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    CF-48 Wifi Upgrade

    Discussion in 'Panasonic' started by prjacobs, Sep 23, 2008.

  1. prjacobs

    prjacobs Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hello, I have some questions about a CF-48 upgrade:

    On my CF48V4K I'm using a PCMCIA wifi card and would like to upgrade to an internal mini PCI card.

    There's an empty mini PCI slot that was used in later versions of the CF48 for a wifi card. I can find no evidence of any antennas, just the open slot.

    I've been looking at cards on the net and the Intel Pro WM3B2915ABG looks like a possible choice. Is there a better choice for this laptop?

    I saw a previous post on this forum that said "the 2 antennas in the 48 are in the base one ending by the pcmcia slots and the other ending at right front palm rest leading edge".
    I couldn't find a specific antenna for the CF48, so is a generic type OK to use?
    Thanks for any help!
    Peter.
     
    prjacobs, Sep 23, 2008
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  2. Alex

    Alex Super Moderator

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    The generic antennas will be fine
    That’s a business class laptop, so instead of titanium to block the signal there is only plastic , so the location should be fine.
    That wifi card is the same as Panasonic uses in its newer models.

    Alex
     
    Alex, Sep 23, 2008
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  3. prjacobs

    prjacobs Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thanks for the thumbs-up, Alex.
    I understand putting the antenna behind the display is not an option, as the lid is metal, so I guess that's why they're located in the base.
     
    prjacobs, Sep 23, 2008
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  4. prjacobs

    prjacobs Notebook Enthusiast

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    Everything is installed and working, but the reception of the new internal card is not as good as my PCMCIA Netgear WG511T card. At the breakfast table I can't get a very strong signal on the internal card, and in the basement it doesn't connect at all, whereas the WG511T works just fine.

    I'm wondering if this is the fault of the antenna installation, or is the Intel Pro 2915 ABG to blame? I had to coil up the antenna leads to get them to fit ... was this a 'no-no'? :eek:
     
    prjacobs, Dec 4, 2008
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  5. Rob

    Rob Toughbook Aficionado

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    Wiring... that card should be good to go for signal...
     
    Rob, Dec 4, 2008
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  6. Alex

    Alex Super Moderator

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    The external pcmcia cards antenna will be more in the clear that the built-in antenna
    No problem with coiling the antenna cable
    I added wi-fi using a generic antenna to cf-m34 and had the antenna in the base of the unit under plastic
    The signal strength was workable but not as good as if I would of used an external antenna

    On one cf-72 I used the extendable wwan antenna and on a different cf-72 I put one generic antenna in the lid and another under the keyboard hinge cover

    You might want to experiment with placement a bit
    If you have installed two antennas and they are close together , move one of them in a different location

    Alex
     
    Alex, Dec 4, 2008
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