Atheros 802.11N Mini-PCI Card in Toughbook: Any Issues?

Are there any thoughts on whether the Unex (or Winstrom NeWeb) DNMA-92 802.11N mini-PCI card will work in the mini-PCI slot of CF-18 mk1 models? According to the product specifications, the main chipset is an Atheros® AR9220.

An earlier thread noted some idiosyncrasies with using Atheros-based mini-PCI cards in some Toughbook models such as the CF-28 and CF-73. The workaround entailed blocking a couple of the pins with fingernail polish.

So, considering this is still an Atheros card, albeit in what would be a more recent Toughbook model, is there the potential to experience similar issues?

This mini-PCI card is shown as being available from Pasadena Networks. Actually, they list several 802.11N mini-PCI cards on their website. Would there be any recommendations for one of the other cards instead? For example, the Ubiquiti SR71-12 is a 500 mW Atheros-based 802.11N card.


Thank you!

 

Nice find on the Ubiquiti 500mw 802.11N card!
I would beware of the height. I don't own an 18 so I can't speak specifically on it. That card "should" fit in a CF 29 easily, but it would not fit in a CF 50 or CF 51. Your linked card is a full size card. Not all laptops can fit those in.

The WNC (Winstrom NeWeb) DNMA-92 is almost identical to the N card I had in my CF 29 for a while. I really liked the sensitivity of it. I have removed it temporarily because where I am using my Cf 29 at the moment. I need the more power of my 400mw Engenius card. I plugged the WNC card into my CF 50 and CF 29 without any modifications.

Make sure you use the correct drivers. The high power cards use different drivers to make them work at the high power settings.

 

Well, I decided to go ahead and try the Ubiquiti 500 mW mini-PCI card, and it fits in a CF-18. Unfortunately, it appears to use MMCX antenna connectors, so modification will be required in order to connect the internal antennas.

 

See my post on external antenna mod for a Cf 29.

rewiring-pass-through

I am currently building a MMCX to UFL setup for my built in TV setup on my CF 29. I am going to use the external antenna board from a CF 29 and solder a MMCX pigtail to it.

Here is a Sony board that would work for you. I have this exact board and the pigtails are soldered on the back.I would swap the soldered on ufl pigtails for MMCX pigtails and Robert's your mother's brother.

Sony wifi antenna pcb

 

I'm using a TP-Link TL-WN861N in a CF-18D under XP. It doesn't show up in the BIOS, but it runs fine under XP with the latest drivers.
TL-WN861N

PS it has an Atheros chipset.