CF-20 WWAN Card ?

Hi Folks, I recently purchased a CF-20 MK2 that did not come factory installed with a WWAN card. The seller sent me a brand new WWAN card that he never installed. I was reading some info online that only Panasonic WWAN cards should be used in order to avoid having to flash those from a Lenovo and Dell. Mine is made by Sierra Wireless and there is no branding to Panasonic so I’m not sure if I can use. I need guidance to the proper way the antenna cables should go connected in relation to their respective slots. I followed a YouTube video from Proton Computers but I believe they were working on a MK1 CF-20 as the antenna cables were a different color.

@towelie you had uploaded photos of the CF-20 internals but the links are broken. Any chance you still have them available or can provide insight as so how I should connect my cables?

For reference, the first image is that of the factory UBlox card that came installed with my CF-20. Second photo is that of the EM7455 card I installed. Also, the last photo is what is currently shown under the “optional kit configuration” settings in the bios menu. Not sure if that is correct or I need to change those values.

Thanks

I believe Jimmy_d_fish also got it working installing the older EM7355. If you’re still around, can you chime in?

 

My bios setting is 13
Take a look if the devices appear in device manager, i had to flash the firmware to generic to make it usable.

 

This is what you should see when it is flashed with the Generic firmware, mine was a Dell card. Flashing might seem scary but i flashed it a ton of times in many different ways until i got it working right. I wouldn't worry about bricking it unless you interrupt the process while it's flashing.

 

Thanks for the response. My CF-20 came factory equipped with GPS (U-Blox). I need to make sure that the Antenna cables are connected correctly. Can you confirm based on the photo I provided? Also, how what I be able to determine if my card is a Panasonic Card? I believe those from Dell and Lenovo actually have their branding on the card.

 

Also, my wireless wan ID is set to “1b” in the bios settings under optional kit configuration. Let me know when you’re able to check yours. Thanks again

 

Bios setting is 13

I don't think it will make a huge difference how you connected the antennas(beside signal strengh), can't open mine right now as i do not have small screwdrivers with me. Also it does not matter what brand you have, if you set the same settings in the bios as me and you can see some wwan devices but unable to use it(connect to your cellular carrier), then you have to flash to generic.

 

Sounds good. When you have a chance can you confirm your bios settings. Thanks

 

13 is the setting i use for my EM7455

 

So if I understand correctly I should try replacing 1b under optional kit configuration in the bios menu to 13 and give that a try?

 

Yes

 

UPDATE: I changed the value to “13” under Wireless LANN ID in the Bios menu under “Optional Kit Configuration” and my WWAN card is now recognized and is working.

Special thanks to @towelie