LoRa Antennas
The right antenna is the single biggest factor in your MeshCore range and reliability.
Same hardware, same antennas. MeshCore and Meshtastic use identical LoRa radios and frequencies. Any antenna that works for Meshtastic works for MeshCore. For detailed specs and community test results, see the Meshtastic antenna documentation.
Antenna Basics
Your antenna is the most important factor in range-more than transmit power, more than the device itself. A good antenna on a cheap radio will outperform a bad antenna on an expensive radio every time.
Frequency Match
In North America, use 915 MHz antennas. In Europe, use 868 MHz. Mismatched antennas waste power and reduce range.
Connector Types
Most devices use SMA connectors. Know the difference between SMA Male, SMA Female, RP-SMA Male, and RP-SMA Female.
Antenna Types
Stock "Rubber Duck" Antennas
The small antennas that come with most devices. Convenient but typically poor performers-often only 1-2 dBi gain.
Best for: Testing, indoor use, portable nodes where size matters more than range.
Upgraded Whip Antennas
Aftermarket antennas like the GIZONT or LINX series. Typically 3-5 dBi gain. Good balance of size and performance.
Best for: Handheld/portable use, mobile nodes, situations where you need a compact external antenna.
Fiberglass Omni Antennas
Larger outdoor antennas (1-3 feet). 5-8 dBi gain. Excellent for base stations and repeaters. Require mounting.
Best for: Rooftop repeaters, base stations, permanent outdoor installations.
Directional/Yagi Antennas
High-gain (8-12+ dBi) but focused in one direction. Great for point-to-point links between distant nodes.
Best for: Long-distance links, bridging gaps between mesh clusters, rural deployments.
Community Recommendations
| Use Case | Antenna | Gain |
|---|---|---|
| Handheld/Portable | GIZONT 17cm 915MHz | ~3 dBi |
| Mobile/Vehicle | Laird MA9-5N | 5 dBi |
| Base Station | Alfa AOA-915-5ACM | 5 dBi |
| Repeater (High Gain) | Rokland 8 dBi Fiberglass | 8 dBi |
| Point-to-Point | 915 MHz Yagi | 10+ dBi |
For detailed specs, SWR test results, and purchase links, see the full antenna documentation.
Testing & SWR
SWR (Standing Wave Ratio) measures how well your antenna matches your radio. Lower is better:
- 1.0-1.5: Excellent - minimal power loss
- 1.5-2.0: Good - acceptable for most uses
- 2.0-3.0: Marginal - noticeable performance loss
- >3.0: Poor - significant power reflected back
You can test SWR with a NanoVNA (cheap network analyzer, ~$50). This is especially important for homemade antennas or when using adapters.
Placement Tips
- 1. Height is king. Every foot of elevation helps. Rooftops, poles, and high windows all improve range dramatically.
- 2. Line of sight matters. LoRa can penetrate obstacles, but clear paths are always better.
- 3. Keep the antenna vertical. Omni antennas are polarized-tilting them reduces range.
- 4. Avoid metal nearby. Metal objects near the antenna can detune it and create dead spots.
- 5. Use quality coax. Long cable runs need low-loss coax (LMR-400) or the cable eats your signal.