Help WiFi antennas

[mburwen]

I've been reading on other forums that some plugin USB antennas do a good job improving the WiFi performance on the FT3. The two I've seen mentioned are the Edimax 7711UAn (based on Ralink RT3070 chipset) and the Skylink 1504n (based on the Realtek 8191SU chipset). Supposedly they work plug and play if the WiFi switch on the FT3 has to be turned off. Can anyone on this forum confirm that these or any similar devices work?

 

[kenewto]

Last I heard, none of them were android compatible.

 

[sansjunk]

If you don't mind voiding your warranty by opening the pad there are many cheap internal antennas available (look for "internal antenna" on ebay) that you can hook up inside your pad. I plan to do that once I get my pad if the WiFi range turns out to be too poor.

 

[dart16]

I've been reading on other forums that some plugin USB antennas do a good job improving the WiFi performance on the FT3. The two I've seen mentioned are the Edimax 7711UAn (based on Ralink RT3070 chipset) and the Skylink 1504n (based on the Realtek 8191SU chipset). Supposedly they work plug and play if the WiFi switch on the FT3 has to be turned off. Can anyone on this forum confirm that these or any similar devices work?

Yes, I can confirm the EDIMAX EW7711 UAN adapter works fine as you describe. It arrived with an extension cable and a weighted, vertical base holder to allow the dongle to be further removed from the tablet if desired, or it fits directly into the tab's USB and swivels to the vertical so it looks the DB's

 

[dart16]

If you don't mind voiding your warranty by opening the pad there are many cheap internal antennas available (look for "internal antenna" on ebay) that you can hook up inside your pad. I plan to do that once I get my pad if the WiFi range turns out to be too poor.

I'm not at all sure this will help you much with a range problem. All the internal antenna I have seen have all been passive. They are dipole based, either wire or etched copper patch. They will all perform about the same.

What you really need to do to improve the signal reception (and transmission) is to get a properly matched antenna clear of obstructions and sources of RFI. Better placement of an internal antenna could provide a performance improvement but no-where near as good as getting the antenna clear of the casing.

 

[giubari]

I'll try with a RT3070 common usb Wifi. And let you know. This would be great if one day will get out a wep cracking app.

 

[tbod]

I'll try with a RT3070 common usb Wifi. And let you know. This would be great if one day will get out a wep cracking app.

As I recall there are quite a few free [as in cost] 'war driving' apps on the Market, I am sure one of them will meet your requirements...

 

[mburwen]

I'm not at all sure this will help you much with a range problem. All the internal antenna I have seen have all been passive. They are dipole based, either wire or etched copper patch. They will all perform about the same.

What you really need to do to improve the signal reception (and transmission) is to get a properly matched antenna clear of obstructions and sources of RFI. Better placement of an internal antenna could provide a performance improvement but no-where near as good as getting the antenna clear of the casing.

If you are willing to open the case and do a bit of fussy soldering, look for posts by kb7urx. He can tell you exactly how to proceed to add an antenna that will greatly improve wifi reception. Note: kb7urx is an experienced electronics technician. If you are not, you might want to try another solution!

 

[dart16]

If you are willing to open the case and do a bit of fussy soldering, look for posts by kb7urx. He can tell you exactly how to proceed to add an antenna that will greatly improve wifi reception. Note: kb7urx is an experienced electronics technician. If you are not, you might want to try another solution!

Thanks mburwen, but I don't need to improve the wifi in my tablet, I have all the range I need from the internal antenna and an external dongle if I go somewhere where I am struggling for range. I am pretty sure I would be aware of the advice kb7urx would be giving as I am also a licensed radio amateur and am not a novice in the field of antenna characteristics.

 

[kenewto]

I have been thrilled with the WIFI performance of my non-Ibex FT3. I took it with me on the road and though the WIFI wasn't strong from the hotel, it worked well on the FT3.

To be honest, I have 3 HP laptops. The FT3 wifi has held on the signal better than any of the laptops.

 

[mburwen]

I got in contact with the head of Edimax' US office and discussed the antenna subject with him. He said the foillowing:

" I recommend the EW-7722UTn. It uses the same Ralink series chipset.


EW-7711UAn is 1T1R (1 transmit, 1 receive) 150 Mbps Ralink RT3070
EW-7722UTn is 2T2R (2 transmits, 2 receives) 300 Mbps Ralink RT3072


It is the same Linux driver, so if the 7711 works, it should work too and deliver even better performance. It is also smaller than the 7711."

On the strength of that recommendation, I ordered one from eBay for $19 (US) including tax and shipping. I'll report the results here.

 

[dart16]

I got in contact with the head of Edimax' US office and discussed the antenna subject with him. He said the foillowing:

" I recommend the EW-7722UTn. It uses the same Ralink series chipset.


EW-7711UAn is 1T1R (1 transmit, 1 receive) 150 Mbps Ralink RT3070
EW-7722UTn is 2T2R (2 transmits, 2 receives) 300 Mbps Ralink RT3072


It is the same Linux driver, so if the 7711 works, it should work too and deliver even better performance. It is also smaller than the 7711."

On the strength of that recommendation, I ordered one from eBay for $19 (US) including tax and shipping. I'll report the results here.

Thats useful info...bear in mind the other end of the wifi link has to be capable of 300Mb to be of benefit!

Also, I wonder if it will have the same range. As the 2T2R has two, internal antenna, the 150Mb version (UAn) has a +3dB omni antenna, that means it theoretically has twice the range...So.. make your choice between small and fast or bigger and longer!! . In any event....it *will* be an improvement to the FT3's internal wifi!!!

 

[mburwen]

The Edimax EW-7722UTn arrived today. It doesn't work. Cannot get a wifi connection with the switch in either position. Too bad, it is tiny and inobtrusive.

 

[giubari]

I'm sorry it's not working to you (maybe you went too far hoping that RT3072 would work).

However i've tried my cheap chinese usb RT3070 pen and it worked amazingly.

Now I've ordered from DE this beast, for 17 dollars.. Uh! And seems to be also wifi-n

 

[kb7urx]

Has anybody tried de-soldering the existing internal wifi module and replacing it with one of these free-standing wifi modules you guys have. The power and data connections on the existing one are afterall, USB!
That particular USB channel might be dedicated for just that purpose. (Although I have a sneaking suspicion it's not)

 

[dart16]

I'm sorry it's not working to you (maybe you went too far hoping that RT3072 would work).

However i've tried my cheap chinese usb RT3070 pen and it worked amazingly.

Now I've ordered from DE this beast, for 17 dollars.. Uh! And seems to be also wifi-n

You do realise the quoted 1.2Watts output from the dongle *will* be wildly overstated don't you? At 1.2Watts it would be illegal to use in every country in the developed world..DE are renown at quoting these silly performance figures.... It should be better than the internal wifi though!! Post a report when you have had a chance to try it please......

 

[tbod]

Has anybody tried de-soldering the existing internal wifi module and replacing it with one of these free-standing wifi modules you guys have. The power and data connections on the existing one are afterall, USB!
That particular USB channel might be dedicated for just that purpose. (Although I have a sneaking suspicion it's not)

Yes, I saw an article last week of a tablet [a ZT-180 I think] that had been given the full 'Pimp My Tablet' treatment. The WiFi was one of the things they had upgraded.

I will see if I can find the link...
-------
Sorry, spent half an hour searching and googling but can't find it.

dart, you seem like the adventurous sort, how do you feel about sticking your WiFi dongle on the inside, in the place of the standard module, as kb7 suggests?

 

[giubari]

You do realise the quoted 1.2Watts output from the dongle *will* be wildly overstated don't you? At 1.2Watts it would be illegal to use in every country in the developed world..DE are renown at quoting these silly performance figures.... It should be better than the internal wifi though!! Post a report when you have had a chance to try it please......

It's on his way from Hong Kong, let's wait a month.

 

[mburwen]

I tried out the Edimax EW-7711UAn today and it works - sort of. The Wifi range is extended from about 40 feet max to about 75 feet, but I had hoped for better than that.

Others have reported that the WiFi switch needs to be turned off when using this antenna, but I find that it doesn't make a difference.

The Head of the Edimax US office is going to look into the driver situation if he has time. If he learns anything interesting, I'll report it here. He claims to be a Linus expert.

 

[tbod]

He claims to be a Linus expert.

Give my regards to Charlie Brown and Snoopy!

 

[mburwen]

Give my regards to Charlie Brown and Snoopy!

S=X

 

[dart16]

dart, you seem like the adventurous sort, how do you feel about sticking your WiFi dongle on the inside, in the place of the standard module, as kb7 suggests?

Umm... don't think so...

The dongle has a 6dB vertical antenna attached, this, and the fact that it is outside and in the clear is what I would attribute the apparent improvement from the original internal adapter. Fitting it inside makes little sense to me.

 

[tbod]

S=X

Ok, I give in, what does that mean?

 

[dart16]

Ok, I give in, what does that mean?

substitute s for x in Linus

 

[mburwen]

substitute s for x in Linus

tbod and dart, if you guys ever get to San Francisco and want to do some editing, let me know.

Sidenote: THe Edimax antenna comes with a short USB extension cable. Theoretically, performance should improve if the antenna is not next to the case. I find the opposite. I'm getting better reception without the extender. If anyone has the same EW-7711UAn antenna I have, try it with and without the extender and see if it matters.