Smart Homes

[–] Chaser@lemmy.zip 3 points 11 months ago

Yay! Snowflakes! ^-^/

[+] jol@discuss.tchncs.de -7 points 11 months ago (10 children)

The ZBT2 antenna is so ridiculous. I don't want an antenna that is bigger than the computer that runs the software.

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[–] fonix232@fedia.io 30 points 11 months ago (7 children)

For good wireless you need a good antenna.

Sadly, unlike some other systems, in our universe you can't have the laws of physics changed by throwing money at it.

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[+] jol@discuss.tchncs.de -7 points 11 months ago (6 children)

I understand that, but this device seems to focus on huge houses or something. I have no problems in my apartment with my USB zigbee dongle that let's me hide away the whole system in a closet...

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[–] IrateAnteater@sh.itjust.works 32 points 11 months ago (5 children)

If what you currently have already works for you, why be concerned with the form factor of something designed for a slightly different use case?

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[–] jol@discuss.tchncs.de 4 points 11 months ago (4 children)

Because this is the only antenna they sell now and is a huge jump from the previous. Buying a new zigbee antenna can be a bit hit or miss, so having an officially supported one, specially one where the profits also support the project long-term success, is important. So excuse me if I'm disappointed that the antenna stands more prominently than a dildo. If the antenna could tilt 90 degrees, it would at least fit on any shelf.

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[–] roofuskit@lemmy.world 2 points 11 months ago (2 children)

What does the look of the antenna matter in a closet?

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[–] jol@discuss.tchncs.de 1 point 11 months ago (1 child)

What? It's not about the looks. It's about the size

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[–] roofuskit@lemmy.world 3 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

You can't put it in the corner of the closet, on the ceiling?

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[–] AtariDump@lemmy.world 1 point 11 months ago

DM me and I’ll sell you my gen 1.

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[–] dgriffith@aussie.zone 10 points 11 months ago (1 child)

It's a 1/4 wave antenna with a groundplane. Physics dictates the size.

Compared to the PCB antenna in your average USB dongle, this would have at least two to three times the range, and likely more than that, because you can put it somewhere more optimal than just poking out the back of your device.

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[–] fonix232@fedia.io 1 point 11 months ago

And beyond range it would also improve network stability by reducing interference through the stronger signal.

But to be fair you could've moved the original dongle away from the host as well, with a simple USB-A extension cable - which was actually recommended for many as newer host devices would only come with USB3, and the 5GHz operation (as well as Intel's weird obsession with 2.4GHz CPU clocks in the lower end range) would interfere with the signal, which was alleviated by the USB2 physical limitation + distancing from the interference source.