Electronics > Projects, Designs, and Technical Stuff
Lora RA-01 better range than RA-02?
panoss:
I 've made a Lora pair (Sender & Receiver) using Lora RA-01.
It's working with the spring antennas that come with the module.
I gave it to a client.
Now I 've made a replacement of it, a pair of Loras using Lora RA-02.
I 've tried every possible antenna type (spring, whip half length, whip 1/4 length, dipole).
Also tried to maximize range with software:
--- Code: ---LoRa.setSpreadingFactor(12);
LoRa.setSignalBandwidth(62.5E3);
LoRa.setCodingRate4(8);
--- End code ---
But I have not managed to get the range of the first pair (which works with the default SpreadingFactor, Bandwidth and CodingRate).
I get less than half of the range.
How is it possible the spring antenna (which is supposed to be crappy) on RA-01 to perform so much better than any other antenna I 've tried on RA-02?
(or maybe it 's not the antenna but something else?)
Apollyon25_:
A quick google image search shows the RA-02 has a small coaxial connector fitted, which the RA-01 doesn't have.
So probably the RF path is output to the connector instead of the PCB solder pad of the 'module'.
FYI - Pictures and schematics help others to spot your errors/problems.
Dave_PT:
@Apollyon25_ is right.
For example, this adapter board has no antenna connection. You really need to use the u.Fl connector to connect to your antenna.
panoss:
Yes, I know, at RA-02 I am using a connector with a coaxial cable attached to it. I should have mentioned it.
Apollyon25_:
Where/what is your antenna?
The connector is a 50ohms connection, however your coil antenna version on the RA-01 probably has a matching network to impedance match the antenna (not 50ohms) to the LoRa transceiver output, which is 50ohms.
Again, google image search shows this - https://mikroelectron.com/Product/10KM-433M-LORA-LONG-RANGE-WIRELESS-MODULE-RA-01 (third image has three components arranged as a U which are most likely the matching network)
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