Bluetooth

[ResidentG33k]

Searched the forum related to my question, couldnt find anything.

I see that some T41 edition thinkpads have intergrated Bluetooth and some don't. Any way to ADD bluetooth to my model that doesnt?

Model #: 2373-7FU


I'm new to the whole thinkpad community and i'm still trying to find out everything with the ThinkPad that I can.

[Harryc]

You would have to add a BMDC200 card and an antenna. Some folks use the second (aux) antenna wire from the internal mPCI wifi card for bluetooth. There are disadvantages to doing that though.

[ResidentG33k]

What are the disadvantages?

[Harryc]

The normal installation incorporates (2) antennas, main and aux. The electronics in the card sense the stronger signal from either one and lock onto it. If one is missing there is a potential for it to lock onto a weaker signal.

[richk]

With one antenna wire, I think you are more likely to have your signal strength depend on the way your laptop is facing.

[pibito79]

Hi to all, I have a dout about the BT antena.
Do we really need it??? you are trying probably to conect a phone or something that can be place really close to the laptop. is not a router on another room so woulnt be enough with just the card.

Sorry if my english is not very good but is not my first language

[kajencik]

You definitely need the third antenna, I've gone through this on my R40 when I was adding a BMDC, If you use one of the wifi antennas, the wifi signal gets very weak and unstable, compared to both of them connected to the wifi card, and without an antenna, the phone had to be in my case lying on the keyboard to get recognized, so get the bluetooth atenna too, this is what I have in my R40, and the bluetooth connection works great, it doesn't interfere with the wifi at all, and the antenna itself is also very small and has glue on one side, so can be placed easily and holds good inside the laptop.

[Mugenlude]

Hi everyone, new to the site and to Thinkpads...

I also have a T41 without the bluetooth card installed. I'm about to order parts, I just want to make sure I have everything I need.

I'm planning to order this bluetooth /modem card...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0031351499

and this antenna... (I only need one of these correct?)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0239519424


Thanks in advance...

[richk]

That is not the correct antenna. The one for the thinkpad T4x fits inside the LCD assembly, along the left hinge. I have the parts available that fit your machine. Send me a PM if you are interested.

[Mugenlude]

That is not the correct antenna. The one for the thinkpad T4x fits inside the LCD assembly, along the left hinge. I have the parts available that fit your machine. Send me a PM if you are interested.

You are right, I think I linked the wrong ebay item...

Here is what I was looking at...
http://cgi.ebay.com/IBM-ThinkPad-T40-T4 ... 638Q2em124

I PM'd you too, thanks for the help so far. =)

[davidspalding]

I presume that you guys check the TABOOKs to find out if your MTM (model) already has the antenna installed (some Thinkpads had optional BT, so the antennas are already in there).

At least, that was the case with T43s when I was shopping....

[Mugenlude]

No I didn't, what is TABOOKS?

[davidspalding]

Check the forum FAQs.

[sojourner]

I see that some T41 edition thinkpads have intergrated Bluetooth and some don't. Any way to ADD bluetooth to my model that doesnt? Model #: 2373-7FU

I'm new to the whole thinkpad community and i'm still trying to find out everything with the ThinkPad that I can.

Yes, you can add a standard BT antenna if you are comfortable with disassembling the LCD frame.

I have the exact model TP and have installed a BT adapter but used the wireless AUX antenna; there is no preinstalled BT antenna in your model.

The AUX antenna cable needs to be re-routed some, no big deal. The guys that said there are pros and cons to using the AUX antenna are correct. And while you may see some degredation in your wireless signal it is unlikely unless working in a fringe reception area. Then usually just repositioning the laptop overcomes this. My wireless and BT work great in this home environment.

BTW, in case you were wondering, the wireless AUX antenna is just that, AUXILARY; the wireless does not use both antennas at once, it simply senses which antenna gives best reception and use that antenna.

Hope this help in making your decisions!

[sjthinkpader]

...
and this antenna... (I only need one of these correct?)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0239519424


Thanks in advance...

I used this antenna for quite a few BT additions. Not quite an good as the factory antenna in the LCD housing but worked well enough.

[sjthinkpader]

...
BTW, in case you were wondering, the wireless AUX antenna is just that, AUXILARY; the wireless does not use both antennas at once, it simply senses which antenna gives best reception and use that antenna.

Hope this help in making your decisions!

Yes, WiFi cards do use two antennae for improved reception. This is called antennae diversity. The two antennae in T4x LCD covers are place one vertically and one horizontally so there may be significant difference in signal quality if you eliminate one of the two.

Adding a 3rd antenna into the LCD cover is not that hard. There is a place for the BT antenna in the lower left side close to the left hinge.

[sojourner]

Yes, WiFi cards do use two antennae for improved reception. This is called antennae diversity.

The meaning of your comment is unclear. If you meant they might use both antennas simultaneously then I learned something (had never heard both might be used simultaneously). Did a little research and found the following article:
http://www.wipo.int/pctdb/en/wo.jsp?IA= ... SPLAY=DESC

Fifth paragraph down states a BT adapter may use both antennas together (your comment?) or select one or the other (my comment).

To KNOW which polling scheme is actually used in a particular BT adapter is another issue!

Well, for the heck of it decided to see just how well one antenna worked on the wireless, had not done this before. Took a walk to the front of the property, laptop in hand; with just the main antenna connected to the wireless adapter (AUX connected to BT), at 150' (46m) from the house, which is the front driveway, the laptop still connects to the network with three bars (a GOOD signal strength)!

Sooo, yes, the OP can install a third party antenna and that may best suit their needs, but don't dismiss using the AUX antenna for BT.

Now if the OP is utilizing the laptop outside of a home environment they may want both antennae being polled for optimum performance. Commercial structures (steel and concrete) can really wreak havoc on those frequencies.

[sjthinkpader]

BT only use one antenna.

For 802.11g, only the antenna with stronger signal is used. But the card may switch antenna dynamically between the Main and Aux.

For pre-N MIMO and 802.11n draft 2.0, two or three antennae are used simultaneously for channel bonding to get higher thru-put.

It is never a good idea to leave an antenna output terminal open on the wireless card. They should always be terminated.