2.4Ghz RF Module for new users [2018]

[Prakhar Birla]

Hello All,

I am new to MySensors and have decided to use this platform for creating a sensor network to monitor greenhouse crops. I have spent a fair bit of time reading the forums and the website. I am still undecided about which RF Module (& supplier) to use.

I'm based in India, we have a non standard ISM band allocation so 868 & 915Mhz are not available for public use while 433 requires a HAM radio licence to operate which leaves only 2.4Ghz.

There has been lots of discussions on problems with NRF24 clones, and now there are the new NRF51 & Nrf52 ICs that don't need a separate MCU which I want to avoid atm because it's new hardware with much to learn.

I have listed down the ebyte red modules and one with a SMA connector for the gateway along with the itead nrf24l01+ modules.

Which to use to have a stable sensor network?

Thanks
Sorry for the long post l

[alowhum]

The red eByte modules are a good choice.

[jkandasa]

@prakhar-birla Hi I too from India. Recently I have pushed a PR to use India standard for RFM69. You may have a look at https://github.com/mysensors/MySensors/issues/1184

[Prakhar Birla]

@alowhum said in 2.4Ghz RF Module for new users [2018]:

The red eByte modules are a good choice.

Great, will order a bunch of those. Thanks for sharing your experience.

For the gateway should I use the same chip or a different eByte with an external antenna?

[Prakhar Birla]

@jkandasa said in 2.4Ghz RF Module for new users [2018]:

@prakhar-birla Hi I too from India. Recently I have pushed a PR to use India standard for RFM69. You may have a look at https://github.com/mysensors/MySensors/issues/1184

Hello! This a great, I didn't bother checking the range in the data sheet. Now I need to get some RFM69 ones too. Are you using any yourself?

[jkandasa]

@prakhar-birla Yes, I am using in my house. I see a good range between concrete walls.
I was using NRF24L01+ Chinese version and was facing range issue. I used to have Gateway for each floor.
But now only single gateway with RFM69HW.

I have replaced RFM69HW with NRF24L01+ couple of weeks ago. I am just experimenting with coverage with RFM69HW. So far I do not face any issue.

[Prakhar Birla]

@jkandasa Thanks for sharing! Which vendor do you buy from?

[alowhum]

@Prakhar-Birla for the gateway get the ebyte PA LNA module. It's more powerful. It's also shielded, which you really need.

RFM69 is the better option overall. More range, and using a less crowded band (433mhz). But it's more difficult to connect the hardware (in my opinion).

The NRF24 units can be plug and play if you buy the Arduino Nano Wireless Board. I build all my nodes that way. But if you want to go for battery power, using that board might not be your best choice.

[jkandasa]

@prakhar-birla I do buy in Aliexpress, you can see some of the links in https://www.mysensors.org/build/connect_radio