Introduction #
Affordable whip antennas for the 868 MHz band can quickly catch your attention, especially when sold as a set of five. The promise is tempting: 10 dBi gain for extended LoRa range, all at a budget-friendly price. I decided to take a closer look at the Pixelure 10 dBi 868 MHz Whip Antenna 5-pack and put them to the test using a LiteVNA. Unfortunately, the results were far from impressive.
Test Setup #
Each antenna in the set was tested individually on the LiteVNA.
With SMA male connectors, no adapters were required.
I used a benchmark frequency of 868.9 MHz and evaluated the antennas based on their standing wave ratio (SWR), which directly indicates how well an antenna is tuned to its target frequency.
Measurement Results and Observations #
Three of the five antennas actually showed their best SWR around 344.5 MHz, reaching a value of 1.067.
Normally, that would be excellent—but unfortunately, it’s completely off the intended frequency.
At the relevant frequency of 868.9 MHz, the picture changes drastically. These three antennas had SWR values between 1.9 and 2.5.
Measurement result – Antenna 1
Measurement result – Antenna 2
Measurement result – Antenna 3
Two antennas performed slightly better, with SWR values between 1.6 and 1.8 at 868.9 MHz. Still not ideal, but at least somewhat usable compared to the rest.
Antenna 4
Antenna 5
These results suggest that these antennas were not truly designed for the 868 MHz band. It could be a production mistake or a mix-up with a model intended for a much lower frequency. Another notable observation is the inconsistency within the set: while some antennas were essentially unusable, others showed at least a passable resonance. That hardly speaks to strict quality control.
Practical Implications #
An SWR above 2 is generally not recommended for antennas. A portion of the transmitted power is reflected back into the device instead of being radiated, reducing range and potentially stressing the electronics over time. Even the two moderately usable antennas fall short of what you would expect from a 868 MHz-specific antenna.
Conclusion #
On paper, the Pixelure 10 dBi 868 MHz Whip Antenna 5-pack seems appealing—but in practice, it disappoints. Three of the five antennas resonate at the wrong frequency, and the remaining two perform only moderately. For serious LoRa projects, this set is not a recommended choice. If you want reliable connections and long range, it’s worth investing in a proven antenna.
Share Your Experience #
I’m curious if you’ve had similar experiences with inexpensive whip antennas. In the DIY community, shared reports and measurement results from fellow makers are incredibly valuable. Drop me a line at blog@lucabolanz.de to share which antenna you use and what your measurements look like.