2.4Ghz Xbee Pro S1 - Antenna replacement

Hi,

The Wire Antenna of my 2.4Ghz Xbee Pro S1 was lost (ripped). Could someone tell me If there is a source to purchase "original" antennas for repair?

I've read that any cable (multi or single core) of the same length will work but since I've lost the original wire I'm unable to measure the length. Could someone who have the 2.4Ghz Xbee Pro S1 tell me the exact length? The cable antenna has a removable rubber cap who needs to be removed (easily) to measure the exact length of the wire.

Help will be much appreciated.

Tags: 2.4ghz, Xbee, antenna, repair, replacement

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Permalink Reply by jbabio on August 13, 2012 at 9:49am

I've asked the same question to the store where I've purchased The Xbees (buildyourowndrone.co.uk) who sell the Oficial 2.4ghz kit for Europe and they told me the correct length is 25mm for the 2.4ghz Xbees

I will make a new Antenna from the core of coax Satellite cable since the cable diameter fits perfect on the Xbee.

Hope this solves the issue.

Permalink Reply by Jake Stew on August 13, 2012 at 11:23am

A 2.4ghz antenna should be 31.25mm for a quarter wave antenna.

You should tell whoever told you 25mm to google "antenna calculator" before giving out wrong info.

Permalink Reply by jbabio on August 13, 2012 at 3:38pm

I'm assuming they have measured the length of the standard Xbee antenna. Could the Engineers from Digi install an "specially fitted" antenna to the Xbee module RF characteristics which is shorter than a normal 2.4Ghz one?

To anyone who have the 2.4Ghz Xbee Pro S1: Could you measure the actual length of the cable antenna?

 

Regards,

Permalink Reply by jbabio on August 13, 2012 at 5:19pm

I've finally cut a section of wire from TV antenna cable 31,25mm in length, soldered to the XBee and Got 100% signal inside my home.

I will try it outside when possible but looks promising.

Thanks.


DistributorPermalink Reply by Martint BuildYourOwnDrone.co.uk on August 13, 2012 at 5:35pm

Jake that was me giving out the incorrect, correct information.

I think I will get on to the guys at Digi and let them know that they need to add a few extra mm's to their Xbee's antennas, just measured the wire whip again in case I was not able to use a rule! And it's spot on 25mm, now...... Google or Digi..... Who to trust?

Either way great to hear that the Xbee is back up and running Jbabio!

Regards

Martin.

www.buildyourowndrone.co.uk

 

Permalink Reply by jbabio on August 13, 2012 at 5:54pm

Thank you for your help Martin, I was sure the original was shorter than 31mm but didn't know the exact measure.

Probably people at digi discovered that the Xbee work ok with 25mm antennas. This makes one "free" antenna every four Xbees (25/6,25) manufactured and this in terms of big batches makes a big difference.

Thank you very much for your help.

Permalink Reply by Gisela & Joe Noci on October 12, 2012 at 11:09pm

@All ---

Need to do your homework guys....

The Xbee antenna copper conductor is surrounded by an insulating material, in this case teflon. This acts as a dielectric which changes the antenna 'velocity factor', ie, shortens it. Teflon dielectric constant will result in a velocity factor of around 75% to 80%, so the 31mm PLAIN copper wire antenna, will shorten to 31mm X 0.8 = 24.8mm.  Basic electrical theory - and Digi know best...

Google dielectric constants and velocity factor, if interested..

The Nampilot...


ModeratorPermalink Reply by Sgt Ric on October 13, 2012 at 8:03am
Thnx for the explaination Joe... Ths explains the apparent discrepency in the length!
Permalink Reply by jbabio on October 13, 2012 at 9:55am

Thank you, for the explanation. Since my DIY antenna is bare copper, 31,25mm in length is OK

Permalink Reply by Mike Thorlin on August 13, 2012 at 4:23pm

I am also trying to replace an antenna on an XBee, but a bit different.  I have a 900mHz XBee with the RPSMA connector.  The RPSMA connector was torn off in a hard landing (crash) and the XBee is otherwise undamaged.  I see a pad for what I think is a wire or ufl connector.  Has anyone ever tried to add a ufl connector/lead to an otherwise SMA XBee??

Permalink Reply by jbabio on August 13, 2012 at 5:25pm

If the Xbee is undamaged I would remove the broken RPSMA connector and replace it with this one:

RPSMA connector on SparkFun

This will imply some De/soldering skills but is possible.

Hope this helps.

Permalink Reply by Nick Goodey on October 13, 2012 at 11:51am

I have just built a Xbee based remote and am wondering what sort of antenna would perform best for FPV I have the WRL-08710 XBee Pro 60mW U.FL Connection  but I suspect the wire one is adequate for many applications. I have seen a number of clover leaf designs used for FPV TX's which may be worth a look 

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