Getting Started with Meshtastic - Antennas

[@TheWingnut58]

Here's a little tip for those on a budget....the supplied antennas are generally resonant at a lower frequency than desired, much like the example included in the video.....closer to 433 than 915.... These antennas are basically a piece of wire coiled onto a former of some sort....most can be "tuned" to a HIGHER frequency by removing the outer cover and trimming the length of the coiled wire a little at a time until you find the sweet spot for the desired frequency. If your antenna is resonant at a frequency higher than desired, you can solder on a "stinger".....a short piece of wire....to bring ot into resonance. There are several apps available for determining the exact length for your antenna at any frequency, whatever that happens to be......most importantly, have fun!

[@The_Comms_Channel]

Brilliant point! I'll pin this comment for others to see.

[@TheWingnut58]

I feel so honored, glad you found it useful.....I guess being a HAM does have its perks!...lol I've been a HAM for about 20 years and the only "store bought" antennas I have came on my HT's.....making antennas has fascinated me since my start in the hobby almost as much as running my mouth...lol

[@MrKennykyle1]

yeah i rather spend $20-$30 and get a better antenna xd. But this is nice to know

[@TheWingnut58]

Hate to tell you, but you can't buy a BETTER antenna than you can make and tune yourself, maybe "prettier", but not better .....especially for the price you mention.

[@MrKennykyle1]

@@TheWingnut58 can you make me one? I'll buy it for $25 of you.

[@adubs.]

Dont sleep on building your own antennas! Ground plane antennas are generally easy to build out of wire you may already have laying around and panel mount connectors.

[@The_Comms_Channel]

Very true and a video going over that might be good to do! Thanks for the idea!

[@adubs.]

@@The_Comms_Channel I often get sub 1.1 SWR with fiddling on ground plane antennas. They are not great for outdoor use since they are somewhat fragile. Ladder line j-pole in a PVC pipe is never a bad option for permanent mounting but much more difficult to get tweaked to perfection. Hard to beat a classic dipole in ease of construction. You probably know all this, but maybe someone else coming through the comments does not.

[@smg950u]

Great series so far! Was looking into meshtastic before this but lots of information is very scattered. Excited to see more!

[@The_Comms_Channel]

Thank you! Glad you're enjoying the series!My goal is to provide info on everything needed to get started and address some common questions. More to come soon!

[@michaelstora70]

I love your channel. Long_Fast, Long_Moderate, Long_Slow, and Very_Long_Slow all fall between 902 and 907MHz. The 4 medium and short defaults lie between 913 and 921MHz. I'm a fan of collinear rat tails for mobile nodes and those have inherently low SWR but narrow bandwidth. I usually tune for them Long_Fast ~907MHz. The $5-6 Gizont Nb-iot from AliExpress (915 20cm version) just needs about 15mm trimmed from the tip to resonate exactly where you need it.

[@michael.w.salter]

I just got my NanoVNA and checked the antenna on my t-echo at 915Mhz. The SWR was 5.5. thank goodness I ordered the other antenna that you had recommended. In the meantime I think I'll build a ground plane and test that out. It has to be better than 5.5. Thanks for your videos.

[@The_Comms_Channel]

Nice! Definitely a handy tool to have on hand. I'm glad you're enjoying the videos!

[@W8RIT1]

@7:50 users of Yagi antennas should also note whether they desire vertical or horizontal polarization between stations to match so that antenna at personal location will be mounted/installed with the proper polarization. Otherwise, a loss will be seen/heard.

[@The_Comms_Channel]

Good point! Forgot to mention that.

[@W8RIT1]

@@The_Comms_Channel it would almost be impossible to create a video with everyone like myself splitting hairs. I just thought it would be beneficial for those starting to eliminate THAT source of problems in communicating between stations. You did great with the video...if I were a creator I would have done the same...and someone would also add something good that I forgot. I'm gathering info to put together a Radio Merit Badge website and I like how you provided the graphics explaining the antenna beamwidth by gain with distance shown. Yes, even if I created that good piece of info in my video...someone would split hairs with me and include other info like propagation characteristics at those freqs....or I forgot multipath. Don't sweat it. You did great. Hopefully others can use your channel to collaborate more on the content of your videos. I'm enjoying them. PS...you made mention in another video comment about rtl_433.... a rhetorical question....have you heard of URH?? Universal Radio Hacker software?

[@The_Comms_Channel]

True, haha. There's so many little details that it would make videos over an hour long each time if you covered everything. I appreciate it! I have heard of URH, but haven't messed with it myself yet.

[@Lets-follow-HIM]

Thank you and I hope your channel receives the recognition it deserves

[@The_Comms_Channel]

Sure thing! Thank you so much!

[@W8RIT1]

Great! just learned today there is a difference in SMA and RP-SMA connectors.

[@FalconWing1813]

Learning alot from your videos. Thanks for sharing the knowledge!

[@The_Comms_Channel]

Sure thing! I'm glad you're finding the videos informative!

[@RoguePlank]

Really loving your meshtastic episodes, I've sent them to so many of my friends here in the UK, we're gathering parts for making our own little mesh with help from your vids.

[@The_Comms_Channel]

I'm glad you're enjoying the Meshtastic series and hope it helps you and your friends with your mesh network! Let me know how it goes!

[@RoguePlank]

@@The_Comms_Channel looking forward to your next video about how to use the NanoVNA meters to check the performance of antennae, I've got one on the way and a bunch of antennae to check.

[@The_Comms_Channel]

Awesome! Video will be coming soon!

[@vinniec5286]

Excellent graphical explanation of the antenna gain. Well done. Thank you.

[@The_Comms_Channel]

Thank you!

[@vineyardsaker6195]

very useful, THANK YOU!

[@The_Comms_Channel]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jimmynitrox]

I am enjoying a lot from your videos! Great information ❤

[@The_Comms_Channel]

Awesome! Thank you! I'm glad you're finding the videos informative!

[@MrDrone423]

Very informative, answered the questions I had about antennas, thanks.

[@The_Comms_Channel]

Thank you! I'm glad it helped!

[@Bikesdavebikes]

RP-SMA antennas are compatible providing you use an RP-SMA to IPEX coaxial cable. I use them myself with no issues.

[@The_Comms_Channel]

Yes, that is fine.

[@famman4940]

Thanks!

[@revadan]

SWR and Return Loss must go together when looking or home brewing antenna..

[@jongillman5877]

Thanks!

[@The_Comms_Channel]

Thanks for the support!

[@jebthereb2]

Well done.

[@The_Comms_Channel]

Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed the video!

[@markhillsdon4789]

Good video and informative. I have an LILYGO Meshtastic T-Beam ESP32 Module and used an 15 cm antenna from an old 10 year old WIFI (EU) router that originally had 3 antennas. Is this a good solution or completely wrong. There are no markings on the antenna to work from. ACTUALLY... I just noticed it has female adapter - no pin so no good. I hope i did not damage the unit.

[@anti-popfpv4638]

What about digital transceiver antenna polarity and why one should know the grounded side of the antenna and how it can increase gain by using the earths polarity? Is this fake science or am I remembering right?

[@W8RIT1]

@6:06 Hey!!! I resemble that remark!! :D

[@The_Comms_Channel]

I'm glad I'm not alone 😂

[@TUBEORATER]

The AR-15 uhf vhf that came with my baofeng, AR 152 works WAY better than the specific 915mhz raigen 5.8db. Show me a better antenna that works with heltec units for 915mhz

[@unwin42]

You should make a quick and dirty dipole when you show off the nano vna

[@The_Comms_Channel]

Good idea! I may do that. I should have spare coax with an sma on it somewhere.

[@C--2]

According to the Radio Configuration>LoRa menu, the default RF channel of 20 shows a frequency of 906.3MHz. To get the closest to 915MHz, the channel is 53; 915.125MHz. I can't find a band plan for each channel Meshtastic uses so I cannot confirm anything.

[@TomSmith-eq1vr]

Thanks

[@The_Comms_Channel]

Sure thing! Thank you for your continued support!

[@edcozart9916]

I was wondering have you used a bigger antenna for the bluetooth? if so what did you try?

[@harleypub]

In relation to the distance of an antenna, and connection to the Mesh system. If I understand this correctly, the Mesh system is used to connect all radios across the nation?, and the antenna you use on your radio is used to connect your radio unit to another radio in the local area?

[@innercityprepper]

Question about the reverse polarity (RP) stuff -- if you use adapters and/or gender changers so that all the pins match up to the right holes (heh heh) does the antenna then work appropriately, or are you still in danger of damaging the radio (or having very bad performance)?

[@ninjaskitches]

pulls 8' 915Mhz 3g antenna and rru out of garage and mounts on chimney... 😂 also higher dbi = flatter donut

[@BobBob-il2ku]

I’ve read the linx ant-916-cw-hw-sma Is good mouser has it

[@The_Comms_Channel]

I'll check it out. Thanks!

[@darrennorman4795]

Hi there I'm totally new to these devices I'd like to set one up that has GPS. Iv been told to buy the Heltec V3 LoRA Meshtastic Radio node for the 3D bender box . Do you have a link that will fit this box . I'm in the UK. Thanks

[@hooks4638]

How do you figure out the Curvature vs. Height thing? Is there an equation? A static value? Or like a proportion?

[@The_Comms_Channel]

I used this calculator. It has the formula for antenna height vs the radius of the earth. Thanks for the question! I'll add this link to the video description. www.everythingrf.com/rf-calculators/line-of-sight-calculator

[@Russianmafia10]

When adapting from ipex to sma, does that length of wire affect the tuned frequency?

[@The_Comms_Channel]

No, just more signal loss the longer the cable.

[@timothypreston6496]

Hello, I bought the Mouser Taoglas antenna you linked below the video. What adapter do I need to attach it to the Tbeam?

[@The_Comms_Channel]

n female to sma male adapter

[@castleman117]

If I chose an antenna with 9 DB, and put it above my house to reach an antenna that's a mile and a half away, how would I then get that signal to go down towards my house if a 9DB antenna is only going to broadcast outward and is mounted 50 or 60 ft in the air?

[@The_Comms_Channel]

9db is overkill for a mile and a half away. There would likely be some signal directly below that you could pick up. but you don't need the LoRa signal at your house, you need the Bluetooth signal and could use a different antenna for that.

[@castleman117]

@@The_Comms_Channel That's extremely helpful! Thank you. Any ETA on the PCB board? I'm highly interested in buying at least five of them from you

[@MrtrenchTrucker]

What do you think of Helium 915mhz antenna? I have done really large ones I want to try.

[@The_Comms_Channel]

I've not tried any but those should work fine! As long as it's for 915MHz any antenna should work.

[@J-manoo7]

What antenna would you recommend for T beam supreme (915 Mz)

[@The_Comms_Channel]

If you don't want to wait for long overseas shipping, this one from Amazon in the links is good. If you don't mind the wait, the TX915-JKD-20 is really good and good folded - www.aliexpress.us/item/3256803106771365.html If you need something flexible, the GIZONT is a popular one: Gizont Antenna (I ordered the version that says Color: 915MHz SMA M) www.aliexpress.us/item/3256804421300249.html

[@J-manoo7]

I really appreciate that bro .

[@thatguy2828]

Curvature of the earth lol, so weird how we measure the earth and navigate it without the curvature. Even the scada line of sight tool doesn't account for earth curve. When I worked in teleco we never accounted for it with line of sight signals that should've had hundreds of feet of earth curve hill in the way.. again so weird.

[@MrHuangKong88]

The SCADA LoS tool accounts for topography and curvature automatically by abstraction. No user input is required, hence why it may seem “weird”.

[@sentineloffreedomforever1381]

I just got into a big argument with this dude that thinks you're just flat I wish I would have known about this antenna thing he might have understood it instead I had to give him a bunch of science that he'll never understand

[@mlg779]

There is no earth curvature. If you look at the record, it is 158 miles, 254km. and not 10 miles.

[@The_Comms_Channel]

That's because it was from mountain top to mountain top

[@mlg779]

@@The_Comms_Channel that is not the case. thing is there is no curvature. you can see as far as the lens on your camera allows it.

[@The_Comms_Channel]

That IS the case. Where did talk of cameras come into this? We're talking about radio signals.

[@mlg779]

@@The_Comms_Channel radio signals are like cameras. they need line of sight.

[@The_Comms_Channel]

So what you're saying is there is earth curvature and that is why signals only travel certain distances. If the earth was flat, the signal wouldn't stop and would reach the other end.

[@garrettgiuffre7298]

Curvature of the Earth what do you mean the earth is flat of course there could be no curve just kidding haha

[@The_Comms_Channel]

😂

[@flat-earther]

hi garrettgluffre, have you become a flat earther yet? If not I suggest viewing the 13 part series _what on earth happened_ in my about to learn how the earth is not a globe

[@The_Comms_Channel]

😂

[@paulhelinski9890]

Thanks!

[@kennyray1381]

Thanks!

[@The_Comms_Channel]

Thank you so much for the support!

[@sk1tch]

Thanks!

[@The_Comms_Channel]

Thank you so much for the support!

[@jasonbrock1333]

Thanks!

[@The_Comms_Channel]

Thank you so much for the support!

[@JD_Manufacturing]

Thanks!

[@The_Comms_Channel]

Sure thing! Thank you so much for the support!