Xbee u.fl connection w/o antenna

Wireless & IoT
1

By accident, I purchased two of the XBee 2mW Series 2.5 U.FL Connection modules instead of one of the other ones with built in antennas. I can’t seem to get the two to talk, and I’m wondering if it is because I do not have an antenna attached to either module. The modules are all of 3 inches apart, so I really don’t think an antenna is necessary, but I can’t seem to figure out why the modules won’t communicate.

Also, if anyone knows of a place to get u.fl antennas, that would help alot. All I seem to find are u.fl to sma adapters and sma antennas. At the price to purchase the adapter and the antenna, I could just buy a new XBee module with a built in antenna.

2

if the two are within a couple of inches it may work. Otherwise, get a tiny socket from an IC socket and press-fit it in temporarily, with 4 in. of wire.

And if SFE doesn’t have them, order a pigtail for these from someplace like

http://www.l-com.com/home.aspx

Or just solder a few in. of wire to the PCB. Perhaps 1/4 wavelength long.