# The BIG and SMALL ANTENNA topic part 2 **URL:** \ **Category:** Hardware\ **Created:** [June 28, 2018, 9:03pm UTC](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/the-big-and-small-antenna-topic-part-2/15419 "2018-06-28T21:03:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 11
**Author:** ![BoRRoZ](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/user_avatar/www.thethingsnetwork.org/borroz/32/44234_2.png) [@BoRRoZ](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/u/BoRRoZ)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2019, 2:45pm UTC](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/the-big-and-small-antenna-topic-part-2/15419/212 "2019-04-14T14:45:19Z")
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**Author:** ![costo](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/user_avatar/www.thethingsnetwork.org/costo/32/35875_2.png) [@costo](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/u/costo)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2019, 11:28am UTC](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/the-big-and-small-antenna-topic-part-2/15419/213 "2019-04-19T11:28:23Z")
It is a little bit of pity that you did not mount the antenna’s in free air. Lying on the floor/table definitly influences the VSWR and frequency-response. ---
**Author:** ![BoRRoZ](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/user_avatar/www.thethingsnetwork.org/borroz/32/44234_2.png) [@BoRRoZ](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/u/BoRRoZ)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2019, 11:50am UTC](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/the-big-and-small-antenna-topic-part-2/15419/214 "2019-04-19T11:50:22Z")
true and I did hold it on the cable when measuring, and put it on the (concrete/iron!) floor LATER and took the picture 😉 🕶😙 ---
**Author:** ![costo](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/user_avatar/www.thethingsnetwork.org/costo/32/35875_2.png) [@costo](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/u/costo)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2019, 1:05pm UTC](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/the-big-and-small-antenna-topic-part-2/15419/215 "2019-04-19T13:05:25Z")
It looks good, so I ordered one. ---
**Author:** ![JSpot](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/user_avatar/www.thethingsnetwork.org/jspot/32/20484_2.png) [@JSpot](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/u/JSpot)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2019, 4:07pm UTC](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/the-big-and-small-antenna-topic-part-2/15419/216 "2019-04-21T16:07:20Z")
Hi all! I am building a Pi-based RAK2245 gateway and I already have 1090Mhz 26 inch 5.5dBi ADS-B antenna mounted on the roof, which I would like to re-purpose and use it for this gateway; at least temporarily. I know it’s not ideal for the US-based 915Mhz, but will it work decently for now, or should I just bite the bullet and buy a new one? Thanks guys! Jason ---
**Author:** ![BoRRoZ](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/user_avatar/www.thethingsnetwork.org/borroz/32/44234_2.png) [@BoRRoZ](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/u/BoRRoZ)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2019, 4:18pm UTC](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/the-big-and-small-antenna-topic-part-2/15419/217 "2019-04-21T16:18:34Z")
byte the bullet imho and buy a tuned antenna for 915… ---
**Author:** ![LoRaTracker](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/user_avatar/www.thethingsnetwork.org/loratracker/32/48502_2.png) [@LoRaTracker](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/u/LoRaTracker)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2019, 5:39pm UTC](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/the-big-and-small-antenna-topic-part-2/15419/218 "2019-04-21T17:39:48Z")
If the off frequency antenna is a poor match at a frequency it was not designed for, there is the possibility you could damage the gateway. Do you feel lucky ? ---
**Author:** ![joearkay](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/user_avatar/www.thethingsnetwork.org/joearkay/32/25844_2.png) [@joearkay](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/u/joearkay)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2019, 7:43am UTC](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/the-big-and-small-antenna-topic-part-2/15419/220 "2019-04-29T07:43:55Z")
Has anyone been able to conduct antenna gain tests on the [RF Solutions 3dB SMA antenna](https://www.rfsolutions.co.uk/antennas-c8/whip-antenna-90deg-hinged-868-mhz-sma-m-p150)? We’ve used many of these with good success, but I’m doubtful of the 3dB claim, since that’s a hard value to manufacture to, especially at the price point. ---
**Author:** ![BoRRoZ](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/user_avatar/www.thethingsnetwork.org/borroz/32/44234_2.png) [@BoRRoZ](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/u/BoRRoZ)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2019, 7:55am UTC](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/the-big-and-small-antenna-topic-part-2/15419/221 "2019-04-29T07:55:18Z")
> [@joearkay](#): > > We’ve used many of these What I can’t find in the **[specs](https://www.rfsolutions.co.uk/downloads/1456239963ANT-8WHIP3H.pdf)** is the SWR of this (possibly china made) antenna… did you measure that ? ---
**Author:** ![joearkay](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/user_avatar/www.thethingsnetwork.org/joearkay/32/25844_2.png) [@joearkay](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/u/joearkay)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2019, 7:57am UTC](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/the-big-and-small-antenna-topic-part-2/15419/222 "2019-04-29T07:57:43Z")
Haven’t been able to thus far. You’re correct, the specs are minimal. I have the original RoHS certificate but that obviously contains no info about antenna params. ---
**Author:** ![BoRRoZ](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/user_avatar/www.thethingsnetwork.org/borroz/32/44234_2.png) [@BoRRoZ](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/u/BoRRoZ)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2019, 8:05am UTC](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/the-big-and-small-antenna-topic-part-2/15419/223 "2019-04-29T08:05:49Z")
![x1345](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/uploads/default/original/3X/b/f/bfda952b804bc6856586266296b5e7405bf3bf3f.jpeg) I can’t name the brand/source, last couple of years I ‘collected’ many of these. But I can tell you that the ones with a length of 210 mm gave me the best results So that’s probably the one you use 🕶 ---
**Author:** ![joearkay](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/user_avatar/www.thethingsnetwork.org/joearkay/32/25844_2.png) [@joearkay](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/u/joearkay)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2019, 8:09am UTC](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/the-big-and-small-antenna-topic-part-2/15419/224 "2019-04-29T08:09:28Z")
Yes, mine measure ~210mm too. I believe they all come from the same factory anyway! They’re great antennas, but I doubt the 3dB gain quoted is true. We’re actually running some tests at the moment and trying to squeeze as much out of the unit as possible, but have to assume antenna gain in our tests as we don’t have the equipment to test it inhouse. Something around 2.2dB would actually be ideal! ---
**Author:** ![UdLoRa](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/user_avatar/www.thethingsnetwork.org/udlora/32/45330_2.png) [@UdLoRa](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/u/UdLoRa)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2019, 9:25am UTC](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/the-big-and-small-antenna-topic-part-2/15419/225 "2019-04-29T09:25:06Z")
I had also one that was likely a 2.4GHz antenna sold as 868, indistinguishable from outside. The I found a couple of sources for the right ones. In my informal trials, however, they do not seem better than a GPA. ---
**Author:** ![LoRaTracker](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/user_avatar/www.thethingsnetwork.org/loratracker/32/48502_2.png) [@LoRaTracker](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/u/LoRaTracker)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2019, 10:02am UTC](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/the-big-and-small-antenna-topic-part-2/15419/226 "2019-04-29T10:02:30Z")
> [@joearkay](#): > > but have to assume antenna gain in our tests as we don’t have the equipment to test it inhouse. Something around 2.2dB would actually be ideal! Build your own test equipment, its easy; [Testing antennas is easy.](https://github.com/LoRaTracker/AntennaTesting) ---
**Author:** ![TonySmith](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/user_avatar/www.thethingsnetwork.org/tonysmith/32/46334_2.png) [@TonySmith](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/u/TonySmith)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2019, 10:42am UTC](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/the-big-and-small-antenna-topic-part-2/15419/227 "2019-04-29T10:42:57Z")
The new RAK 6dBi antenna. I have just received one of the new RAK 6dBi (800mm long) colinear antennas. Will be range testing later this week and will publish the results. So far the S11 results (VSWR) look good particularly as the one antenna will work on both 868MHz and 915MHz. Tuned just right for both bands. The real test is transmitting from a node set up a few kilometres from my gateway into an application which runs a logger. ---
**Author:** ![BoRRoZ](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/user_avatar/www.thethingsnetwork.org/borroz/32/44234_2.png) [@BoRRoZ](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/u/BoRRoZ)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2019, 6:01pm UTC](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/the-big-and-small-antenna-topic-part-2/15419/228 "2019-04-30T18:01:15Z")
does it look like **[this](https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/Outdoor-868MHz-915MHz-OMNI-Directional-Fiberglass_60698055742.html)** one … only one dollar per dBi 😉 ---
**Author:** ![punee995](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/user_avatar/www.thethingsnetwork.org/punee995/32/33910_2.png) [@punee995](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/u/punee995)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2019, 7:25pm UTC](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/the-big-and-small-antenna-topic-part-2/15419/229 "2019-04-30T19:25:04Z")
Just completed a small project on agriculture metering. with 10dbi antenna on the gateway side. 3dbi external antenna on some nodes and some nodes with PCB antenna. here are some pics. getting around 6km in PCB antenna(not tuned properly) and 9km in 3dbi external antenna. RAK831 gateway fully powered by Solar and 5-day battery backup. (Off-Grid). ![p4](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/uploads/default/original/3X/3/d/3db3d8af35b347e3330674d5a80e81c575359641.jpeg) ![p3](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/uploads/default/original/3X/d/9/d97d964a73fc47423c51ec36791cf5a48c76bda2.jpeg) ![p2](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/uploads/default/original/3X/0/a/0a919275aca3bee90fc302dbd719ca081daf94a8.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![TonySmith](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/user_avatar/www.thethingsnetwork.org/tonysmith/32/46334_2.png) [@TonySmith](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/u/TonySmith)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2019, 9:11pm UTC](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/the-big-and-small-antenna-topic-part-2/15419/230 "2019-04-30T21:11:21Z")
> [@BoRRoZ](#): > > does it look like **[this](https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/Outdoor-868MHz-915MHz-OMNI-Directional-Fiberglass_60698055742.html)** one … only one dollar per dBi 😉 Yes @BoRRoZ it looks the same in that its white, long and slender 🤣 When I look at the RF performance details there are differences which tell me its a different antenna. It makes it hard when I follow your link the images are for a 470-510MHz antenna and the specified connectors are different. ---
**Author:** ![BoRRoZ](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/user_avatar/www.thethingsnetwork.org/borroz/32/44234_2.png) [@BoRRoZ](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/u/BoRRoZ)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2019, 4:57am UTC](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/the-big-and-small-antenna-topic-part-2/15419/231 "2019-05-01T04:57:15Z")
> [@TonySmith](#): > > I follow your link the images are for a 470-510MHz antenna, that’s only the sticker … I think 😉 _anyway… I don’t have 100 gateways_ ![sticker](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/uploads/default/original/3X/f/6/f6e1d9f32e3d088bf70470596790f93db1234629.jpeg) _\*in a related search I found this **[Italian shop](https://shop.marcomweb.it/en/shop-online/remote-control/all-other-products/antennas/uhf-868-mhz/lora-antenna-868-mhz-n-plug-omnidirectional-dettagli.html)** with LoRaWAN products_ ---
**Author:** ![aizukanne](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/user_avatar/www.thethingsnetwork.org/aizukanne/32/35697_2.png) [@aizukanne](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/u/aizukanne)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2019, 8:36pm UTC](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/the-big-and-small-antenna-topic-part-2/15419/232 "2019-05-03T20:36:38Z")
Nice one. Are you reading data off the meters with this or taking your own measurements? [Previous page](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/the-big-and-small-antenna-topic-part-2/15419.md?page=10) [Next page](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/the-big-and-small-antenna-topic-part-2/15419.md?page=12)