NRF24L01+PA+LNA

[flopp]

Other problem
I have cap 4,7uf
No shield
Power from seperate source

When I use it in my Ethernet gateway it starts up but can't receive anything.
When I put it on other Uno(repeater) it works fine.
When I have it on Uno(battery sensor sketch) it works fine.

What am I missing?

[Oitzu]

Add shield try again. Even electronics near to the pa/lna module can induce enough noise that it stops working.

Different power supplys on the ethernet gateway and the uno?

[flopp]

@Oitzu
Ok will try with shield.

Yes, different computers both GW and REP is powered by USB.

[Oitzu]

@flopp said:

Yes, different computers both GW and REP is powered by USB.

But same source the pa/lna module or also different?

[flopp]

@Oitzu
PA is getting from a second USB port(not same as GW) through a step-down to 3,3.
GND is connected together from both ports

[Oitzu]

@flopp said:
through a step-down to 3,3.

I suspect linear regulator? Then it should, normally, no problem.

[flopp]

@Oitzu said:

@flopp said:
through a step-down to 3,3.

I suspect linear regulator?

I have no knowledge about that but I don't think so, because I can turn on a screw to change from ~1.5-4 V

[Oitzu]

@flopp said:

I have no knowledge about that but I don't think so, because I can turn on a screw to change from ~1.5-4 V

Oh, sounds like a switching regulator to me, but can't be sure. Does it have any name? A switching regulator could produce some significant ripple in your supply, that maybe needs to be filtered out.

Would try the shield first, and then see. :D

[flopp]

@Oitzu said:

@flopp said:

I have no knowledge about that but I don't think so, because I can turn on a screw to change from ~1.5-4 V

Oh, sounds like a switching regulator to me, but can't be sure. Does it have any name? A switching regulator could produce some significant ripple in your supply, that maybe needs to be filtered out.

Would try the shield first, and then see. :D

Thank you @Oitzu I change to a different step-down and it started to work, even without shield. Now I use this http://www.ebay.com/itm/DC-5V-to-3-3V-DC-DC-Step-Down-Power-Supply-Buck-Module-AMS1117-LDO-800MA-/281058278731

before it was this "s**t" http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/RC-Airplane-Module-Mini-360-DC-Buck-Converter-Step-Down-Module-4-75V-23V-to/1686390_32266152653.html

Left is GOOD right is BAD

[Oitzu]

@flopp said:

Left is GOOD right is BAD

Just to note: That is a little bit to simple. The left is a linear regulator the right one a switching regulator.
That are different technologies that both have there up and downsides. But for sensors a linear regulator often fits better, yes.

it started to work, even without shield

Never the less i would recommend the shield for even better performance, especially if you want to crank up the pa_level for higher range.

[Mark Swift]

I gave up on trying to get the PA+LNB version working with my NodeMCU, reverted back to standard for now!

BTW, I tried it with many different power supplies and with without shielding. Tried for almost a week.

In the end I buckled and ordered a proper shielded version, awaiting its arrival...

[moskovskiy82]

@Mark-Swift said:

In the end I buckled and ordered a proper shielded version, awaiting its arrival...

Where did you get this one? And also share your experience after arriving of the item

[Mark Swift]

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/E01-ML01DP5-Ebyte-2-4GHz-20dBm-2100m-nRF24L01-SPI-Wireless-transceiver-module/32638720689.html

The company also communicated some interesting issues that can cause issues with the nRF... Such as:

1. Watch control voltage, they're easily damaged if you use 5v, hence they suggest pushing control voltage with a 1K-5.1K resistor, even better to use 3.3v (hence on my next one to play it safe I'll use a spare 5v -> 3.3v level shift converter too).

[Oitzu]

@Mark-Swift let us know how they perform. The supplier looks very professional.
Would be interesting if they really reach the promised 2.1km :D
(I wonder with which antenna)

even better to use 3.3v (hence on my next one to play it safe I'll use a spare 5v -> 3.3v level shift converter too).

Or use a 3.3V pro mini.