Hey!
My question: Can I add an external WiFi antenna to an Arduino R4 WiFi?
I ask this because the WiFi router is just out of reach, and I can't move the Arduino or the router.
I would like to extend the range the Arduino can pick up.
Already a big thanks!
Kenny
Is there a connector? If not buy a cheap repeater and install halfway. They often will just plug into a wall outlet directly. My router company makes them among others. May also be called mesh.
Thanks for the response!
I would love to use a repeater but tge arduino project is way in the garden, and i got no way of placing one outside sadly
What is the distance?
Here is what Google says
After testing dozens of routers, the TP-Link Archer AX11000 is still our favorite long-range router. It checks all the right boxes and beams great speeds when we test it from our marker at 120 feet across the street. But if you’re more about speed than the extras, then the NETGEAR Nighthawk RAXE500 fits the bill just right. It has the fastest speeds we’ve recorded to date, plus it’s the only router in our inventory that registers throughput at 160 feet.
As a former full time RVer I know there are special antennas to get longer range, but they are somewhat expensive. Here is a solution that can go up to 7 miles.
https://www.redportglobal.com/wi-fi-extenders/halo-wifi-extender-system/
Look for a 2.4 GHz directional antenna (typically a Yagi). They give a high gain in one direction, which it seems like what you want. You can build your own or buy them. There is a version built from a Pringels can, but the tube is too small for good performance on 2.4 GHz.
Get a POE switch, connect that to the existing router, run POE ethernet cable possibly inside plastic tubing buried in the ground to a weatherproof box that contains a repeater as far as needed to make reliable connection to the garden device.
There is not.
The reason is that the ESP32-S3-MINI-1 module on the UNO R4 WiFi board that provides its Wi-Fi and BLE radio has an integrated PCB antenna. I think it is generally an "either/or" thing with antennas: you either get one on the board or get a connector to which you must connect an external antenna to get any reasonable radio performance.
Certainly the esp32's offer both via a resolderable zero ohm component (fancy jumper)
There is indeed no antenna but I'm considering trying this hack: https://partout.ca/crosswords/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Uno-R4-Wifi-Antenna-Hack.png . It's necessary to cut a PCB trace (to avoid impedance mismatch) then solder a 50-ohm coaxial pigtail as shown. The pigtail connections will be delicate, so I suggest securing the coax to the top of the ESP module with a dab of glue. Disclaimer: I think this should work but try at your own risk!
Were you able to verify that this hack worked? If so, which WIFI antenna did you use. I have a similar situation and need slightly better WIFI reception for my UNO R4.
I haven't tried it yet, but I intend to and I'll certainly post my result here. In my case, I need quite a bit more range so I'll be using an external Yagi antenna. I think almost any external 2.4 GHz antenna would be better than the on-board PCB antenna, for example one taken an old router with removable external antennas. When I do the mod, I'll first test it with the onboard antenna, then after the mod with a small external antenna, then with Yagi and compare the RSSI of each.
