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Just yesterday was looking at ESP32 custom board used to open/close gates which has super weak signal even when access point is only few meters apart... I found

by jve 3y ago

Just yesterday was looking at ESP32 custom board used to open/close gates which has super weak signal even when access point is only few meters apart... I found that there is empty place where external antenna connects - I think I can solder the connector and connect the antenna. Is there any article out there that would help me do it? As I understand there needs to be some resistor that should be desoldered or existing link to on-board antenna cut.

BizarroLand 3y ago
That's about it. Antennas aren't anything but wire or a small sheet of metal, all you need is something to increase the amount of metal exposed to the signal. This is a quick & dirty diy "solder on some more metal & an antenna" tutorial: https://community.home-assistant.io/t/how-to-add-an-external-antenna-to-an-esp-board/131601 https://community.home-assistant.io/t/how-to-add-an-external... Solder mask might have been a better cover than the one shown, but the hot glue would do in a pinch. Also, as far as resistor goes, there is no spec for the resistor. It's a jumper, that's all.
- jve 3y ago
  Excellent article! This is what I was hoping to find. Luckily I have some solder mask and UV light laying around :) Thank you.
  - frontierkodiak 3y ago
    YMMV, but I have tried this several times and have found it very difficult without microsoldering equipment. Some ESP variants have a built-in U.FL connector which makes things easier (e.g. AITHINKER ESP32-Cam and its many clones), but you still have to remove the 0Ω resistor, which I find very difficult with even the smallest tips on my Hakko iron. Could be a skill issue on my end; should be much easier if you have a simple reflow/rework station.
calamari4065 3y ago
The antennas are a commodity item. You can get them dirt cheap at your least favorite online retailer. The connector is most likely a uFL type. You could also ditch the connector and solder the antenna lead directly to the board. Outer grounding braid goes to ground, inner conductor is the signal.

by jve 3y ago

BizarroLand 3y ago

That's about it. Antennas aren't anything but wire or a small sheet of metal, all you need is something to increase the amount of metal exposed to the signal. This is a quick & dirty diy "solder on some more metal & an antenna" tutorial: https://community.home-assistant.io/t/how-to-add-an-external-antenna-to-an-esp-board/131601 https://community.home-assistant.io/t/how-to-add-an-external... Solder mask might have been a better cover than the one shown, but the hot glue would do in a pinch. Also, as far as resistor goes, there is no spec for the resistor. It's a jumper, that's all.

jve 3y ago
Excellent article! This is what I was hoping to find. Luckily I have some solder mask and UV light laying around :) Thank you.
- frontierkodiak 3y ago
  YMMV, but I have tried this several times and have found it very difficult without microsoldering equipment. Some ESP variants have a built-in U.FL connector which makes things easier (e.g. AITHINKER ESP32-Cam and its many clones), but you still have to remove the 0Ω resistor, which I find very difficult with even the smallest tips on my Hakko iron. Could be a skill issue on my end; should be much easier if you have a simple reflow/rework station.

calamari4065 3y ago

The antennas are a commodity item. You can get them dirt cheap at your least favorite online retailer. The connector is most likely a uFL type. You could also ditch the connector and solder the antenna lead directly to the board. Outer grounding braid goes to ground, inner conductor is the signal.