Trail Camera Antenna

[dbshelton]

I know this is off the beaten path but I have a Trail Camera that connects through it's own 2.4 Wifi network and bluetooth to my phone. it is pretty weak with a range of about 50' outside. I am experimenting with trying to increase the range. After taking the camera apart, the internal antenna is connected with the same MHF4 connector on my modem. I happened to have a pigtail with MHF4 connector to a RP-SMA so I fixed it so I can install an external antenna. Is it possible that an external antenna can increase my range? The only antenna I have is marked 4GB from my NEXR5GO router. Will that work, or is it too far from 2.4GB? Does Antenna Gain = Range to a certain extent? Am I wasting my time?

[Dr-BroadBand]

No sure Give it a shot.

If it doesn’t work take a look at this

With antennas it’s a lot of trial and error
https://thewirelesshaven.com/shop/antennas/wifi-a ... as-rp-sma/

[dbshelton]

It may not work since it uses Bluetooth to connect. I think Bluetooth has a very limited range but I will find out.
I do enjoy playing with this stuff. Are most antennas bi-directional?

[dbshelton]

Bought a Wifi antenna that is supposed to have a 10db gain and one that is supposed to have a 22db gain. Surely overrated. Range increased about 25' with either one. Now I am up to about 100' on the front porch. No connection inside the house.

[Didneywhorl]

Omni-directional antennas don't truly have that high of gain as a passive antenna. Have you tried a directional antenna?

Like this: https://thewirelesshaven.com/shop/antennas/wifi-a ... i-antenna/

[dbshelton]

I have a Wilson Yagi directional antenna that I am not using. 700-2700mhz. Would that possibly work? I guess there is one way to find out.

[Didneywhorl]

It will, as 2.4Ghz wifi falls in that frequency range. The LPDA style may not do incredibly well with trees and leaf cover, but it may very well do much better than the little spike omnis.

You may also find the beamwidth to be pretty tight.

[dbshelton]

Nothing at all in between the camera and my house. I have everything ready to install and try the antenna this evening. Thanks.

[dbshelton]

The Wilson directional antenna was only marginably better, but did show a little improvement. The problem is getting bluetooth to connect. After getting a connection, the Wifi works OK. Got an antenna coming from The Wireless Haven on the way to try.

[dbshelton]

No improvement with the new antenna.
I think the camera I am messing with has U.FL antenna contacts. Does it matter if I use a UFL to SMA cable or UFL to RP-SMA cable as long as I use the correct antenna or an adapter and antenna?

[Didneywhorl]

As long as the antenna has the correct mating connector it shouldn't matter. Just don't mix SMA with RP-SMA