RFM69HW 433 communication problem

[gohan]

I got the new batch of 4 new rfm69h but I am still getting no communication between gw and node, now I can't even get some messages received from gw. I have updates to latest development library and used pretty much all defaults values besides setting the right frequency. Unless I'm doing something really wrong, there must be something wrong in the basics. I'll have to try some more combinations with the antennas, but I am really starting to get discouraged since the nrf24 worked fine since the beginning.

[sundberg84]

@gohan - If you have 3.3v on the radio and the arduino, are sure about the software/sketch then I would also suggest trying different antennas. What are you using today? I would buy a SMA connector and a good antenna. Even though I have the DIY antenna on the test-node above, I still have a factory antenna + SMA connector on the gw.

[Carywin]

I'm not very familiar with that hardware, but from a cursory glance it looks like you don't have the interrupt pin connected? Unlike the NRF modules, the RFM69s are interrupt-driven and need DIO0 connected to pin 2

[gohan]

I am waiting for the antennas and sma connectors too. Irq pin i think it is connected as it should be in the in the pcb.

[sundberg84]

@Carywin - its EasyPCB RFM edition and D2 is connected to DIO0 pin as described in the radio tutorial so unless he is using a strange RFM module with the interrupt pin on some different place that should work.

[Carywin]

Right, I'm sure that node is fine, I mainly just zoomed in and looked at this one:

I use this same small piggyback board for many nodes and it works great with those 21mm coil antennas.

However, I just noticed the #define for TX power. I think the H and HW versions have a minimum of 13dB or something. Have you tried without?

[Jokgi]

@gohan a straight pig tail antenna of about 30mm should work fine (but will not be perfectly tuned).

[gohan]

@Carywin I was using the nodes on easypcb also for the new ones. What do you suggest I set the TX power?

[sundberg84]

@gohan - i never messed with TX power... have a look and try my sketches above. They work for me.

[Carywin]

I would suggest comment out the TX power setting and let the ATC control it. If it still doesn't work, try:

#define MY_RFM69_ATC_MODE_DISABLED
#define MY_RFM69_TX_POWER_DBM 20

Edit:
Maybe also try

#define MY_DEBUG_VERBOSE_RFM69

and see if that tells you anything more.

[gohan]

If my headache gets better, I'll do some more tests tonight

[Jokgi]

@gohan If you are using AutoAcks and you have a combination of True Nordic based Modules and nRF24L01P clones you may have a issue. Is there a way to not use acknowledgements and see if you can communicate properly between the modules?

[gohan]

I'm using rfm69 not nrf24l01

[gohan]

I think i solved the mistery... the alixpress seller sent me RFM69W modules instead of HW... I just noticed the chips are the same and in fact they work if I compile the node without the #define MY_IS_RFM69HW. I don't even know if I can get a partial refund since quite some time has passed

PS :rage: :rage: :zap: :zap:

[sundberg84]

@gohan - so you got communication now that is working? That is great news.

[gohan]

Yeah... Not a good news that I got "scammed"

[sundberg84]

@gohan - nope its not! I hope you will get your money back!
But atleast you know you can make it work and how!

[gohan]

@sundberg84 the bad thing is that I was recommended to use that seller as a good one.

[sundberg84]

@gohan - did I ? Im sorry If i did...
My RFM modules have been working good and are as described.

[gohan]

No, it wasn't you.