[Soekris] External antenna for the 4521

[Sam Leffler]

> On Wed, 2002-09-04 at 23:10, Bao C. Ha wrote:
> > Hello,
> >
> > I am thinking of getting a couple of the 4521 to play
> > some wireless games.  I am just wondering how do I
> > connect the external antennas to it.  I am thinking
> > of the Senoa 200mw PCMCIA, they have two external
> > antenna connections each. Do I have to drill four
> > holes into the case?
> >
>
> The case comes with two holes for N-Female connectors. Simply get a mmcx
> to N-Female pigtail. Make sure N-Female end is the kind that has the
> cuts on the sides so it can fit in the hole. Kinda like this:
>
>   __
>  /   \    <---- Round up there and at the bottom
> |     |
> |     |    <--  flat and no threads on the sides
>  \___/
>
>
> We ordered some pigtails and they did not have this cut on the sides, so
> we had to send them back and get new ones because they would not fit in
> the stock 4521 case.
>

As described above, the cutout on the 4521 is for an N bulkhead connector.
However you can also get a reasonable fit with RPTNC bulkhead conenctors
which may make finding antennae easier (RPTNC bulkhead is smaller but once
tightened down seems ok).  I ordered custom pigtals from
www.hyperlinktech.com to connect the Senao card.  hyperlinktech does not
stock N bulkhead connectors (I wanted pigtails w/ that too but couldn't get
'em).

Note also that the 4511 box has cutouts for RPTNC connectors (either
bulkhead or surface mount (I think it's called--the connector with two pins
to keep it from rotating)).

My experience from many hours of searching is that indoor omni-style
antennae are most easily found with female RPTNC connectors while others are
either N (female) or you can order them with a variety of connectors.

> > Also, anybody has the Senoa with the built-in
> > antenna?  Can an external one be added on top of it?
> > The Orinoco has a connector to allow addition of an
> > external antenna to it.
> >
>
> I have only seen the Senao cards with no antenna and mmcx connectors.
> You probably would not want both the internal and an external antenna at
> the same time.
>

The Senao cards have either antenna or MMCX connectors; not both.

> > Appreciate any suggestions, including where to find
> > a good source of the Senoa with antennas.
> >
>
> Jim Thomson who is on this list sells these cards, but failed to respond
> to my several requests to buy some  (hint hint Jim) ;)
>

I purchased my Senao cards from Jim; check out www.netgate.com.

> I buy all my pigtails from Electrocomm, but I am sure Jim has them as
> well.
>

At the moment he has only Senao cards for purchase.

    Sam