Conor EI6GSBHello all! I'm working on setting up a TinyGS ground station. Just have a quick question regarding the Lilygo LoRa/ESP32 module: does using an external antenna on the SMA connector require any modifications to the board? Or does it work out of the box? I've briefly read a couple of things where it was mentioned that for some boards modifications were needed (jumping a resistor), but I'm not sure if it applies to this board. I'm brand new to LoRa so it's just a little overwhelming to get info.
Jeremy@ei6gsb I have a Lilygo board and with the TinyGS firmware flashed all I did was plug one of my 70cm antennas in via the bards SMA socket and it just worked. See https://m0rvb.radio/?p=1626
Jim
Robin Davies@M0RVB @ei6gsb I’ve been dragging my feet on building an antenna this week. Hopefully that will get resolved tomorrow and I can try it out. I suspect I’m not going to pick up much because of a very obstructed skyline from nearby buildings…but it’s worth the test! Indeed a great little project! I think the LilyGo mods were for the WiFi antenna - not the 70cms antenna
@g7vkq @M0RVB Thanks folks! I got the LoRa TinyGS station up and running without issue. My antenna is one I got on, I think, AliExpress some years ago; it has a base, plus a main radiator with two parts (a 70cm segment plus an extra segment for 2m), and two sets of radials for the two bands. So far it seems to be doing what it's supposed to!
@ei6gsb @M0RVB Well done👍. I managed to find other weekend distractions to keep me busy and stop me finishing the antenna off😂. I must look for my wire-cutters to cut some wire for the radiator and radial and then I can tune it. I also have an LNA arriving today…just need to work out the power supply arrangements I need a 12V and 5V feed.