Advice on Zigbee range extending

Configuration Zigbee
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Only for a CC253x, a CC2652 is flashable through the usb-port

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For more info on an example CC2652 (CC2652P) see → ITead's "Sonoff Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus" (model "ZBDongle-P") based on Texas Instruments CC2652P +20dBm radio SoC/MCU

You can do the same with EFR32MG21 like this example here → ITead’s “Sonoff Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus V2” (model "ZBDongle-E") based on Silicon Labs EFR32MG21 +20dBm radio SoC/MCU

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I have my supply grid electricity provider Smart Meter in a hut about 50m from my house.

Any suggestions for a point to point range extender to allow me to access the smart meter?

I do have power sockets in the hut and can put up a pole for an external wireless antenna, or maybe involve Ethernet-over-power, if the answer includes some kind of non Zigbee element?

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I think your first challenge is that the Smart Meter, if it is using Zigbee to send you the meter data, is probably proprietary zigbee to the utility. Not a zigbee device that can be added to a standard zigbee network. So all you can do, it that is true, is connect a single zigbee ‘coordinator’ that is ‘special’ to your utility to the smart meter. Probably very little in the way of options for this connection, and probably very limited in distance, as most utilities ‘ASSume’ your meter in on the outside wall of the main house. This device, depending on what vendor hardware the utility is offering, is going to be some type of zigbee usb dongles with serial interface, a ethernet hub box, or a wifi hub box. The second two ways will let you probably let you but these ‘hubs’ on your home network if you can get ethernet or wifi to them. The first type device will require some type of computer to plug the dongle into.

If what I am describing sounds like your setup, then probably doing some type of outdoor long range wifi extender may be a good path. Ubiquity UniFi is an example vendor that offers these type products. Not sure what your ‘budget’ is for this project, however, some of the long range wifi products can be spendy…

You could first get the utility hub device and test to see if its range might make it the 50 meters and I am guessing a couple walls to your main home network.

Good hunting!

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If you are still looking, I have actual experience with some long reach devices. My driveway gate controller is 210ft (65m) from the wifi router and zigbee coordinator. I have a relay board in it to trigger the gate from HA. (recently setup voice activation!)

The original nortek coordinator and zigbee device with built in antenna was marginal. This combo was connected about half the time. There is nothing between the house and the gate to setup a repeater.
Next was an ESPHome device with an antenna connector. Used a cheap 9dBi antenna from amazon. That works 100%. RSSI levels are in the mid -70 ranges. This has been in place for few years now.
Later I changed to a Sonoff Zigbee 3.0 Plus Coordinator also with a 9dBi antenna. I can reliably go to 250ft (75m) to the other side of my street, out the front of the house. In this direction, the path only has about 20ft travel through the house.
When the signal has to go through 3/4th of the house - I only get 100ft(30m) distance in the open yard. In this direction, I have an external garage 90ft away with a zigbee wall switch (for external lights) that requires a zigbee repeater to work reliably. The repeater is just a zigbee plug in the house closest to the garage. FYI - not all plugs are repeaters.

I mapped my coverage around the yard with a zigbee door/window sensor.
Just FYI for anyone wondering about actual ranges achieved.

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Anyone found solid extenders for Aqara (non-Aqara branded obviously)?

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Xiaomi Zigbee Power plugs…
thanks!
Tellthebell

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