Topic: Antenna Mods for WS-2902 WS-2000 Consoles

[Hexhead]

Newbie here.

Reading through old threads about modding the Osprey Array by adding a yagi antenna, and notice member danoh breifly mentioning upgrading the antenna on the console as well.

I've searched and read, but haven't been able to come up with anything other than the single mention.

Has anyone got any info (preferably with pictures) on the process? I would be very grateful!

[StephenR0]

I can't say that I've modified the antenna on the console.  But I do have some experience with modifying the antenna on a software defined radio.

https://www.wxforum.net/index.php?topic=35494.msg377008#msg377008

Since then, I reoriented the antenna to be laying flat (horizontal).  Both positions seemed to work well.  The only problem with this type of antenna is finding a ground in the console to work with the full wave loop antenna.  It may be as simple as using the negative from the battery.

I have considered looking into solutions.  My WS-2902A console does lose contact with the sensor array sometimes.  I'm not sure if it's interference or just weak signal from going through walls.  But the GW1000 in the same room has no trouble at all receiving the signal.  I think the GW1000 is somewhat more sensitive than the console.

Something else that I've considered is to straighten out the wire antenna in the console.  That would require drilling a hole for the antenna wire to be able to go up instead of having to bend over in the case.  I haven't experimented with this either.

[WSWeather]

  But the GW1000 in the same room has no trouble at all receiving the signal.  I think the GW1000 is somewhat more sensitive than the console.

Unless you've swapped the two at their exact locations that's probably not a good assumption.  Sometimes moving the console as little as a couple inches or rotating it slightly is the difference between spotty reception and constant contact with the sensors. 

[Hexhead]

I can't say that I've modified the antenna on the console.  But I do have some experience with modifying the antenna on a software defined radio.

https://www.wxforum.net/index.php?topic=35494.msg377008#msg377008

Thank you for the reply!

As much as anything, I was hoping someone had a picture of the console opened up, before I go diving in with nippers and a soldering iron. If I do dive in, I'll be sure to document, in case anyone else is interested.

Ideally, I'd like to add an umbilical to the console and route it through the wall to an external antenna. Installing a yagi on the array and placing the console in a window might get enough signal to get the system functioning but A) That's not at all where I would like to have the console placed, and B) I'm afraid that the yagi will interfere with my RedLink HAVC control system, which operates in the same frequency range.

[StephenR0]

There are the FCC photos.

https://fccid.io/WA5WH2902/Internal-Photos/09-WH2902-IntPho-3266679

They aren't really that clear, though.

[Mandrake]

Thank you for the reply!

As much as anything, I was hoping someone had a picture of the console opened up, before I go diving in with nippers and a soldering iron. If I do dive in, I'll be sure to document, in case anyone else is interested.

Ideally, I'd like to add an umbilical to the console and route it through the wall to an external antenna. Installing a yagi on the array and placing the console in a window might get enough signal to get the system functioning but A) That's not at all where I would like to have the console placed, and B) I'm afraid that the yagi will interfere with my RedLink HAVC control system, which operates in the same frequency range.
[/quote]

Just an observation here, but remember that the console is a passive receiver, so connecting it to a Yagi array will not impact the radiated RF energy in your locality one bit since the transmitter is the sensor array outside and that will not change its out put in any way!

[WA4OPQ]

Here's a photo of the console opened up, the curved red wire is the antenna. After installing a small RF connector (SMA or BNC) on the back or side just run small coax to the pc board where the red wire originates.

I'm more inclined to add the yagi at the weather station, as adding to the console means coax running in the room, penetrating the exterior wall and mounting the yagi nearby. But this may work better for you.

Thanks for the photos, StephenRO

[Hexhead]

I'm more inclined to add the yagi at the weather station, as adding to the console means coax running in the room, penetrating the exterior wall and mounting the yagi nearby. But this may work better for you.

Thanks for the photos, StephenRO

Yes WA4OPQ, the yagi would go on the array, not connect to the the console.

I went ahead and dis-assembled the console yesterday. There's a lot less inside than I had expected, and adding an umbilical will be easy. I ordered some connectors yesterday, so should be able to monkey around with it this weekend. I am going to experiment with just extending the existing antenna wire to full wave length and seeing what that will gain first.

Thank you for the photos, StephenRO, and thank you to all for your replies and help!

[capripot]

Just an observation here, but remember that the console is a passive receiver, so connecting it to a Yagi array will not impact the radiated RF energy in your locality one bit since the transmitter is the sensor array outside and that will not change its out put in any way!

But would adding an omnidirectional antenna help improving signal reception tho?

The attached one is rated at 5dBi gain for instance.

[Mandrake]

I know it would add cost to the console, but I really think it would be an excellent idea to add a SMA connector or similar to the console so that folks can add a hi gain antenna as an option if they have spotty reception.

Perhaps we should push Ecowitt to consider it for a future HP2551/WS2000 replacement console.

[galfert]

I'm not an expert, but I see that antennas are designed for a certain frequency range. As I understand it the length of the antenna is in direct correlation to the frequency being used. Typically the antenna should be half wave length or full wave length of the frequency in use.

[Mandrake]

Absolutely, an antenna suitable for 915Mhz would not work well for 868Mhz or 433Mhz.
However if the console had a connector on the side as do say wifi routers etc then you could add the appropriate aerial if required and could be sold by Ecowitt/Ambient etc

[WA4OPQ]

I have the WS-1900 console, which is the 2902 minus the WiFi.
I opened it up and straightened the antenna (red wire) and greatly increased it's range.

https://www.wxforum.net/index.php?topic=37718.0