- Gain
- 5.8 dBi
- Connector
- N-male
- Band
- 860 to 930 MHz
Manufacturer specs only Not yet available
Antennas and cables
Outdoor antennas, coax and connectors, with gain, pattern and cable loss spelled out.
Read this first. More gain is not always better: it flattens the pattern. Every foot of coax loses signal. US rules require reducing power when antenna gain exceeds 6 dBi.
Related guides: Antennas, height and coax: getting range the right way, The US 915 MHz rules for mesh radios, in plain words
How far can two antennas see? and how much does your coax cost you?
2 products
Products
- Gain
- 3 dBi
- Connector
- N-male
- Band
- 860 to 930 MHz
Manufacturer specs only Not yet available
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Rather than list unnamed products, here is what to check when you shop for these.
915 MHz outdoor antenna
Height and a tuned antenna matter more than transmit power.
Check
- Tuned for 902 to 928 MHz.
- Connector and gender matched to your radio or pigtail.
- Gain within what keeps your setup legal; higher gain narrows the pattern.
- Weatherproofed connections and a drip loop.
Avoid
- Wideband "LoRa" antennas with no 915 MHz SWR data.
SMA adapters and coax pigtails
Connects board-level antenna jacks to a real antenna.
Check
- SMA versus RP-SMA, male versus female: match both ends.
- Shortest practical coax; loss rises with length.
- IPEX/U.FL generation on the board side.
Avoid
- Stacking several adapters; each adds loss and a failure point.
Outdoor node enclosure
Protects a DIY node on a mast or roof.
Check
- Stated IP rating.
- Sealed cable glands or bulkhead for the antenna.
- Vent to prevent condensation.
- UV-stable plastic.
Avoid
- Treating an enclosure as lightning protection.
Coax cable for antenna runs
Every foot of coax between radio and antenna loses signal both ways. At 900 MHz, LMR-400 is rated 3.9 dB per 100 ft (Times Microwave).
Check
- Keep the run as short as the mounting allows.
- Look up the cable's loss per 100 ft at 900 MHz on its data sheet.
- Use the coax loss calculator: every 3 dB lost is half your power.
- Match connectors at both ends (N, SMA, RP-SMA) without stacking adapters.
- Weatherproof outdoor connections and leave a drip loop.
Avoid
- Thin cable on long runs.
- Unrated cable with no loss figure.