Wireless Card Antenna Laptops

My dad joined modern society this year & switched from dial-up to broadband. The thing is, he goes to Florida for the winter. His laptop does have a wireless card, but I don't know if that means he'll be all set once he & his laptop get there. I've heard of wireless antennas??? but I don't know what they are really, or even if getting him a wireless antenna will make it more likely he'll be able to just turn his computer on & have internet access when he gets there? Or will he need to get his own broadband service once he gets to Florida? My advice to him so far was just to wait & see when he gets there, if he has internet ... he's not thrilled with the 'wait & see' idea.

I know this is probably a stupid question & for that, I apologize in advance. I really don't know what to tell him, and I need some kind of concrete advice. Thanks.

I've got DSL service in Iowa and couldn't be more pleased. I'm not sure which is better, DSL or cable. I recommend calling a Florida provider to help you. http://www.localbroadbandservice.com/Flo rida-Broadband-Service.html Call them up and explain to them your questions.

2008-08-09 09:14:32 by letslaughwithnr

Quick and easy install, costing me all of $6.00. I found all the parts on ebay. Your best bet is to get a card the was used in an acer machine ...

I have found this http://www.hackaday.com/2006/06/07/lapto p-external-antenna-mod/
But my laptop has 3 wires black white grey the black and white are hooked into the wireless card and the grey is just setting there loose. Does anyone know what this is for? I would like to have a stronger signal so I really want to add an external antenna. Thanks
sorry, I have a pcmcia card already, and I know I can make thisuse an external antenna, the other cord doesnt go to anything now Im not having any problems at all just trying to boost signal

Hi!
Have been watching this question to see if anyone had any interesting advice.

Well here is my 2 cents, I have done a few hacks :) with amazing success, I buit a external spider antenna from plans here:
http://flakey.info/antenna/omni/quarter/
This antnna increased my connectivity from 24Mbps to a solid 54Mbps.

And did a hack to my PCMCIA card, adding a pig tail to it here:
http://home.att.net/~jjmorrissiey/JMorri ssiey.html
Coupled with the spider antenna it worked excellent, I gave it to a freind about a year ago and he is still using it.

The mod you ran across I have seen before,
The grey cable is an extra antenna for the 802.11N mini PCI cards which use 3 connectors.
http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/23/intel s-built-in-802-11n-mini-pci-card-gets-of ficial/

Since you are using G you only need the Black to the external like the Mod shows and the internal white stays connected to mini PCI card wich connects to one of the internal antennas.

You should have no troubles with this Mod, if you dont want to hack your case check this link out:
http://www.instructables.com/id/EUW6F8PE RVEV2Z9FJJ/
Neat idea, so you could always remove it later with out leaving hole in your case.

IF YOU LAPTOP IS IN WARRANTY THIS WILL VOID IT
BTW the manufacturer desnt help half the time and the other half (When you can get through) you cant understand them.

BUT if its out of warranty! HAPPY HACKING!

Well I hoped this helped

2007-05-23 06:38:15 by raidensdad

Manufactured in ISO-9001 compliant facilities. Fully tested with HP RF network analyser.
Plug and Play - No extra pigtails needed. Comes with 6 feet pigtail with Reverse Polarity SMA termination. Plug directly into your D-link DWL520, Linksys WMP11, WET11, Netgear MA311, or D-link APs (anything that uses Reverse Polarity SMA).
5 X Range Extender - Extends up to 5 times the original range of your WiFi access in open space.
Magnetic Mount - Put the antenna near the window or on top of a vehicle where it can pick up more signals.
NOTE: This antenna is only compatible with modems and routers with a 1/4 inch external antenna port

some high-end laptops provide a connector for external antenna.
If you do not have one it's not possible.

If you have signal problems at your place, you can put an high-gain antenna on your router/access-point

Another solution would be to buy a Wi-Fi PCMCIA card with antenna connector and turn off the laptop's internal one.

2006-08-15 08:50:02 by Ben H

Price: $21.91

150Mbps wireless transmission rate
Provides two methods of operation: Infrastructure and Ad-Hoc
Seamlessly compatible with 802.11b/g/n devices
4dBi omni-directional antenna detachable Supports Windows 2000, Windows XP (32/64-bit), Windows Vista (32/64-bit), and Windows 7 (32/64-bit).
Quick Secure Setup, complies with WPS for worry free wireless security Supports 64/128-bit WEP

Hi
I have fitted a mini pci wireless lan card to my laptop, and I'm wondering if I really need two antennae. Will the reception suffer much if I only fit one?

What is the point of having two? Is it more than just the redundancy factor?

THanks
MAtt

your card is most likely a MIMO card (multiple input multiple output). its a newer interface for wireless cards and routers that increases speed drastically. and to answer your question, yes you reception would suffer greatly if it was a mimo card because one of those antenaes is an input and one is an output. if the card is not a mimo card i would see no harm in removing the other antenae but would still strongly advise against it. without knowing the cards archatecture it is possible that the two antenaes are used for different purposes and could ruin the chip entirely. so, inshort, i would say dont remove the antenae

2006-08-11 13:12:30 by Matty

or my wireless card so i get faster, better, and longer range connection?

No the antenna is built into the cover and can not be upgraded, the internal WiFi wireless 802.11 a/b/g/n card can be replced but would be expensive to replace. Upgrade your router to the new N version and it has a larger/longer range and is back ward compatible with all other versions or move the router to a more central or closer area. Install a router booster.
Hope this helps

2009-03-12 21:38:46 by fantastischninja