Thinkpads Forum

A few questions about DIY antenna installation. I intend to use WLAN antennae for WWAN.

1. Do I get it right that it is OK to use WLAN antennae for WWAN LTE module, worst case scenario I will just get slightly worse signal? I.e. are there any possible adverse effects like more heat generated by antennae, harmful interference, etc?

2. Antennae I ordered consist of antenna board, cable, a copper-colored thingie which is a heat spreader as far as I understand, and some double-sided tape. Do I need anything else? e.g. something to put between the antenna and the display backside, so that heat isn't transferred to display?

LTE means cellular frequencies. In the US, depending upon which carrier you are using, that means 700/850/1700/1900/2500Mhz. Netherlands cellular appears to use 800/900/1800/2100/2600Mhz. WLAN (WiFi) means 802.11 frequencies which covers 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz bands. So, if you are lucky enough to be using a cellular provider that accesses 2100/2600Mhz then the antenna should match fairly well.

On the other hand, if you will be using other frequencies then the antenna mis-match will be higher. That can lead to a degraded signal, both receiving and sending, but I don't think that it will cause excessive heat. As for your copper-colored thingie, I have no idea what this would be for.

@rkawakamih
Thank you! My LTE frequency should be 1800MHz currently; guess I'll just have to try it anyway, since sourcing TPY 260 WWAN antennae is very problematic. The thing is, on eBay FRU 04X4871 (L540 WLAN antenna) is being sold as WWAN antenna; it gives me hope that such antennae do work reasonably well for WWAN otherwise a few sellers would be out of business.
http://support.lenovo.com/~/FileStreame ... 4871/5.jpg

SUCCESS!!!
I am getting decent LTE (1800MHz band) speeds with tiny Wi-Fi antennas!

Overall, the reception strength is worse than smartphone or true WWAN antennae, so it works fine in places where LTE signal is strong, but falls back to 2100MHz UMTS where it is so-so. Still, I am satisfied, since unlike huge WWAN antennae, compact WLAN antennae are very easy to fit in constrained space of display lid.