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Step 5Modify Antenna
Now it's time to extend your antenna.
1.) Cut a piece of your 22awg wire to exactly 6.7". Through a bit of research I've determined that this is the ideal size for this thermometer which operates at 433mhz and a 1/4 wave length antenna (feel free to ask if you want more technical detail on this).
2.) Using your file or sandpaper, rough up about 1/4" of wire at one end. Don't skip this step even if you already have bare wire. It helps to remove oxidation which will make soldering easier.
3.) Using your file or sandpaper, carefully remove about 1/4" of the green coating from an area of the PCB antenna. Sand just enough so the copper becomes exposed but be very careful not to sand the copper right off.
The location you sand doesn't need to be exact but should be very close to what I have below so everything lines up correctly later. The wire will need to exit the case at a right angle from the PCB with minimal bends as further described below.
4.) Now it is time to solder the wire to the PCB as shown below. The antenna wire should leave the circuit board at 90 degrees like this __|__ (I straightened mine below as I was putting the housing back together). If you put a bend in the wire it may add impedance which can result in a drop in signal gain.
I assume you already know how to solder. Using flux helps in this case but it is not required. Just make sure you end up with a nice solid connection.
1.) Cut a piece of your 22awg wire to exactly 6.7". Through a bit of research I've determined that this is the ideal size for this thermometer which operates at 433mhz and a 1/4 wave length antenna (feel free to ask if you want more technical detail on this).
2.) Using your file or sandpaper, rough up about 1/4" of wire at one end. Don't skip this step even if you already have bare wire. It helps to remove oxidation which will make soldering easier.
3.) Using your file or sandpaper, carefully remove about 1/4" of the green coating from an area of the PCB antenna. Sand just enough so the copper becomes exposed but be very careful not to sand the copper right off.
The location you sand doesn't need to be exact but should be very close to what I have below so everything lines up correctly later. The wire will need to exit the case at a right angle from the PCB with minimal bends as further described below.
4.) Now it is time to solder the wire to the PCB as shown below. The antenna wire should leave the circuit board at 90 degrees like this __|__ (I straightened mine below as I was putting the housing back together). If you put a bend in the wire it may add impedance which can result in a drop in signal gain.
I assume you already know how to solder. Using flux helps in this case but it is not required. Just make sure you end up with a nice solid connection.
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