is RFlink still a good option?

[john316]

I upgraded to the latest version of Domoticz after 3.5 years but then, many KAKU switches didn't work anymore.
So I reverted back to my old setup.

My RFlink is also old, one of the first versions with seperate Tx and Rx modules.
upgrading the RFlink software is not possible because it now uses a tranceiver.

So to upgrade RFlink, I presume I need to replace the RFlink module/pcb?

Is RFXcom now a better option because I have to buy new hardware anyway??

[mpx2]

I have RFLink with transcerver and I'm thinking about other alternatives. Latest firmware was released in 2017. They don't respond and source code is closed atm.

My RFLink has a poor range. Some times my temp sensors outside disappears and my sensors in freezer was last seen in 20 days ago.

I have RTL-SDR from www.rtl-sdr.com. It sees my temp sensors in the freezer without any problems. I tried higer gain antenna with RFLink but it did not help. RTL-SDR and RFLink are in same place and I have switched antennas without any difference. I tried a low noise preamp but it did not help either.

RTL-SDR cannot send and is not fully supported in Domoticz.

[sincze]

I must agree updates are being 'postponed' as it seems we will receive a completely rewritten firmware.

My setup since 2014 is a RFXCOM for ground floor with bigger antenna and an RFLINK for middle and upper floor, also with bigger antenna.

Both have an overlap but it all works very well. Even the weather station on the roof is dealt with by the RFLINK and sometimes the RFXCOM.

I don't complain but do appreciate a regular update with new HW.
From a security point of view I migrated lots of 433 mhz to ZWAVE and ZIGBEE.
Keeping the 433mhz band clear for some wall switches (that are triggered by zigbee motion sensors) and temp sensors in all rooms.

[Stuntteam]

It is still in development.
We do not respond to the ovious questions for which answers can be found on the website or the usual can you give a test version now or give sources

[john316]

Thanks you all for your input..
I'm in doubt: invest some more in 433mhz stuff or go indeed to Homey or Domoticz + Z-wave etc.
It's sad I have to buy new hardware and pcb to upgrade the RFlink so now I think I will not do that.

Very surprising that the domotica stuff has not evolved much in the last 5 years.

Alas, we'll see.

[Xztraz]

433 is an old way of delivering data but is sufficient for temp sensors and non critical buttons actuators. if your buying new stuff you should consider zwave since its encrypted and paired. keep up the good work on rflink! and i have excelent reception with a dipole antenna. check your solders or if you happen to have fake china rx/tx modules. they kind of suck.

[john316]

433 is an old way of delivering data but is sufficient for temp sensors and non critical buttons actuators. if your buying new stuff you should consider zwave since its encrypted and paired. keep up the good work on rflink! and i have excelent reception with a dipole antenna. check your solders or if you happen to have fake china rx/tx modules. they kind of suck.

Yes Z-wave is on the top of my list to try with Domoticz...

Do you have the dipole which they sell on nodo-shop.nl?

[Xztraz]

jupp. tried both with the stick antenna and dipole from nodo. dipole is better but stick works quite ok too. don't place the antenna close to metal and such. and also 433 nodes can't be to close together(receivers) they interfere with each other somehow. if u are going to order from nodo maybe change out tx rx to a good tranceiver from them. thats what i use.

[john316]

jupp. tried both with the stick antenna and dipole from nodo. dipole is better but stick works quite ok too. don't place the antenna close to metal and such. and also 433 nodes can't be to close together(receivers) they interfere with each other somehow. if u are going to order from nodo maybe change out tx rx to a good tranceiver from them. thats what i use.

thanks!
yes I already use the excellent Aurel transmitter and receiver, the best money can buy...

[mpx2]

jupp. tried both with the stick antenna and dipole from nodo. dipole is better but stick works quite ok too. don't place the antenna close to metal and such. and also 433 nodes can't be to close together(receivers) they interfere with each other somehow. if u are going to order from nodo maybe change out tx rx to a good tranceiver from them. thats what i use.

If make the hole for antenna larger you can mount many walkie talkie antennas like

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Stainle ... 33123.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/AL800-S ... 63347.html
https://www.ebay.com/itm/high-gain-long ... 1608100903
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Platinu ... 01760.html

Antenna must have SMA male connector.

[Xztraz]

best is an antenna with a controlled ground plane like a dipole or similar. stick antenna uses the pcb as ground plane and that is not tuned as an antenna part. you can use dipoles on walkitalkies to to get great reception.. and wide band antenna isn't tuned good to any frequency. just equaly lousy on a lot of frequencies.. :p

[mpx2]

best is an antenna with a controlled ground plane like a dipole or similar. stick antenna uses the pcb as ground plane and that is not tuned as an antenna part. you can use dipoles on walkitalkies to to get great reception.. and wide band antenna isn't tuned good to any frequency. just equaly lousy on a lot of frequencies.. :p

Yes.

I have not seen high gain dipoles but there are high gain stick antennas.

[georgesattali]

Have you thought about Xiaomi Aqara Gateway ?
It works fine, it is zigbee (mesh network so you can extend the network as you wish), it is compatible with Dz, it is cheap (about 10 euro one device).
It's my choice for the last buyings I made and for the future extensions I could make on my installation.
Have a Nice Day.
GD
PS : I also have an RFLink of course, as well as broadlinks and sonoff.

[sincze]

Have you thought about Xiaomi Aqara Gateway ?
It works fine, it is zigbee (mesh network so you can extend the network as you wish), it is compatible with Dz, it is cheap (about 10 euro one device).
It's my choice for the last buyings I made and for the future extensions I could make on my installation.
Have a Nice Day.
GD
PS : I also have an RFLink of course, as well as broadlinks and sonoff.

I have to agree with @georgesattali, my top floor all ZIgbee from Xiaomi, the rest of the house Zwave.
But some dimmers and roller shutters are so expensive zwave style I stick with trusty rflink.

[RidingTheFlow]

best is an antenna with a controlled ground plane like a dipole or similar. stick antenna uses the pcb as ground plane and that is not tuned as an antenna part. you can use dipoles on walkitalkies to to get great reception.. and wide band antenna isn't tuned good to any frequency. just equaly lousy on a lot of frequencies.. :p

Note that some "stick" antennas are actually dipoles, just having SMA connector glued on one end - but insulated cable runs from connector inside to the middle of dipole.
Easy way to suspect is that usually twice as long as usual sticks.

[mpx2]

You can use radials as ground plane but there are stick antennas which does not require radials.

An Omnidirectional Gain Antenna for UHF without Radials.
http://edsantennas.weebly.com/uploads/2 ... ntenna.pdf

http://w6trw.com/wp-content/uploads/201 ... onFong.pdf

https://www.wimo.com/omnidirectional-vh ... mondvhfuhf

[Xztraz]

Note that some "stick" antennas are actually dipoles, just having SMA connector glued on one end - but insulated cable runs from connector inside to the middle of dipole.
Easy way to suspect is that usually twice as long as usual sticks.

there are of course variations of the stick antenna. but the simples ones just is one half of a dipole. they could also contain many dipole antennas in a row to create an antenna with narrower directionality and more gain. but thats not optimal if you want to trancieve in all directions. higher gain= narrower field. then there is active array antennas that can create virtual radio lobes in the desired direction but thats a bit overkill to read a temperature sensor