CF-29 Wifi Options?

I searched but no luck and yes my searching ability may suck. I recently got this MK-5 and am VERY happy with it but it just doesn't seem to pull in the wifi signals like my other notebook. Today I replaced the touchscreen and so when in there I checked the wifi connecting wires and antenna circuit boards on the top of the display and everything looked well connected and in good working order. So my question is what options are available to improve signal quality/performance.

Example: Other notebook (cheapy toshiba) sees 2-3 other wifi networks and the toughbook sees only my local from the same location.

Thanks.

 

Check this out http://forum.notebookreview.com/panasonic/471935-engenius-emp-8602-plus-s-wireless-card-7.html

 

Thanks, I just ordered one. This form is like crack and my wallet is getting very light.

 

A fellow ham operator had an excellent solution.

1. Cut factory antenna off at the coax.
2. Solder on an SMA connector
3. Epoxy it in place, make sure it's a good seal
4. Use whatever external antenna you want

Get a jumper of coax, use a yagi! Or get a huge collinear vertical mounted up. Your choice.

 

Read these posts for external antenna options that retain both internal antennas.

ext antenna cf 29

-29-pigtail-addition

 

The builtin wi-fi card on this model has known good reception. My wild guess is that the antena maybe not be properly seated to the card or maybe out of the card. The wiring of the an antena has bridge from the keyboard pcb connector and the main one is bridge to passthru connector If you don't have WWAN on a single passthru connector. Check those all out. There is no need to change the card as long as it is working properly.

ohlip

 

Well I already order the card and so figure no big deal I'll swap it in. I had already thought of adding an external ant. jack as I want to be able to add an external ant and so the links are great as they offer idears. Thanks all.

 

You will freak out with the new Engenous card. It is IMHO... The best one out there for the CF-29. The internal antennas will work just fine. Mine usually see about a 30% increase over the stock ABG card.

Yes... Like crack.... Except your Toughbook will keep you higher MUCH longer!

 

Don't forget that you are going to need a driver set for the EnGenius card.

The factory antenna set, if properly connected, should fulfill your wireless connection needs (unless you are thinking about "wardriving").

 

Nothing wrong with )(Wardriving LOL. You gonna need some external antennas if you do try that. While riding Passenger of a car I was only able to find some spots but not good enough to get a lock on. Most I found at once was 19 on a metro park trail but they were locked.

 

Don't plan on wardriving but there is a free wifi connection 3 blocks from my house I'd like to tap into which is why I'm thinking of an antenna on the roof of my house. As it stands the current configuration will not see my neighbors connection which the other laptop does

 

One point not yet addressed: what is your unit's Model Number ( CF-29xxxxxxx)?

 

CF-29NTQGZBM

 

Original Configuration; CF-29NTQGZBM Toughbook:
Intel Pentium M 778 1.6GHz LV (Centrino), 13.3" XGA Touch Screen, 512MB RAM, 80GB HDD, Floppy Disk DRive, No Optical Drive, Intel 2915ABG 802.11a+b+g WLAN, Windows XP Pro SP2, TPM 1.2 Security Chip

I was wondering if your unit might have a (or dual) hi-gain antenna pass-through coonnector(s); but it doesn't.

Still, being a Mk5, it has the best Intel WLAN card originally offered in the CF-29 series Toughbooks.

 

Another site to check out for long range Wi-Fi is HERE .
You can use an external antenna in place of the USB Wi-Fi adapter. I just got a junk satellite dish to experiment with, but it would be simpler with a card using an external antenna.
It is an interesting site for experiments in long range networking in general.

 

Linked off your own posted site:

WiFi x10 WiFi Booster
Boost Computer WiFi Strength up to 10 times!

As well as:

20 ft Antenna Relocation Kit
Gain up to additional 50% signal strength!

 

I'm leaning towards a yagi antenna if I put one on the roof and just plugging in as desired. Last night the powers that be must have been in alignment as I saw the neighbors netgear equipment for the first time but it's gone again today.

 

When I first set up my long range wi-fi ,I used an Alfa B/G USB adapter 500mw ,LMR 400 + a 13.5db yagi
Quite inexpensive for access for 1 computer

 

Parabolic grid antenna mounted on 10 ft of mast either in a tripod mount, or to a chimney mount. This will yield the best noise rejection, as well as the highest gain. However the beam angle is very narrow and may take some aiming.

A multi-element yagi has a wider beam angle, but is still a directional antenna. Wifi yagis are extremely cheap as well. Just make sure you get one that will hold up outdoors.

Use high-quality coaxial cable between the router and your antenna to prevent signal loss. LMR400 is suggested, as well as the use of type-N connectors.

Also, it is highly advised you mount a small amplifier/pre-amplifier near the antenna.

 

One of the simplest solutions (and the most fault resistant) is to mount a USB thumbdrive type WiFi adapter in place of the LNA on an old Dish Network or DirecTV satellite dish. You need to think at a 45 degree angle on these when aiming; but once you get it aimed, you're good to go as long as you can get inside the house (or anywhere you can seal up the end of the cable) with a 15' cable.

If you need more than that, a simple USB repeater cable gets you up to another 15'; you can daisy chain these up to 4 deep to get up to 80 feet.

My install used a NetGear Wireless G USB WiFi adapter, 3m USB cable and a 5m USB repeater. It reached over 200m with approx -59 db signal measured in the WiFi client.

Once you get the focal center dead on, just silicone the heck out of the USB connection and any seams on the WiFi adapter.

The advantage of this setup is that you don't have to worry about analog signal loss and impedance matching from coaxial cable and antenna arrays; all that is bypassed because you're just focusing the signal on a receiver that's right at the dish. All you have to worry about is digital signal loss from long runs of cable; this is much easier to deal with in most cases because it's a simple "Go-No GO" equation. The limiting factor is usually just the distance; this is also a major concern with external antennas as well.

Usb Extension Options: Breaking The 16 Foot Barrier

mnem
Dish-ity.

 

Mnementh
That's what I was referring to in my last message, I got a junked dish and a USB WiFi adapter but now I'm shopping for a N adapter to get better range with the adapter. My reasoning is to create a stationary system to my own wireless point from a remote building instead of trying to run cable. Then when I go there, I'll take the 29 and it'll be plug and play. The dish is easier and faster to install. Not to mention it can be more fun!

 

There ya go!

Good luck; the hunt for internet can be a pain.

mnem<~~~WireDwagon~~~<<<

 

So I installed the EnGenius EMP-8602 Plus-S wireless card and WOW what a difference. I now even see one additional wireless network beyond the other notebook. Now on to the antenna upgrades. Thinking I'll now go to the dish/usb setup. Thanks for the advice.

 

We won't say "we told you so", but you did hear it here first.

 

You're welcome!

Good luck! And good luck with your new "habit"...

mnem
There's one :wink: born every minute...

 

Best thing is in a hotel where they have multipe wifi spots. 10th floor and I pulled 6 floors of wifi.