How do I retrofit a car cell phone antenna to wifi?

**Mavtak** · 06-29-2008, 10:34 AM

When I got my car it came with a cingular cell phone antenna pictured here:

I'm wondering if I can replace the antenna to pick up the wireless G frequencies and get an adapter for my laptop that I can plug into the cable on the inside of the car.

I hardly know anything about connectors, which is really what I want to know about. The actual antenna unscrews from the window mount, so I'm wondering if I can get a replacement antenna with the same connector that works with wifi.

cingular antenna:

antenna connector:

outside connector:

inside connector:

inside cable connector:

Thanks

**DarquePervert** · 06-29-2008, 03:02 PM

You need a whole new antenna, as they are tuned to the specific frequencies they pick up.

**Mavtak** · 06-29-2008, 03:07 PM

Originally Posted by DarquePervert

You need a whole new antenna, as they are tuned to the specific frequencies they pick up.

Yeah, but is it possible for me to replace just the antenna? It would be great if I could reuse the Cingular window mount, as I'm not using it anyway.

If that is not possible, what are some good window-mounted wifi antennas? It seems like I would be able to remove the Cingular mount and re-use the hole.

**BarryWoods** · 06-29-2008, 03:49 PM

I don't think just replacing the antenna will work either. The gap between the inside piece and outside piece is tuned for cellular frequencies as well. The coax isn't going to work for wifi either, it isn't compatible with microwave frequencies.

**Mavtak** · 06-29-2008, 06:29 PM

Originally Posted by BarryWoods

I don't think just replacing the antenna will work either. The gap between the inside piece and outside piece is tuned for cellular frequencies as well. The coax isn't going to work for wifi either, it isn't compatible with microwave frequencies.

In that case, what are some good car window-mounted wifi antennas, or where can I go to find some?

**BarryWoods** · 06-29-2008, 11:06 PM

Originally Posted by Mavtak

In that case, what are some good car window-mounted wifi antennas, or where can I go to find some?

I've never seen one. I'm actually pretty sure they don't make them. Some one once told me that after a certain frequency you can't make a through the window type antenna. Who knows, maybe someone on yahoo answers will know.

You can however get a magmount for the roof. There's a couple on this sites store. The coax is a small enough diameter that the door closing on it won't damage it if your door seals are thick enough. I've got a home made omni on the roof of my element and I run the cable out the sun roof. Been through some pretty wicked thunder storms so far this summer and not one leak yet. If you are getting a magmount with a removable antenna, make sure you seal the connection. Either with heat shrink tube or proper coax connector tape. Water in the connections will degrade the signal.

**Mavtak** · 06-30-2008, 07:50 PM

Originally Posted by BarryWoods

I've never seen one. I'm actually pretty sure they don't make them. Some one once told me that after a certain frequency you can't make a through the window type antenna. Who knows, maybe someone on yahoo answers will know.

You can however get a magmount for the roof. There's a couple on this sites store. The coax is a small enough diameter that the door closing on it won't damage it if your door seals are thick enough. I've got a home made omni on the roof of my element and I run the cable out the sun roof. Been through some pretty wicked thunder storms so far this summer and not one leak yet. If you are getting a magmount with a removable antenna, make sure you seal the connection. Either with heat shrink tube or proper coax connector tape. Water in the connections will degrade the signal.

Nice. My car has a moon roof as well, so I'll have to try that out.

Which leaves me with more questions... What are some examples of (or where do I find) a good magnet-mounted antenna, cabling, and USB adapter?

**BarryWoods** · 06-30-2008, 11:08 PM

Originally Posted by Mavtak

Nice. My car has a moon roof as well, so I'll have to try that out.

Which leaves me with more questions... What are some examples of (or where do I find) a good magnet-mounted antenna, cabling, and USB adapter?

www.fab-corp.com ( Use quite a bit, great guys that work there. )
www.netgate.com (Used a couple times, check your order when you get it.)

This has had pretty good reviews from my friends. I've never used one though. The radio you want will really depend on what you want to use it for, and what os your carpc is going to be running.

**Mavtak** · 06-30-2008, 11:12 PM

Originally Posted by BarryWoods

www.fab-corp.com ( Use quite a bit, great guys that work there. )
www.netgate.com (Used a couple times, check your order when you get it.)

This has had pretty good reviews from my friends. I've never used one though. The radio you want will really depend on what you want to use it for, and what os your carpc is going to be running.

Thanks. I have a Vista Tablet PC that I want to be able to take in and out. I was looking at mounting systems for it, but first things first...