Huawei E160X (Vodafone K3565) 3G dongle external antenna / casing

The K3565 dongle that Vodafone supply with their pay as you go plan is excellent, but frustratingly the external antenna connector is hidden under the casing. Here's how to hack the casing to get at that hidden connector - and for those who want to go the extra step, how to wrap the dongle in a neat little enclosure for a professional look.

(Please note that you won't be able to access the SIM card or the onboard Micro SD socket if you go for the enclosure.)

Step 1: Parts and Tools

Parts:

Vodafone K3565 / Huawei E160X USB 3G dongle
Huawei 3G Plug to SMA Socket pigtail (PIG-HUAWEI-SMAS-30 from Solwise in the UK, other suppliers unknown?)
75mm x 50mm x 27mm enclosure (Unscreened or Screened)
3G external antenna with SMA connector

Tools:

Pencil
Ruler
5mm drill bit
Small Phillips / Pozidrive screwdriver
Pry tool
Circular file
Flat file
Fine-grain sand paper
Nut & washer for SMA connector  OR epoxy resin (depends how lazy you want to be about fixing the external antenna connector to the enclosure!)

Comments

[pmn9393]

you might want to fix that to say HSDPA, not HDSPA

[raftech]

hey man . i like u r project, and i want to say that i have already the same with my usb broadband dongle . good work man

[dpestro]

Hey. I've read your tutorial step by step and I really like what you did here. The Model Label pdf is the nice touch that prove me you are a good person that like to do things in a right manner.

Hands up for ya man !!! Keep up the good work

[prabath1988914]

can i use the 2.4GHz wifi antenna for my hspd dongle (for mobile frequency rang)

[hwally]

I have a huawei e-1556 3g modem. I'd like to install an external antenna Are there any instructions out there or at least a picture of the board showing where to hook up the antenna

[davidramm]

 Good description, very helpful. You can buy the adaptor cable and 3g aerial here - www.thewifishop.net

[Newton]

 Cool instructable.
Do you know if this hack could work for the older E220 Huawei modems?

[isacco]

The crafting of this box is very good and well finished. The instructable is also well illustrated and clearly explained.
Congratulations!

[MACKattacksnipe]

almost looks like you bought it cause the final product look very professional very nice job

[frollard]

Not my thing really - wireless gsm/gprs is available here [canada], but the prices just dont make any sense...

Excellent hack, with the finishing touches that make it even more excellent!

[lemonie]

That's a poor device, my 3 Huawei has access to the aerial socket. Does the Vodafone case let you at the micro SD? - It looks like it, but it also doesn't...
The finished box is very nice.

L

[s-taylo]

Yep, the device isn't all that full-featured, but keep in mind it's part of a pay-as-you-go plan that isn't available without the dongle; a £30 purchase with 1GB of credit that doesn't expire has its uses. On the dongle itself, prising back a little rubber cover (visible in step 6) gives you access to the micro SD slot.