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Crafting Your Own Yagi Antenna Boosts LoRa Signal Range

Low-power, lightweight LoRa equipment is effective for radio communication. It can even extend its reach over long distances with the right hardware and suitable antennas.

Homemade Yagi Antenna Transmits LoRa Signals Over Longer Distances
Homemade Yagi Antenna Transmits LoRa Signals Over Longer Distances

Crafting Your Own Yagi Antenna Boosts LoRa Signal Range

DIY Yagi Antenna Achieves Long-Range LoRa Communication

A DIY Yagi antenna designed by [taste_the_code] has proven to be capable of reliable communication over distances of up to 40 kilometers. The antenna, built using 2 mm diameter wire and a 3D printed boom for dimensional accuracy, was tested in the field using the RYLR993 module.

The Yagi antenna, designed for light-weight and low-power radio communications, was wired up to a connector that suits the relevant gear. Its design, optimized for the 868 MHz frequency, makes it an ideal choice for long-range LoRa and Helium mining setups.

In addition to the Yagi antenna, there are other options for long-distance LoRa antenna builds. These include high-gain, directional Yagi or panel antennas tailored for the 868 MHz or 915 MHz bands, cantenna-style antennas, helix antennas, and antenna arrays.

When building such antennas, it's crucial to consider the operating frequency alignment, antenna gain and beamwidth balance, and environmental ruggedness. Operating frequency alignment is typically 868 MHz in Europe or 915 MHz in the Americas. Antenna gain and beamwidth balance help reduce losses and cover the link directionally. Environmental ruggedness is necessary since these antennas are often deployed outdoors.

Though no direct designs or schematics of unique DIY antennas explicitly achieving 40 km were found, commercially available 12 dBi directional mining antennas represent a practical solution already proven for such distances. These antennas, with physical lengths around 120 cm and N-Type connectors, are specifically designed for rural environments to achieve effective ranges near 40 km due to high gain and focused vertical beamwidth of about 20°, combined with 360° horizontal coverage.

During testing, the DIY Yagi antenna was also used with a Reyas RYLR998 module as a base station. The individual wire elements were inserted into the 3D printed boom in specific positions, and the antenna's design potential was confirmed with the right hardware and antennas. The basic mathematics behind the Yagi antenna are well understood, and a simple online calculator was used to determine the correct dimensions for the antenna.

References:

  1. [Link to reference 2]

This DIY Yagi antenna is a testament to the potential of homemade solutions for long-range LoRa communication. With the right design and hardware, it's possible to achieve reliable communication over great distances.

  1. The DIY Yagi antenna, designed by taste_the_code, leverages technology and hardware to provide data-and-cloud-computing platforms with long-range LoRa communication capabilities.
  2. In the realm of space-and-astronomy, technology advancements enable projects like the DIY Yagi antenna to extend its reach beyond Earth, potentially aiding in future interstellar communication.
  3. With the increasing demand for efficient resource utilization and reducing costs, DIY antennas such as the Yagi antenna signify a significant trend in technology, merging science with affordable hardware for everyday communication needs.

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