NFR 24L01+ Antenna and Without Antenna Problem

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Hi,
i have a problem

At the moment i use a Arudino Nano for my Mysensor Sensor. On the nano i connect the “normal” NFR24L01+ Radio. All works fine, but the range is not so good. So i decide to use the Antenna Version. But if i connect this, it doesent work. But i have not changed anything, except the Radio.
So here are my Output from the Serialmonitor on the Arduino Software, when a Batterypowered Temperaturesensor sends the message.

Antenna Version:

0;255;3;0;9;Starting gateway (RNNGA-, 2.0.0)
0;255;3;0;9;TSM:INIT
0;255;3;0;9;TSM:RADIO:OK
0;255;3;0;9;TSM:GW MODE
0;255;3;0;9;TSM:READY
0;255;3;0;14;Gateway startup complete.
0;255;0;0;18;2.0.0
0;255;3;0;9;No registration required
0;255;3;0;9;Init complete, id=0, parent=0, distance=0, registration=1
0;255;3;0;9;TSP:MSG:READ 9-9-255 s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0:
0;255;3;0;9;TSP:MSG:BC
0;255;3;0;9;TSP:MSG:FPAR REQ (sender=9)
0;255;3;0;9;TSP:CHKUPL:OK (FLDCTRL)
0;255;3;0;9;TSP:MSG:GWL OK
0;255;3;0;9;!TSP:MSG:SEND 0-0-9-9 s=255,c=3,t=8,pt=1,l=1,sg=0,ft=0,st=fail:0

Without Antenna:

0;255;3;0;9;Starting gateway (RNNGA-, 2.0.0)
0;255;3;0;9;TSM:INIT
0;255;3;0;9;TSM:RADIO:OK
0;255;3;0;9;TSM:GW MODE
0;255;3;0;9;TSM:READY
0;255;3;0;14;Gateway startup complete.
0;255;0;0;18;2.0.0
0;255;3;0;9;No registration required
0;255;3;0;9;Init complete, id=0, parent=0, distance=0, registration=1
0;255;3;0;9;TSP:MSG:READ 9-9-255 s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0:
0;255;3;0;9;TSP:MSG:BC
0;255;3;0;9;TSP:MSG:FPAR REQ (sender=9)
0;255;3;0;9;TSP:CHKUPL:OK (FLDCTRL)
0;255;3;0;9;TSP:MSG:GWL OK
0;255;3;0;9;!TSP:MSG:SEND 0-0-9-9 s=255,c=3,t=8,pt=1,l=1,sg=0,ft=0,st=fail:0
0;255;3;0;9;TSP:MSG:READ 9-9-255 s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0:
0;255;3;0;9;TSP:MSG:BC
0;255;3;0;9;TSP:MSG:FPAR REQ (sender=9)
0;255;3;0;9;TSP:CHKUPL:OK (FLDCTRL)
0;255;3;0;9;TSP:MSG:GWL OK
0;255;3;0;9;!TSP:MSG:SEND 0-0-9-9 s=255,c=3,t=8,pt=1,l=1,sg=0,ft=0,st=fail:0
0;255;3;0;9;TSP:MSG:READ 9-9-255 s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0:
0;255;3;0;9;TSP:MSG:BC
0;255;3;0;9;TSP:MSG:FPAR REQ (sender=9)
0;255;3;0;9;TSP:CHKUPL:OK
0;255;3;0;9;TSP:MSG:GWL OK
0;255;3;0;9;!TSP:MSG:SEND 0-0-9-9 s=255,c=3,t=8,pt=1,l=1,sg=0,ft=0,st=fail:0
0;255;3;0;9;TSP:MSG:READ 9-9-255 s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0:
0;255;3;0;9;TSP:MSG:BC
0;255;3;0;9;TSP:MSG:FPAR REQ (sender=9)
0;255;3;0;9;TSP:CHKUPL:OK (FLDCTRL)
0;255;3;0;9;TSP:MSG:GWL OK
0;255;3;0;9;!TSP:MSG:SEND 0-0-9-9 s=255,c=3,t=8,pt=1,l=1,sg=0,ft=0,st=fail:0
0;255;3;0;9;TSP:MSG:READ 9-9-255 s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0:
0;255;3;0;9;TSP:MSG:BC
0;255;3;0;9;TSP:MSG:FPAR REQ (sender=9)
0;255;3;0;9;TSP:CHKUPL:OK (FLDCTRL)
0;255;3;0;9;TSP:MSG:GWL OK
0;255;3;0;9;TSP:MSG:SEND 0-0-9-9 s=255,c=3,t=8,pt=1,l=1,sg=0,ft=0,st=ok:0
0;255;3;0;9;TSP:MSG:READ 9-9-0 s=255,c=3,t=24,pt=1,l=1,sg=0:1
0;255;3;0;9;TSP:MSG:PINGED (ID=9, hops=1)
0;255;3;0;9;TSP:MSG:SEND 0-0-9-9 s=255,c=3,t=25,pt=1,l=1,sg=0,ft=0,st=ok:1
0;255;3;0;9;TSP:MSG:READ 9-9-0 s=255,c=3,t=15,pt=6,l=2,sg=0:0100
0;255;3;0;9;!TSP:MSG:SEND 0-0-9-9 s=255,c=3,t=15,pt=6,l=2,sg=0,ft=0,st=fail:0100
0;255;3;0;9;TSP:MSG:READ 9-9-0 s=255,c=0,t=17,pt=0,l=5,sg=0:2.0.0
9;255;0;0;17;2.0.0
0;255;3;0;9;TSP:MSG:READ 9-9-0 s=255,c=3,t=6,pt=1,l=1,sg=0:0
9;255;3;0;6;0
0;255;3;0;9;TSP:MSG:READ 9-9-0 s=255,c=3,t=11,pt=0,l=22,sg=0:TemperatureAndHumidity
9;255;3;0;11;TemperatureAndHumidity
0;255;3;0;9;TSP:MSG:READ 9-9-0 s=255,c=3,t=12,pt=0,l=3,sg=0:1.1
9;255;3;0;12;1.1
0;255;3;0;9;TSP:MSG:READ 9-9-0 s=0,c=0,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0:
9;0;0;0;7;
0;255;3;0;9;TSP:MSG:READ 9-9-0 s=1,c=0,t=6,pt=0,l=0,sg=0:
9;1;0;0;6;
0;255;3;0;9;TSP:MSG:READ 9-9-0 s=255,c=3,t=26,pt=1,l=1,sg=0:2
0;255;3;0;9;TSP:MSG:SEND 0-0-9-9 s=255,c=3,t=27,pt=1,l=1,sg=0,ft=0,st=ok:1
0;255;3;0;9;TSP:MSG:READ 9-9-0 s=255,c=3,t=0,pt=1,l=1,sg=0:83
9;255;3;0;0;83
0;255;3;0;9;TSP:MSG:READ 9-9-0 s=1,c=1,t=0,pt=7,l=5,sg=0:22.3
9;1;1;0;0;22.3
0;255;3;0;9;TSP:MSG:READ 9-9-0 s=0,c=1,t=1,pt=7,l=5,sg=0:50.8
9;0;1;0;1;50.8

Anybody an idea?

It looks like in both cases there is a problem with the connection (st=fail:0)

0;255;3;0;9;!TSP:MSG:SEND 0-0-9-9 s=255,c=3,t=8,pt=1,l=1,sg=0,ft=0,st=fail:0

Did you check all steps from this page?

Perhaps something with the node? A capacitor can make a big difference…

What exactly do you mean with “antenna version”. I think you are talking about the one with an amplifier and antenna. This has two points to take care for:

1. How do you power it? The onboard regulator does not supply enough current for this amplified nrf. You need to use a separate 3V3 power supply (like an AMS1117, you can find these in the store section of the mysensors page)
2. Those modules tend to self-interfere. Meaning the emited signals will disturb their own curcuits and mess everything up. There are some shielded ones sold, but most (at least mine) came without. But the good news: you can do this on your own. I think it was @Oitzu who figured out this method and wrote a guide, but I don’t find it at the moment. So here a short instruction: wrap your module (except the antenna) with an insulation foil (I used this transparent kitchen foil), next an layer of aluminium foil (or any other conducting material) which can be connected to one ground (mine works withoug ground, but it is said to be even better when grounded. But take care not to connect at two points e.g. antenna ground and connector ground as this might bring problems — I don’t understand that much of this, only read it) and last again a insulating layer to avoid shorts with other things.
   You can alternativly also use a shielded box or anything else working that way.

Hope this helps.

Had the same experience, mine are the ones with amplifier. Had no time to test with additional powersupply yet but I think this is the most likely problem as I’m powering the modules from the onboard arduino nano regulator.

I have ordered some adapters with 3v3 regulator which can be powered from the USB source for the arduino which should be fine but still waiting for them to ship from china.

Important to know which kind of Antenna-Version is used?
There are a lot of different NRF… pcb’s out in the xbays but all of them need a very stable power supply to do perfect work.

• You can get modules with PCB Antenna (common used) like these,
• same in SMD (very small but bad reception) these , > both work with Arduino and Cap,
• with external antenna but no amplifier this, > I’m not sure about power supply
• and with external antenna and additional amplifier. this , > this one never use with arduino internal power !
  … and then it depends on the chinese who manufactured it.

I had different failures depending on the modules i used with all the same arduino and sketch, with just plugging the other radio in. I wrote in another thread (can’t find in the moment), had a problem only while sending longer transmission data, like for a dimmer with Hex codes dosn’t work, but on/off signal was working at same time. With another module everything was fine.
All of these problems could be fixed with proper power supply not arduino powered! But sill running a couple of them with pcb antenna without any problems.

First you should try to power the NRF… with external 3.3V power supply and connected ground of course.

Thank you all Guys!

@rikki78: yes, i use a capacitor! And it works mostly with the PCB Antenna Version. But not with the Antenna Version with the additional amplifier. So i think that DDNRN gives me the solution.
But i am woundering, because of this Video:

https://www.mysensors.org/build/serial_gateway

Why he doesn’t need an external power supply?

I testet the 3,3V Output and Ground from my Raspberry Pi for the NRF with Antenna and now i works! Maybe not the best solution, but from the moment its okay.
Thank you all!

@Anduril you probably mean this http://blog.blackoise.de/2016/02/fixing-your-cheap-nrf24l01-palna-module/ ?

I Ordered these adapters to keep my setup clean, however they have not yet shipped from China.

http://www.ebay.de/itm/2PCS-Wireless-Transceiver-Socket-Adapter-Plate-for-NRF24L01-Wireless-Module-8-/172380236807?hash=item2822a9ac07:g:R9MAAOSwPCVYBz76