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I am trying to solder an external antenna to my WG111V2 but don't know where to do this. It looks different to others I have seen online. Can anybody help. I have pics. Thanks

Post the links to your pics so we know what we are looking at.

Pics






I attempted to solder 1 wire to the metal shield.

rythmman wrote:I attempted to solder 1 wire to the metal shield.

Damn! What did you use to open that with, a rusty can opener?

The shield is grounded (always in electronics), so you want to use that for the ground side of the transmission line. There are two trace antennas located at the right side. They are slightly clearer in the lower picture. They start in the center, go to opposite the sides of circuit board, and then wrap back towards the center of the board. Use one of those for the connection to the antenna itself.

They look like this:

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Also, it appears that you're using small gauge hookup wire for the antenna connection, and that won't very work well, if it even works at all. You need to used a proper RF transmission coax, specifically designed for microwave radio use.

Thanks Thorn, I got it. So anywhere on that trace antenna?

I used a stanley knife for that ....lol

Should I use a piece of RG58 coax?

rythmman wrote:Thanks Thorn, I got it. So anywhere on that trace antenna?

I used a stanley knife for that ....lol

Should I use a piece of RG58 coax?

Yes, either side of the trace should work. You should carefully scrap off some of the green epoxy to get to the bare copper.

RG-58 is too large physically. My preferred choice for this kind of application is a pigtail of Times Microwave LMR-195. The pigtail should then run into a transmission line of LMR-300 or LMR-400, via a pair of an RP-SMA connectors.

I'd be really surprised if that thing still works.

It actually does Barry!!!

On a slighly different tangent; what is the best way to connect the 2 u.fl wifi laptop connectors to an external antenna?

rythmman wrote:On a slighly different tangent; what is the best way to connect the 2 u.fl wifi laptop connectors to an external antenna?

Using a U.FL connector/pigtail. A number of places sell them online, include FAB Corp. Just don't keep pulling them off and on. U.Fls only have a life of about 100 on/off cycles. They're supposed to be used only for a single test or a permanent installation.

What external antenna do you recommend to reach from a boat to the marina clubhouse, about 100ft?

rythmman wrote:What external antenna do you recommend to reach from a boat to the marina clubhouse, about 100ft?

One hundred feet is pretty minimal, almost any antenna over 2dBi would work. A bigger problem may be that 2.4GHz transmitted over water has a specific set of problems. You have to be VERY careful of the Fresnel Zone. It has to be 100 % or greater (as opposed to the normal 60-80%), and any waves will cause problems with RF back-scatter, reflection and bounce. In over words, get the antenna as high above the water as is practical. If this is a sailboat, try and put it up on the mast. If it's a power boat, put the antenna at the highest point possible on the cabin.

How many dbi is my sony vaio laptop built in antenna?

rythmman wrote:How many dbi is my sony vaio laptop built in antenna?

That's a question you'd have to ask Sony to get a definitive answer. Anywhere from 1 to 2.2dBi is typical for laptops.