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Signing UpStep 1Installing an antenna in the screen casing
This was the first step. Opening the screen casing is really not much fun as without the right tools, it is almost impossible to do this without damaging it. You can get tools for opening the screen casing off eBay. Do it.
I opted to remove the webcam and install this large cellular antenna in its place. This is OK for me. I never use the webcam however in future I will seek out a smaller antenna and re-instate the webcam just for completeness sake.
The 3G enabled models are advertised as having a diversity antenna system. I assume that a small antenna goes either side of the webcam. The only strange thing is that I could not see how two extra antenna cables could be routed down and out of the screen casing for this without cutting plastic. There is only room for one. Oh well. No problem for me-- My 3G card doesn't have a second antenna connector anyway.
The antenna I have used here is extracted from a windshield stick on cellular antenna and is optimised for 900-1800MHz usage. It's probably a bit long for 2100MHz (HSPA) but for the record, it performs very well at this frequency. At some stage I'll design up a couple of meander-line antennas to slip into the side of the screen casing, using the LCD foil as a groud plane.
Some may be tempted to use one of the built-in WIFI antennas. Sure thing, but, beware: Depending on what you have fitted, these antennas are likely optimised for for 2400-5100MHz operation and are far too short for 900MHz usage which your HSDPA modem may use at some point if falling back to 2.5G. It is my opinion that these antennas are not adequate, and may even damage your modem; even if they do work to some extent.
If you are going to do exactly as I did, pay close attention to how your donor antenna is wired. On mine the active element of the dipole has a small link half way down whereas the ground does not. Antenna connection and placement is not something you want to get wrong. If you can get a proper 3G netbook antenna (perhaps even the Genuine Acer part)-- Use it.
I opted to remove the webcam and install this large cellular antenna in its place. This is OK for me. I never use the webcam however in future I will seek out a smaller antenna and re-instate the webcam just for completeness sake.
The 3G enabled models are advertised as having a diversity antenna system. I assume that a small antenna goes either side of the webcam. The only strange thing is that I could not see how two extra antenna cables could be routed down and out of the screen casing for this without cutting plastic. There is only room for one. Oh well. No problem for me-- My 3G card doesn't have a second antenna connector anyway.
The antenna I have used here is extracted from a windshield stick on cellular antenna and is optimised for 900-1800MHz usage. It's probably a bit long for 2100MHz (HSPA) but for the record, it performs very well at this frequency. At some stage I'll design up a couple of meander-line antennas to slip into the side of the screen casing, using the LCD foil as a groud plane.
Some may be tempted to use one of the built-in WIFI antennas. Sure thing, but, beware: Depending on what you have fitted, these antennas are likely optimised for for 2400-5100MHz operation and are far too short for 900MHz usage which your HSDPA modem may use at some point if falling back to 2.5G. It is my opinion that these antennas are not adequate, and may even damage your modem; even if they do work to some extent.
If you are going to do exactly as I did, pay close attention to how your donor antenna is wired. On mine the active element of the dipole has a small link half way down whereas the ground does not. Antenna connection and placement is not something you want to get wrong. If you can get a proper 3G netbook antenna (perhaps even the Genuine Acer part)-- Use it.
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To make that pin work, you have to modify the wifi-off switch.
well, actually, only the case.
The switch already goes both directions(right for card one, left for card 2).
Filing a bit of plastic, allows the slider to go both ways, and you can now switch both sockets on/off.
I just finished doing this to my aspire zg5... among other hacks.
Commented for posterity