Thread: homemade wifi antenna

$94 with USB wifi

Originally Posted by walstib

$94 with USB wifi

That one uses the same zydas POS I threw away.

Found one.

http://www.radiolabs.com/products/wireless/waverv.php

I'm aware that I'd need FCC approval and that's why I probably won't ever produce them in the long run. I wonder how much money it costs to have them approve it anyhow.

I'm also aware that multiple people say this card is a piece of crap. So far it's the first WiFi adapter I've owned that is shipped with Linux drivers. I haven't had any issues with it yet. I haven't tried Linux yet either, but it works well with Windows 9x and 2000.

Radiolabs is the only place I've seen that sells two USB powered antennas like this so far. I like their marine model more. It looks more weather tight than the RV one. The $61 antenna is probably an excellent antenna but requires a feed line. LMR-400 ends are as expensive as the dongle itself.

So far I can't complain, this thing is freaking powerful. I'm about to buy some more of those crappy adapters cause they seem to have AP modes built into them also (and very easy to solder the traces). I might create a Linux base station or something to go along with my future parabolic dish antenna I've been wanting to build for years. The USB dongle design just reduces the cost and signal loss of all those expensive connectors. With USB cable at like $4 or so for 10' with no signal loss (as long as the USB port can power the device) it's awesome!

If I bought a external antenna ( lazy ) I have a tp-link pcmcia card I dont mind destroying how/where do I go about soldering the two together ?
Would it be at the point I have highlighted ?

Thanks

Can you post a picture that's not quite that blurry?

Originally Posted by BarryWoods

Can you post a picture that's not quite that blurry?

I scrapped the idea of using pcmcia card as it keeps freezing comp for some reason, so im gonna open a usb stick, i'll post some pics when its done.
Thanks

Ok pics below damn its easier to scan it than take a photo

it's a TP-link TL-WN320G

What I want to do is fix a cable to it so I can plug in or remove the external antenna as required

Originally Posted by scaff

I scrapped the idea of using pcmcia card as it keeps freezing comp for some reason, so im gonna open a usb stick, i'll post some pics when its done.
Thanks

Ok pics below damn its easier to scan it than take a photo

it's a TP-link TL-WN320G

What I want to do is fix a cable to it so I can plug in or remove the external antenna as required

Not going to happen with that one. The little ufl hirose connector isn't made for repeated insertions and removals. Even with the proper pigtail you migt need to disable the built in antenna. So unless you can pick up a second wifi adapter, I'd leave it alone.

Originally Posted by BarryWoods

Not going to happen with that one. The little ufl hirose connector isn't made for repeated insertions and removals. Even with the proper pigtail you migt need to disable the built in antenna. So unless you can pick up a second wifi adapter, I'd leave it alone.

Bugger, thanks.
Any suggestions on a usb adapter ?

Originally Posted by scaff

Bugger, thanks.
Any suggestions on a usb adapter ?

Not one that has both an internal and external antenna.