ESP8266 Community Forum

- Mon Jun 29, 2020 4:02 pm #87702 I'm enjoying using the esp8266 for indoor low power sensor applications, but looking for some outdoor hardware where no WiFi exists.

I only need to report small packets (temperature) every hour, so I am thinking a lower frequency module will give me longer range.

I have come across the HopeRF modules that can be controlled with Arduinos and was wondering what experiences folks have had with these or alternatives?

A lot of the HopeRF modules seem unavailable so not sure if actively developed.

Also they seem more expensive compared to the esp8266.

How does ZigBee compare? I don't need encryption, just low power and ~25m outdoor range.

- Mon Jun 29, 2020 4:35 pm #87703 There is Lora:

LoRa is a low-power wide-area network protocol developed by Semtech. It is based on spread spectrum modulation techniques derived from chirp spread spectrum technology.

- Mon Jun 29, 2020 5:51 pm #87705 What about using the ESP in peer to peer mode? ESP-Now allows you to talk between two or more units with no Wifi router

- Tue Jun 30, 2020 6:21 am #87710 Have you thought about sticking with wifi but using an esp8266 module with external antenna connector?

You could then use either a higher gain antenna or a directional one pointed towards the nearest router to get quite a good range.

There is a lot of material on this available and some impressive ranges achieved.