Antenna mod help for Asus WL-330g

work4mike · 04-25-2005

hi, i have a mini portable bridge/router/ap/client adaptor called the Asus WL-330g. It's got an an internal antenna = 2 internal diversity IFA antennas. Range Indoor 130ft (40m), semi-open 330ft (100m), outdoor (LOS, Line-Of-Sight) 1500ft (457m)

i would like to solder a SMA connector to this so that I can attach an external 5dBi antennna like this one: The U.S. Robotics 5dBi Swivel Antenna attaches directly to male reverse SMA connectors and provide for improved range and coverage of 802.11b and 802.11g wireless routers and APs.

http://www.pcmall.com/pcmall/shop/de...pno~483091.asp

Is this an easy project? I haven't see the electronics board on the WL-330g yet. What I would like to know is if the new 5dBi antenna will "suck" more power and cause more problems for this device with the mod.

Many thanks.

Mike

wrzwaldo · 04-26-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by work4mike

hi, i have a mini portable bridge/router/ap/client adaptor called the Asus WL-330g. It's got an an internal antenna = 2 internal diversity IFA antennas. Range Indoor 130ft (40m), semi-open 330ft (100m), outdoor (LOS, Line-Of-Sight) 1500ft (457m)

i would like to solder a SMA connector to this so that I can attach an external 5dBi antennna like this one: The U.S. Robotics 5dBi Swivel Antenna attaches directly to male reverse SMA connectors and provide for improved range and coverage of 802.11b and 802.11g wireless routers and APs.

http://www.pcmall.com/pcmall/shop/de...pno~483091.asp

Is this an easy project? I haven't see the electronics board on the WL-330g yet. What I would like to know is if the new 5dBi antenna will "suck" more power and cause more problems for this device with the mod.

Many thanks.

Mike

Yes it is a very easy project (for me). But having no idea what your skill level is it would be impossible to say how easy it will be for you. And no the 5dBi antenna will not suck any more power than the card is set to transmit at.

alperuzi · 04-26-2005

one thing though, you don't see it in pictures but those 5dbi rubber ducks are actually pretty big. So if you don't wanna lose the portability I would doublecheck the length of the antenna.

work4mike · 04-26-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrzwaldo

Yes it is a very easy project (for me). But having no idea what your skill level is it would be impossible to say how easy it will be for you. And no the 5dBi antenna will not suck any more power than the card is set to transmit at.

Well, I have basic soldering skills, but I won't know parts I'll need to order.

If I take a digital pic of of PCB, can you mark on the picture what needs to be done?

Problem is I don't even know what a "2 internal diversity IFA antennas" look like. Any pointers to look for a pic of this?

And, will adding a 5dBi antenna that attaches directly to a soldered male reverse SMA connectors ontop of a diversity IFA antenna hanging outside of this enclosure, will cause +ANY+ power/interference/compatibility problems?

I have zero knowledge of the science of this and I hope your expertise here will help make me understand if this mod is a "worthwhile" attempt.

Thanks folks.

streaker69 · 04-27-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by work4mike

Well, I have basic soldering skills, but I won't know parts I'll need to order.

If I take a digital pic of of PCB, can you mark on the picture what needs to be done?

Problem is I don't even know what a "2 internal diversity IFA antennas" look like. Any pointers to look for a pic of this?

And, will adding a 5dBi antenna that attaches directly to a soldered male reverse SMA connectors ontop of a diversity IFA antenna hanging outside of this enclosure, will cause +ANY+ power/interference/compatibility problems?

I have zero knowledge of the science of this and I hope your expertise here will help make me understand if this mod is a "worthwhile" attempt.

Thanks folks.

I surely hope with your basic skills you have the correct equipment to do the work. You DO NOT want to use a 25w soldering pencil from Radioshack to do this work. You should be using a good quality adjustable temp pencil that you can adjust that you don't burn through components or the board itself. A real steady hand is a big help as well. Good luck.

wrzwaldo · 04-27-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by work4mike

...

Problem is I don't even know what a "2 internal diversity IFA antennas" look like. Any pointers to look for a pic of this?

...

Does this Asus WL-330g have an FCC ID #?

work4mike · 04-30-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrzwaldo

Does this Asus WL-330g have an FCC ID #?

Yes, it does. It was originally purchased in the US. I am currently in Australia.

It is unlawful in the US if I tamper with it (i.e. mod the product) to have an external antenna?

work4mike · 04-30-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by streaker69

I surely hope with your basic skills you have the correct equipment to do the work. You DO NOT want to use a 25w soldering pencil from Radioshack to do this work. You should be using a good quality adjustable temp pencil that you can adjust that you don't burn through components or the board itself. A real steady hand is a big help as well. Good luck.

Ah, I see. Thanks... I had expected the PCB to have surface mount components being such a small product.

Can I somehow leave the internal IFA antenna intact, and simply solder parallel to it to have an external SMA connector?

From a electrical circuit design perspective, will there be any impedance problems?

Thanks :-)

04-25-2005	#1 (permalink)
work4mike Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 4	Antenna mod help for Asus WL-330g hi, i have a mini portable bridge/router/ap/client adaptor called the Asus WL-330g. It's got an an internal antenna = 2 internal diversity IFA antennas. Range Indoor 130ft (40m), semi-open 330ft (100m), outdoor (LOS, Line-Of-Sight) 1500ft (457m) i would like to solder a SMA connector to this so that I can attach an external 5dBi antennna like this one: The U.S. Robotics 5dBi Swivel Antenna attaches directly to male reverse SMA connectors and provide for improved range and coverage of 802.11b and 802.11g wireless routers and APs. http://www.pcmall.com/pcmall/shop/de...pno~483091.asp Is this an easy project? I haven't see the electronics board on the WL-330g yet. What I would like to know is if the new 5dBi antenna will "suck" more power and cause more problems for this device with the mod. Many thanks. Mike

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04-26-2005	#3 (permalink)
alperuzi Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 14	one thing though, you don't see it in pictures but those 5dbi rubber ducks are actually pretty big. So if you don't wanna lose the portability I would doublecheck the length of the antenna.