Antennas
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Height and position matter more than the antenna. If you hear nothing, it is usually your location.
Basics
- Frequency: 868 MHz in the UK.
- SWR: lower is better. 1.0:1 is perfect, 1.8:1 or more is a poor match.
- Gain: a simple monopole is about 2 dBi, a collinear 6 to 12 dBi. Every 3 dB roughly doubles sensitivity.
Types
- Monopole: simple and omnidirectional.
- Sleeved dipole: what most stock Meshtastic antennas are.
- Collinear: often the most useful for Meshtastic.
- Yagi or panel: directional, for fixed links.
Recommended
| Use | Antenna |
|---|---|
| Handheld or indoor | paradar.co.uk 868 MHz 5 dBi whip |
| Loft or garden pole | paradar.co.uk 868 MHz 6.5 dBi (about £44) |
| Higher gain | paradar.co.uk 868 MHz 8.5 dBi (about £69) |
Mounting
- Keep coax as short as possible. Losses add up quickly.
- Don't run a long cable from the house to a garden antenna. Mount the node at the antenna and run power to it instead.
Full guide with diagrams: A beginners guide to Antennas for Meshtastic by Jppx.