Antenna Modifications for Improved Range

Previous prototypes of the rainfall node had two major issues with antenna design.

1. Stock Heltec antenna was being used

2. Antenna was mounted directly next to galvanised steel pole (bad for signal propagation)

   
   

   The team had addressed these issues by purchasing a new RAK Blade antenna (with numerous proven advantages), and relocating the antenna away from the mounting structure, as below.

The new antenna is well over half a meter clear of any metallic objects.

Additional cable protection was also added to prevent weather degradation and damage from local fauna.

A point of improvement the team hopes to make is also redesigning the solar panel mounting system to increase adjustability (inclination angle) and rigidity.