ESP32-C3-13 external antenna

[ogedik]

Hi,

I am using ESP-NOW to communicate two ESP circuits. My aim is to get more gain trying to attach external antenna to AiThinker ESP-C3-13 Node MCU kit. Module is coming not soldered male interface on board. Therefore I soldered an IPEX connector to board. After the soldering connector I attached the external antenna to the board but nothing changed. Still same dbi and no extra gain.

Has ESP-C3-13 a trick like ESP32-CAM (https://randomnerdtutorials.com/esp32-c ... al-antenna) to enable external antenna instead of on-board one?

As an additional information; I tested short-circut positive and negative pins of IPEX connector without attaching an antenna. Then found out they are touching each other at some where. It is same on brand new board to. Is it normal?

Please find my part attached to the message.

Thank you for your helps.

Orkun Gedik

[liaifat85]

Sounds like a manufacturing defect or an error with the soldering.

[MicroController]

You seem to have the ESP-C3-13 module, which comes with a PCB antenna. To connect an external antenna, you will have to somehow 'disconnect' the PCB antenna, and probably modify the matching network to be compatible with your external antenna.

Or, get an ESP-C3-13U.

I tested short-circut positive and negative pins of IPEX connector without attaching an antenna. Then found out they are touching each other at some where. It is same on brand new board to. Is it normal?

May be. Some PIFA designs for example are grounded at one end.

[ogedik]

You seem to have the ESP-C3-13 module, which comes with a PCB antenna. To connect an external antenna, you will have to somehow 'disconnect' the PCB antenna, and probably modify the matching network to be compatible with your external antenna.

Or, get an ESP-C3-13U.

I tested short-circut positive and negative pins of IPEX connector without attaching an antenna. Then found out they are touching each other at some where. It is same on brand new board to. Is it normal?

May be. Some PIFA designs for example are grounded at one end.

Since I didn't not want to broke my PCB board I didn't touch it so far I will try to disconnect PCB antenna and write here the result.

Thank you.

Orkun Gedik

[ogedik]

Sounds like a manufacturing defect or an error with the soldering.

I checked soldering and it is looking fine. But maybe its default design.