#43 ESP8266 Range Test with and without External Antenna

In this video I test how far away an IPad can connect to an ESP8266.
I use two scenarios: One with a normal ESP-12E and its PCB antenna, and a second scenario with an ESP-07 and an antenna from an Access Point.

[pleasuretek]

Great explanation of SMA and RP-SMA thrown in there. Thanks for all the great esp8266 videos

[AllanKobelansky]

Andreas, have you ever mentioned what your profession is? There are many DIY and so-called "experts" on YouTube, but your work is quite well presented and researched. Or is that just your Swiss genes?

[Inquire]

"Thank GOD", and thank you for your support and time 😉 This video is VERY interesting and useful 😎

[nathanas]

These videos are so interesting to hobbyists and life long learners.
I’m tempted to create a LORA setup with yagi antennas to improve the range.

[dsp]

Great info. Plus your house looks gorgeous. I mean, an undergound bunker _and_ a roof garden? That's just amazing.

[MJGRAVITON]

You always have great videos that I very much enjoy, thank you Andreas.

[buzhug]

Dear Andreas,
Another intresting vidéo… as usual. I’m making some tests on a raspberry pi with an external antenna and results are significants : antenna is the heart of a transmit system! I was surprized that the position for a connector was on the board! With a few modifications (and sweat because it’s very small !), we can make some good tests about antennes.
Thank you for your job.
Best regards
Jean-Michel

[remove_kippa]

👏 noob here, and wanted to say thank you for all of the informational videos

[mr.x]

Very well explained!I was able to get 50m with a clear line of sight on the esp8266-01.

[ModestMaker]

Wow - you answer my questions even before I ask them. You have an amazing suite of videos - thank you!

[asmolbean]

You seem like such a great guy, if you have kids they're lucky to have such a nice dad :)


Also I love the way you say bye at the end ...makes me smile everytime idk why lol

[jeffbeck]

I like your work, but I love CNLohr's work.

[DiyintheGhetto]

Awesome Video Andreas as always. I'm getting the same as you do. I think the reason why CNLohr's got more is because he took a Router on the road with him and that router has a high gain patch antenna on it. But other wise it would of gotten the same results as you did if the test was done the same.

[vks]

Hi Andreas, I have been watching your videos for some time now and they are wonderful. As someone else commented here, they are simple, nicely explained and very practical. And thanks for this one too. I have also been trying to find out the range of these ESPs in my house which is ground + first floor for my automation project, so this will help.

[MobiusHorizons]

I think the critical difference between this test an cnlohr's test is that he used an access point as one end of the connection. This changes things rather dramatically I would assume since access points are powered and can create a substantially stronger signal than a battery powered device. I would imagine they can amplify weaker return signals as well, although I do not know that for a fact.

[grimtagnbag]

Bro you are in my head. I have a question and you already have a video. You are Awsome

[dougtaylor]

Hi Swiss Guy! I think your test proves more about Apple's policy around wifi than anything else. I have achieved similar results to Mr Laur (spelling?) using an ESP-01 with trace antenna and an Android device as the client. Apple have dumbed down their wifi reception because they don't want to operate in the shady -70dB (more or less - I don't know the exact figure) zone because they feel the bad network experience will reflect badly on their devices. So they rather let you connect only when the signal is a bit stronger and less likely to drop. If you repeat your tests with any other client device I think your range will double (at least). You may then also see more advantage with the ESP-07. Thanks for your always excellent videos. You have fans in South Africa... all my IoT friends enjoy your stuff. We have a request... one day will you tell us a joke? Maybe at the end of a video, just for fun ;)

[Thomodian]

it is impressive that you can transmit to distance of 150m with only 3.3 volts. Maybe some aluminium parabola behind the antenna could even improve it in some direction.

[norm]

Gratulation für die bald 1'000 Abonnenten.

[Regimantas_Baublys]

My test with pcb antena 500m. Set to b mode and increase tx power to max :)