Tom (M7XXI)2d ago

The current #meshcore #repeater lash-up. Definitely not final by any means, but a little better than the last iteration (the stock antenna installed in a very much not IP rated case underneath the gutter (amazingly it still works!)).

Seems to be receiving a lot from up and down England, but I don't appear to be getting out to anyone in the public channel... well either that or I've done something to make myself unpopular!

Show threadMatt Gumbley1d ago
@M7XXI Nice! looks very similar to the antenna I used for mine, which appears to be very deaf.. haven’t tuned the radials yet though. What make/model is it?
Show threadRobin Davies1d ago
@M0CUV @M7XXI Don’t forget the magic RF enhancing gaffer tape😉 (actually a pretty smart idea for a low impact indoors install)
Show threadTom (M7XXI)
@g7vkq @M0CUV That tape's certified audio engineer grade stuff that is! Yeah, it's pretty good for being a meshcore SWL but not any good for actual chatting unfortunately. The antenna is a generic one I got cheap on ebay, claims to be +5.8dBi with vaguely 0° and 180° lobes and as I don't have an anechoic chamber I'm just going to have to give it the benefit of the doubt. I suspect the mostly metal window frame isn't doing me any favours, ideally once I work out power it'll go in the loft.
Mar 23 at 5:45pmWeb
Show threadMatt Gumbley1d ago
@M7XXI @g7vkq I want to measure the attenuation of the tiles in my loft; there’s definitely some at VHF (my 2m white stick is in the loft too; local nets are difficult). At 868MHz, I’m guessing the loss would be greater. I bet rain makes it worse, too.
Show threadTom (M7XXI)1d ago
@M0CUV @g7vkq I wonder if there are absorption and reflectivity figures out there for different materials? Might be interesting to see if you could model it from that perhaps, thought I suppose if it is particularly reflective, there'd be an element of chaos with different bounces going out of phase and cancelling/adding.