ASUS G73Jh antennas

Does anyone knows if all G73Jh have 2 antennas (even the ones with Atheros AR9285 network adapters)?

I'm thinking in buying an Intel 6200 network adapter such as this:
PROVANTAGE: Intel 622AN.HMWWB Intel Wifi Link 6200 622AN.HMWWB Half Height Minicard VPRO Enabled Retail

What should I do to install it? Remove the Atheros, plug-in the Intel and connect the antennas?

Does anyone installed the Intel 6300 instead? How did you install the third antenna?

 

I have the 6300 and just used the 2 antennas. It works fine. I get close to 300mb when connected to routers that support it.

Cheers,

 

Thanks for the help Panzer!

I think the three antennas have different purposes in the Intel 6300 Wi-Fi adapter. How did you connect the 2 antennas to it? Are there any network performance differences due to assignment of antennas(2) to terminals(3)?

Does anyone knows if it's possible to install a third antenna to the G73Jh? Where can I get one?

 

On the Intel 6300, if you only have two antennas, you only connect them to ports 1 and 2 leaving 3 unoccupied.

The difference between the Intel 6200 and 6300 is it's a 2x2 MIMO adapter versus the 6300 being a 3x3 MIMO. What does that mean? The 6300 has three radios for spatial which means better performance but in most real-world use, the performance isn't that much different.

The 6300 is one of the first WiFi adapters too which supports 450Mbps 802.11n and AFAIK, there's only one WiFi AP that supports it and it's $300 USD.

It is possible to install a 3rd antenna into your chassis. Just search for " uf.l antennas" on eBay. I think there are some general guides here on NBR which sort of details how to add an antenna but I don't have those links handy.

Hope this helps!

Cheers,
Kermee

 

Thanks Kermee! I've found some of those antennas but there are many sizes and colors. Usually they are sold in pairs of white/gray and black from 18" (46 cm) to 39" (99 cm).

Does the antenna length matter? Are they different for 2.4GHz or 5GHz? Which one is better for the port 3 of Intel 6300?

 

It's hard to gauge with the G73Jh since I'm not too familiar with the guts of the chassis but an 18" (46 cm) is probably long enough.

Most people who do WiFi antenna mods typically try to place the antenna in the LCD lid which means trying to route it properly inside the hinges along with all the other wiring. You'd probably have to check to see where the existing two antennas are wired up to, to see where they are located at.

All the U.FL antennas I've seen are usually tuned to 2.4 GHz. 5 GHz will work too since it's a close "harmonic" multiplier of 2.4 GHz (just not as well as an antenna that's tuned to 2.4 GHz). Normally with most consumer devices which are 2.4/5 GHz dual-band, the antennas are tuned for 2.4 GHz anyway.

Honestly, unless you feel like you really want to take apart your G73Jh and install a 3rd antenna, the "return in gains" for the most part of adding a 3rd antenna are very diminished. Of course, you could really "geek" out and install a U.FL to say an RP-SMA pigtail and install an " external antenna" port on the side of the G73Jh... That would be a lot more effective than adding a 3rd internal antenna inside the chassis.

Hope this helps!

Cheers,
Kermee

 

I noticed that there is a little rubber stopper at the back of the machine that covers up a hole which says "ANT" on it. It looks as if it is there for an external antennae, but I'm not sure about it.

 

I just used the 1st and third positions (left the middle connector empty). I get 270MB to 300MB to my DLink router. If I ever upgrade to a faster CPU and have the thermal paste done by a local shop I'll have them route the additional antenna at the same time.

Cheers,