so I get a high dbi antenna for long range in a high place, but also a low dbi one to service everyone in the area? or that’s too much and not needed?

  • 🍉 Albert 🍉@lemmy.worldOP
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    3
    ·
    3 days ago

    id imagine it isn’t as simple as splicing the antenna wires, just wondered if there is an easier way to have a dual antenna setup, than just using two esp32 boards for each antenna

    • Demonmariner@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      2
      ·
      3 days ago

      As far as the physical connection is concerned, you need a coaxial splitter that is rated for use at 900 MHz. They exist but cost a few bucks.

      The thing is, your signal strength at each antenna will be half the total output of the LORA device, minus the loss in the splitter. It will provide less effective range than a single antenna.

      The fact is: in almost every situation, a simple ground plane antenna will do as well or even outperform any fancy antenna setup. The only exception is if you really only want signal going in one direction, in which case you want a yagi. The only time it makes sense to drive more than one antenna at a time is in a phased array system (a specialized directional antenna system), which really doesn’t make sense for Meshtastic.