CF-28 antennas

I know this is touched upon in other threads, but I thought I'd start a directed conversation about them.

Question: What does Panasonic install for a WiFi antenna on CF-28's with "factory" WiFi?

I'd like to get a good miniPCI WiFi card, but don't want to drill a hole for a whip as Toughbook did, cool as it is.

What about Bluetooth antennas? Same general question.

Thanks.

 

Theres a rubber plug top left hand side on the screen, pull that plug out and you can see where the pullout antenna fits, with 2 srews.
I'm still pondering if i should make a plate to fit and put the aftermaket plug there.

 

The RIM antennas that are fitted for the CDMA in the CF-28s may or may not work too well with WiFi. I transferred the RIM antenna off of my spare and into my working one. The antenna works... But not that great. From what I have seen... Panasonic makes an antenna for their internal WiFi but I have never found them for a CF-28. The RIM antenna is actually twice as long as it whould be for WiFi.

Ricght now I have three antennas in my CF-28...

1. The internal paddle type antennas that are in most laptops. This doesn't work because the signal can't go through the magnesium.

2. The RIM antenna. (See above) It works... But not real well. I have tried substituting a cell phone antenna that is the correct length and it still doesn't pick up too well. I installed it per factory regs... Using Panny parts!

3. The external 9dB antenna. - This works fantastic... AND it maintains the integrity of the laptop. (The connector is solid and is waterproof!)

I think the next time I try it I will first try what Action recommended and make a plate that will hold a RP-SMA connector and put it deep enough in the top that the antenna will fold down and fit.. Looking factory. I will also, of course, put in a side connector for hooking up external antennas or the 9dB like I have now.

Action... You will need a U.fl to RP-SMA pigtail that is about 20"-24" long to make it work.

 

Perhaps a silly question but how long is too long? My 28 has a RIM sticker for R902M-2-0 and a 7cm antennae, from the metal base to top of cap. Will this be usable for the mini-pci wifi? There are also a couple of cards I couldn't ID but will post pics when I get hold of a digicam.

If the above is indeed a RIM antennae, any recommended source for this pigtail? Thanks!

 

Okay... There are several people using RIM antennas now. Including me. There are still better antennas but since the RIM antenna is fairly indestructible... It will do well.

It depends on how you want to wire it. If you want to wire it directly from the RIM to the wifi card you will need a 24" pigtail. ( www.netgate.com) if you want to wire to the docking connector in the back... Then any 10" - 12" pigtail will do. Make sure one end has a U.fl connector on it. Just copy the way the stock lead is soldered and it will allow you to not only use the RIM as your wifi antenna... But possibly use the Kodiak dock's antenna connection for a rooftop mount. (That is still being looked into.)

Not to flame... But this has been discussed in several areas and very recently. If you use the search function and/or look at the last few pages of threads... I'm sure you will pull up a lot of info on the subject.

 

If the CF-28 doesn't have the RIM antenna.. is there still a connection at the docking connector??

 

Nope. It has a spot for it, but it's missing.

 

damn..that's what I was afraid of...

 

Those without have a piece of foam tape running up and down behind the rear cover.

 

No worries. I did search for 'rim antenna' (yes, search button does work, I know) and it returned 23 cross-referenced threads. Went through some of them but it was a little over-whelming.

My fault and I apologize, for want of a quickie answer; which length for RIM and which for wifi. D*mn if I can remember where I read that the frequency is determined by the length of antennae.

I'll pass on the docking connection since there's very little in-vehicle usage, but I'd still want to swap out the RIM for a 7dbi DLink RP-SMA or possibly a parabolic when out in the field. Still working out if I can fabricate a corner 'bumper' on the top right, so I can have both main & aux screen mounted.

 

I didn't mean to come on too strong. You are right... It can be a little overwhelming. There is a lot of great info here.

I think you'll find the 7db antenna a little too large to mount on the LCD. You might want to consider a 2db antenna from netgate.com. They are small and can be tucked away. For a second antenna... You have a few choices. You could fab up a side mount with a SMA connection or you could tuck in one of the paddle type antennas next to the side covers. On the outside of the frame but on the inside of the plastic. (You'll have to take the side cover off to see what I mean.

The RIM antenna makes a passable wifi antenna. The 2db will pick up twice the signal though. Even the paddle type will pick up better signal than the RIM antenna.

 

So if the Cf-28 didn't come with a factory wireless modem and RIM antenna, does that mean you cant install an after market wifi set up? I see back in this post that some connector is missing off the MB for the rim antenna and it sounds like it is required for wifi.

 

The RIM modem connects to the motherboard through an internal COM port. In other words, low-speed data that wouldn't be suitable for a wifi connection. The previous posts in this thread were talking about the RF side of the factory RIM modem setup, and to date nobody has yet been very successful making the RIM antenna work with wifi. So you aren't really any better or worse off if your toughbook has the RIM option.

 

Easier to install aftermarket GPS for now though.

If you want 802.11a/b/g wireless (n is not an option, sorry), you just put a mini-pci wireless card in where the modem was, run an antenna, and you're done.

 

In referring to a post back in this thread.

Does the factory RIM antenna and or connection have anything to do with the port replicator pass through high gain antenna connection? The one associated with an in vehicle docking station?

 

What I'm asking about the RIM antenna is.
If I plan on using the high gain pass through on a docking station in my truck to get better wifi connection. Do I need to find a CF-28 800-1g that came factory with the RIM antenna installed? From what I'm understanding reading other threads the RIM antenna is part of the high gain pass through option. Also from other threads I am getting the sense with all the parts swapping going on with these models you don't really know what configure MB you have till you open it up and look.

 

Ok! jv.. are you sick of seing an antena all over the body of a toughbook. Try with this, Based on my experimentation, I came with this basic but reliable signal better than PCMCIA card or even a new notebook with builtin antena.I am also beleive that if you mount an antena for wi-fi externally like for example the long dipole ant. it losses its ruggedness and it is not good lookin(thats what i beleived) here is the photo for your reference and give it try:

 

Ohlip, thanks, but I don't understand what you are suggesting. Can you please elaborate?

Thanks,

jv

 

I think what Ohlip is suggesting is using an antenna set up with the paddle ends. Whats pictured is the paddle mounted under one of the rubber corners on the LCD lid...no blockage of the signal by magnesium, and no major holes drilled, no external hardware.

Please correct me if Im wrong Ohlip.

 

You are very correct, Mr. kusa.. two thumbs up

 

JVISS,

Concerning the bluetooth portion of your question...I dont really know. Im following the TB VET's leads and going with the PCMCIA Billionton card in the hidden slot. Check out this thread if you have not already done so.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=186084