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    Adding an external "rod" WiFi antenna to an e1505?

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by anarky, Jan 15, 2009.

  1. anarky

    anarky Notebook Geek

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    Hey guys, a couple weeks ago when I was upgrading the graphics card and the plastic lid on my e1505, I had to disconnect the WLAN antenna connectors, and this gave me a chance to see how the antenna is connected to the card.

    It got me thinking...Instead of having a wire antenna run up the side of the LCD screen, what about buying a better-quality (higher reception) " rod antenna" with a folding elbow hinge? I thought since the WLAN card is seated so close to the right side of the laptop case, maybe it would be possible to connect the two pigtail connectors to the WLAN card as normal, then drill a small hole through the casing on the side of the laptop casing where the card is, run a few centimeters of the wires through it, and mount the antenna flush to the side of the laptop case (with either screws or maybe even super glue, if you could find a good spot where it wouldn't block any inputs/seams).

    Anyone ever done anything like this before? A quick search through the forums didn't initially turn up any results, but don't flame me because I didn't spend 30 minutes clicking every link.

    I'm just really tired of the gimpy, less-than-effective performance of the stock antenna. I've got a brand-new router that should be powerful enough to provide coverage to every nook and cranny in my house, but I still find plenty of dead spots where I lose connection entirely. I know it's the e1505's antenna. It just doesn't cut it.

    If such a drastic replacement has been already suggested, discussed, and shot down, anyone have any other solutions? Are there "more powerful" wire antennas that can be bought and snaked up the LCD just like the stock one, only with better receiving ability? Or would a higher-quality WLAN card somehow provide better receiving performance, even using the same stock antenna?

    Note: I already have mini-PCI performance settings set to max under power options, and I've also got it optimized in the WLAN driver settings. Just wanted to head off those suggestions beforehand.

    Thanks in advance,

    Josh
     
    anarky, Jan 15, 2009
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  2. ky_stormhunter

    ky_stormhunter Newbie

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    ky_stormhunter, Jan 25, 2009
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  3. anarky

    anarky Notebook Geek

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    Nice, that's pretty much exactly the picture I had in my head when I thought of this...

    One thing I'm wondering though is about impedance...I've read in some forums that the impedance on the Dell monitor antennas are configured just right, and that moving the wires or using a separate antenna might interfere with things, actually making reception less-powerful.

    I'd probably upgrade my card to a Draft N or better-quality WLAN card before I did anything like this, but the ones for sale on eBay all have 3 antenna connectors, not two, like my stock card has...Not sure if I'm supposed to just leave one disconnected or what, because I haven't been able to find these in-monitor wire-antennas anywhere for sale.

    Anyone have any advice for either of these issues?
     
    anarky, Jan 26, 2009
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