Extending range of XBee pro
Hi,
I'm looking for advice or a link, to extend the range of Xbee pro. I've heard the term "Mesh", but no explanation how it works.
Background.
I have a tracking solar array controlled by an Arduino uno on the hillside behind my house 170 feet way. I have an XBee pro installed with the Arduino. I'm getting reasonable comms reception (on my laptop using a Xbee pro in a usb) from the upstairs bedroom closest to the hillside, but marginal reception anywhere else in the house.
I think I need to have some kind of mid point repeater and came across the term 'mesh' while searching, but could not find set up information.
Advice or links would be appreciated.
.....Dave
I'm looking for advice or a link, to extend the range of Xbee pro. I've heard the term "Mesh", but no explanation how it works.
Background.
I have a tracking solar array controlled by an Arduino uno on the hillside behind my house 170 feet way. I have an XBee pro installed with the Arduino. I'm getting reasonable comms reception (on my laptop using a Xbee pro in a usb) from the upstairs bedroom closest to the hillside, but marginal reception anywhere else in the house.
I think I need to have some kind of mid point repeater and came across the term 'mesh' while searching, but could not find set up information.
Advice or links would be appreciated.
.....Dave
Comments
Jonathan
https://www.sparkfun.com/products/11320
The have 10" or so lead and the antenna can be stuck anywhere. I've also used these:
https://www.sparkfun.com/products/558
Have to get the right adapter for those. Either will get you much better signal strength. But also remember, as always with RF: Location, location, location. Even moving short distances can make the difference sometimes.
I've been tempted to make a teeny tiny Yagi for these, just for fun. The measurements get really small and tolerance for errors even smaller.
Good luck!
Jonathan
And I agree, he should get better reception than he is with what he's got. Location can be so critical. I just moved a 440 mHz antenna about 10 feet and could no longer hit a local repeater that I could hit with full quieting before.
Jonathan
....Dave.
.....Dave.
Great! 5" may be some 1/4 wave multiple of 2.4gHz, but often slapping a random length antenna on can do more harm than good. May be more about moving it than your new antenna. But if it works.....
Jonathan
Dave, can you share some details about XBee wire antenna extension process?
The original antenna on the XBee module is coax type? If so, soldering an extension might be difficult...
What type of wire have you used for extension? I mean what should I ask for at the store.
To extend an existing wire-antenna can work but is not recommended, you can easily destroy the antennas resonance and much of the energy will be lost.