Thinkpads Forum

X60s with internal Verizon card, standard bezel antenna.

Great combination but I'd like to improve reception indoors.

1 Any way to improve/upgrade antenna? I contacted a third party that makes products for this (signal boost stuff) but have not heard back if their products support our configuration.

2. Any way to boost Verizon signal internally (without running afoul of FCC, ..)?

I imagine folks discussed this years ago when the X6x with Verizon card launched but could not find anything in archives.

Thanks

The most elegant solution is to replace the LCD case of the X60s with the LCD case of the X61s, which has the extendable antenna. As a reference, when using VZAccess from Verizon, where one has 1 bar on the signal strength with the X60s antenna, one gets 3 bars with the X61's extendable antenna extended.

Changing the "top" of the X60s to the "top" of an X61s is relatively simple (for someone who knows what he is doing!) and the parts are not expensive.

Notes:
1) There are two different sets of parts, depending on whether you have UltraLight (UL) LCD or the non-UL LCD.
2) The extendable antenna cannot be retrofitted onto the X60s case.

Another option is an external cell phone booster, for example the YX510-PCS/CEL. Here you mount an antenna (inside or outside) and put the repeater > 25 feet away near where you have problem reception. The antenna is passive and connects to the inside box with coax (included).

http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display ... 10-PCS/CEL

i have the 800mhz version of that which would work with your Verizon. They sell those for $299 at RadioShack so that price is a good one for dual band ($350 at RadioShack) I might be selling off that one tho since i don't need it as much anymore plus going to the 1900mhz band now

But yeah, either the above or what the other guy mentioned. These boosters are FCC certified so you wont have to worry about them giving you a fine. They work great too as long as you have the properly mounted. If they are too close (base and antenna) it'll cause a feedback that puts the base in a shutdown loop.

Yeah, I got the dual band cause at&t/cingular in my area does both frequencies. It is also nice when friends visit cause dual band is cell company agnostic (except Nextel). If you're not sure what carriers use what frequencies in your area, http://www.wirelessadvisor.com can help.

There are LEDs on the unit that indicate when it's not happy cause the base and antenna are too close together. Pretty foolproof to install. The manuals are available online so you can look before you buy. I bought from solid signal and was quite happy with the service.

There are more expensive and cheaper units available. The cheaper units tend to need a wired connection to the cell phone. The more expensive units are designed for larger internal coverage areas (e.g. inside large office buildings). This unit was the lowest price dual band that would solve my needs.

I appreciate these tips.

The first one, new bezel, while requiring some work gives me a more flexible computer (upgraded antenna) while also (I think) addressing the fact that I broke one of the locking anchors/hooks recently while cleaning the screen. At least, I assume that if I replace the screen casing, I'd be fixing the hook as well. I'll have to check on the ultralight point. Also, I'm not unfamiliar with tools generally. When you say knows what h/s is doing, do I have to take a course first?

Overall though, I'm thinking that idea has great merit. But that does take some work.

Quickest is the in house repeater. Little costlier than I might like but it looks like it would do the trick and seems stupid proof.

At least there are good clean solutions to choose from.

Thanks again.

Tkpath wrote:The first one, new bezel ... I'm not unfamiliar with tools generally. When you say knows what h/s is doing, do I have to take a course first?

Nothing like that -- it's just that there are people who should not take things apart!!! Most people have a good sense of which category describes them.

One can do the "swap" in half hour. Send me a PM (Private Message) if you decide to go down this road and I'll tell you precisely how to do whatever part of the job is not obvious to you.
Good luck!

A man's gotta know his limitations, I believe, was the quote from a movie many years ago.

Thanks for the offer. May take you up on it.

T