# \[Modding\] Homey Pro (Model Early 201x) Antenna modification **URL:** \ **Category:** Questions & Help\ **Tags:** homey-pro, modding\ **Created:** [October 17, 2018, 10:43am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/modding-homey-pro-model-early-201x-antenna-modification/2928 "2018-10-17T10:43:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 13
**Author:** ![robertklep](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/robertklep/32/160628_2.png) [@robertklep](https://community.homey.app/u/robertklep)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2019, 7:23am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/modding-homey-pro-model-early-201x-antenna-modification/2928/247 "2019-04-30T07:23:11Z")
When we opened @TedTolboom’s Homey, its PCB was pretty well stuck too. We managed to pry it out using one of the plastic screw holes, if I remember correctly (put a flat screwdriver through the hole between the PCB and the spacer that the screw screws in to). ---
**Author:** ![Sjalabert](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/sjalabert/32/11432_2.png) [@Sjalabert](https://community.homey.app/u/Sjalabert)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2019, 8:53am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/modding-homey-pro-model-early-201x-antenna-modification/2928/248 "2019-04-30T08:53:41Z")
Use a cutting knife for all-round cutting. You clearly see a few glue points. These must be broken. After that is simple to get the PCB out. ---
**Author:** ![PetervdK](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/petervdk/32/20669_2.png) [@PetervdK](https://community.homey.app/u/PetervdK)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2019, 10:38am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/modding-homey-pro-model-early-201x-antenna-modification/2928/249 "2019-04-30T10:38:45Z")
He is talking about the electronics board, not the outer housing… ---
**Author:** ![PetervdK](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/petervdk/32/20669_2.png) [@PetervdK](https://community.homey.app/u/PetervdK)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2019, 10:40am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/modding-homey-pro-model-early-201x-antenna-modification/2928/250 "2019-04-30T10:40:36Z")
Unplug the flat cable that runs through the board and push it completely through. Then stick a dinner knife in that hole and use some (careful) momentum to lift the board up that way. > [@Homey Pro Antenna modification](https://community.homey.app/t/homey-antenna-mod/2928/225): > > +1grinning For what it’s worth: both Homey’s i opened started reluctant, but after the first pop the top dome was easily separated from the ring because it gave way by the torsion. With the first one i broke one plastic screw (that was easily glued together again). With the second one the ring gave up before the screw, but that was also easily repaired with some glue for plastic models. Before you try to open it two warnings: be very careful not to break off one of the IR led’s while tr… ---
**Author:** ![PetervdK](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/petervdk/32/20669_2.png) [@PetervdK](https://community.homey.app/u/PetervdK)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2019, 10:05am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/modding-homey-pro-model-early-201x-antenna-modification/2928/251 "2019-05-22T10:05:47Z")
Finally got my 45 degree angle connectors 2 weeks ago and fitted them to get all the antenna’s straight upright instead of angled. It looks a bit odd and futuristic but I must say after these 2 weeks that it seems to improve the range even more then before. Especially for 433mhz this really makes a huge difference. All my 433mhz thermometers are now online (reachable) for 98+% of the time, even the ones in the backyard and in the far corner of the attic. For Z-wave there is also an increase of reach and stability in the mesh network. For Zigbee i see less longer periods of not reporting from the sensors, so it must also have worked out positive there. ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/2X/a/a475bcfbc10edfb9380a18a0271928b54a513f7e.jpeg) ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/2X/f/fbce881888e6a4b78d04dfcf4c54386d50dcff06.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Martijn\_Hoogenbosch](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/martijn_hoogenbosch/32/10647_2.png) [@Martijn\_Hoogenbosch](https://community.homey.app/u/Martijn_Hoogenbosch)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2019, 1:43pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/modding-homey-pro-model-early-201x-antenna-modification/2928/252 "2019-05-22T13:43:37Z")
Just did my mod, ordered two antennas, one 868mhz, for z-wave and the other, 2,4ghz for Zigbee. The zigbee has a nice connector to it and the z-wave needed to be soldered down. z-wave now works. Can’t evaluate range yet, but at least it works. Zigbee however doesn’t seem to work. Which is strange because of the nice connector. What can be wrong? * * * putting the homey back on the original location works for some of the zigbee devices… … Switching the appropriate antennas did the trick, stupid me… mixed them up apparently. Now lets see if it helps. ---
**Author:** ![Igy](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/igy/32/22144_2.png) [@Igy](https://community.homey.app/u/Igy)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2019, 6:44pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/modding-homey-pro-model-early-201x-antenna-modification/2928/253 "2019-06-19T18:44:47Z")
Did my mod yesterday (zwave and zigbee). Significant improvement in zwave performance (most of my 90 devices). Reduced routing, more direct connection to Homey and shorter routes for mesh connected devices. Also performance of zwave remotes is better. Highly recommended mod! ---
**Author:** ![Jamie](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/jamie/32/5274_2.png) [@Jamie](https://community.homey.app/u/Jamie)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2019, 2:02am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/modding-homey-pro-model-early-201x-antenna-modification/2928/254 "2019-06-20T02:02:50Z")
Hey @Igy Sorry, when you say ‘performance is better’, what exactly (in real world terms) do you mean? Devices which previously were out of range are now in range? Do devices which used to lag not switch now turn on much faster? Or devices which used to not always respond now respond all the time? When turning on multiple devices at once are the results now faster or more stable? Sorry for the question overload but I’m still considering the hack myself. ---
**Author:** ![KonradWalsh](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/konradwalsh/32/147_2.png) [@KonradWalsh](https://community.homey.app/u/KonradWalsh)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2019, 7:16am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/modding-homey-pro-model-early-201x-antenna-modification/2928/255 "2019-06-20T07:16:03Z")
In my opinion I had the same experience as @Igy No delays 1 device out of range now in range 1:1 communication the last time I checked It is so worth the upgrade ---
**Author:** ![Igy](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/igy/32/22144_2.png) [@Igy](https://community.homey.app/u/Igy)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2019, 7:16am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/modding-homey-pro-model-early-201x-antenna-modification/2928/256 "2019-06-20T07:16:20Z")
Some examples: I have 7 venetian blinds with lamels closing and opening as a group. Before, you could see that there was a lag of s several seconds between the first and last blind to start operate. Now its almost instant for all of them. Same behavior for lights group, much faster in terms of response to the action - you can still see one by one operation, but before it took 4-5 seconds to turn all 8 lights on one floor on, now it takes 2. Remotes and distance - I’m using Fibaro Keyfob to open the car gate in front of the house. Before it took me several attempts 2-3 press of the button to make it work. Now its instants on the first try. Didnt measure distance exactly before and after. I have also some screenshots of zwave routing before and after the mod where you can see as mentioned more direct routing. For some of the devices I had up to 15% error rate in transaction, will report after a while of system usage whether this disappeared. Thats what I call performance improvement 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Jamie](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/jamie/32/5274_2.png) [@Jamie](https://community.homey.app/u/Jamie)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2019, 7:21am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/modding-homey-pro-model-early-201x-antenna-modification/2928/257 "2019-06-20T07:21:22Z")
Thank you I am particularly interested in speed improvements. I find every time I do an action it takes a lot longer (assuming for mesh to find a route) sequential immediate updates are instant though. ---
**Author:** ![danone](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/danone/32/115743_2.png) [@danone](https://community.homey.app/u/danone)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2019, 12:26pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/modding-homey-pro-model-early-201x-antenna-modification/2928/258 "2019-06-20T12:26:42Z")
Do it mate, and you won’t regret it! Simple as. (highly recommend the z-wave antenna from Core Electronics in Newcastle, see one of my posts above) Should you have no or poor soldering skills, I am happy to have it done for you. ---
**Author:** ![Igy](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/igy/32/22144_2.png) [@Igy](https://community.homey.app/u/Igy)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2019, 12:25pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/modding-homey-pro-model-early-201x-antenna-modification/2928/259 "2019-06-26T12:25:29Z")
Almost a week with mod. 0% error rate for all devices! Works like a charm 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![mrhaugland](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/mrhaugland/32/12831_2.png) [@mrhaugland](https://community.homey.app/u/mrhaugland)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2019, 8:00pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/modding-homey-pro-model-early-201x-antenna-modification/2928/260 "2019-07-19T20:00:44Z")
The standard issues with devices not responding in a Flow with more than 6-12+ devices. Is this mod fixing this? ---
**Author:** ![robertklep](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/robertklep/32/160628_2.png) [@robertklep](https://community.homey.app/u/robertklep)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2019, 6:46am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/modding-homey-pro-model-early-201x-antenna-modification/2928/261 "2019-07-20T06:46:24Z")
Unlikely. That problem typically needs to be solved by adding delays to each additional action card. ---
**Author:** ![Joka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7feea3/32.png) [@Joka](https://community.homey.app/u/Joka)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2019, 2:24pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/modding-homey-pro-model-early-201x-antenna-modification/2928/262 "2019-07-20T14:24:53Z")
Hi Peter, could you please list the weblinks where you bought the antennas and the angle connectors. Thanks in advance! ---
**Author:** ![PetervdK](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/petervdk/32/20669_2.png) [@PetervdK](https://community.homey.app/u/PetervdK)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2019, 3:09pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/modding-homey-pro-model-early-201x-antenna-modification/2928/263 "2019-07-20T15:09:00Z")
Sure, no problem: **Antenna’s (All with the same seller.):** 2.4Ghz: > **[US $2.99 8% OFF|2.4Ghz antenna Wifi 5dbi SMA Male connector white 2.4 ghz...](https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32971392714.html?spm=a2g0s.12269583.0.0.785b735fxWJ2aC)** > > Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com 868Mhz: > **[US $3.22 8% OFF|white 868MHz 915MHz Antenna 5dbi SMA Male Connector GSM 915...](https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32971572938.html?spm=a2g0s.12269583.0.0.3cd9f671f1sRJs)** > > Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com 433Mhz: > **[US $3.18 9% OFF|433MHz Antenna 5dbi SMA Male Connector folding 433 mhz antena...](https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32974179862.html?spm=a2g0s.12269583.0.0.1ab97b0e2r4ZHO)** > > Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com **Angled connectors:** > **[US $0.58 22% OFF|High Quality SMA Male To SMA Female 45 135 Degree Adapter...](https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32975127664.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.6e5e31f28DbrJV&algo_pvid=f083df09-325d-43be-a78b-747bdadeee58&algo_expid=f083df09-325d-43be-a78b-747bdadeee58-20&btsid=cef1546d-ba66-4719-95cc-471ac099ec62&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0%252Csearchweb201602_9%252Csearchweb201603_52)** > > Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com And if you want better shielded and more sturdy pigtails than the ones with the antenna’s (in various lengths): > **[US $0.69 22% OFF|RF IPX / U.FL Switch SMA Female Pigtail Cable For PCI Wifi...](https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32809523843.html?spm=a2g0s.12269583.0.0.7e7b4fbdC5scmp)** > > Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com ---
**Author:** ![Joka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7feea3/32.png) [@Joka](https://community.homey.app/u/Joka)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2019, 3:29pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/modding-homey-pro-model-early-201x-antenna-modification/2928/264 "2019-07-20T15:29:30Z")
Thank you Peter for your quick response! ---
**Author:** ![PetervdK](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/petervdk/32/20669_2.png) [@PetervdK](https://community.homey.app/u/PetervdK)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2019, 4:12pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/modding-homey-pro-model-early-201x-antenna-modification/2928/265 "2019-07-20T16:12:03Z")
You’re welcome! 👍 ---
**Author:** ![Joka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7feea3/32.png) [@Joka](https://community.homey.app/u/Joka)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2019, 4:59pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/modding-homey-pro-model-early-201x-antenna-modification/2928/266 "2019-07-20T16:59:34Z")
sorry I’m not familar with the frequencies, which if them did you use for Z-Wave and Zigbee? [Previous page](https://community.homey.app/t/modding-homey-pro-model-early-201x-antenna-modification/2928.md?page=12) [Next page](https://community.homey.app/t/modding-homey-pro-model-early-201x-antenna-modification/2928.md?page=14)