The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Internal Antenna - CF18 + Sierra AC860

    Discussion in 'Panasonic' started by gonsped, Jul 16, 2009.

  1. gonsped

    gonsped Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    58
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    I managed to acquire a Sierra AC860 UMTS PCMCIA card to install in the CF-18. I have taken the CF-18 apart and there is plenty of room to connect the AC860 to the internal antenna on the motherboard.

    The issue is - what are these connections called? (industrial name):

    PIC01
    This is the connection to the motherboard

    [​IMG]


    PIC02
    This is the connection to the AC860 antenna port

    [​IMG]


    PIC03
    This is the small antenna that connects to the AC860 card

    [​IMG]


    All I need is the antenna cable to be approx. 5 inches long with connector from PIC01 on one end and connector from PIC03 on the other end.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 8, 2015
    gonsped, Jul 16, 2009
    #1
  2. sunrk

    sunrk Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    60
    Messages:
    501
    Likes Received:
    13
    Trophy Points:
    31
    The connector on the PCB looks like either a 'u.fl' or 'h.fl' type. 'u.fl' is smaller (I think) than 'h.fl'. I'm not sure what the external connector is called.

    Craig.
     
    sunrk, Jul 17, 2009
    #2
  3. mnementh

    mnementh Crusty Ol' TinkerDwagon

    Reputations:
    1,116
    Messages:
    3,389
    Likes Received:
    29
    Trophy Points:
    116
    The top pic is an IPX/uFL connector; used on pretty much every mini-pci/pciE WiFi adapter ever made - it's pretty common.

    The bottom pis is, I believe, an MMCX FEMALE connector - your AC860 card has the MALE end; this will be quite a bit harder to locate. I know Radio Shack does/did carry a number of MMCX adapter pigtails in their hobbyist bins, but I dunno if they have a cable with an MMCX FEMALE. I had much the same issue trying to find such an adapter for my WiFi antenna hack here:

    http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=215522&page=2

    I wound up MAKING the adapter shown when I couldn't buy what I wanted.

    I BELIEVE this is what you're asking for:

    http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250425681298

    but I dunno If you'll want to wait 2-3 weeks for it to come from China, and STILL not be sure in the meantime...

    mnem
    Oooh... Chinese! Time for LUNCH!!!
     
    mnementh, Jul 17, 2009
    #3
  4. ohlip

    ohlip Toughbook Modder

    Reputations:
    1,110
    Messages:
    2,358
    Likes Received:
    107
    Trophy Points:
    81
    hack the card by changing its antena connector to female MMCX pcb connector or any connector of your choice.


    ohlip
     
    ohlip, Jul 18, 2009
    #4
  5. mibru

    mibru Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    32
    Messages:
    90
    Likes Received:
    4
    Trophy Points:
    16
    mibru, Jul 18, 2009
    #5
  6. mnementh

    mnementh Crusty Ol' TinkerDwagon

    Reputations:
    1,116
    Messages:
    3,389
    Likes Received:
    29
    Trophy Points:
    116
    Mmmhmmm...

    I think you're right; that IS a SSMB connector, not a MMCX... I've gotten them mixed up before. THAT might be a bit more difficult to acquire without soldering...

    mnem
    Yet another case of grey cells gone AWOL...
     
    mnementh, Jul 18, 2009
    #6
  7. mibru

    mibru Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    32
    Messages:
    90
    Likes Received:
    4
    Trophy Points:
    16
    Making the cable yourself is by far the cheapest option. I asked around and a prefab cable is many times more expensive in specialized shops. I could not find a complete one on Ebay. And even if you do, the pigtail would most likely be to short....

    Michiel
     
    mibru, Jul 19, 2009
    #7
  8. gonsped

    gonsped Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    58
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Thank you for the prompt response guys. The final question I have would be is the antenna cable just a single copper core, or does it have a "positive/negative" cable inside the general grey insulation?
     
    gonsped, Jul 21, 2009
    #8
  9. Alex

    Alex Super Moderator

    Reputations:
    4,081
    Messages:
    4,293
    Likes Received:
    10
    Trophy Points:
    106
    A single wire for the core,and the outer shield


    Alex
     
    Alex, Jul 21, 2009
    #9
  10. mnementh

    mnementh Crusty Ol' TinkerDwagon

    Reputations:
    1,116
    Messages:
    3,389
    Likes Received:
    29
    Trophy Points:
    116
    Mmmmhmmm...

    I must pose this question here; If this user doesn't already know the definition of coax cable... do we really want to encourage him to try hacksoldering his WiFi card? I think I smell the odor of sizzling digits (smells like hot dogs, BTW) in his future...

    mnem
    zzZZZZZzzzzzt!!!
     
    mnementh, Jul 21, 2009
    #10
  11. gonsped

    gonsped Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    58
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    I don't know much about antenna cables, however I have done my share of soldering, ie. back in the ATi X800 days where you swap/solder various resistor SMDs to get higher clock speed. I have done voltmods to PC motherboards as well so I am not afraid to use the soldering iron - just wanted to know as much info ahead of time before I do any mod ;)
     
    gonsped, Jul 22, 2009
    #11
  12. mnementh

    mnementh Crusty Ol' TinkerDwagon

    Reputations:
    1,116
    Messages:
    3,389
    Likes Received:
    29
    Trophy Points:
    116

    Well, alrighty then...

    As long as you're not afraid of it, I say build your own... you'll have a much easier time finding the stuff you need. If you search fleaBay, you'll often find deals on notebook internal WiFi antennas in singles, pairs, triples and in bulk - often for a couple dollars apiece. These are a good source for a uFL connector and 10"-24" of coax cable.

    This will get you more than halfway there - in fact, by stripping the insulation back & tinning the core & shield, you might could get a "test hack" going by shoving the core into the port on your wireless card and then jamming the inner and outer conductors in their respective places with toothpicks.

    Good luck, and don't git any on ya.

    mnem
    MuaHaHaHaHa!!!
     
    mnementh, Jul 22, 2009
    #12