Adding external antenna connectors

[Phyrkrakr]

I'm trying to add an external antenna connector to my new T60 similar to what this guy did:
http://wireless.hackaday.com/entry/1234000270073731/

I cracked open the case and found the internal wireless card, but both ports on it have wires plugged in already. I'd like to be able to put this in without permanently damaging any of the electronics inside, so that means I need to find a pigtail that plugs into the T60 card. I'd also like to be able to use it without the external antenna attached, when I'm close to my AP, so that means I have to leave the internal antenna available.

So, the questions. Does anybody know what is attached to the two plugs that are on the internal card? Do they both have to be plugged in for the internal antenna to work? What kind of port is on the internal card, and where can I find a pigtail to plug into it? Oh, and has anybody done this before?

Thanks for any help.

[snife]

both cables don't need to be attached to the card - they are separate antennas designed to give the best reception in alternate situations so if you only have one attached then it is likely that your reception will be reduced, i've thought about doing it myself but I think getting a cheap USB or PCMCIA wireless card might be a better solution that risking a T60

[Phyrkrakr]

Well, I'm thinking about going ahead with it, but I've found out some more information. The wireless card in my T60 is an Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Mini-PCI card. It uses one of two kinds of antenna pigtail, either the U.FL form factor (standard for most mini-pci cards) or the IBM proprietary UltraConnect ports. The UltraConnects are supposedly used in the T4x series, but I don't know if they still use them in the T60. Any help on that front would be helpful. I'd hate to crack open a new T60 and cut a hole in it only to find the pigtail won't plug in.

[guYom]

i've thought about doing it myself but I think getting a cheap USB or PCMCIA wireless card might be a better solution that risking a T60

An external card sounds interesting, now if you use an external and leave the internal one, which one is going to be used? Or do you have to remove the internal one? Has anyone sticked in an external card in either USB or PCMIA, what happens with the internal one, does it get disabled automatically?

There are some external ones available at 108 Mbps.

[Phyrkrakr]

I don't know what OS you're using, but in WinXP a new network card is just an added network connection. If you have multiple wireless cards, you'll have "Wireless Network Connection 1" and "Wireless Network Connection 2" etc. You'll just have to look at the properties and see which one is using which adapter, and disable the other connections. The tricky part is when you leave other ones on, and Windows gets confused as to which network interface it's supposed to communicate with. Setting up multiple connections is kinda tricky til you figure out where all the menus are, and using windows to set up wireless networks can be downright retarded at times, especially if you're trying to use ad hoc instead of point to multipoint.

Anyway, before the thread gets completely jacked, I found out the Intel card in the T60 has U.FL ports on it, and the UltraConnect thing is IBM's way of telling me what Mini-PCI card I can use. If you try to use a noncompatible one, the thing won't boot. Not sure if the T60 has that "feature", but since I'm not changing the wireless card (yet ) I don't care.

[jjesusfreak01]

So you want to add an external antenna to boost reception? I thought Thinkpads generally had pretty good reception. I also heard the antennae were routed up through the side of the screen for maximum performance?

[snife]

So you want to add an external antenna to boost reception? I thought Thinkpads generally had pretty good reception. I also heard the antennae were routed up through the side of the screen for maximum performance?

They do have the best reception of any notebook i've used - the only reason I could think of for needing an external antenna was for scanning or wardriving but then again you wouldn't want the intel card for that so i'm confused.

[jjesusfreak01]

So you want to add an external antenna to boost reception? I thought Thinkpads generally had pretty good reception. I also heard the antennae were routed up through the side of the screen for maximum performance?

They do have the best reception of any notebook i've used - the only reason I could think of for needing an external antenna was for scanning or wardriving but then again you wouldn't want the intel card for that so i'm confused.

I think I remember having it out on the way home from getting it at college orientation. We were going down the highway, and every time i clicked refresh 3-5 networks showed up.