Samsung internal antenna for WiFi, useable for WWAN?
Again, I have the readers to thank! Earlier this morning, I outlined the pros and cons of swapping out the WiFi module from my Samsung Q1P in favor of an EV-DO Rev. A module. Comments from Rodfather and Stephen about prompted me to crack Samantha the Q1P open yet again. They wisely wondered what I’d use for an antenna?
I’m still not sure it will work but I’m a bit closer to the answer. As you can see above, I have the Atheros WiFi module removed; it’s sitting outside the unit at the top of the picture. The white wire I’ve highlighted was connected to the module and is the antenna lead. Following the wire, you can see a metal antenna next to the fan on the left side of the pic. While that’s helpful, the issue isn’t solved just yet. I’m certain I can connect the antenna lead to an EV-DO module, but all of the pics I’ve seen show two antenna leads connected: one ‘main’ and one ‘aux’. The question now is: can I get solid signal strength with just one antenna lead? Thanks for the continued thoughts and comments! Oh and you don’t have to send "get well" cards to Samantha. I’ve replaced her innards and was able to use my WiFi connection to write this post. ;)
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One thing to remember about antennae. They are optimized for certain wavelengths. A 2.4GHz optimized antenna will possibly work well for multiples of 2.4GHz, but may not work well for other frequencies.
Many antenna are optimized for a quarter wavelength of the 2.4GHz, because it’s physically smaller that way, but they still work well.
I’m not really an RF engineer, I just spend too much time working with them.
I checked out the pics of the disassembled WWAN USB dongle. I wonder if you could just use the antennae from the USB dongle. I couldn’t see what the antenna looked like in the dongle. But there isn’t much room in that little case. Maybe Samantha is fat/big boned enough to fit the USB antennas. I wish I had the usb dongle to take a look.
I can’t believe you just called her fat. Shame on you. ;) I have seen the WWAN antenna. If you take the USB modem device apart, you essentially have two halves. One half has the PCIe module, but the other half appears to have the antenna and there’s presumably a connection when you have the two halves together. The antenna looks very similar to the one I have, but that’s simply an observation at this point.
Yes, you will get solid signal strength with just one antenna lead, but most likely you will need another antenna for EVDO like William said.
I have some really good antennas here, so if you fail with others I can send u one.
My antennas are made for this kind of porpuses, it’s a thin sticker antenna with the laed.