# Ground plane for wifi coverage

**URL:** <https://discourse.nodered.org/t/ground-plane-for-wifi-coverage/11816>\
**Category:** General\
**Created:** [3 June 2019 22:02 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/ground-plane-for-wifi-coverage/11816 "2019-06-03T22:02:31Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 13\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Paul-Reed](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/paul-reed/32/66906_2.png) [@Paul-Reed](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Paul-Reed)\
**Post date:** [3 June 2019 22:02 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/ground-plane-for-wifi-coverage/11816/1 "2019-06-03T22:02:31Z")

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A lot of node-RED users are using ESP devices to provide environmental or other data for node-RED to process, so this post is vaguely on-topic 🤔

I've just replaced my router, which although has more features, is lacking in wifi power (Netgear Nighthawk), and has resulted in dodgy MQTT communications between an ESP in my greenhouse, which is about 20mts distance from the router, including 2 brick walls.

As can be seen in the image below, the s/s up to about 13:00hrs was in the region of 76db before dropping out completely at 80db.  
I tried a few few different options up until 13:30hrs, before [adding a ground plane](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ground_plane) to the ESP.

The ground plane was nothing more than a metal oven tray, [similar to this](https://www.dunelm.com/product/wham-36cm-oven-tray-1000142983), which was placed beneath the ESP enclosure. Not grounded, just placed down, and the ESP enclosure resting on top.

As can be seen, the s/s improved by 10db, which is the difference between a good solid signal, and no signal at all....

 ![groundplane](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/nodered/original/2X/f/f73545d171d8b9d4512a5c9937de4d64b772132b.jpeg)

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**Author:** ![zenofmud](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/zenofmud/32/316_2.png) [@zenofmud](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/zenofmud)\
**Post date:** [3 June 2019 22:33 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/ground-plane-for-wifi-coverage/11816/2 "2019-06-03T22:33:15Z")

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Wow that is dramatic! And good to know. What did you run to get the readings?

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**Author:** ![Paul-Reed](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/paul-reed/32/66906_2.png) [@Paul-Reed](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Paul-Reed)\
**Post date:** [3 June 2019 22:45 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/ground-plane-for-wifi-coverage/11816/3 "2019-06-03T22:45:49Z")

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Just calling the RSSI from within the ESP  
`WiFi.RSSI()`  
...and passing the reading via MQTT to node-RED.to populate the chart.

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**Author:** ![TotallyInformation](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/totallyinformation/32/31_2.png) [@TotallyInformation](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/TotallyInformation)\
**Post date:** [3 June 2019 23:40 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/ground-plane-for-wifi-coverage/11816/4 "2019-06-03T23:40:01Z")

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Cool!

Of course, I stopped buying the rubbish, expensive consumer WiFi routers a long time ago.

I now use the pro kit from Ubiquiti. An EdgeRouter Lite for the router (no WiFi) and a separate Unifi AP Pro.

The AP Pro has more than enough umph to cover the whole of our Victorian 5 bed house and can also be meshed if you need even more coverage.

I'm also seeing this kit in more and more offices too. Including the refurbished offices we just moved into.

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**Author:** ![Bobo](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/bobo/32/8401_2.png) [@Bobo](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Bobo)\
**Post date:** [4 June 2019 08:02 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/ground-plane-for-wifi-coverage/11816/5 "2019-06-04T08:02:15Z")

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Wouldn't adding a decent antenna (or in fact any external antenna) to the ESP be a lot easier?

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**Author:** ![Colin](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/colin/32/17040_2.png) [@Colin](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Colin)\
**Post date:** [4 June 2019 08:18 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/ground-plane-for-wifi-coverage/11816/6 "2019-06-04T08:18:53Z")

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Difficult to see how fitting an aerial could be easier than sitting it on an oven tray. It is going to involve at least getting the wire cutters out of the draw and plugging in the soldering iron, never mind trying to find the fine solder.

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**Author:** ![Bobo](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/bobo/32/8401_2.png) [@Bobo](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Bobo)\
**Post date:** [4 June 2019 08:33 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/ground-plane-for-wifi-coverage/11816/7 "2019-06-04T08:33:30Z")

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> [@Colin](#):
>
> Difficult to see how fitting an aerial

Who said anything about fitting an antenna? All you do is purchase an ESP with sma connector built in. Then for about $1 purchase a ready made antenna, and ...

If I am using ESPs away from the AP (router, whatever) I always purchase the best ESP for the job (usually an ESP07s). In fact, for the price, there is really no reason to buy anything else.

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**Author:** ![Colin](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/colin/32/17040_2.png) [@Colin](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Colin)\
**Post date:** [4 June 2019 08:39 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/ground-plane-for-wifi-coverage/11816/8 "2019-06-04T08:39:23Z")

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> [@Bobo](#):
>
> I always purchase the best ESP for the job

What would you use instead of a Sonoff Basic or a TH10?

> **[UK Stock Sonoff Basic Smart Home WiFi Wireless Switch for Apple Android App...](https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/9027190362?iid=173894068136)**
>
> Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for UK Stock Sonoff Basic Smart Home WiFi Wireless Switch for Apple Android App CTRL at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products!

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**Author:** ![Bobo](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/bobo/32/8401_2.png) [@Bobo](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Bobo)\
**Post date:** [4 June 2019 08:43 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/ground-plane-for-wifi-coverage/11816/9 "2019-06-04T08:43:22Z")

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> [@Colin](#):
>
> What would you use instead of

Design my own.

Regardless, the OP was talking about environmental sensors and the like. And for that you do not need a Sonoff.

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**Author:** ![Colin](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/colin/32/17040_2.png) [@Colin](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Colin)\
**Post date:** [4 June 2019 08:58 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/ground-plane-for-wifi-coverage/11816/10 "2019-06-04T08:58:03Z")

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> [@Bobo](#):
>
> Design my own.

Well that is certainly not easier than sitting it on a baking tray.

> [@Bobo](#):
>
> the OP was talking about environmental sensors and the like. And for that you do not need a Sonoff.

The sonoff TH10, acquires environmental data using 1-wire devices and allows the loop to be closed via node-red using the relay output for control of temperature or humidity. In addition many add users add 1-wire sensors to other Sonoff devices.

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**Author:** ![Bobo](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/bobo/32/8401_2.png) [@Bobo](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Bobo)\
**Post date:** [4 June 2019 09:03 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/ground-plane-for-wifi-coverage/11816/11 "2019-06-04T09:03:56Z")

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> [@Colin](#):
>
> Well that is certainly not easier than sitting it on a baking tray.

Interesting rabbit hole to go down, requiring a round table discussion and a pint. 😄

But my point was there are ESP chips available on pcb that take ready made antennas. Easy and simple. The OP didn't specify it was a sonoff device he is using. Perhaps sonoff need to lift their game then and provide an external antenna.

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**Author:** ![Paul-Reed](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/paul-reed/32/66906_2.png) [@Paul-Reed](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Paul-Reed)\
**Post date:** [4 June 2019 09:11 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/ground-plane-for-wifi-coverage/11816/12 "2019-06-04T09:11:34Z")

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It's a Wemos D1 mini.  
This is already built and been in use for 2 years, so I'm hardly going to put it in the bin and rebuild from scratch using a different device, especially when simply adding a ground plane restores its functionality.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Bobo](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/bobo/32/8401_2.png) [@Bobo](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Bobo)\
**Post date:** [4 June 2019 09:56 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/ground-plane-for-wifi-coverage/11816/13 "2019-06-04T09:56:34Z")

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Good for you.