Add Mini PCI wireless and external antenna jack to 600X

[rkawakami]

Well I think I've finished version 1 of my web site detailing how I installed a Mini PCI wireless card and an external antenna jack and still managed not to destroy the 600X. If you are interested in trying this yourself, go to:

http://www.rkawakami.net/ibm_600x/mini_pci_wireless/
(warning: lots of pictures! Might take some time on dial-up)

and see what I did to one of my systems. The short version is:

Get a Mini PCI wireless card (with drivers/install/configuration programs). Most will come with the U.FL type connectors for the antenna(s).

Select an appropriate antenna. I used one from a Linksys WET11 which means it uses an RP-SMA connector.

Get a U.FL to RP-SMA 12" pigtail (whatever matches your antenna).

Remove keyboard and LCD panel. Drill 1/4" hole just behind the PCMCIA card cage. Mount RP-SMA jack and route wire into Mini PCI area. Replace LCD panel, keyboard and anything else that you may have removed from the laptop.

Install Mini PCI wireless card, software, antenna and enjoy.

[pkiff]

Wow. Cool hardware work on the 600x. The photos show excellent detail and it looks like you've done a great job explaining how to go about this modification.

I'm not sure I'll try this mod myself, but I send out heartfelt thanks for the work you put into doing the mod and writing it up so clearly.

Phil.

[christopher_wolf]

I am impressed; it looks like a clean, professionally performed and documented mod to the Thinkpad 600X.

They do indeed make mini-BNC connectors, but I am unsure of the low-profile antenna assmeblies available for such configurations. I have also seen some Linx antennas that wouldn't stick out quite as much, horizontally, from the Thinkpad. A Linx 916CW-RCS right-angle form factor would fit the bill.

What would be really great is if they made a flat/planar version of that antenna on a plate hinge so it could swing down and join neatly with the Thinkpad whilst still having the ability to come up and be fully extended. I haven't seen many such antennas in production though.

[rkawakami]

Thanks for the compliments! I was looking around earlier for a thin 'whip' type antenna that I maybe could mount to the outside edge of the lid. That's assuming that I could find room inside the lid at the bottom corner. Using the 'rubber duck' RP-SMA antennas, especially with the 90 degree swivel joint, places the antenna too far away from the right edge of the laptop for my design esthetics, but I work with what I can get cheaply .

I haven't spent too much time pursuing the mini-BNC options as I have already invested in a couple of the RP-SMA antennas and the matching bulkhead jacks. Thanks for the info about Linx antennas; looks like one of their RCL-series units would be a lot closer to the side of the laptop.

It would be even better to have the entire lid a planar antenna! Would be kinda directional though...

[epbrown]

I've been reading up on your site and the ARS Technical one. I've got Verizon Broadband and I'm hoping to add one of the new Sierra mini-PCI cards to my 600X, a more elegant solution than the PC5220 I've got now, as well as the other pc cards available. For wifi, I'd use my X-jack card, which is completely internal when not in use/during transport, which I prefer.

What I'm currently thinking is to use two antennas. A standard antenna routed inside the LCD case on the Main jack on the card, and an external cellular antenna routed through the PS/2 port off the Aux jack for times when reception is iffier. Like you, I'd like something that swivels and mounts close to the case. Your mounting solution would be better, though - tilting the LCD won't interfere with the antenna if it's mounted to the side.