Introduction

In industrial IoT and wireless systems, the antenna is the linchpin of link quality — yet it's often overlooked. A well-designed antenna lets the transmitter radiate efficiently and the receiver capture weak signals with sensitivity. A poor match, by contrast, cuts range, raises packet loss, and burns extra power.

The TX868-JK-11 from EBYTE is a 868MHz vertically polarized omnidirectional rod antenna, engineered for the 868MHz band (848–888MHz). It's a natural fit for LoRa, wireless data radios, IoT nodes, smart metering and industrial telemetry. This guide, based on the official data sheet, breaks down its design, specs and use cases.

Who It's For

Antenna selection is simple on the surface but critical to overall performance. The TX868-JK-11 answers five clear needs:

Product Overview

The TX868-JK-11 is a compact 868MHz vertically polarized omnidirectional rod antenna with an SMA male connector — small, light, high-gain and weather-tolerant, making it an ideal companion for 868MHz wireless devices such as LoRa and radio modules.

At a glance:

• Part number: TX868-JK-11 (868MHz rod antenna)

• Type: vertically polarized omnidirectional rod antenna

• Appearance: black TPEE radome, 110mm long, 10mm diameter

• Connector: SMA male, nickel-plated

• Weight: ~8g ±1g

Features & Model Comparison

 Key Features

1. High gain, omnidirectional coverage — 3dBi gain, full horizontal coverage for stable links in all directions.

2. Low SWR (≤1.5) — well matched to 50Ω systems, minimizing reflection loss and boosting efficiency and range.

3. Wide temperature, weather-resistant — −40℃ to +85℃ operating/storage; TPEE radome resists aging and impact, suited to outdoor and industrial use.

4. Standard interface, plug-and-play — SMA male screws directly onto SMA-female modules/devices, no soldering.

5. Light and compact — 110mm and just 8g, easy to fit into gateways and small nodes.

6. RoHS compliant — meets environmental standards for export and compliance projects.

Selecting Among EBYTE Antennas

EBYTE offers antennas across frequencies and form factors; match the band, connector and mounting to your device:

When choosing, confirm three things: your device's frequency band, its RF connector, and its mounting space. All three must match for best performance.

Technical Specifications

Mechanical

 Electrical

 Environmental

 Applications

1. LoRa wireless IoT nodes — pairs with 868MHz LoRa modules/gateways for longer, more stable links in smart agriculture, environmental monitoring and smart metering.

2. Wireless data radios — with 868MHz radio modules for industrial data acquisition and remote transmission.

3. Smart meters — 868MHz wireless reading of electricity, water and gas meters; omnidirectional coverage in all directions.

4. Industrial telemetry & SCADA — reliable wireless links for remote measurement and control in factory, power and oil-field sites.

5. Security & building automation — access control, sensor nodes and energy monitoring over 868MHz mesh networks.

 Why EBYTE

Founded in 2012, Chengdu EBYTE Electronic Technology Co., Ltd. is a national high-tech enterprise integrating R&D, production and sales, with core strengths:

• Full product line — from wireless modules, antennas and data radios to industrial gateways and industrial PCs: one-stop solutions from chip to system.

• Strong R&D & customization — a 100+ R&D team across RF, embedded, hardware, software and structure; antenna and hardware customization supported.

• Strict quality control — CE, FCC, RoHS certifications; ISO9001 system; stable operation from −40℃ to +85℃.

• Complete support — full documentation, 7×12h online support, remote assistance and on-site service.

• Global reach — 100+ countries, 5,000+ enterprise partners, agencies and service centers in multiple regions.

FAQ

Q1: Which bands does the TX868-JK-11 cover?
It's designed for 868MHz with a working band of 848–888MHz, suitable for 868MHz LoRa and data-radio devices.

Q2: How do I choose the right antenna?
Confirm three things: ① your device's frequency band (must be 868MHz); ② its RF connector (SMA female → SMA male); ③ mounting space and style (rod, magnetic, PCB, etc.).

Q3: What does SWR affect?
SWR≤1.5 means good matching to a 50Ω system — less reflected signal, higher efficiency. High SWR lowers transmit efficiency and raises reflected power, cutting range and potentially stressing the transmitter.

Q4: Can I bend or shorten the antenna?
No. Rod length is tied to the operating frequency; trimming or excessive bending shifts resonance, worsens SWR and degrades performance.

Q5: Does the antenna need clearance from metal?
Keep the antenna away from large metal objects, which can absorb or reflect signal and reduce radiated efficiency.

Q6: Can it handle high/low temperatures?
Yes. Operating and storage range is −40℃ to +85℃, and the TPEE radome offers good weather resistance for outdoor and industrial use.

Q7: Is it compliant for export?
The product is RoHS compliant, and EBYTE products carry CE and FCC certifications, suited to export and compliance projects. Note: this product is strictly prohibited from military or life-safety applications.

The TX868-JK-11 868MHz vertically polarized omnidirectional rod antenna — with 3dBi gain, low SWR, wide-temperature tolerance and a standard SMA interface — is a cost-effective choice for 868MHz LoRa, data radios, smart metering and industrial telemetry. Choosing EBYTE means choosing a professional, reliable and efficient industrial IoT platform.