WiFi antenna

McMutt · 12-19-04, 12:35 PM

Does anyone know of an external antenna that may work with our X30's wifi? I realize that there isn't a specific port to plug a traditional style into, but maybe something that'll work through the sdio slot or even just an extender that clips overtop the built in antenna nub?

Howard2k · 12-19-04, 01:05 PM

Nothing that I've seen. It would have to be a hack job.

McMutt · 12-19-04, 09:17 PM

I just posted the same question on the forums over at netstumbler.com, and the answer I got gives me a tiny bit of hope, but not for a while yet. There's a possibility that inside the X30, the Wifi portion is a seperate card from the mainboard, and IF it is, it may have something called a highrose connector on it that would allow an external pigtail to be attached. Obviously this would be the hack job, but I'd never do it with a brand new unit... Has anyone out there ever disassembled their X30? is the wifi board seperate, and if so, is there some type of connector on it?

Howard2k · 12-19-04, 10:08 PM

Even if it's not, there IS an internal antenna. So if there is no highrose connector you may still be able to just cut the old antenna and solder a new one on maybe??

McMutt · 12-19-04, 10:13 PM

That's a really dirty hack though, I'd only do something like that if it were A: the ONLY possibly way to do the job, and
B: a junked-out X30 that wouldn't matter if it got broken from the experiment.

Anyone know where I can get my hands on a busted x3i or x30.. no battery or accessories needed, just the unit itself. donations are welcome

and of course, I'd post my findings for all the world to see.

Howard2k · 12-19-04, 10:17 PM

Very true.

jdh1415 · 12-20-04, 01:06 AM

viewmypda and u will see how to make a free one!

it even decreases signal!

McMutt · 12-20-04, 11:37 AM

Originally Posted by jdh1415

viewmypda and u will see how to make a free one!

it even decreases signal!

Ok... now that's what I call a dirty hack.. well, more of a mod, but dang I sure hope that was either done in desperation or as a joke.

jdh1415 · 12-20-04, 12:08 PM

yea its just a joke

Sailn · 01-18-05, 06:48 PM

One viable option might be to make a bt to 802.11b repeater. If the goal is increased transmission and reception at the cost of speed it might make sense. I haven't seen a product that does this. Might be an interesting homebrew project.

McMutt · 01-19-05, 12:23 PM

The goal was extended range for wardriving, since the Axim was the only WiFi device I owned at the time.

After doing a lot of research (and bugging the guys at the netstumbler forums to death) I determined that it's definitely possible to add a pigtail for attaching an external antenna, but this would render the internal antenna useless.

My original idea was to make a splitter, but at such a high frequency the necessary tolerances would have to be so precise, that the project just isn't possible on a 'hobbyist' level. I bit the bullet and just bought an orinoco gold card for my laptop. Axim for warwalking, laptop for driving. problem solved for under 20 bucks.

star882 · 01-19-05, 05:44 PM

I have modified a Netgear MA111 to take an external antenna, and it was easy. The MA111 has two SMD antennas (they're way worse than the Axim antennas!), and I replaced one with a SMA connector so I can screw on an external antenna. It worked perfectly.
I think Dell should have designed the Axim antenna to screw off, so a better antenna can be installed.
P.S. I have asked a chick experienced with RF design (Alayna) whether or not running a WiFi device without the antenna can damage the circuits. She said it shouldn't, but no guarantee.
EDIT: Oh, and I did try running the MA111 without an additional antenna connected (using the remaining SMD antenna). It did not burn out, but don't touch the live connector, as it can give a RF burn.

vidiot · 01-29-05, 04:06 PM

>"I think Dell should have designed the Axim antenna to screw off, so a better antenna can be installed."

Dell would be in violation of FCC Rules if they did this. The rules state that "add-on" antennas must be specifically designed for the system by the same manufacturer. This is to maintain that the device does not transmit more power than allowed under Part 15. It would otherwise be possible to add a gain antenna to a full-power output device and be transmitting excess power (and thus interfering with the primary users of the frequency band).

As such, most legal external or "add-on" antennas are attached to underpowered radios or have a switch to reduce output to compensate for the antenna gain.

star882 · 01-29-05, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Dell would be in violation of FCC Rules if they did this. The rules state that "add-on" antennas must be specifically designed for the system by the same manufacturer. This is to maintain that the device does not transmit more power than allowed under Part 15. It would otherwise be possible to add a gain antenna to a full-power output device and be transmitting excess power (and thus interfering with the primary users of the frequency band).

As such, most legal external or "add-on" antennas are attached to underpowered radios or have a switch to reduce output to compensate for the antenna gain.

A passive antenna cannot (by the laws of physics) actually add power; it can only concentrate the radio waves.
And a lot of other devices (mostly PCI cards) do have removable antennas.

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