to the Sandbox.

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    Chris Savage
    Parallax Engineering
  • PJAllenPJAllen Banned Posts: 5,065
    edited 2009-01-01 23:55
    Additional range may be possible with the addition of a corner reflector, on the TX and/or RX.· There are a number of·webpages for increasing the range of WiFi (2GHz) antennas using corner reflectors, same principle/s for the 433 stub antennas.
  • MoskogMoskog Posts: 554
    edited 2009-01-02 15:30
    Ok, I will check out that. Probably I could make a reflector on the RX side because the TX may have to transmit in two very different directions, to feed two separate receivers. Seems like I always do things the most difficult way.

    Thanks anyway!
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