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    WTB: Factory "RIM" Antenna (for CF-29)

    Discussion in 'ToughBook Buy Sell and Trade Forum' started by sonoronos, Jul 9, 2009.

  1. sonoronos

    sonoronos Notebook Geek

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    As the title says, I'm looking for the retractable antenna module (I believe it is called the RIM antenna) for a CF-29.

    Other terms for this thing:

    Corner Antenna? Pullout Antenna? Bumpout Antenna? Not sure what else to call it, but it came OEM in some toughbooks with WWAN or WWAN ready setups on the left side of the notebook.
     
    sonoronos, Jul 9, 2009
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  2. Toughbook

    Toughbook Drop and Give Me 20!

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    Are you looking for just the antenna... Or the whole assembly? Have you worked in-depth on Toughbooks before? The assembly is not for the faint of heart and there really aren't any directions for something like this. You just have to "know" how to do it and where things go.

    I believe Heartland sells the parts... But they would be mighty expensive.
     
    Toughbook, Jul 10, 2009
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  3. sonoronos

    sonoronos Notebook Geek

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    I'm looking for the whole assembly :) I'll try heartland.

    I'm continuing to pore over the contents of this great forum to get an understanding of just what this would involve. It seems doable.

    Also, the new CF-30 seems to have a very cool looking GPS antenna on the right side of the screen. Hopefully sometime soon Panasonic will sell those as replacement parts.
     
    sonoronos, Jul 11, 2009
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  4. fstik1

    fstik1 Notebook Guru

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    I have the rim antenna and Sprint modem/sled, minus the metal piece and the plastic cover for the antenna (used it on my Sarantel install) and the plastic cover for the modem/sled. Have all of the other parts including ribbon cables and the antenna lead. Explain to us what your plans are and we can probably steer you in the right direction. PM me if you are interested in the parts.

    fstik
     
    fstik1, Jul 11, 2009
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  5. sonoronos

    sonoronos Notebook Geek

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    My plan is to be able to use the "pullout" antenna unit for mobile WWAN. I use my toughbook in my car with a Lind DC-DC power supply and I want to be able to connect wirelessly. The other option is to buy something like the Sprint MIFI, but I also like the idea of having everything built into the laptop.

    By the way, here's the CF30's GPS antenna. It looks like a very good integration into the screen. I hope that soon the parts will be available.

    http://www.ixbt.com/portopc/panasonic/cf-30/big/gps-antenna.jpg
     

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    sonoronos, Jul 11, 2009
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  6. Toughbook

    Toughbook Drop and Give Me 20!

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    Don't hold your breath.... Panasonic makes exact replacement parts for what you already have... Not modded parts. In some cases parts can be swapped... But not from the CF-29 to CF-30. (At least in that specific case)

    That's why we stay so busy around here! ;)
     
    Toughbook, Jul 13, 2009
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  7. sonoronos

    sonoronos Notebook Geek

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    OK.....after examining just what it would take to retrofit WWAN on my toughbook, I have decided to give up! Yes I am a quitter :mad:

    It looks like there are so many parts to put together I am going to go the Mifi route...
     
    sonoronos, Jul 13, 2009
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  8. mnementh

    mnementh Crusty Ol' TinkerDwagon

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    Ewww...

    Doesn't seem all that well integrated to me... in fact, it looks like it was a complete afterthought. I sure wouldn't want that big old nutwhacker knob hanging off the corner of my LCD...

    mnem
    As if the Toughbook needed HELP looking clunky...
     
    mnementh, Jul 15, 2009
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