External Antenna - Z-Uno2

Discussion about Z-Uno product. Visit http://z-uno.z-wave.me for more details.
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principia
Posts: 14
Joined: 28 Sep 2021 19:33

External Antenna - Z-Uno2

Post by principia »

I want to attached an external antenna to a Z-Uno2 so I have soldered a u.fl socket to the empty PCB pads and connected this antenna https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/telemetr ... s/2025828/ I have tried two different pigtails and also this antenna https://uk.farnell.com/abracon/aeacac05 ... f-00001000

The signal strength falls off very rapidly with distance compared with the wire stub antenna. I have read the thread about attaching an external antenna to Z-Uno https://forum.z-wave.me/viewtopic.php?t=25868 -

I have tested two Z-Uno2 boards which both work correctly when the stub antenna is restored, leaving the u.fl socket in place but fail on signal strength / range testing with the external antenna.

Do I need to remove the rf pi filter components to ensure good matching for the Z-Uno2 PGM130 chip? Do you have a recommended external antenna?

Looking closely at the Z-Uno2 board there is an exposed copper land by the u.fl pads and I'm not sure that the u.fl antenna pad is connected to the PGM130 RF output. Do I need to bridge across or move R7 so it connects to the u.fl / RF2?

Thanks
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PoltoS
Posts: 7562
Joined: 26 Jan 2011 19:36

Re: External Antenna - Z-Uno2

Post by PoltoS »

The u.fl is not connected by default. You need to turn 90 degrees the R0 jumper (closest to the chip)
principia
Posts: 14
Joined: 28 Sep 2021 19:33

Re: External Antenna - Z-Uno2

Post by principia »

Thanks - I did that and everything works perfectly
jrossouw
Posts: 16
Joined: 22 Sep 2020 12:38

Re: External Antenna - Z-Uno2

Post by jrossouw »

For the Z-Uno rev 1 do you need to close S1 to connect the u.fl socket?
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PoltoS
Posts: 7562
Joined: 26 Jan 2011 19:36

Re: External Antenna - Z-Uno2

Post by PoltoS »

you need to disconnect the pi filter and put a jumper to the u.fl
jrossouw
Posts: 16
Joined: 22 Sep 2020 12:38

Re: External Antenna - Z-Uno2

Post by jrossouw »

PoltoS wrote:
20 May 2022 01:37
The u.fl is not connected by default. You need to turn 90 degrees the R0 jumper (closest to the chip)
I have a Z-Uno 2 ver 6 board. There is no R0 - should it be R7?
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