# NRF24L01 not 1km :( **URL:** \ **Category:** General Guidance\ **Created:** [December 20, 2022, 2:57pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/nrf24l01-not-1km/1067633 "2022-12-20T14:57:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![di\_g7](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c37758/32.png) [@di\_g7](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/di_g7)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2022, 2:57pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/nrf24l01-not-1km/1067633/1 "2022-12-20T14:57:11Z")
I have bought the NRF24L01 with the antenna that as they claim goes to 1 km. I have tested the range and unfortunately it disconnected after about 150m. Is there something I need to do to extend the range using the code itself, or do I need need to get a hardware to make the power more powerful. ```cpp const byte address[6] = "01608"; //The communication address of the Transceiver RF24 radio(10, 9); //CE, CSN of the NRF24L01 int data[7]; //The data array to be sent radio.begin(); //Radio radio.openWritingPipe(address); radio.setDataRate(RF24_250KBPS); radio.setPALevel(RF24_PA_HIGH); radio.stopListening(); ``` I have only used these commands (And ofc changed them according to the Tx or Rx) I have connected an LED on the receiver side and and when I move a joystick on the controller, the light gets turned on. Does this have to do with anything about the array? Or should I use a pipe instead of address? Or do I need to use another hardware to amplify the signal? Or do I need to add a bobin as someone suggested? Or I am missing something in the code? ---
**Author:** ![Railroader](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/railroader/32/274550_2.png) [@Railroader](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/Railroader)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2022, 3:12pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/nrf24l01-not-1km/1067633/2 "2022-12-20T15:12:30Z")
Do both transmitter and receiver have antennas? Schematics showing how the devices are powered would be good to look into. Whar was the terrain between the 2 devices? ---
**Author:** ![di\_g7](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c37758/32.png) [@di\_g7](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/di_g7)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2022, 3:32pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/nrf24l01-not-1km/1067633/3 "2022-12-20T15:32:02Z")
> [@Railroader](#): > > Do both transmitter and receiver have antennas? Yes, they both have antennas. > [@Railroader](#): > > Schematics showing how the devices are powered would be good to look into. Transmitter: (The arduino is powered using 6V AAA batteries) GND -\> GND VCC -\> 3.3V CE -\> 10 CSN -\> 9 SCK -\> 13 MOSI -\> 11 MISO -\> 12 Receiver: (The arduino is powered using 15V Lithium batteries through the jack) GND -\> GND VCC -\> 3.3V CE -\> A0 CSN -\> A1 SCK -\> 13 MOSI -\> 11 MISO -\> 12 > [@Railroader](#): > > Whar was the terrain between the 2 devices? There was no obstacle between the two, but when I got about 150m far the light was held on even though I tried turning it off. ---
**Author:** ![Railroader](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/railroader/32/274550_2.png) [@Railroader](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/Railroader)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2022, 3:48pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/nrf24l01-not-1km/1067633/4 "2022-12-20T15:48:53Z")
You tried but that's not schematics. Pin numbers/names give o overwiew. Also voltages, ampere capacity of the power plants ought to be checked up. Pen and paper usually works well enough. I would like to check if there's a powering issue. ---
**Author:** ![mrburnette](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/mrburnette/32/702556_2.png) [@mrburnette](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/mrburnette)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2022, 3:58pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/nrf24l01-not-1km/1067633/5 "2022-12-20T15:58:52Z")
> [@di\_g7](#): > > NRF24L01 with the antenna that as they claim goes to 1 km. > I have tested the range and unfortunately it disconnected after about 150m. - You know the boards are working - You have external antennas - Are you using fresh quality batteries? - Any potential for RF interference? - Read: [nrf24L01+ power setting question - #2 by Robin2](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/nrf24l01-power-setting-question/518289/2) ---
**Author:** ![di\_g7](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c37758/32.png) [@di\_g7](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/di_g7)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2022, 4:27pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/nrf24l01-not-1km/1067633/6 "2022-12-20T16:27:32Z")
@Railroader I am not sure of what difference it would make if I gave you the schematics, because I would just draw the parts connected to the pins that I have already mentioned before. Or do you need something else? could you please describe what schematics you are looking for? @mrburnette The batteries are new and charged. Do I need to set both the transmitter and receiver at PA\_MAX? I have already done that but some people say that I should put the transmitter on MIN ---
**Author:** ![mrburnette](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/mrburnette/32/702556_2.png) [@mrburnette](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/mrburnette)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2022, 4:41pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/nrf24l01-not-1km/1067633/7 "2022-12-20T16:41:50Z")
> [@di\_g7](#): > > both the transmitter and receiver at PA\_MAX? If your regulatory laws permit, then YES... but expect battery-power run time to be affected. ---
**Author:** ![di\_g7](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c37758/32.png) [@di\_g7](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/di_g7)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2022, 4:57pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/nrf24l01-not-1km/1067633/8 "2022-12-20T16:57:52Z")
> [@mrburnette](#): > > If your regulatory laws permit, then YES... but expect battery-power run time to be affected. I already have and somehow the signal is lost after 150m ☹ ---
**Author:** ![mrburnette](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/mrburnette/32/702556_2.png) [@mrburnette](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/mrburnette)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2022, 5:02pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/nrf24l01-not-1km/1067633/9 "2022-12-20T17:02:47Z")
> [@di\_g7](#): > > somehow the signal is lost after 150m Beyond the obvious of defective antenna or weak power supply, there is a possibly your transmitter is weak or your receiver is weak or both. Do not discount RF interference from external sourcesL cellphone towers, RF traffic devices, wireless security devices, industrial RF noise, etc. ---
**Author:** ![alto777](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/alto777/32/317385_2.png) [@alto777](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/alto777)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2022, 6:17pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/nrf24l01-not-1km/1067633/10 "2022-12-20T18:17:12Z")
> [@di\_g7](#): > > VCC -\> 3.3V Are you trying to power the radio from a pin on the Arduino? We ask for a real schematic, even if you just draw it with a pencil and shoot a picture of it. That's actually the fastest and entirely satisfactory. Picking apart a word description takes time. If you draw a schematic, you save everyone who has any business helping you each the time it would take them to do that. And we might make mistakes doing, or your description might have a mistake... a7 ---
**Author:** ![build\_1971](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/build_1971/32/689930_2.png) [@build\_1971](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/build_1971)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2022, 6:17pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/nrf24l01-not-1km/1067633/11 "2022-12-20T18:17:46Z")
Are both antennas in the same direction? Either both vertical or both horizontal, perpendicular to the direction of radiowave travel? Like this: ```cpp | | ``` And not like this; ```cpp ____ ``` ---
**Author:** ![di\_g7](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c37758/32.png) [@di\_g7](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/di_g7)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2022, 6:43pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/nrf24l01-not-1km/1067633/12 "2022-12-20T18:43:28Z")
@mrburnette > [@mrburnette](#): > > Beyond the obvious of defective antenna or weak power supply, there is a possibly your transmitter is weak or your receiver is weak or both. > [@di\_g7](#): > > ```arduino > radio.setPALevel(RF24_PA_HIGH); > > ``` > > Or I am missing something in the code? I just figured out that the code uses HIGH and not MAX which is a very dump mistake. @alto777 > [@alto777](#): > > Are you trying to power the radio from a pin on the Arduino? Yes its connected to the 3.3V pin. @build_1971 > [@build\_1971](#): > > Are both antennas in the same direction? And does not making them at the same direction actually affects them this much? . . . I will try the range tomorrow after I have changed the PA level to MAX ---
**Author:** ![anon57585045](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@anon57585045](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/anon57585045)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2022, 6:55pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/nrf24l01-not-1km/1067633/13 "2022-12-20T18:55:46Z")
> [@di\_g7](#): > > I am not sure of what difference it would make if I gave you the schematics, because I would just draw the parts connected to the pins that I have already mentioned before. That is like, I don't know what difference it would make if I gave you a hamburger instead of raw meat and flour, because I would just cook it for you. ---
**Author:** ![build\_1971](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/build_1971/32/689930_2.png) [@build\_1971](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/build_1971)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2022, 7:18pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/nrf24l01-not-1km/1067633/14 "2022-12-20T19:18:11Z")
![](https://europe1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/original/4X/4/1/b/41be4e22e4281ad7a511746344279d1b50cef2ee.png) As you can see, virtually no radiation leaves in the direction where the antenna is pointing... If you have one vertical and the other horizontal, you will still not receive much as the polarization is wrong. So, yes this can make a huge difference. By the way, I borrowed this pic from here [Antennas for dummies | Engibex](https://engibex.com/antennas-for-dummies/) where there is much more info. ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_KD7HB](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/paul_kd7hb/32/1127958_2.png) [@Paul\_KD7HB](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/Paul_KD7HB)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2022, 7:21pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/nrf24l01-not-1km/1067633/15 "2022-12-20T19:21:56Z")
A side not to the image. That is for a true vertical dipole. The NRF antenna is just 1/2 of that dipole. The board and wiring make up the other half. Wonder if a true radiation pattern has been published for an NRF with external antenna? ---
**Author:** ![build\_1971](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/build_1971/32/689930_2.png) [@build\_1971](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/build_1971)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2022, 7:28pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/nrf24l01-not-1km/1067633/16 "2022-12-20T19:28:19Z")
Here is a monopole pattern > **[Monopole Antenna](https://www.antenna-theory.com/antennas/monopole.php)** > > Monopole antennas are presented. Particularly, the monopole antenna is described in relation to a conducting ground plane and analyzed with image theory as a regular dipole antenna. ---
**Author:** ![KASSIMSAMJI](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/kassimsamji/32/261751_2.png) [@KASSIMSAMJI](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/KASSIMSAMJI)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2022, 7:28pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/nrf24l01-not-1km/1067633/17 "2022-12-20T19:28:41Z")
> [@di\_g7](#): > > 15V Lithium batteries through the jack precious power from the batteries get wasted here, also show us your schematic please (or/and picture of your setup?) ---
**Author:** ![alto777](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/alto777/32/317385_2.png) [@alto777](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/alto777)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2022, 7:40pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/nrf24l01-not-1km/1067633/18 "2022-12-20T19:40:52Z")
> [@di\_g7](#): > > Yes its connected to the 3.3V pin. The 3.3 volt pin may not have enough current capability to power the radio. Most tutorials recommend a separate power supply and the inclusion of a largish capacitor across the power leads of the radio. You must have missed that part. a7 ---
**Author:** ![Grumpy\_Mike](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/grumpy_mike/32/213521_2.png) [@Grumpy\_Mike](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/Grumpy_Mike)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2022, 7:48pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/nrf24l01-not-1km/1067633/19 "2022-12-20T19:48:09Z")
> [@di\_g7](#): > > with the antenna that as they claim goes to 1 km. I bet they don't. I bet they say "goes up to 1 km", which is an all together different thing. What sort of antenna is it half wave or quarter wave? Has it got a decent ground plain? What about the material round the RX and TX? Any metal or conducting surfaces. All these affect the real performance. ---
**Author:** ![Whandall](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/whandall/32/222457_2.png) [@Whandall](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/Whandall)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2022, 8:02pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/nrf24l01-not-1km/1067633/20 "2022-12-20T20:02:49Z")
> [@alto777](#): > > The 3.3 volt pin may not have enough current capability to power the radio. > > Most tutorials recommend a separate power supply and the inclusion of a largish capacitor across the power leads of the radio. The OP can be happy to have any transmission, let alone 150m. The high power modules usually don't work from the 3.3V of an 5V Arduino at all. [Next page](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/nrf24l01-not-1km/1067633.md?page=2)