External Antenna for HC2

[petergebruers 1,268]

6 minutes ago, Jamie mccrostie said:

 

Yes Ive have done this and it worked fine, latest devices one switch 2 included beside HC2 then installed 80M from house in tin shed and FGMS 001 all works great, unbelivably.

 

Like magic

Thanks for the feedback.

[AutoFrank 372]

21 hours ago, petergebruers said:

Also check the menu of your Fibaro device, it probably has a "range detector" that can tell you is a route is direct.

 

Thanks @petergebruers

Do you know where this information is, I took a look at a fibaro dimmer, a relay and a door sensor (with DS18B20) but can't seem to find the information

[petergebruers 1,268]

Just now, AutoFrank said:

 

Thanks @petergebruers

Do you know where this information is, I took a look at a fibaro dimmer, a relay and a door sensor (with DS18B20) but can't seem to find the information

 

Fibaro Dimmer 2 (not Dimmer 1 so FGD-212 only)

 

VIII Z-Wave range test

Follow the below instructions to test the main controller’s range:

1) Press and hold the B-button until the LED glows violet.
2) Release the B-button.
3) Press the B-button again, briefly.
4) LED will indicate the Z-Wave network’s range (range signaling modes described below).

 

Relay v3 only (FGS-2x3) - same menu as Dimmer 2

 

Door sensor: none of these have the range function.

 

[Razvan 2]

On ‎04‎/‎29‎/‎2017 at 10:58 PM, TRicky said:

Hi @AutoFrank,

And also my main HC-2 was placed in a server cabinet made out of steel so a perfect cage of Faraday. 

My main HC2 it's in similar place. I have all the modules placed in 2 different panels, on different floors.

My problem was solved with a single one Fibaro FGWPF-10 placed in the middle of the house.

[Kfruechtl 4]

Very interesting discussion here. 

 

I have a strange problem with 'gaps' in the mesh network, across probably 40 or so powered devices (fibaro dimmer and relays, Aeon Smart Switch 6)

- On one hand, I can cover the whole distance of our house

- On the other hand, there are individual devices pretty close to the controller (as in within 5M) that turn 'dead' repeatedly. When putting them next to the controller they work fine. When putting the controller next to them in their original location they work fine. But when putting both in their locations, only 5M apart, with plenty of other powered devices on the way to provide a route, they fail (and the ones next to them don't). Reconfiguring the mesh for these devices also fails, despite plenty of neighbours around

 

Any idea what's going on? 

 

Would appreciate any help.

 

Thanks

 

Karsten

[AutoFrank 372]

On 5/19/2017 at 9:27 PM, Kfruechtl said:

Very interesting discussion here. 

 

I have a strange problem with 'gaps' in the mesh network, across probably 40 or so powered devices (fibaro dimmer and relays, Aeon Smart Switch 6)

- On one hand, I can cover the whole distance of our house

- On the other hand, there are individual devices pretty close to the controller (as in within 5M) that turn 'dead' repeatedly. When putting them next to the controller they work fine. When putting the controller next to them in their original location they work fine. But when putting both in their locations, only 5M apart, with plenty of other powered devices on the way to provide a route, they fail (and the ones next to them don't). Reconfiguring the mesh for these devices also fails, despite plenty of neighbours around

 

Any idea what's going on? 

 

Would appreciate any help.

 

Thanks

 

Karsten

 

Hi @Kfruechtl, I had a similar issue but I rebuilt my setup from scratch and seems to be stable for now. I do have 2 aeotec smart switches that don't seem reliable and a UBS (contact sensor and temp probe)  that is reading dead. At this stage I am putting these down to the devices not including correctly so I'll have to remove/exclude/include and see if that solves the issue. I have about 85 devices and all but 1 are mains powered. (I try and stay away from battery powered devices) Too be honest I did have issues that I was looking like a range issue and hence the discussion. I haven't reached any conclusion but for now all seems good.

 

 

[Dugbi 9]

Hi @Kfruechtl, i notice that your in australia like me and I have a very simmular problem with my Fibaro Relays. I purchased 2x dual relays to use in a pool area. 1 switched on a LED light and the other Switched on a LED TV. Both had locked contacts when I first got them which had me believing that they werent working. They would still click but nothing would pass through. I tried everything and nothing worked, until some one suggested that I cracked them with a screw driver. They worked on my test bench next to the HC2 but not when I put them back in. I eventually moved them within a 5m range of the controller and they started to work. So now I have used them for lighting above the HC2 and they work well. I wonder if there is a range issue with the Australian Version?. They were the Plus version, latest model. In regards to Autofranks comment about the battery units, I agree. I had so many issues that I placed 2x 12vdc (190W) panels on the roof and ran them to a 120AH deep cylce battery. I ran the wireing all through the house and placed a 5vdc step down transformer in the box to supply power. Now the sensors operate even without power for about 14hrs and that includes the HC2. So far including my 24vdc lighting I have never seen the 24vdc draw go above 2 AMP. This allows you to use the Fibaro 12/24vdcx4 modules for switching relays. Far cheaper way to go and the relays are see through and run indictor lights and are fully replacable. So just realised I was rambling on Sorry.

[AutoFrank 372]

@Dugbi

 

This is what I use, not sure they are available where you are....

 

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[Guest FredrikKarlsson]

On 2017-04-29 at 7:44 PM, AutoFrank said:

Hi @TRicky (and other forum users)

I understand that you have an external antennae

 

Could you indicate why and which one you used?

 

 

Some additional comments connected to the questions raised by the OP.

 

I have  been using this antenna for a while now, mainly since my HC2 is in a server rack.

Please login or register to see this link.

 

The antenna and a 5 meter RP-SMA cable (plus a BNC  to RP-SMA adapter) gets the signal out of the rack. Works well, and I think better than the original antenna.

[Stiven 53]

Hello, I am looking to buy an antenna.

As I understand it would be good that the antenna has this properties:

- 790-960 MHz

- 5dBi

- 50 Ohm

- SMA connector.

Correct me if I am wrong. I have been looking for some time but all of the links in this thread don't work for me because I am UK based. I just moved my HC2 into the server rack but the signal is blocked from the metal chassis. It would be very helpful if you would help me find some links for the proper antennas that work with HC2. Thank you! 

[Jamie mccrostie 82]

Cant you just remote the antenna that comes with Hc2 off cord to another position? ie top of rack

[Stiven 53]

15 hours ago, Jamie mccrostie said:

Cant you just remote the antenna that comes with Hc2 off cord to another position? ie top of rack

@Jamie mccrostie How can that be done? 

Edit: Can this work with HC2? 

Please login or register to see this link.

Edited May 3, 2019 by Stiven

[Jamie mccrostie 82]

 

 

4 hours ago, Stiven said:

Can this work with

I dont know but for that price its worth trying.

 

[samuel 27]

@stiven that will work i extended my antenne too, with a 2 a 3 coaxial wire like those from amazon

[Stiven 53]

2 hours ago, samuel said:

@stiven that will work i extended my antenne too, with a 2 a 3 coaxial wire like those from amazon

 

4 hours ago, Jamie mccrostie said:

 

 

I dont know but for that price its worth trying.

 

Perfect, I will buy this and give it a try. I will get back if it works out. Thanks guys!

 

Edit: I just discovered the different types of connectors. Should I get the sma male or rp-sma male?

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Edited May 3, 2019 by Stiven

[Jamie mccrostie 82]

@Stiven Unscrew your hc2 antenne and measure

[Stiven 53]

20 hours ago, Jamie mccrostie said:

@Stiven Unscrew your hc2 antenne and measure

The problem is that I am not in my house for around two more weeks and I cannot access the HC2.

[Jamie mccrostie 82]

I think the connections size are both the same size and the different codes are to do with male of female antenne  end or male or female cable crimp end. 

The hc2 has a male sma connection on the antenna

and female sma that it screws into on hc2 base.

So if you got a made up lead with the same that should work.

Edited May 4, 2019 by Jamie mccrostie