Howto: Add a RP SMA to your Orinoco Card

beakmyn · 03-26-2005

HTML VERSION WITH PICTURES

This is a general guideline rather then a howto as I don't want someone who is unexperienced in this sort of thing to attempt this as you could easily ruin your card.

First, to open the case follow the instructions here.Cooter's Pigtail guide
If you have trouble getting the metal sleeve apart take a look at this to
see how it held together
Metal Sleeve connectors

The removal process is pretty much the same as Cooter's pigtail.

To get everything to fit I did have to Modify the SMA connector with a Dremel and sand down the inner circular part (Red lines). You may also need to cut sections out of the PCB. This step if done is irreversable and you won't be able to put it back to OEM. Do so at your own risk.

After that you may need to make a small jumper as I did to connect the SMA's pin to the antenna feed point. I also used a small piece of desoldering braid for the ground. If there's any of the ground plane exposed from making your cuts you can use a little bit of super glue to act as an insulator. Let it dry first before soldering the feedpoint. Once soldered the resistance of the SMA from pin to shield be >5 M ohm. (Meg Ohm). If it's 0 you got a short, try again.

Finished

Attach the top of the plastic cover and fill the void liberally with hot melt glue to give the SMA something to attach to and your done.

The SMA connector I used can be purchased from Digikey
RPSMA Edge Mount CONREVSMA006.062-ND

Barry · 08-24-2005

Here's my version. Still needs epoxy, ran out the other day and haven't been able to get more...

03-26-2005	#1 (permalink)
beakmyn Free Public Wifi Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 4,992	Howto: Add a RP SMA to your Orinoco Card HTML VERSION WITH PICTURES This is a general guideline rather then a howto as I don't want someone who is unexperienced in this sort of thing to attempt this as you could easily ruin your card. First, to open the case follow the instructions here.Cooter's Pigtail guide If you have trouble getting the metal sleeve apart take a look at this to see how it held together Metal Sleeve connectors The removal process is pretty much the same as Cooter's pigtail. To get everything to fit I did have to Modify the SMA connector with a Dremel and sand down the inner circular part (Red lines). You may also need to cut sections out of the PCB. This step if done is irreversable and you won't be able to put it back to OEM. Do so at your own risk. After that you may need to make a small jumper as I did to connect the SMA's pin to the antenna feed point. I also used a small piece of desoldering braid for the ground. If there's any of the ground plane exposed from making your cuts you can use a little bit of super glue to act as an insulator. Let it dry first before soldering the feedpoint. Once soldered the resistance of the SMA from pin to shield be >5 M ohm. (Meg Ohm). If it's 0 you got a short, try again. Finished Attach the top of the plastic cover and fill the void liberally with hot melt glue to give the SMA something to attach to and your done. The SMA connector I used can be purchased from Digikey RPSMA Edge Mount CONREVSMA006.062-ND __________________ ┌──────────────────────────────┐ ╞ NS Icons Explained\|et hoc genus omne ╡ └──────────────────────────────┘ Creating yesterday's future, Today! Last edited by beakmyn : 07-18-2005 at 11:31 AM.

08-24-2005	#2 (permalink)
Barry Managing the iTards. Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 5,883	Here's my version. Still needs epoxy, ran out the other day and haven't been able to get more... __________________ Never do anything you don't want to explain to the paramedics.

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