Related
So, we have probably all noticed that even compared to other phones the xperia line (and the Play in specific) seem to suffer from lower reception capability.
Putting them side by side, my Motorola Droid (A855, OG Droid 1) gets a better signal both in DB measurement and in bars. Same thing for WiFi signal. I'm guessing there is an issue with design of the antenna array in the device that causes for lower reception/broadcast quality.
I don't wish to shell out $300 for a cell repeater or $300 + monthly for a femtocell that will eat my internet bandwidth (which is pathetically limited). With that in mind, I went and started looking over the device, its teardowns, and its schematics. I was looking for something as a diversity jack for an external antenna. Now I noticed, next to the battery connector, there is a small semi-covered coax input. It appears that if you pulled off the rest of the sticker, or even if you just pushed a coax prong into there you could potentially be an antenna. However, it is not specifically labeled as such on the system board or the chassis, and the schematics were largely electrical diagrams and not system board schematics. Is there any answer for this? On pretty much every smartphone I have ever owned, there is an auxillary or "diversity" coax jack for adding an external antenna or doing signal injection.
Does anybody have any input on this? I would love to be able to boost my phone's reception quality, even if only in the car or at home (even if it means a custom modded case for ease of connect/disconnect).
Cant help you with your specific question but i can throw a tip.
- Switch your phone to GSM only. It will strengthen the signal. The downside is you are stuck with G/E data speeds (slower than H).
dsswoosh said:
Cant help you with your specific question but i can throw a tip.
- Switch your phone to GSM only. It will strengthen the signal. The downside is you are stuck with G/E data speeds (slower than H).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sadly, with the US-CDMA variant and its firmware, I believe that is not an option. I'm specifically using the R800x. However, the board layouts are essentially identical.
I don't see the problem if you arnt getting any dropped calls. Wrap your phone in tin foil lmao
Sent from my XPlay using XDA App.
Deoxlar said:
I don't see the problem if you arnt getting any dropped calls. Wrap your phone in tin foil lmao
Sent from my XPlay using XDA App.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well that is sort of the problem. I live in an area that its hills are filled with lead and other heavy minerals. Dead zones and limited signal zones are rampant, especially while driving. I _DO_ get dropped calls, and more importantly dropped data. Heck I even get dropped data from the router in the house through only one wall just a room away.
Basically if I can find out where exactly the aux/diversity port is for antennas, then I could design and fabricate a better back cover to either allow for external antennas, or to integrate better antennas into the cover (like the Thunderbolt sort of does).
Side note: Wrapping it in Tin/Aluminum Foil would make it worse, I believe (yes I have limited sense of humour).
you can easely remove the rubber in front of the coax port (atleast it definitly looks like a coax port). Would like to see a back case with better antenna in it (also being able to harbor an extra fat battery).
svenk919 said:
you can easely remove the rubber in front of the coax port (atleast it definitly looks like a coax port). Would like to see a back case with better antenna in it (also being able to harbor an extra fat battery).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The problem is that there are several coax ports. The one near the battery connector is the most obvious, but there are some more that are under the secondary cover or behind more stickers. Trying to find out which one is which or what they do is not easy. I have some basic electronics schematics, some teardown pics/video, and a really really sparse parts replacement guide, but not much else to go on.
Plug in an antenna and see if it improves?
svenk919 said:
Plug in an antenna and see if it improves?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
*laughs* I suppose that would be the easy/simple way to find out, wouldn't it?
I'll see if I can find a matching pigtail adapter and see if I can plug a big fat antenna into and see if the DBM improves for either Cell or WiFi. I wanted to see if anybody could confirm before I attempted to mod this thing.
I have been attempting to use the antenna socket located under the battery cover on my S2. Sometimes I go to a very remote location for a week where I can only get reception via a amplified Yagi pointing at the nearest transmitter (Orange only as well, no other networks for miles.) I currently use a P1i for this as being dated it has an antenna socket.
I wanted to do the same with the S2. I was very excited to spot the antenna socket under the battery cover. Much research online doesn't really give much information about it; neither did a phone call to Samsung (who were unhelpful.) Some online shops in Australia sell a constructed link for it but nobody here in the UK does, as far as I can tell. So I was looking at creating my own pigtail lead.
Having difficulty finding what precisely the socket is, (it isn't an MCCX I can guarantee, others report it isn't an MCX) I took a thin wire and pushed it into the centre to see if I could bodge a connection together.
Big mistake! The external antenna works - but now the internal connector doesn't. Whenever an external antenna is connected it disconnects the internal one. It turns out that if you use the wrong side wire, it appears to force apart two contacts within the socket (best I can tell with my loupe) and the internal antenna never works again.
I suspect the solution for Galaxy S which sometimes had a spontaneous similar issue - removing the antenna socket and shorting the contacts - would work, but it's not at all simple to do especially given the infrastructure on the other side of the PCB.
People think that this socket is only intended as a test point for use by Samsung before shipping the phone. I would strongly suggest NOT MESSING WITH IT or using it - and if you do, to buy (import if necessary) the specially made cable. Otherwise you may suffer my fate and have no internal antenna connection any more.
Beware...
Thanks for the info.
I'd wondered about that socket...
Sent from my GT-I9000 using Tapatalk
kingqueen said:
I have been attempting to use the antenna socket located under the battery cover on my S2. Sometimes I go to a very remote location for a week where I can only get reception via a amplified Yagi pointing at the nearest transmitter (Orange only as well, no other networks for miles.) I currently use a P1i for this as being dated it has an antenna socket.
I wanted to do the same with the S2. I was very excited to spot the antenna socket under the battery cover. Much research online doesn't really give much information about it; neither did a phone call to Samsung (who were unhelpful.) Some online shops in Australia sell a constructed link for it but nobody here in the UK does, as far as I can tell. So I was looking at creating my own pigtail lead.
Having difficulty finding what precisely the socket is, (it isn't an MCCX I can guarantee, others report it isn't an MCX) I took a thin wire and pushed it into the centre to see if I could bodge a connection together.
Big mistake! The external antenna works - but now the internal connector doesn't. Whenever an external antenna is connected it disconnects the internal one. It turns out that if you use the wrong side wire, it appears to force apart two contacts within the socket (best I can tell with my loupe) and the internal antenna never works again.
I suspect the solution for Galaxy S which sometimes had a spontaneous similar issue - removing the antenna socket and shorting the contacts - would work, but it's not at all simple to do especially given the infrastructure on the other side of the PCB.
People think that this socket is only intended as a test point for use by Samsung before shipping the phone. I would strongly suggest NOT MESSING WITH IT or using it - and if you do, to buy (import if necessary) the specially made cable. Otherwise you may suffer my fate and have no internal antenna connection any more.
Beware...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe pushing the same bit of wire back in would again bridge the contacts and give you your internal aerial back? Snip it off just above the socket?
silk_nz said:
Maybe pushing the same bit of wire back in would again bridge the contacts and give you your internal aerial back? Snip it off just above the socket?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the excellent helpful suggestion, regrettably it doesn't work though. The little bit of wire itself works as an antenna but it doesn't reconnect the internal antenna. I think this is by design: pushing a pin in should disconnect the internal and connect the external, sadly in my case whilst it did do this the wrong diameter wire stopped it going the other way!
Happily good news: I've negotiated a warranty replacement, doorstep swap for a new one. Thank you O2.
Additional info for anybody thinking of trying to get a connector for this socket: having received an MCX connector in the post today, I can confirm that both MCX and MCCX connectors are definitely not compatible with the phone's external aerial socket and can't be bodged to work on it either.
Elsewhere forum contributors state a Samsung tech told them it is an "MPX" connector. The only MPX connector I can find on the Web is something entirely different, not for use with mobile phones.
What a mystery
Thanks once again
Guys, do not touch that Socket!
I did the same and my s2 is now at the servicepoint!
n-zocker said:
Guys, do not touch that Socket!
I did the same and my s2 is now at the servicepoint!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sorry to hear you've had the same fate as me!
Did you use the official patch lead e.g. www.cellink.com.au/productdetails.a...d=WES1781263914N&pcr=WES596880305N&byp=2&qf=1 or try to bodge one like me? I've ordered an official one but think I'm too scared to use it, having broken one s2 already!
Further info, it's an MS147 connector.
being that its under the battery cover, with no opening to the outside casing I would assume this to be a Manufacturer port only. and therefore shouldn't be used, nor played with.
I appreciate your efforts and troubles but sometimes you should leave these things alone, is there not a solution that doesn't require a connection?
kingqueen said:
sorry to hear you've had the same fate as me!
Did you use the official patch lead e.g. www.cellink.com.au/productdetails.a...d=WES1781263914N&pcr=WES596880305N&byp=2&qf=1 or try to bodge one like me? I've ordered an official one but think I'm too scared to use it, having broken one s2 already!
Further info, it's an MS147 connector.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
nope i broke mine with that "wire method" ^^
i will touch that port never again
diablous said:
being that its under the battery cover, with no opening to the outside casing I would assume this to be a Manufacturer port only. and therefore shouldn't be used, nor played with.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What, like the microSD port, and the SIM slot?
diablous said:
I appreciate your efforts and troubles but sometimes you should leave these things alone, is there not a solution that doesn't require a connection?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not really! Passive antenna couplers don't work. I'll have to go back to my p1i with its antenna socket and Sony Ericsson antenna lead, obviously designed to be used. Old skool! Even then I can only get signal on one network, amplified using a vehicle pcs amplifier and using a directional Yagi...
Sent from my HTC Desire using xda premium
^^^ cos my SGS2 is dead and not swapped out yet :-(
kingqueen said:
sorry to hear you've had the same fate as me!
Did you use the official patch lead e.g. (Link deleted) or try to bodge one like me? I've ordered an official one but think I'm too scared to use it, having broken one s2 already!
Further info, it's an MS147 connector.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did use the Cellink connector and it killed my internal antenna.
I asked about this and was told they checked with Samsung and the port is ok to use. Sounds like a design problem but will wait and see what the service centre says.
kingqueen said:
Not really! Passive antenna couplers don't work. I'll have to go back to my p1i with its antenna socket and Sony Ericsson antenna lead, obviously designed to be used. Old skool! Even then I can only get signal on one network, amplified using a vehicle pcs amplifier and using a directional Yagi...
Sent from my HTC Desire using xda premium
^^^ cos my SGS2 is dead and not swapped out yet :-(
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What about active, such as those solutions from companies like Wilson?
I have had excellent results with their vehicle amplifier kit here - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0011GI94Q
However it sounds like you'll need significantly more "oomph" - probably one of their higher-gain building-oriented kits, with a cradle and a Yagi.
I believe their non-direct-connect amps have the gain increased to compensate for the losses of the phone coupling.
Galaxy S (i9000T), same problem here
Hi everyone. I have a SGS i9000T, had the same problem as you guys.
I was in a rural area (Brazil), and it's very common there to use external antennas (by very common I mean, it's the only way to get a signal). My mother-in-law has cheap cellphone for this and I tried to connect her antenna. I has not only worked like magic, but also all the area suddenly had wifi internet access!
But after I had disconnected the antenna and traveled to the civilization again, no signal, just like happened to some here. It happened *exactly* the same way with my HTC Touch (GSM). At first I thought it was a problem with the phone, now I see it's the same connector.
The fun thing is, yesterday I went to a Samsung service center and there was this poster with tips for your phone (like, how to backup phone contents, how to clean it, carrier block matters, etc), and there was it, with huge letters: "DO NOT CONNECT AN EXTERNAL ANTENNA TO YOUR SAMSUNG PHONE. IT MAY STOP HAVING A SIGNAL AND IT WILL VOID THE WARRANTY." Well, actually, it was in portuguese, but that's what it said. It's like, "yes, we know there is a MicroSD slot in your phone, but no one said you could use it, now your warranty is void"!
My phone was not under warranty anymore anyway, so I'll try the soldering method, I guess.
As for the connector, seems like bad design to me.
Easy solution
Smae thing happened to me. There is a piece like a fuse between antenna plugs as seen in the picture. If this piece is missing, you can't get signal. So just apply a small solder at that part and it is done. Any cell phone technician can do that, no need to send to Samsung service and pay more, if your device is not under guarantee of course.
Not really bad design, other than maybe marking it clearly as "Factory test only" - which is why that antenna connector is there.
It is extremely rare for phones to have antenna connectors these days.
Guys, I've found a shop in Australia where a patch lead for SGS2 is available with the FME connector:
http://www.telcoantennas.com.au/site/patch-lead-samsung-galaxy-s-ii
Has anyone tried it? That question goes maily to people of Australia, because the shop doesn't ship products outside Australia.
If this cable works, we'll have the best solution for now
kingqueen said:
Did you use the official patch lead e.g. www.cellink.com.au/productdetails.a...d=WES1781263914N&pcr=WES596880305N&byp=2&qf=1 or try to bodge one like me? I've ordered an official one but think I'm too scared to use it, having broken one s2 already!
Further info, it's an MS147 connector.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
MS147, wheres the documentation, specs etc for this ?
Lucasorgpl said:
If this cable works, we'll have the best solution for now
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep works great, the port is activated by the connection of the patch lead which will override the internal antenna. Make sure you buy the lead for the galaxy S II and not galaxy S, as the pin on the connector is slightly different in length.
maybe email them see if they can post outside Australia, as it's usually only a couple dollars more expensive.
Yep... I did it.
Long before this thread i have researched about this connector and what it is more exactly... I assumed it might have been for gps as well... Anyway, last night i tried a connector, which was close, but wouldn't fit... But I guess that has broken my internal antenna...
Wondering what should I do...
Sent from my GT-P1000 using xda premium
---------- Post added at 06:11 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:56 PM ----------
I guess it would be nice that this thread/warning be sticky!
---------- Post added at 06:14 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:11 PM ----------
victor79 said:
Smae thing happened to me. There is a piece like a fuse between antenna plugs as seen in the picture. If this piece is missing, you can't get signal. So just apply a small solder at that part and it is done. Any cell phone technician can do that, no need to send to Samsung service and pay more, if your device is not under guarantee of course.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
can you elaborate more on this? a better/close-up picture if possible?
dpuk said:
maybe email them see if they can post outside Australia, as it's usually only a couple dollars more expensive.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sellers don't dont know anything, i asked a few..
Flashing your galaxy, press Y to continue..
I am not the originator of this... it was Hogwarts, all credit goes to him. I am simply bringing this back to the forefront as I want to make the signal in my phon stronger and wanted to also bring this to everyones attention so that they have photos to go off of. All thanks go to HogWart.......thank you Hogwarts...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=24791423&postcount=52
He got the first photo correct: that's the MAIN FPC ANTENNA that gathers CDMA/GSM signals to make calling/texting/3G browsing possible
He got the second photo wrong: that's the GPS ANTENNA, self-explanatory
He got the third photo partially correct: that's the BLUETOOTH/WLAN ANTENNA, and that's explanatory again..
SOURCE: R800i Full Disassembly.pdf
jgregoryj1 said:
I am not the originator of this... it was Hogwarts, all credit goes to him. I am simply bringing this back to the forefront as I want to make the signal in my phon stronger and wanted to also bring this to everyones attention so that they have photos to go off of. All thanks go to HogWart.......thank you Hogwarts...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=24791423&postcount=52
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
now to make it stronger for better signal..
narflynn619 said:
He got the first photo correct: that's the MAIN FPC ANTENNA that gathers CDMA/GSM signals to make calling/texting/3G browsing possible
He got the second photo wrong: that's the GPS ANTENNA, self-explanatory
He got the third photo partially correct: that's the BLUETOOTH/WLAN ANTENNA, and that's explanatory again..
SOURCE: R800i Full Disassembly.pdf
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HE stated that its possible to use tin foil to increase the strength of the wifi antenna,,, is this true? Even after I reflashed a FTF back to 233 I still occasionally have a hiccup. Would adding tin foil, even a small piece, to that antenna make any difference and or improvement? I am tempted to do it as I want to try to make the most of my wifi experience.... thoughts?
Those are my photos
216Monster said:
Those are my photos
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes those are yours man..... thank you for that.... really really helps...
skimming through the thread, i didn't see any post of him making a tutorial of doing such.. in another thread maybe? IDK...
but i read in most articles on increasing GSM and WiFi signal, adding a tin foil actually increases reception, though I haven't tried it myself.. most articles i've read involve sticking wires through exposed parts of the antenna, which, i can't find in our play's antennas.. (some even talk about sticking wires on external antenna ports of phones, which is way too obsolete these days ) either way, if someone knows a hack, without doing extensive damage to the Play's electrical integrity, i'd be happy to try it and post results.. until then, i think i love my play too much to be doing hardware hacks at the moment.. after all, i'm getting good signals atm, but i'd still love a little boost..
narflynn619 said:
skimming through the thread, i didn't see any post of him making a tutorial of doing such.. in another thread maybe? IDK...
but i read in most articles on increasing GSM and WiFi signal, adding a tin foil actually increases reception, though I haven't tried it myself.. most articles i've read involve sticking wires through exposed parts of the antenna, which, i can't find in our play's antennas.. (some even talk about sticking wires on external antenna ports of phones, which is way too obsolete these days ) either way, if someone knows a hack, without doing extensive damage to the Play's electrical integrity, i'd be happy to try it and post results.. until then, i think i love my play too much to be doing hardware hacks at the moment.. after all, i'm getting good signals atm, but i'd still love a little boost..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HE stated in the link above that he would make another thread and or add to that thread photos of adding tin foil to his wifi antenna to increase the strength, I do remember reading someone else about it from him too I think, but never found the photos.... I think the reason for that I am guessing is because his phone broke.... come to think of it I think he has moved on after his phone broke.
If anyone should attempt to use tin foil in their PLAYs to hopefully increase the wifi strength can you please post your results here... I am considering doing that myself but probably wont have a chance to do it until this weekend or sometime this month.
So I broke down and took the back off my PLAY. Gently peeled back the wifi antenna sticker from picture #3. and as R800x users do not have a GSM card but the slot is there I wrapped through the GSM slot and underneath the wifi/bluetooth antenna from #3.
I ran some speedtest tests and was getting around 24-25mbps (wish it were that fast in real life) speeds. I have not attempted to see how far I can get..... true test will be when I am at work on Monday (its saturday now) as where my office is I only have about 2 bars of wifi..... It would be cool if the tin foil would boost the antenna's range a little.
Also, I also wrapped over the tin foil with ta precise cut of thick packaging tape, so no tin foil is exposed... complete covered. I will post my results of my signal strength at work on Monday. If its improved I will let you all know, if not or its the same I will also let you all know.
Here is to crossing my fingers for a better range of wifi.. distnace wise
Edit: I am able to get about 30-40 more feet further from my router then previously.
Skip to *** to bypass forward/story. I tend to write stories Also pics of in question mb and circled sma's (the whole point of this) included. Look at last pic.
Here is the deal to cut off any and all why questions. I have a Deeper Bluetooth fishfinder which is not modifiable, but it is awesome, and I have a big fishing trip to Canada in one month.
I've used it a bit, but my range, while different depending on the device I use of course, is always in the 30-50 foot range max. People have modified their bluetooth antennas for a while to greatly increase the range which is a good thing for a cast out fishfinder, I want 100 feet of range sitting in a boat in slightly choppy water, it is doable with an antenna hack, especially a directional one that I will use for this.
I have replaced many screens and digitizers on androids, including my x style xt1575 just last week, besides that glued on back it was super easy, even figuring out how to save my colored speaker bezels was easy ( a small sharp screwdriver underneath the center of them pops them out then just pop them into the new phone once all back together, and all the stuff behind those custom speaker covers can transfer to the new screen/frame folks, its easy you just lightly pull n the stuff on the back of the frame you are tossing anyway.
So I've used rp-sma adapters to add external antennas to routers before. Made a giant difference. I'm sure an external bluetooth would be the same, but I noticed something. All the sma plugs on the xt MB look like they already have a plug on them which goes a couple millimeters then looks like the wire goes through to the back of the motherboard, where I see from the i FIxit video they only are using coper layerings on the back of the motherboard as imprinted antennas, but I forgot to look closely when I had it apart last and I did a very good job of gluing. I don't want to break out the heat gun again until I'm sure which sma or coper secion it is, I could use either place but I'd rather use the sma though I may be able to fold up a wire antenna behind the motherboard soldered to the copper crap antenna... don't know if there is room POINT: I've been building computers for 20 years and know what I'm doing, but I dont know which sma is correct considering how many antennas these things have now for every service in the US, (anyone have a link to the motherboard layout diagram that would be the ultimate answer)
*** So with all that forward, does anyone know exactly which rp-sma (standard internal antenna connection on everything these days) on the MB of the xt 1575/1572 is for the bluetooth antenna? From the iFixit videos I have a guess it is the one near and partially under the top speaker, and I know I'm going to be stuck with dongle hanging out of my phone when I'm done but I don't care. On the back of the motherboard there appear to only be copper sections acting as antennas opposite all the rp-sma connections on the front (watch full ifixit teardown and you can see there are no antennas on the xt1572/1575 besides copper squares painted on back of MB. I imagine that each close grouping o three is 2 5ghz and 1 2.4ghz wifi antennas (so it can do 300mbN and Mimo 2x2 AC. The two at the bottom near the power jack I'm not sure one of the cellular I imagine and the two right next to each other near the center a different band of cellular I imagine, 11 antenna connections total on this MB each with a connector already on it but going to a crap antenna on the back, but that one slightly underneath the rear camera by itself looks like it could be the winner. Pointed out in 3rd Picture.
This fishing trip to Plaisteds Camp in Saskatchewan cost 6k. (watch the Will Farrel movie coming out soon about this guy, Ralph Plaisted was the first man to reach the north pole -proven fact verified by US military at the time, previous explorers were hundreds of miles off)
Last time I went I didn't have the deeper just a bunch of androids mapping the surface and taking fishing and bear videos (plus a new feature of the deeper is it will make a full map of an entire lake bottom so I can identify rock formations and, **** is amazing) This is one of the best Pike spots in Canada, I averaged about 30 30+ to my max of 42 inch pike a day, and all the walley I could eat. IMPORTANT lol.
Any knowledge on the right SMA or a diagram of the MB or any other proof of the right antenna to jack off of will be much appreciated.
PS anyone know how to make a cheap ass gieger counter? Fishing camp happens to be only a few 5-10 miles from the gigantic uranium mines in northern Canada. Like the Core samples are laying all over the area lol and I've been curious how radioactive those discarded old samples are.
Cool, thanks. No advice though, sorry. I split off the antenna for my laptop too for a small wifi directional dish for the camper
First things first, the WiFi reception on these tablets is garbage. They placed the antenna on the lower left hand corner of the tablet, right where your hands or other obstructions would be.
Besides that, the antenna is very small.
I used a molex adhesive cellular/WiFi antenna and can achieve a 8-12dbm gain in areas that had 76dbm or less reception levels.
Its very easy to do and can be configured back to stock very easily for warranty issues or whatnot.
Edit: moderator, could you move this? I posted from mobile and it seems I posted to the wrong forum.
eightrac said:
First things first, the WiFi reception on these tablets is garbage. They placed the antenna on the lower left hand corner of the tablet, right where your hands or other obstructions would be.
Besides that, the antenna is very small.
I used a molex adhesive cellular/WiFi antenna and can achieve a 8-12dbm gain in areas that had 76dbm or less reception levels.
Its very easy to do and can be configured back to stock very easily for warranty issues or whatnot.
Edit: moderator, could you move this? I posted from mobile and it seems I posted to the wrong forum.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you show a video of how to do it before this thread get moved?
The "cellular data" tag would infer that it is a 3g/4g antenna rather than a 2.4Ghz/5Ghz antenna - does it work with both bands only I notice that Molex do offer specific Antennas aimed at both Wifi bands used by the Shield. Thanks.
lmulli said:
The "cellular data" tag would infer that it is a 3g/4g antenna rather than a 2.4Ghz/5Ghz antenna - does it work with both bands only I notice that Molex do offer specific Antennas aimed at both Wifi bands used by the Shield. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The print on the antenna doesn't include all of the bands it covers.
https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/molex-llc/1461850100/WM12970-ND/6005384
How well does the back sit with this antenna installed? I'd be tempted to install two of them at right angles to each other.
eightrac said:
First things first, the WiFi reception on these tablets is garbage. They placed the antenna on the lower left hand corner of the tablet, right where your hands or other obstructions would be.
Besides that, the antenna is very small.
I used a molex adhesive cellular/WiFi antenna and can achieve a 8-12dbm gain in areas that had 76dbm or less reception levels.
Its very easy to do and can be configured back to stock very easily for warranty issues or whatnot.
Edit: moderator, could you move this? I posted from mobile and it seems I posted to the wrong forum.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you please point out which one is the best? https://eu.mouser.com/search/refine.aspx?Ntk=P_MarCom&Ntt=178376642
Tx,
Roger
neosenshi said:
How well does the back sit with this antenna installed? I'd be tempted to install two of them at right angles to each other.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's only one coax plug, so two antennae may be an issue. It does not add anything to the back, as there's just enough clearance under the back cover for it to fit.
TheKicKer69 said:
Can you please point out which one is the best? https://eu.mouser.com/search/refine.aspx?Ntk=P_MarCom&Ntt=178376642
Tx,
Roger
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mine is the 100mm unit.
Does this really work? Surprised nobody thought of this before. This is my biggest beef with this device. 2 bars or worse. Can't even keep a You Tube stream from glitching out. Gonna try it!
SoulRFlair said:
Does this really work? Surprised nobody thought of this before. This is my biggest beef with this device. 2 bars or worse. Can't even keep a You Tube stream from glitching out. Gonna try it!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Works great for me. Gained -8dbm in an area that I could only get 92dbm before.
eightrac said:
First things first, the WiFi reception on these tablets is garbage.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So I did this last night. I installed the same antennae as you did. I ordered the 100mm - it was quite a bit longer than the one in your picture but I routed the lead next to the battery which was fine.
I do think it helped - perhaps not the miracle cure I was hoping for. I seem to not be experiencing the same frequency of freezes and glitches when gamestreaming - however I did still see a couple of instances of the low signal indicator with 2 bars when streaming. Streaming from You Tube is still nowhere near as smooth as my other devices, a shield portable, kindle tablets and my Iphone or Ipad - more buffering and pauses.
ultimately, I do recommend the mod as it is easy, cheap and I think an improvement over the stock antennae..
Thanks for posting your experiment!
SoulRFlair said:
So I did this last night. I installed the same antennae as you did. I ordered the 100mm - it was quite a bit longer than the one in your picture but I routed the lead next to the battery which was fine.
I do think it helped - perhaps not the miracle cure I was hoping for. I seem to not be experiencing the same frequency of freezes and glitches when gamestreaming - however I did still see a couple of instances of the low signal indicator with 2 bars when streaming. Streaming from You Tube is still nowhere near as smooth as my other devices, a shield portable, kindle tablets and my Iphone or Ipad - more buffering and pauses.
ultimately, I do recommend the mod as it is easy, cheap and I think an improvement over the stock antennae..
Thanks for posting your experiment!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
tx for sharing; my question is there a BETTER antenna then the one you guys just installed? even if it's a few bucks more. and just to make sure you got 146185-0100 right?the 100 mm
TheKicKer69 said:
tx for sharing; my question is there a BETTER antenna then the one you guys just installed? even if it's a few bucks more. and just to make sure you got 146185-0100 right?the 100 mm
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think there are better options for this antenna. First off the one the user selected is a cellular/wifi antenna and you don't need any cellular signal frequencies since unless you have the LTE version shield. I am going to buy a 2.4ghz/5ghz wifi only antenna and see how that works, should work much better than the one used in this mod.
kyungi1 said:
I think there are better options for this antenna. First off the one the user selected is a cellular/wifi antenna and you don't need any cellular signal frequencies since unless you have the LTE version shield. I am going to buy a 2.4ghz/5ghz wifi only antenna and see how that works, should work much better than the one used in this mod.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can u please share your findings once this is done? Appreciate it.
Tx,
Roger
Such an easy enhancement
Good Afternoon Everyone,
I was successful at completing this mod as well. Although I didn't have any real problems with my Wifi Reception, it seems a little bit better than what it was. Here's a picture of it installed!
Take care, :good:
-Elo
Eloquence said:
Good Afternoon Everyone,
I was successful at completing this mod as well. Although I didn't have any real problems with my Wifi Reception, it seems a little bit better than what it was. Here's a picture of it installed!
Take care, :good:
-Elo
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so how much of an improvement did u get from the stock one? and how much did it cost? where can i buy it from?
tx,
Roger
TheKicKer69 said:
so how much of an improvement did u get from the stock one? and how much did it cost? where can i buy it from?
tx,
Roger
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey, so I don't know exactly the db, but it works better from further away from the Router in my house. Maybe it's a placebo effect, but it feels like it's better. You can buy it from here -> Click Me. :good:
Thanks,
-Elo
Turn off the Wifi Scanning. I was having the same issue, my K1 wouldn't connect to ANY Wifi spots. I'd forget them, reconnect, restart, nothing. Turning off the Wifi Scanning feature, it instantly connected. Hope this helps others.