ESP32 Development Board with external antenna

[klogg]

I have an ESP32 controlling my irrigation, outside on the wall in a plastic enclosure which has over the last few days started dropping off WiFi several times a day. It drops off for a few seconds and then comes back.

This behaviour coincides with me having migrated my HA to Proxmox and a slightly unusual heatwave here with temperatures going over 30 degC and not going down much at night.

I am not sure either of these would be causing this especially the move to Proxmox.

Also the WiFi signal is reported by the board as -77dB so not great.

I was thinking I could get a board with a socket for an external antenna but I can’t find one. Does anyone know if such a thing exists?

Thanks.

Currently I’m using one of these:

[tom_l]

They do exist, search for ESP32-WROOM-32U.

https://www.aliexpress.com/wholesale?catId=0&initiative_id=SB_20200812090712&origin=y&SearchText=ESP32-WROOM-32U

You can also DIY if you’re handy with a scraper and soldering iron.

How to add an external antenna to an ESP board

If you’ve purchased an ESP board without a connector for an external antenna and find you are pushing the limits of reception - all is not lost. Also this is slightly easier than moving the 0603 sized resistor required to use the external antenna socket on some boards. These parts can be found for a couple of dollars on ebay or Aliexpress: [1] Then do this: [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] Good to go: [IMG_4136]

[klogg]

Thanks Tom, I’ve ordered a couple. Should be here in several weeks

And hopefully I won’t run into this problem

@tom_l

Also this is slightly easier than moving the 0603 sized resistor required to use the external antenna socket on some boards.

I do have one spare board that I might have a go at DIYing it with…