T2X Wifi antennas

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skygodtj · #1 Post by **skygodtj** » Mon Jul 03, 2006 7:01 pm

Has anyone used an aftermarket(non-IBM) wifi antenna in their laptop? I've been looking at the Atheros B/G/108 mini-pci card to replace the ethernet/modem combo in my non-factory-wifi T23 (2647-8RU) and found a number of antennas to use with the card. I'd put them under the keyboard as I know they wouldnt go behind/along the LCD.

http://search.ebay.com/mini-pci-antenna ... Q20antenna

Why not go with a XJack WiFi card? I'm using a Xircom ethernet/modem pcmcia card. The hardwired ethernet/modem card isnt working right... plugging in a CAT5 cable, the Sys Tray icon 'connects' and blinks, and the socket light blinks but no data gets downloaded, and I keep getting a "Modem not funtioning" msg in Device Mgr. I've removed and re-installed the hardware several times but no good. It was working for a while, and I hadnt made any networking changes, so something in it has gone south..

With the Atheros card I'd be able to open the laptop and 'wifi' without having to swap/slap in another card, so anyone using the aftermarket antennas for their wifi conversion? Any recommendations?

Thanks

TJ

skygodtj · #2 Post by **skygodtj** » Mon Jul 03, 2006 8:31 pm

ok, got the modem working again, cable was off.. cant imagine how that happened, but ethernet daughter card still goofing..

When I plug in the CAT5 cable, I get a green connct light and rapidly blinking yellow light(data transfer?) Sys Tray icon show X on Network Icon. I swapped daughter cards (I have a couple T23's handy) and get the same blinking lights and "card disconected" on the Network Connections screen..

If I can figure out the network card problem, I can go with the XJack WiFi card..

TJ

skygodtj · #3 Post by **skygodtj** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 12:25 am

No one has done a Wifi retro fit or got non-IBM antennas?

#4 Post by **schen** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 5:22 am

I'm about to receive an antenna for a project like that. I have an A30 without the antenna built-in and found a guy on ebay (in England) that sells the antennas to go under the KB. Unfortunately, it won't be for a while yet until I know how it works since it's going into a parts machine that will take a while to get completely up and running.

skygodtj · #5 Post by **skygodtj** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 8:39 am

Is the Atheros card in your -23 now? Any compatibility probs? Did you need the no-1802 hack (and just what is that anyway).. My -23 (-8RU) running XP Home..

thanks,

tj

skitty4gzus · #6 Post by **skitty4gzus** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 12:59 pm

the no 1802 hack is a bios hack to read aftermarket cards. I used it on my t30 to configure an atheros 5004 card. In my opinion that card has poor range, but i may just be over-expectant of its abilities. The card works fine though, it just seems to have poor range. The bios hack is pretty easy as long as you have the software to burn data discs and unzip files and read .iso files. Its a pretty self explanatory process as outlined in thinkwiki. So atheros claims you should use their antennas with their cards for best performance or something? Maybe that is why I dont get very good range? Anyways, here is the link to the no_1802 hack.

http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/Problem_w ... s#Solution

skygodtj · #7 Post by **skygodtj** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 1:11 pm

thanks, the problem I can see is that this is for Linux, what abt us XP weenies?... oh....wait... is this just a boot CD that runs Linux just to get to the BIOS to mod it? ...

"I see" said the blind man, speaking to the deaf man, as he picked up his hammer, and saw...

Thanks,

TJ

#8 Post by **schen** » Thu Jul 06, 2006 10:54 pm

I have Atheros cards running in both our daily computers and have absolutely no problems with range in our home. We have the AP in a utility room on one side of the house and haven't had any signal problems in any part of our house. Of course our house is only 2000 square feet single story with traditional construction so it's not a huge challenge.

Both the T23 and A30 use the stock antennas so nothing special there. I did have to use the no-1802 hack to get rid of the ethernet error, but certainly wasn't a big deal. It really was a simple fix. For the record, my experience has been with the Atheros 5001X+ and 5002. Oh, yeah, with these cards we connect to a D-Link 624 AP at 108mps.

skygodtj · #9 Post by **skygodtj** » Thu Jul 06, 2006 11:04 pm

ok, I'm about to jump on eBay and pick up one of the Atheros 5002/5004 cards, and aftermarket (looks like homemade) antennas to go under the keyboard, my -23 doesnt have the OEM antennas/lids and I dont want to have to swap the LCD lids, hinges just for that.. It looks like the cards are abt $35 shipped, antennas are $15 shipped... so for the cost of name-brand 802.11g pcmcia card, I can get a Atheros Gplus... I'vegot a DLink-604 router, so I'd have to swap that one too for the full 108 speed, but hey, thats what keepin' up with the Jones'es is all abt..

Thanks for the help!

TJ

skitty4gzus · #10 Post by **skitty4gzus** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 3:47 pm

yea apparently apple makes their laptops alot better wireless capable than ibm. As my buddies powerbook is picking up ALOT better reception than my atheros 5004 powered t30. I guess that is just somehthing i have to live with.........

skygodtj · #11 Post by **skygodtj** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 8:49 pm

ok, got an Atheros 5004 for $25 shipped coming, also bid $15 on a couple IBM 108G pci cards in a Dutch auction.

As I couldnt figure out which aftermarket antenna would fit/work well in the T23 (and didnt get any recommends for one), I went to Big Blue and ordered the T23 OEM antenna. Knowing that I dont have the lid for it, I'll figure a way to mount the leads under the KB. I did find several very short antennas, that are abt 4" long total length. I have one of those coming also, it was a lot cheaper than the IBM antennas, but then I can play with the short one, and if able to mount it in the PCI bay, I'll pick up another PCI card for one of my other -23's (I have 4).

I can live with losing the 56k modem. I have a Xircom ethernet/56k combo card for hardwired use. If I need a modem in the others, I'll just pick up a pcmcia modem for cheap.

<rant on>

I've been buying and selling on eBay since Mar 99, and it never fails to amaze, that people sell tiny items for a little, but get stupid and charge a LOT to ship'em. $4 for an 4" long antenna, and $10+ to ship something that can be taped to a 3x5 card and stuck in an envelope.. I know the point is to make $$, but sometimes I just gotta shake my head at some people

<rant off>

Sorry, that was just the evil TJ that escaped for a moment

wont happen again

Next stop, Fry's Electronics for a SuperG router...

TJ

Berny · #12 Post by **Berny** » Sat Jul 08, 2006 12:25 am

yeah, same strange policy on ebay in germany.
example: usb 2.0 pcmcia-card. item cost: 2.99 EUR, shipping 9.99 EUR. ridiculous !!!

Biggs · #13 Post by **Biggs** » Sat Jul 08, 2006 1:57 am

They declare a lesser value of the item so that they'll pay a lesser eBay fee. Makes sense?

skygodtj · #14 Post by **skygodtj** » Sat Jul 08, 2006 7:12 am

I hadnt thot of that... cheaters!

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