On Tue, Feb 11, 2014 at 7:47 PM, RussellMc wrote: > Original question at end: > > I'd ensure that antennae at TX and RX are as good as could be before addi= ng > gain. > > That's a good point. Might try sticking one of those removable swivel antennas designed for an old 2.4GHz WiFi card. Taking RF from MTC-01output means you get the benefit of whatever > filtering and tank cct they provide. Which may range from none provided t= o > useful. > > They say < 10 mW output. > > Max 2644 output is around 50 mW input max at Vcc =3D 5V,. > Output is about +6 dBm max (fig top left page 4) or about 4 mW (!) > > Either the MTC-01 is making << 10 mW or the Max2644 is not going to help > you vastly. > Odds are the RF level is much lower than 10 mW as with a hald decent aeri= al > and sensible receiver 10 mW can get you vastly further than that. > > The MTC RF MAY need attenuating to present input overload if power is as > high as it might be, but probably not. You may be able to link couple to > the output tank (if it exists) which allows any degree of attenuation > desired by moving relative coil positions. > > RF entails substantial arcanery and what looks like 6 components on a PCB > MAY have taken somebody months to arrive at. Even a reference design with= a > PCB layout and clear directions may not translate as cleanly as you'd > expect (or hope) into real world practice. It's likely that for minimal > cost you can find completed amplifier modules which also have specs for > input and output impedances and levels. > Yup, RF is tricky, that's why I ask. Can you recommend any amplifier modules? I can't seem to find any, but I'm probably not searching for the right thing. Others are most welcome to point out anything above which seems or is > incorrect or less useful than something they can add.. > --=20 http://www.piclist.com/techref/piclist PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist .