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    DIY WWAN antenna installation [SUCCESS!]

    Discussion in 'Networking and Wireless' started by Starlight5, Mar 20, 2017.

  1. Starlight5

    Starlight5 Yes, I'm a cat. What else is there to say, really?

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    A few questions about DIY antenna installation. I intend to use WLAN antennae for WWAN.

    1. Do I get it right that it is OK to use WLAN antennae for WWAN LTE module, worst case scenario I will just get slightly worse signal? I.e. are there any possible adverse effects like more heat generated by antennae, harmful interference, etc?

    2. Antennae I ordered consist of antenna board, cable, a copper-colored thingie which is a heat spreader as far as I understand, and some double-sided tape. Do I need anything else? e.g. something to put between the antenna and the display backside, so that heat isn't transferred to display?
     
    Last edited: Mar 21, 2017
    Starlight5, Mar 20, 2017
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  2. Starlight5

    Starlight5 Yes, I'm a cat. What else is there to say, really?

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    So, I tried using a WWAN module with WLAN antennae. In the same situation my WWAN module worked as LTE with WWAN antennae, yet only as HSPA with WLAN antennae. Speeds, ping and reception quality were satisfactory for HSPA, but those are nowhere near as good as LTE. I am unable to use the original WWAN antennae intended for this machine since it was originally intended to house either 3 or 4 antennae depending on configuration, while I need 5.

    I know this is probably a dumb question, but since I have absolutely zero understanding of how antennae work, here goes - can I cut the textolite parts of the antennae freely in order to fit the antennae in the display lid, or do they also play some valuable role?
     
    Last edited: Apr 20, 2017
    Starlight5, Apr 20, 2017
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  3. Starlight5

    Starlight5 Yes, I'm a cat. What else is there to say, really?

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    SUCCESS!!!
    I am getting decent LTE (1800MHz band) speeds with tiny Wi-Fi antennas!

    Overall, the reception strength is worse than smartphone or true WWAN antennae, so it works fine in places where LTE signal is strong, but falls back to 2100MHz UMTS where it is so-so. Still, I am satisfied, since unlike huge WWAN antennae, compact WLAN antennae are very easy to fit in constrained space of display lid.
     
    Starlight5, Apr 22, 2017
    #3
    katalin_2003, downloads and alexhawker like this.