CF72 Wireless mods.

Hi everyone!
Brief introduction. I am a fan of the semi-rugged 70 series. Still have a CF71 that refuses to die. Quite fond of my CF72's although I have recently accquired a damaged CF74 to play with. I guess i might need some help with that eventually! My computer skills extend to unscrewing and replacing components, sticking discs in drives and hoping that everything works.

Anyway, my first question relates to the CF72 and its wireless ability. I am familiar with the CF72 wiki although a bit confused about how to achieve my goal. Basically I would like to use an internal wireless card to rid myself of the PCMCIA card I have used without any problems and hopefully to improve the mbps! The computer will only be used indoors.

The Engenius card that is preferred is not that common in the UK. Indeed the only retailer on ebay is from the USA and the feedback and cost of freight are not encouraging. I don't forsee any problem with the physical fitment of the card. The antenna looks like an issue.

A recent ebay impulse purchase has turned up two CF72 Mk5 models which clearly had the antenna components pictured. I had hoped that they would turn out to be the rare wireless models but in act they are WWAN equiped with Siemens MC35 GPRS components. For a CF72 geek they are quite interesting as there are extra buttons/leds and a strange looking jack at the back!
However from what I have read I take it that my plan to just insert a PCI card in the spare slot and connect the antenna is not going to work. I have some technical data about the MC35 but its all pretty meaningless to me. It would have been nice to use factory components.

So I guess that I am really looking for a nice elegant antenna solution for the CF72. Any input?

 

For anyone not residing in CONUS or from across the big pond, just pay the postal services their dues and move on... I had to do the same whether I like it or not.

Regarding antenna, if your 72 has built-in paddles, the U.fl connectors should fit the same.

Ron in SG

 

Thanks for the reply. However at $49.99 for the card and $38 for the postage and bad feedback, I think I will do a bit more digging.
The CF72 even if WLAN equipped from the factory only ever had the retractable antenna on the right hand side of the lid as far as I can tell.
The other issue is that the only example I have seen could only have used one antenna connection. Presumably thats acceptable but surely its desirable to use all the antenna connectors for a better signal.

 

Did you ever consider shopping closer to home?

 

Yep! Waded through those. Not one appears to offer that particular card for retail. Besides, I would have thought a search on web pages within the UK would have turned up a retailer. I think I have a lead but you have to contact them for a price which is a bit strange.
Looks like I was being somewhat optimistic about the pricing. Guess I was influenced by previous posts. Looking at ebay.com, $50 is amongst the cheapest!

 

try this
ebay

 

Thanks!
There is the distinct possibility that additional import duty and taxes would be applied and this is based on the total cost including postage. Therefore there is little incentive to pay more than necessary. Over here they also charge a fee to collect the duty/tax.
Having said that I have on occasion bought automotive parts manufactured in Europe from Arizona and they still worked out over 60% cheaper including the taxes/duty and fees than purchasing the same part in the UK!
Seems the UK distributor lists the 8602+s as discontinued. Might contact them to be sure.

 

Depends on what you consider "that particular card" to be. (see EnGenius Mini-PCI 2.4Gz 54g/11n Hardware)

[Hint: "EMP" in the U.S. = "NMP" in the U.K.]