|
|
Post by doxidad on May 21, 2021 9:23:17 GMT -8
I did a post mortem on the transmitter board that was giving me the distance problems. The plated-through hole where the antenna was soldered did not connect to the trace on the backside of the board. I assume a crack in the trace. I scraped the resist off of the trace and put a bridge of solder between the antenna and the trace. This fixed the transmitter and it now works for distance. I was only getting about 10 feet up until this point - basically no antenna.
You might want to check continuity between the antenna and the trace - use the end of the capacitor closest to to the antenna hole and the antenna.
|
|
wshealy
Full Member
Posts: 187
Raspberry Pi: Yes
|
Post by wshealy on May 21, 2021 10:13:08 GMT -8
BP,
I sent you a photo of mine. Is it wired correctly. If it is it doesn't work.
Thanks
W
|
|
|
|
Post by Jason on May 21, 2021 10:39:06 GMT -8
Here's what I see on one of the boards where the long range antenna doesn't work. It appears contact is good.  Thanks, Jason |
|
|
|
Post by doxidad on May 21, 2021 13:02:28 GMT -8
Jason, My problem was on the transmitter board.
The circled red is where the antenna solders on (or the wires to go to the header on the Mini Pro Plus) The green is where the open was on the trace
Attachments:
|
|
|
|
Post by SDL on May 23, 2021 5:41:48 GMT -8
Doxidad, et.al.,
Interesting. We are going to modify our soldering process to look for a break there. Secondly, we are going to include a second transmitter (unsoldered) with the kits starting in the next few weeks. We have seen a failure rate of about 5% which is too high.
BP
|
|
wshealy
Full Member
Posts: 187
Raspberry Pi: Yes
|
Post by wshealy on May 23, 2021 17:22:38 GMT -8
Looks like my problem too. I have gone back to spring antenna. Can I get one that you have tested? Also I could use a couple more external antennas if they work.
Can I manage an order from working stock?
Thanks
W
|
|
|
|
Post by SDL on May 24, 2021 13:20:50 GMT -8
Put in an order for the external antenna and I'll send some extra transmitters. remind me about when you order.
BP
|
|
|
|
Post by Jason on Jun 6, 2021 16:57:12 GMT -8
Jason Here is all the info of what I have. I have 2 different styles of transmitters.. One style has the single coil on it like original from SDL and the second one has 2 coils. Not sure what the differences is other than maybe fine tuning a bit. I put in the single coil one. Also, both of these packages come with both transmitter and receivers.
The one with the single coil - 3 transmitters and 3 receivers and 6 coil antennas
Both packages were < $10
The antennas were 2 in package
OOPSIE - I removed the 2nd set of transmitters - I just looked at them and messed up when ordering -they are 315Mhz instead of 433Mhz. Glad I saw this before I tried using them and spent time trying to figure out why they wouldn't work - hopefully no one ordered them from my link.
Finally got around to ordering a batch of these. Put a new transmitter in on Saturday and have had two steady days of readings on the bench. Weather permitting, I'll move the rig outside and continue testing! Thanks again doxidad! Thanks, Jason |
|
|
|
Post by SDL on Jun 6, 2021 18:48:59 GMT -8
Great information. Dow Hurst is writing an article about 433MHz ranges. I'll send him this thread link.
BP
|
|
|
|
Post by Jason on Jun 10, 2021 10:22:30 GMT -8
Jason Here is all the info of what I have. I have 2 different styles of transmitters.. One style has the single coil on it like original from SDL and the second one has 2 coils. Not sure what the differences is other than maybe fine tuning a bit. I put in the single coil one. Also, both of these packages come with both transmitter and receivers.
The one with the single coil - 3 transmitters and 3 receivers and 6 coil antennas
Both packages were < $10
The antennas were 2 in package
OOPSIE - I removed the 2nd set of transmitters - I just looked at them and messed up when ordering -they are 315Mhz instead of 433Mhz. Glad I saw this before I tried using them and spent time trying to figure out why they wouldn't work - hopefully no one ordered them from my link.
Finally got around to ordering a batch of these. Put a new transmitter in on Saturday and have had two steady days of readings on the bench. Weather permitting, I'll move the rig outside and continue testing! Thanks again doxidad ! Thanks, Jason Short-lived success :-( Can't get readings anymore with the new antennas. Thanks, Jason |
|
|
|
Post by SDL on Jun 10, 2021 13:56:36 GMT -8
What changed? This is really odd.
BP
|
|
|
|
Post by Jason on Jun 11, 2021 2:47:09 GMT -8
I shut the kit down in order to put it back in the box for outdoor testing. Once assembled, I connected it to my Mac for one more round of testing before taking it outdoors. The readings and transmissions were showing up in the serial monitor but I wasn't seeing them get picked up by radio on the bench. The radio was behind a monitor so I moved the kit back to where it has been running for a week on the bench. Still no readings on the radio. Took it back out of the box and still no readings. Tried several other transmitters and restarts of the radio and no readings. I also tried a different Mini Pro Plus board. Bent pins. Nothing worked to get readings again. I'm going to relocate everything to my garage in the hopes that maybe there is less interference and see if it works again.
Thanks,
Jason
|
|
|
|
Post by SDL on Jun 11, 2021 15:01:12 GMT -8
Jason,
If I remember right you are picking up the WeatherRACK2 too also?
Would you send a picture of the MiniPro Serial with the transmitter plugged in?
BP
|
|
|
|
Post by Jason on Jun 14, 2021 9:18:41 GMT -8
Just before I move.d the kit to the garage, it started picking up again.it has been running for several days. I've re-oriented the position of the antenna board and also moved the antenna and radio further apart. All good sofar. I'm going to box the kit next.
Thanks,
Jason
|
|
wshealy
Full Member
Posts: 187
Raspberry Pi: Yes
|
Post by wshealy on Jun 14, 2021 13:05:43 GMT -8
I'm back from vacation.
I am waiting for you guys to figure this out. Was planning to get BP to send me good ones when I order the next antenna.
W
|
|
