N810 External WiFi Antenna MOD
 

Ok, so the WiFi needed upgrading...

After adding the pigtail adapter, my WiFi strength has increased drastically!

Have fun with it!!

http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/4875/1001369ve.jpg
http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/7676/1001371z.jpg
http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/6492/1001372w.jpg
http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/9686/1001373j.jpg
http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/5690/1001374l.jpg
http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/3295/1001376.jpg
http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/8361/1001378x.jpg
http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/9288/1001379.jpg
http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/4297/1001380b.jpg
http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/5936/1001382v.jpg

I realized that my details did not post.
In order to get the back to sit flush again, I use a pair of snips and clipped off all the plastic that was not needed from the piece that holds the speakers. I basically clipped everything but the small area around them.

The white "divider" in the center needed to have a notch cut into it to allow the cable to be placed in the notch so as not to press on the back panel.

Re: N80 External WiFi Antenna MOD
 

But I like my N80 the way it is!

:D

Re: N80 External WiFi Antenna MOD
 

Yeah, that's just a typo in the title. An admin could fix that easily. ;)

As for the pigtail, I don't like that. I prefer the compact wifi antenna idea that someone else had here not long back. The trick is, I'm not brave enough to mod my n810 and add the boosted antenna. :(

Re: N80 External WiFi Antenna MOD
 

You have a link to the compact ant?
I have done 2 other mods to the Wifi..

Re: N80 External WiFi Antenna MOD
 

http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=30032

There you go, sir. :D On a side note, given the amount of free space inside that upper area, I wonder if some kind of mod couldn't be made to use that as well, possibly even for extra storage. :D

Re: N810 External WiFi Antenna MOD
 

Your next mission, should you decide to accept it: do the same for GPS. :D

Re: N810 External WiFi Antenna MOD
 

Cool,

Did anybody do anything similar to the n800?

Re: N810 External WiFi Antenna MOD
 

Texrat, that'd be awesome. There's just one catch. Doesn't the GPS have a self contained antenna-on-chip? And if it does, then hacking that will be a bit problematic. Then again, what do I know? ;) But given what I've seen so far, even if you could get to the GPS chip and extend the antenna, where would you put it?

Re: N810 External WiFi Antenna MOD
 

Does this affect the reception when there is no external antenna hooked up or do you after this really need to use that external antenna?

Re: N810 External WiFi Antenna MOD
 

Yea, you'll need the antenna unless you're in the same room as the access point. I did something similar to my Zaurus a few years ago.

@gmgfarrand

Did you cut the traces to the built in antenna? You might get a better signal if you do. Pretty easy to do, just use an exacto knife to cut it. If you want to go back, just solder bridge the cut.

Re: N810 External WiFi Antenna MOD
 

So basically he can not restore it to the original state? I didn't get that impression. I thought he just soldered two wires onto the board, and connected them to the antenna?

Re: N810 External WiFi Antenna MOD
 

It's reversible, he'll just have a hole in the side of the case.

Re: N810 External WiFi Antenna MOD
 

Yeah, that's understandable.

Re: N810 External WiFi Antenna MOD
 

I didn't cut traces, wanted to keep it simple. ;)

You don't technically NEED to add an antenna to the adapter, you will get a signal boost without it, but then you wouldn't be able to do neat stuff like plugging in a cantenna! :)

The whole in the case would be "fixable" by a little epoxy, that's how the little bugger is held in there.

Re: N80 External WiFi Antenna MOD
 

Yep, that's my post as well.
I like adding pigtails when I have them, it opens up alot of options.

Re: N810 External WiFi Antenna MOD
 

Where is THAT located?
After reading on these forums, basically I am understanding that the GPS is crap, so it would just be crap with a better antenna.
Not sure if its worth it...

Re: N810 External WiFi Antenna MOD
 

gmgfarrrand, thank you; i think i will try this myself eventually. great pics!
i'm also wondering
1. if and how this mod affects the reception without pigtail,
2. in percentage, by how much would you say does the pigtail increase your reception, and
3. do you think there is a way to modify or at least shorten the connector sticking out of the n810?

Re: N810 External WiFi Antenna MOD
 

You "might" be able to find a RP-SMA pigtail with a smaller connector, but I didn't bother to look, I'm impatient. :)
Using Wifiinfo:
I was getting about 15-25% signal before my first mod. (http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=30032)
and 35-50% after.

With just the pigtail installed and NO ANTENNA, I now get 80-100%

Re: N810 External WiFi Antenna MOD
 

It might give you weird signal issues with both antennas still active. That's why most of the "how to add an external antenna to your usb wifi adapter" how-to's say to cut the antenna trace.

Re: N810 External WiFi Antenna MOD
 

It it has given any issues, I haven't noticed.

Re: N810 External WiFi Antenna MOD
 

That, I don't understand. Do you claim to get better signal with no antenna at all, just the connector?
I don't think that is real, it could be some kind of artifact.
Try to do some measurement of signal quality, like transfer speed at a given distance, signal/noise levels, rx/tx errors, ...
At least you should have a 1/4 wave antenna, otherwise there are no impedance match, and that means reduced signal transmision and power reflection back to the transmitter (which could overheat).

Re: N810 External WiFi Antenna MOD
 

The cable alone from the pigtail acts as an antenna.
Since no test was done before the mod, a test after wouldn't give enough info.

I can give signal noise levels with and without an ant attached if you like.

Re: N810 External WiFi Antenna MOD
 

Could be, but probably an unbalanced one. The photos are very low-res, but the cable obviously doesn't seem a 50 ohm shielded, is it a 2 isolated wire? an audio cable?...
It is a pity...
That would be interesting. Do a transfer speed test too.

You could even make a 2.4 GHz field strength meter to better measure your antennas:
http://www.mrx.com.au/wireless/TestGear2_4ghz.htm

Re: N810 External WiFi Antenna MOD
 

this hack is very very useful for the wardriving with n810 !

Re: N810 External WiFi Antenna MOD
 

The cable is shielded, the shielding is soldered to another point.
Someone have someplace they can host the High Res pics??
I can email them.