Thinkpads Forum

Hi All, I just install a thinkpad ABGN mini pcie in my T60p(2007). I connected TR0 and TR1 with the antenna wires that were already installed. I connected just a wire from a ABG antenna to R0. I was wondering which is better, the previously mentioned setup or just connect TR0 and R0?

Hi lawlen2,

I own a T60, with Intel ABG onboard.
I like to replace it by a Thinkpad ABGN mini pcie which I can purchase including a separate 3rd Antenna (required for N).

Have you replaced an Intel ABGN by a Thinkpad ABGN?
If not, how did you install the 3rd antenna?

Looking forward to your reply!

Best regards
Marie-Anne

Hi Marie-Anne,

I replaced a Intel 3945 ABG with the Thinkpad ABGN(Atheros based). As for the third antenna, I did not purchase one from Lenovo. What I did was cut the pigtail off a ABG antenna that I remove from an ABG Router, a DLink I think. I then connected this pigtail to R0 and cut it to a length that allow me to lay it beside the other two antennae as the ran toward the screen. Essentially it just lying there. Hence my question as to whether the pigtail is better than just connecting the two existing antennae

Marie-Anne, I also had to reroute the modem wire, as the Thinkpad ABGN was thicker than the Intel 3945

FYI, wireless antennas MUST be a specific length to properly pick up the wireless signal without interference.

Will it work with a "hack job"? Sure.

But without a factory-antenna you are losing signal (probably as much as 50% of it). There is no doubt about that.

lawlen2 wrote:I then connected this pigtail to R0 and cut it to a length that allow me to lay it beside the other two antennae as the ran toward the screen.

If the wire is only within the base of the T60 and doesn't go up into the screen (where it will "stand up" into a vertical orientation in normal use), you will be the losing the antenna capability that is essential for it be effective in any 802.11 operational mode.

Each antenna in a MIMO array also needs to have at least some spatial separation from the other antennas for MIMO to work effectively, so with the extra antenna wire only running along the same path inside the T60 base, its not going to be doing much at all.

Cheers,

Bill B.

Hi Bill, Thanx for the reply. So if i leave R0 unconnected would the thinkpad ABGN be functioning as a 2x2 mimo? Also, can I harm the thinkpad ABGN by leaving R0 unconnected. I have to check the HMM manual to see if I am willing to try installing the third antenna

lawlen2 wrote:Hi Bill, Thanx for the reply. So if i leave R0 unconnected would the thinkpad ABGN be functioning as a 2x2 mimo?

Sorry, I don't know what "mode" the card will run in. I'm still working through understanding what the specific commercial implementations of 802.11n are actually doing!

I do know that on a draft 2 PCI card in a desktop that has three separate antenna connections, if you disconnect any one of the antennas it wont sustain a 802.11n connection and drops back to a 802.11g diversity mode as its highest speed.

I don't think you would hurt anything by leaving the R0 antenna unconnected.... but see paragraph one above!

Cheers,

Bill B.

Is there any video or pictures of someone installing the third antenna in a T60p?