USB 2.0 Linksys WUSB54G - Antenna Hack

**mbkowns** · 04-22-2004, 04:44 AM

I bought this a little while ago and I want to soldier a new antenna on to the device. I like this method because its better to extend the USB cable than to extend the pigtail in terms of network speed. Anyway I am looking to strip the tip off and install a new pigtail tip but i am wondering what a good place to pick some up would be and also what type of solder should i use?

The blue plastic(antenna if you want to call it that lol) has the rest of the wire

I want to make the pigtail connecter stick out like this one. The blue plastic above has a small hole (which i can make bigger if need be) so I can do something like below.

Since I included some pictures could someone please point me in the right direction.. thanks

**bone-saw** · 04-22-2004, 05:24 AM

Hello,

this is what you need:

http://www.carnetix.com/WUSB11/WUSB11%20V2.8.html

Markus

**mbkowns** · 04-22-2004, 05:43 AM

Thats great! where do i get that type of connector ?

**MikeH** · 04-22-2004, 06:14 AM

Kyle,

I bought it from DigiKey. The part number is J603-ND and costs $5.53 each (DigiKey link here) )
I would caution you that the circuit traces are very small. You need good soldering skills and a very small sodering iron tip. I ended up dropping my board and breaking this connector off.

Someone suggested a better approach. Use the Orinoco USB client. It comes with this MMX connector already attached so that you can add an external antenna.

Good Luck

**mbkowns** · 04-22-2004, 06:24 AM

Great My question is answered ! thanks I was hearing silver based solder was the best to use for wireless antennas do you agree or what do you think

also my soldering area is more in the middle of the board so it won't stick out which is good and bad.

1 good won't break off

2 bad have to take it apart to get to the adapter but i am using a pig tail to that so i will be good

**NovaKane** · 04-23-2004, 03:38 AM

What is that tiny connector called? so i know what type of connection to look for when I buy the pigtail antenna. I took my lan card apart, and I could not figure out what that was, so i was just going to solder some coax to that connector. How good would that work?

**gubon13** · 04-23-2004, 04:53 AM

i believe that he used an MMCX connector.

as for soldering in coax straight to the connector - it depends on the coax. you should use RG58 coax if you're gonna do that. definitely NOT RG59, and probably RG6 would also be a bad idea. as I understand it, they don't provide the correct shielding and impedence requirements. the signal wave wouldn't match up by the time it hit the antenna and your reception would be for $#!t...

**NovaKane** · 04-23-2004, 11:17 PM

oh, cool, thanks. I have been wondering about that for a while.

**Cryogen97** · 04-25-2004, 03:18 PM

I found this site a bit ago. you can order any kind of connector you want
http://www.fab-corp.com/index.htm

**mbkowns** · 04-25-2004, 03:31 PM

Originally Posted by MikeH

Kyle,

I bought it from DigiKey. The part number is J603-ND and costs $5.53 each (DigiKey link here) )
I would caution you that the circuit traces are very small. You need good soldering skills and a very small sodering iron tip. I ended up dropping my board and breaking this connector off.

Someone suggested a better approach. Use the Orinoco USB client. It comes with this MMX connector already attached so that you can add an external antenna.

Good Luck

I bought one from them couple days ago it should be here anyday now

thanks