Best platform (currently) for running RFM69HW?

[NeverDie]

@Sparkman said:

For me it's primarily a cost driven decision. I can get a Pro Mini and an NRF24L01+ for a total price, including shipping to Canada, for less than $3US in total. The cheapest RFM69 module is $3.90 + $6.55 shipping and then the cost of a Pro Mini. A Moteino equipped with a RFM69 is almost $20, not including shipping. At some point I may experiment with different RF modules, but so far the NRF clones/fakes have been working fine for me with coverage throughout the 3 levels in my house and in our yard.

Cheers
Al

Al,

I notice you can buy some of the RFM69x modules on Ali Express for little less, and with free shipping to Canada. Example: http://www.aliexpress.com/item/FSK-module-RFM69W-13dBm-RF-transceiver-module-433-868-915MHZ-can-be-selected/2010765917.html

[NeverDie]

Good news! It looks as though the RFM69CW format can be easily soldered to many different kinds of inexpensive, mass produced arduino prototyping boards, such as:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/171193450673?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Caveat emptor, as I haven't tried it yet.

From the look of it, the RFM69CW has 14 "pins" and should line up rather than the 16 pins of the RFM69W. I wonder what was sacrificed by going down to 14 pins from 16?

Anyhow, this makes the hookup far more economic than if a custom board were required, at least for regular form factor arduinos.

[Sparkman]

@NeverDie said:

I notice you can buy some of the RFM69x modules on Ali Express for little less, and with free shipping to Canada. Example: http://www.aliexpress.com/item/FSK-module-RFM69W-13dBm-RF-transceiver-module-433-868-915MHZ-can-be-selected/2010765917.html

Great, thanks for the link. Will order some to play around with.

Cheers
Al

[NeverDie]

Also, I'm noticing that an inexpensive adapter board like this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/171242679113

could be used to solder the pins of the RFM69x, and it would also fit over every pin on an Arduino Pro Mini, so you could possibly do some optimizing as to how the RFM69 pins map to the pro mini pins, if you know what I mean.

[fets]

@NeverDie are you sure RFM69 pin pitch matches these adapters ?

[scalz]

@NeverDie : hi. look at here if you want http://forum.mysensors.org/topic/1419/sensor-board-with-booster-and-supervisor. it is not updated yet. I will do soon. I am waiting for my second batch as I had some mistakes. I have to wait two weeks to receive; I can't wait!

you will be able to solder what you need. dc booster can provide constant voltage even if battery is low. it will be possible to solder just some parts, it depends what you will need. I have made a version with nrf_smd+rfm69 footprints too.
I think I will like it. Maybe others...
It is opensource so you will be able too build it.
Note: on overview this is not the pro mini I use (I have not the good 3d model). I use these http://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/feUvNFufi

Too bad I didn't see the MYSXConnector before. Next time I will take care :wink:

[NeverDie]

@scalz said:

@NeverDie : hi. look at here if you want http://forum.mysensors.org/topic/1419/sensor-board-with-booster-and-supervisor. it is not updated yet. I will do soon. I am waiting for my second batch as I had some mistakes. I have to wait two weeks to receive; I can't wait!

you will be able to solder what you need. dc booster can provide constant voltage even if battery is low. it will be possible to solder just some parts, it depends what you will need. I have made a version with nrf_smd+rfm69 footprints too.
I think I will like it. Maybe others...
It is opensource so you will be able too build it.
Note: on overview this is not the pro mini I use (I have not the good 3d model). I use these http://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/feUvNFufi

Too bad I didn't see the MYSXConnector before. Next time I will take care :wink:

Looks interesting. I don't see the RFM69x on it though. Is that on the other side?

[NeverDie]

@fets said:

@NeverDie are you sure RFM69 pin pitch matches these adapters ?

Good catch. I just now measured the pitch of the RFM69HW, and it's 2.0mm. So, you're right, those particular adapters wouldn't work.

I have seen 1.0mm pitch adapters which I presume would work(?) by using every other solder line. I haven't tried looking for 2.0mm pitch adapters yet, but I guess now I will.

[scalz]

thx. RFM69 is on the same nrf plane. on overview you can see a port of the rfm69 footprint, under nrf. for rfm69, it is same pinout as the moteino. will post more soon.

I am note sure what do you mean by FETS? I don't see your question...

[scalz]

ahaha now I understand your question! yes pitch is 2mm.

[NeverDie]

FYI, There is an a RFM69 adapter board for a teensie: file:///C:/Users/LR/Downloads/Teensy3%20RFM69_OSH%20plus%20RFM69-RFM22%20diag%20softw.pdf

Now just need to find the equivalent for a pro mini....

[NeverDie]

It would be a total kludge, but with the correct pins and two adapters per radio, it might work: http://www.aliexpress.com/item/1-27MM-2-0MM-2-54MM-8-pin-adapter-plate/32386544730.html Actually, maybe not even then.

I really hope someone has something better to suggest.

[NeverDie]

Or possibly use something like this, but attach 4 wires directly to the radio, one at each corner of the radio.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/5pcs-SOP24-SOIC-1mm-to-DIP24-Adapter-PCB-Board-Converter-Double-Sides-NEW-F67-/171246416055?hash=item27df14f0b7

You'd only solder to every other solder pad.

I guess it might work.

[Sparkman]

@NeverDie Here's the link to the OSH Park Teensy adapter board: https://oshpark.com/shared_projects/RIumMBtN

These guys have an an adapter board as well, but a bit pricey: http://modtronicsaustralia.com/shop/rfm69hw-breakout-board-bare-pcb-rf-wireless-module/

Cheers
Al

[NeverDie]

@Sparkman said:

@NeverDie Here's the link to the OSH Park Teensy adapter board: https://oshpark.com/shared_projects/RIumMBtN

These guys have an an adapter board as well, but a bit pricey: http://modtronicsaustralia.com/shop/rfm69hw-breakout-board-bare-pcb-rf-wireless-module/

Cheers
Al

Thanks, Al!

I suppose if I were to need an SMA connector, that modtronics board would be the only way (at the moment) of getting it.

[NeverDie]

@NeverDie said:

It would be a total kludge, but with the right pins and two adapters per radio, it might work: http://www.aliexpress.com/item/1-27MM-2-0MM-2-54MM-8-pin-adapter-plate/32386544730.html Actually, maybe not even then.

I really hope someone has something better to suggest.

Amazingly, the idea actually does work. Somebody with the same desperate need already did it:
https://www.gorilladistribution.com.au/product/prototyping-adapter-kit-for-hoperf-modules/

[NeverDie]

This guy demonstrates how it can be done using protoboard: http://jdesbonnet.blogspot.com/2014/12/experiments-with-rfm69-433mhz-digital.html

but it was nasty looking, so he later spun his own PCB.

[Sparkman]

Here's another option: https://github.com/uChip/RFM69W_BOB

[Sparkman]

And this one which is interesting as it adapts the RFM to an NRF pinout: https://hallard.me/rfm12b-breakout/ which could be very useful to use boards like the Sensebender with and RFM69.

Cheers
Al

[NeverDie]

@scalz said:

@NeverDie : hi. look at here if you want http://forum.mysensors.org/topic/1419/sensor-board-with-booster-and-supervisor. it is not updated yet. I will do soon. I am waiting for my second batch as I had some mistakes. I have to wait two weeks to receive; I can't wait!

you will be able to solder what you need. dc booster can provide constant voltage even if battery is low. it will be possible to solder just some parts, it depends what you will need. I have made a version with nrf_smd+rfm69 footprints too.
I think I will like it. Maybe others...
It is opensource so you will be able too build it.

Have you picked out a box yet for mounting it in, and do they mate well? As corny as it sounds, having the total solution can really tip the scales toward your solution. If I go the hybrid route (two different kinds of radios), I think I might find this quite attractive.

Note: on overview this is not the pro mini I use (I have not the good 3d model). I use these http://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/feUvNFufi

Good to know, because that's exactly the source I was thinking of too!

Too bad I didn't see the MYSXConnector before. Next time I will take care :wink:

How does MYSX connector relate to this?