x60 and external wifi antenna modification [pictures]

[vladis]

I want to increase wifi signal, so I am wondering about external wifi antenna connector modification.

I want to put wires from my mini-pci wifi card connectors to external antenna connector. External antenna connector will be installed instead of line in jack, or modem connector, so I won´t have to drill hole in palmrest.

Do you think is this good idea ? I saw some similiar mod on one of asus eee´s.

http://www.kolac.mysteria.cz/x60inside.jpg

Admin edit: Removed large (~220KB) inline image. Please keep them <50KB and include a *PIC* declaration in the subject line.

[rkawakami]

About the only place you might be able to mount an antenna jack would be where the existing Kensingon lock slot is located (right side, at the rear). This would not interfere with docking to the X6 Ultrabase or prevent usage of an 8-cell battery. I made a similar modification to a 600X a couple of years ago. You could have a problem with putting the jack where the existing modem connector or audio jacks are located if they are soldered directly to the motherboard.

ref: http://www.kawakami-ca.com/ibm_600x/mini_pci_wireless/

[vladis]

I dont´t want to drill in palmrest, so kensingston lock is not right place, but I was thinking about this option too. Line in jack is soldered on the board, but modem connector is not. So you put external antenna connector instead of aux connector on mini-pci card ? Don´t you get signall loss with only internal antenna in this connecting ?

[EOMtp]

Do you think is this good idea ? ... http://www.kolac.mysteria.cz/x60inside.jpg

It's a terrible idea! The antennas need UHF coaxial connectors to minimize signal loss. Whatever non-coaxial connectors you use -- not to mention the wrong impedance of those connectors! -- will degrade the signal far worse than any improvement from the new antenna.

The much better solution is to replace the main WWAN antenna on the side of the X60 LCD panel with the extendable antenna used on the X61[s], which is far superior. Replace your antenna with the X61[s] extendable antenna (FRU #93P4543), and you are DONE! See picture below:
http://www.getpcmemory.com/pics/lenovo- ... tebook.jpg
http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=93P454 ... m270.l1313

[vladis]

EOMtp: I want to increase wifi signal, not WWAN

[EOMtp]

I want to increase wifi signal, not WWAN

Sorry, I misread. Let's look at WiFi:
You have a PCMCIA (PC Card) slot -- why not use it if it is available? There are PCMCIA-format high-power WiFi cards (from 100mw/20dBm up to 300mw/25dBm) which have external antenna ports and do NOT stick out at all from the PCMCIA slot. Here is an example (it comes with antenna!):
http://ubnt.com/downloads/src_datasheet.pdf

..OR.. since you are going to have something external anyway, i.e., the antenna, you may consider the following:
http://cgi.ebay.com/High-Power-Wireless ... 3a5e5f8ad0

..OR.. transmit beyond the solar system with one of these:
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.44367
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.45386

[vladis]

I have airlive wl 1700usb, that is similiar like this http://cgi.ebay.com/High-Power-Wireless ... 3a5e5f8ad0 but it is not comfortable to carry it all the time, so I don´t want to buy something else just try to make this modification. I have seen that on other laptops, so why not ?

[vladis]

so here is my modification without no drilling into palmrest. I replaced RJ11 with SMA connector, bought from ebay ( SMA female straight to U.fl/IPX Pigtail cable ). I have to buy bipolar wifi antena, but I am not sure which type should I choose. I have Intel 3945 abg mini-pci card, does it handle with 5dBi bipolar antenna ?

[EOMtp]

... I have Intel 3945 abg mini-pci card, does it handle with 5dBi bipolar antenna ?

Congratulations -- very nice work!

Here is something you should consider:
You had not mentioned till now that you had an Intel 3945 card -- a card that is just plain "problematic" ... Of course you need an external antenna if you use that card!

The 3945 has been the only "problematic" Intel wireless card. All other Intel wireless cards perform perfectly well, but the 3945 is okay for some people, but not okay for others, perhaps depending on their wireless "environment". [One thing for certain is that nobody thinks it is great!]

Replace the Intel 3945 card with the ThinkPad 11a/b/g Wireless LAN PCI Express Mini Card (FRU #39T5578). It costs EUR 10,-- shipped to your door:
http://cgi.ebay.de/IBM-39T5578-Ar5424-A ... 2c57858d39

You may not even need an external antenna if you replace the Intel 3945 with the Thinkpad card. Even if you still want to use an external antenna, you will be much happier with the Thinkpad card. [Note: If you change to a modified BIOS, then you can use any WLAN card, not just FRU #39T5578.]

In any case, the answer to your question is, "Yes, you can connect a 5dBi antenna to the Intel 3945."

EDIT: removed pictures.

[sojourner]

Vladis, nice job adding the external antenna jack.

... a couple comments on the Intel 3945 WIFI card

Have a multi-boot system here. Noticed using this card in XP (SP3) if I was in a weak signal area (opposite end of the house) XP would constantly drop connection. Was such a pain to move the laptop to just the right position and hope for a reconnect. Noticed the same laptop using W2K (Windows 2000) NEVER gave me problems! Hmmm.

Only difference between the two setups was software, i.e. Windows (Lenovo) native software (XP) vs. Intel software for W2k. Tried everything imaginable adjusting XP's software configuration etc, ng. Decided to try Intel's software in XP and voila, works beautifully now (no more drops).

You may want to try Intel ProSet Wireless LAN v12.4 software:
http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_ ... 9&lang=eng
it's what I use for XP (v10 for W2K). They have a newer version, have not tried it. You won't have FnF5 functionality but Intel provides a system tray icon with on-off right click selection. Makes it real easy!

---

EDIT: just noticed you are using Win7. Here's a link for v13 software with W7 support:
http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_ ... 5&lang=eng
Have not tried this software nor anything with W7 so if you try it, please post back your results!

[vladis]

first, thanks for responds

sojourner: I don´t have any problems with this card (loosing connection etc.), only signal strength is not the best. I am using drivers from Lenovo site. ( I can power wifi on/of from Fn+F5 manager )

EOMtp: I was thinking about some better card if it is possible with N standard, but I am not sure if there is some good Atheros card that is supported in X60 bios. I can buy for good price Intel 4965AGN MM1 but it is not supported. Atheros ar5424 looks wery well for that price. I read good replyes on that card in other topics here.

Some time ago on X31 I had Intel 2100b that was not supported in x31 bios. I booted some small linux distribution that fixed card compatibility. Can I use this method with X60 on Intel 4965AGN card too ?

ps: sorry my english

[EOMtp]

... in x31 bios ... I booted some small linux distribution that fixed card compatibility. Can I use this method with X60 on Intel 4965AGN card too ?

No -- if you want a "non-standard" card in the X60, then you have to use a modified BIOS. There are ZERO problems with using the modified BIOS, so if you want the Intel 4965AGN, then use the modified BIOS, and enjoy! If you do not wish to use a modified BIOS, then use FRU #39T5578.

[vladis]

Is there any N card from Atheros for example, that don´t need bios modification ?