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I'll show you how to add an external antenna to a pcmcia wireless card, also known as a wireless cardbus adapter. This hardware mod should work for any wireless module with internal antennae, not just pcmcia but usb too.
The DLINK DWL-G650 wireless card was a popular choice a few years ago due to support in Linux and resulted in a number of websites describing the hardware mods to this card, however most of the images were lost in abandoned online image hosting accounts with the result that just the "tell " is left over from the "show and tell ".
There's basically 2 ways to add on an external antenna, solder a pigtail ( the thin coax and SMA connector in the pic below ) directly to the circuit board or solder a connector onto the circuit board, which the pigtail of your choice will plug in to.
Im using a Hirose U.FL to RP-SMA pigtail with its corresponding U.FL connector that I harvested off an old mini pci card.
Be aware that its a SMT (surface mount technology) component and thus very small, so a fine tip soldering iron and magnifying glass are needed.
The DLINK DWL-G650 wireless card was a popular choice a few years ago due to support in Linux and resulted in a number of websites describing the hardware mods to this card, however most of the images were lost in abandoned online image hosting accounts with the result that just the "tell " is left over from the "show and tell ".
There's basically 2 ways to add on an external antenna, solder a pigtail ( the thin coax and SMA connector in the pic below ) directly to the circuit board or solder a connector onto the circuit board, which the pigtail of your choice will plug in to.
Im using a Hirose U.FL to RP-SMA pigtail with its corresponding U.FL connector that I harvested off an old mini pci card.
Be aware that its a SMT (surface mount technology) component and thus very small, so a fine tip soldering iron and magnifying glass are needed.
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Signing UpStep 1Disassembly
A thin tool to pry apart the covers is needed, I used a small jewelers screwdriver.
First take off the back plastic cover, then the back metal cover and finally the front metal cover.
I find it easier to work on a corner for the plastic cover, there are 4 tabs holding it in, and on the side at either the top or bottom of the metal covers, bear in mind they are soft aluminium and distort easily.
Once this is done remove the board from the plastic frame so as to make it easier to work on.
First take off the back plastic cover, then the back metal cover and finally the front metal cover.
I find it easier to work on a corner for the plastic cover, there are 4 tabs holding it in, and on the side at either the top or bottom of the metal covers, bear in mind they are soft aluminium and distort easily.
Once this is done remove the board from the plastic frame so as to make it easier to work on.
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