I am developing an application for the RAK4630 module. My PCB connects the LORA antenna pad directly to a SMA connector. Reviewing the FCC certification, I can see the testing setup used a 3.0dBi antenna. I would appreciate some help with the regulations of the FCC certificate. Hopefully I’m misinterpreting, but the wording would lead me to believe the certification only covers the antenna used during the test.
Note, I see the RAK blade antenna has a dBi of either 2.3/2.8 for 915MHz/868MHz respectively. In the FCC document the antenna is mentioned to have a 3.0dBi. Just double checking which antenna was used for the certification.
Thanks for the comment. Do you know if your vendors had new certifications done with these antennas? I’m not sure of the exact regulations in Brazil.
We have been researching the FCC antenna regulations. It appears an antenna of the same type with lower gain can be used. By complying with the RAK4630 FCC certification we can greatly reduce the cost of certifying our board (from 15k to 2k), as it will only need to be tested as an unintentional radiator (ISED & FCC). We will be reaching out to local labs to verify before proceeding.
Below is one of the my sources to come to this conclusion:
Any antenna that is of the same type and of equal or less directional gain as an antenna that is authorized with the intentional radiator may be marketed with, and used with, that intentional radiator. No retesting of this system configuration is required. The marketing or use of a system configuration that employs an antenna of a different type, or that operates at a higher gain, than the antenna authorized with the intentional radiator is not permitted unless the procedures specified in § 2.1043 of this chapter are followed.
@beegee the antenna data sheet used for the certification would be greatly appreciated to have for our records and confirm our selected antenna will not void the FCC certification.
