NRF24L01+ SI24R1

[grumpazoid]

I have just received three of these modules from Banggood. https://www.banggood.com/3Pcs-NRF24L01-SI24R1-2_4G-Wireless-Power-Enhanced-Communication-Receiver-Module-p-1057155.html?rmmds=search&cur_warehouse=CN#jsReviewsWrap

Have I made a mistake in buying these?

I've tried to get them communicating using the following guide but no joy so far. https://maniacbug.wordpress.com/2011/11/02/getting-started-rf24/
I'll have another try tonight.

[electrik]

@grumpazoid Try this guide https://www.mysensors.org/build/connect_radio
It looks like you miss one connection

[grumpazoid]

After a bit of trial and error, it turned out that the clone uno board (made by geekcreit) needed a capacitor across the power lines to the radio.

I used the code as provided on this tutorial https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSHJ-RLbNJk

Next on this list is to try and make sense of this:
Default mode output power of SI24R1 is 2 ~ 3dBm, if you want the output is 7dBm, you should write 1 (NRF24L01 + This bit is not used, the default is 0) into the lowest bit register address 0x06 (RF_SETUP) . For example, the 01register, 0x061111

[grumpazoid]

Just a further update with these modules. I was having trouble with the modules not being able to communicate across the distance of my house.

Since then I received a second order of this same SKU from BG. This time the radios came in nice individual geekcreit bags. I swapped out all the radios and now they communicate perfectly form one side of the house to the other.
It's a shame that the BG website lists both my orders as the same part number , so there is no way of knowing what will turn up if I order again.

[grumpazoid]

Latest update.

Another 4 boards arrived from ebay. They looked like the bad batch I had in that the tracks on the PCB antenna are slightly thicker.
Sure enough......terrible range.

I have also received the NRF24L01+PA+LNA from the link on the Mysensors store.
This refuses to work in MAX power mode - yes I am using separate 3.3V supply for it. Everything just locks up. Range in other power modes is no better. The printing on the PCB is different to that pictured. Pin 0 is not marked. Confusingly there is a dot next to pin 8 !!!

so so far 3 good radios. 8 Bad ones.

I have asked Banggood if they are still shipping the radios that worked.
Anybody bought any recently that work ok? Maybe time to change to another band?

[Yveaux]

@grumpazoid said in NRF24L01+ SI24R1:

Anybody bought any recently that work ok?

Check this thread : https://forum.mysensors.org/topic/9668/cdebyte-s-new-nrf24-modules-are-great-and-cheap

IMHO all the hassle isn't worth the price difference.

[grumpazoid]

@yveaux Some useful info there. Thanks. Will keep an eye on those modules to see if the price drops a bit.

[grumpazoid]

Today I have conducted some experiments with the antenna on one of my "bad" modules.
First I extended the length of the antenna as detailed in the youtube video by @petewill . No improvement to speak of.

Having noted that the antenna tracks on all my bad modules are thicker than the ones that work, I cut the track to the on board antenna and soldered on a 125mm piece of cat5 wire.

The improvement was immediate. I can now reach from one end of my house to the other.
Interestingly there were still a couple of dead spots right at the far ends, but bending the wire at right angles, 2 or 3 cm form the end got everything working.

I have yet more modules on order from ebay so will see what they look like - CDEBYTE ones still at a high price

[Guillermo Schimmel]

@grumpazoid I did the same but on the tip of the PCB antenna and can confirm that increases the range a lot!

[grumpazoid]

@guillermo-schimmel It is interesting that the "tip" method did not work for me. Maybe the antenna tracks on my PCBs are not too good.

[Guillermo Schimmel]

@grumpazoid It is not the same module. Is another with a simpler antenna.