Mounting Transceiver nRF24L01+ Module with RP-SMA

Wireless & IoT
1

I ordered the LARGE 2.4 Ghz Duck antenna, figuring I get better range than with the smaller version.

But, I’m worried about the mechanical stress the antenna is going to put on the transceiver card (WRL-00705), especially if it’s just soldered into my pcb. There’s a lot of leverage there, and just a little abuse seems like it could cause a problem.

So, a couple of questions.

Will the big antenna really help range, given I’m communicating with the Nordic FOB? Maybe I should just use the small one. The big one seems bigger than a 2.4 Ghz wavelength.

The top and bottom copper of the WRL-00705 seem both to be ground for the 1/2 of the pcb near the antenna. Can I safely drill a hole through the board in this area so I can securely mount the tiny pcb to the chasis, so strain will be removed from the connection between the WRL-00705 and my pcb? (I’ll use a ribbon cable between my pcb and the WRL-00705).

Any better ideas?

Thanks,

Dave Thomas

2

I’m worried about SWR issues.

But, if I could just solder the transceiver card to my pca using header pins, then use a short coax cable between the SMA connector on the transceiver to a chasiss mounted SMA connector, then I could make sure abuse on the external antenna won’t break the board.

How short must the coax be to avoid issues? Should I make it an integral multiple of the wavelength instead of trying to keep it short?

Thanks,

Dave Thomas

3

I would do what you suggested with the short length of cable. No need to make it a multiple of the wavelength; it sounds like it’s going to be short anyway.