External WWAN antenna for CF-31?

I just got a new CF-31ACAAA2M and it has a GOBI 2000 card in it running XP. I have an ATT sim card and am using ATT connetion manager. There is suppose to be a way to hook an external antenna up to the computer to boost the phone signal. If that is true what do I need to get. If anyone knows the types of antennas cheapest/best let me know. If you have links to antennas that would be awsome.

This is the best site for anything toughbook. Thanks

 

The CF-31 model no longer uses a telescopic pull out antena for WWAN instead they used a plate board like pcb board antena. Same as you found on CF-18 and CF-19 toughbook. Your only way to get an external antena is on the docking station thru pass thru connector.


ohlip

 

I am getting a docking station installed in my vehicle but I dont know when. It should a month at the most. I was hoping there was a quick fix till then. Thanks for your help

 

Model Number: CF-31ACAAA2M
Status: CURRENT
MSRP: $4,938
Description: Windows XP Pro SP2 (with Win 7 COA), Intel Core i5‑520M 2.40GHz, 13.1" XGA Touchscreen LCD, 160GB Shock‑mounted HDD, 2GB Base RAM, Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth, Gobi WWAN, Dual Pass (Upper WWAN / Lower Wi‑Fi), TPM 1.2 Security Chip, Backlit Emissive Keyboard, Toughbook Preferred

Try starting here:

Wilson Electronics Mobile Solutions / Antennas

Consider the best:

Panasonic Toughbook 31 (CF31) MAG Docking Station

 

Dual passthrough = good idea with dock station (Like everyone else has said )

 

I needed a car mount so I bought a used dock on ebay for about $50 and gutted it. I believe anything for a 27 and up (29 for certain) will fit and the passthroughs at least, if the dock has them, will work. Panasonic is very nice about backwards dock compatibility. Also, the wifi utility in win 7, if you run that OS, kicks att's connection manager in the taco. It's a faster, easier, one button solution that is running anyway. Check it out. I forget how the thing worked in XP.

 

Make sure that whatever dock you buy used has a dual antenna setup. Also for the new one. Have you decided on the new one yet? If you Pm me I can hook you up with a contact at Gamber/Johnson that will take care of you. She knows her ****.
There are some G/J docks on Amazon and Fleabay if you look around. You do NOT have to get a brand new one. I have the last generation of Magdock and it works great. The newer one has an extra USB port, and they changed the handle/locking mechanism a little bit.

This forum will educate you on all you need to know about the antenna situation.
http://www.evdoforums.com/

This is where you buy the toys you were just reading about above. Same company.
http://3gstore.com/

 

A hearty second on that! It costs a small fortune to retrofit a non-RF, or single-RF, dock to dual-RF configuration; regardless of the manufacturer.

 

Yea, I learned that one the hard way one day. I drive the same vehicle for work everyday, 24/7 365 days of the year. One day I had grabbed my MK2 instead of my MK3 and dropped it into the dock. I'm sitting there wondering what the **** is the problem! Why won't my dock lock? At that point I realized what I had done. My Mk2 is only a single RF
On the G/J models if you don't use the external antenna you can at least do a quick mod to where you can still use the dock no matter which model you have.