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    Installing a third internal antenna for wifi card

    Discussion in 'Networking and Wireless' started by Slaughterhouse, Jan 5, 2009.

  1. Slaughterhouse

    Slaughterhouse Knock 'em out!

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    I will be installing a third antenna in my laptop shortly to go with my new Intel 5300 wifi card. The problem is, I haven't really been able to find any sort of guide to help with the installation process. I suppose I can just route it around the body of the laptop and tape it down but that won't exactly give me the optimal reception/range. Does anyone have any good guides or perhaps some tips you can share with me before I do this?
     
    Slaughterhouse, Jan 5, 2009
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  2. kegobeer

    kegobeer 1 hr late but moving fast

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    Go to oxfordtec.com and buy an antenna. Thread it through any opening on the bottom of the laptop - works like a champ.
     
    kegobeer, Jan 5, 2009
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  3. Slaughterhouse

    Slaughterhouse Knock 'em out!

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    I already bought a Tyco WLAN antenna. What do you mean by thread it through any opening on the bottom of the laptop? Should I wrap it around in a circle around the body of the laptop underneath the cover or should I stick it somewhere specific?
     
    Slaughterhouse, Jan 5, 2009
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  4. flipfire

    flipfire Moderately Boss

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    It depends on your notebook. Most notebooks thread the antenna wire to the LCD assembly for best reception.

    Try wrapping the antenna into the wifi compartment and see what sort of reception you get first. You might not even need to extend it.
     
    flipfire, Jan 5, 2009
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  5. Slaughterhouse

    Slaughterhouse Knock 'em out!

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    Awesome, thanks.

    And how do I know which antenna is good? Which would you choose out of these?

    OxfordTEC

    or

    Tyco
     
    Slaughterhouse, Jan 5, 2009
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  6. kegobeer

    kegobeer 1 hr late but moving fast

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    You already have the Tyco, so just use one of those two antennas in that package. You can just push the antenna through the hole next to the wifi card (where the other antennas go) until the entire length is inside the case.
     
    kegobeer, Jan 5, 2009
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  7. Slaughterhouse

    Slaughterhouse Knock 'em out!

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    Well I'm actually upgrading 2 laptops this weekend so I'd need 2 antennas anyway. Should I get another Tyco or the one from OxfordTEC?
     
    Slaughterhouse, Jan 5, 2009
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  8. kegobeer

    kegobeer 1 hr late but moving fast

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    Didn't you get two antennas from that eBay order?
     
    kegobeer, Jan 5, 2009
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  9. Slaughterhouse

    Slaughterhouse Knock 'em out!

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    Yeah good point. Still I'm curious, would the OxfordTEC be better?
     
    Slaughterhouse, Jan 5, 2009
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  10. kegobeer

    kegobeer 1 hr late but moving fast

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    I don't think so. All antennas are pretty much the same.
     
    kegobeer, Jan 5, 2009
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  11. flipfire

    flipfire Moderately Boss

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    The OxfordTEC might be less effective since the whole antenna will just sit inside the compartment. Its just convenient if you do not wanna open up your notebook. You only need the 3rd antenna for wireless N anyway.

    [​IMG]

    Bad grammar lol
     
    flipfire, Jan 6, 2009
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  12. Slaughterhouse

    Slaughterhouse Knock 'em out!

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    Ok I'll stick this one in the older laptop then and keep the Tyco for myself.
     
    Slaughterhouse, Jan 6, 2009
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  13. Randall_Lind

    Randall_Lind Notebook Consultant

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    does the third one go in the middle of the card? Black/new/white or black/white/new
     
    Randall_Lind, Jan 6, 2009
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  14. Slaughterhouse

    Slaughterhouse Knock 'em out!

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    I'm almost sure it goes in the middle of the card. That's what I had read on a different wifi card upgrade (can't remember which one).
     
    Slaughterhouse, Jan 6, 2009
    #14