CF-25 Antenna?

Hi there, somewhat new to the world of old Toughbooks (the CF-25 is technically a Toughbook, right?).

I've got a couple CF-25s, one very very incomplete Mk2 w/P133 for parts (charger jack and so forth), one unknown mk with 10" and P166 MMX, another unknown mk with 12" and P166 MMX.

The 12" has an antenna connection of some kind on the top left of the screen. From it runs a small coax cable into the bottom half where it goes to a socket beside the floppy/CD drive connector, presumably to be interfaced with some other type of device that can go in that bay. Can anyone explain what type of hardware goes here? Based on the age of the machine I doubt it's for wireless network access, perhaps some type of GPS or remote management/asset control hardware?

Cheers

PS - would eventually like to run one over with a car on video. However, I'd prefer not to break the unit in the process...what sort of weight should a CF-25 withstand? Vehicle choices: 2 door '92 Topaz, 2 door '99
Cavalier, 4 door '97 Grand Am, extended cab '09 F-150.

 

I went through my manual and saw nothing about antennas. I dropped an email on a friend that messed with CF-25's back in the day. He's a member of the forum and will respond eventually.

The F-150 would be my last choice.

Welcome and good luck.

Jeff

 

Thanks for the reply.

The antenna is definitely a factory thing, I took apart the screen housing (not recommended, that water seal is a pain to reinstall) and the seal even has a detour around the antenna area.

The other two mobos I have have the solder pads/holes for the mini socket in the removable drive bay.

F-150 seemed like a bad idea but I'm curious to know what they can withstand...someone did a CF-27 with a Dodge Shadow on Youtube, but I don't know how similar a 25 and a 27 are body-wise. Since the 25 doesn't say Toughbook on it at all I'm concerned it might not be a true Toughbook...

 

I believe it was for the RIM R900 Mobitex radio modem - it was an option on the Mk 3 (Model No. CF-25LJM8EAM). I may even still have one lurking somewhere in the darker recesses of my workshop at home!

and don't worry about it's toughness - the CF-25 can take a lot of abuse. It is the great grandfather of all Toughbooks!

 

Haha, cool stuff. Don't suppose it's still possible to get service for that type of device? Would love a photo or two of it if you can find one.

Additionally does anyone know why Windows is seeing a present but not-assigned-resources USB controller? Just an unused feature of the chipset perhaps?

Additionally, without wanting to be a freeloader/essentially a thief, I'm looking for a CD drive for cost of shipping only. They don't seem very common so I'm doubting I'll find one at that cost, but it's all I consider it to be worth (not exactly going to turn a Pentium 1 into a daily driver) so it's as high as I'd go.

 

Where are you located Kishy - I have loads of old CF-25 stuff you are welcome to

 

Canada...ouch on shipping, most likely, but worth looking into at least. I'll PM you the complete list of parts I'm missing to complete the two mostly complete ones I have.

Not bothering with the earlier one, non-MMX CPUs are too weak to do anything with anymore.

Edit: erm, perhaps not. Either the board has PMs disabled or you've disabled them.

List will follow here shortly.

• Carrying handle screws (2)
• Proper AC adapter (needs to support US voltage, UK cable is fine, I'd chop end off and add replacement US end)
• PCMCIA slot cover (1)
• MP bay cover (2)
• Power jack/PS/2 port/reset button cover (2)
• Silver screws found in hard drive area under jelly (2)
• Black screws used around unit to hold top+bottom together (not the long ones for the hinge covers) (2)
• Antenna. Obviously just for looks, but I'd like to have one, and since the technology it's used for is absolutely useless now I doubt anyone except myself would ever be looking for one again
• MP bay CD drive...maybe 2 if I'm really that lucky.

 

Kishy, you might want to go through the past threads in the BST section as there was someone wanting an older TB (166Mhz or less) to use for programming his dept's radios. He could be a buyer if you want to sell...

 

Thanks, will-do. Could cut the wanted parts list in half if I only have one

 

Just went through every page of that subforum and didn't find what you indicated, at least based on thread titles. If you remember anything from it to use as search terms please point me in the right direction.

 

Kishy, check out the thread in the BST, he is looking for the CF-27 and it is the same as before.

 

With the exception of the antenna, I almost certainly have all that lot! Plus a couple of media bay batteries. But like you said - ouch on the postage. I won't be back in the UK till late June/early July, but I'll certainly check it out for you.

On the abuse front - watch this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Yabe5LEcwE

He may also have some parts!

 

Gah, too much talking, not enough doing.

Actually survived that fall pretty well, all things considered. I believe reattaching the LCD ribbon would reveal it still operated.

My concern about running one over is that if i push down on the top (where the Panasonic logo is), I feel it flex. Doesn't feel solid enough to run over, because a car tire would certainly apply more force than my hand can.

I'd appreciate you looking into those parts for me (at your convenience of course). Anything battery related I'm not too interested in; though I'd like a working battery so I could actually use one 'on the go', I doubt any battery for one of these machines still has any decent life left at all. Might investigate rebuilding the original as I do have one, just no idea where I put it. Additionally, batteries would drive up shipping cost considerably.

 

Hey Neighbour,

Need some pictures of that antenna?

My CF-25 got here today.

Drop your email to my web page and I'll send you some pictures of the beastie.

Jeff

 

Emailed. Check your spam folder as my email address tends to be blacklisted with some providers.

Cheers

 

Hey guys...

Guess what? There are two different floppy drives for the CF-25. One which fits the MP bay door and has an LED, one which doesn't (fit, or have LED).

Irrelevant and useless perhaps, but just thought I'd point it out. I'm hoping to start a CF-25 Information web page somewhere sooner or later, these things are grossly under-represented online.

 

I doubt you could find that type of service still available... IF you could... They'de charge you $3.99 per minute just like they used to...

 

Hey Neighbour,

Why not the "Semi-Official International CF-25 Information Centre"? And do it in this forum.
I'll be looking forward to it.

Jeff

 

I'm intrigued - in all the years I used CF-25s I only ever saw one type of media bay floppy drive. I also used the floppy drive externally via a Panasonic serial cable, which allowed me to use the media bay for the CD or second battery. I still have the cable somewhere.

 

How effective would the antenna be hooked to a PCMCIA wireless card? Also here are some images for the archives of the Semi-Official International CF-25 Information Centre.

 

Ouch lol. Oh well, fun to investigate at least.

I'm not sure the word 'official' should appear anywhere, semi or otherwise, unless Panasonic explicitly approves...but I'd definitely say a thread here wouldn't be out of line. I'll lay the groundwork for one shortly.

Hopefully this forum doesn't limit the time to edit posts because if I'm doing this, it's wiki style - continuous updates to the OP, not an endless stream of posts.

I'll grab a photo next time it's convenient to do. They fit identically except the side that faces outwards...the button doesn't line up with the hole in the bay cover on the LED-less one. Presumably then there are multiple types of bay cover.

I see no reason why it wouldn't work. Any piece of metal will function as an antenna, generally. The appropriate mods wouldn't be too difficult either...snip cord at the MP bay connector, extend over to PCMCIA slots with one which has the appropriate little connector on it...good to go.

Just searched for the CD drive p/n on ebay and found a listing for 5, appear to be new. However, the listing photo suggests they are "caddy" type drives...insert disk in caddy, then insert caddy in drive...is this so?

Terrible design, I have no idea why that additional 'layer' of breakability ever became popular with CD drives.

 

O.K. Neighbour,
How 'bout Semi- Officious?

We need Azrial or M in here and/or I am sure a lot of others re: the wave length etc. How about it modders?

J

 

I'm leaning towards just "The CF-25 Information Thread"...no possible risk of offending the Panasonic Gods this way, right?