5. Beware of the Environment in which the antenna will be used
Plastic enclosures, metal components, and the presence of other components in proximity to the antenna all affect the turning and radiation pattern of the antenna. Never place the antenna close to metallic objects, nor use a metallic or metallized plastic enclosure. Ideally keep external influences in the antenna far field.
6. Tuning is needed for every application
All PCB antennas are board specific and the dimensions and matching will need to be determined for each implementation. Copying an existing design does not ensure good performance. Gain and radiation patterns will vary as the parameters in the surrounding areas change. The length of the antenna will need to be adjusted according to these variables. Additionally, the final tuning and matching should be completed in the end product enclosure and installation, not in open air.
7. Antenna Matching is a must!
Maximum RF power is transferred when the antenna impedance matches the source impedance (50 ohms). Consider a return loss of