When using this antenna, I gained reception and didn't use a ground plane.
The antenna I have in this picture is an Omnidirectional Collinear Sectional Antenna made from 18g or 22g copper wire with one end filed down to a taper to fit in the plug's hole. The outer of this plug is the antenna ground. This connects directly to the WIFI module's antenna pins, and by connecting an antenna to the center pin, you can increase WIFI signal. There is a test plug below these terminals that is used for radiation emissions testing and for technicians to test the WIFI module. By doing this, the built in antenna cannot interfere with a new external antenna. Scotch tape has been placed over the terminals where the antenna makes contact to. This is what the phone looks like completely taken apart:Ĭloseup of the PCB for EDGE cell service on T-Mobile Currently I am waiting on some W.FL, U.FL, and MC Card connectors to mount to the case so an antenna can be attached through a drilled hole. I have also found a simple way to disable this antenna and connect an external antenna with no soldering to the board required.
I am not this skilled, my hand is not steady enough, and I do not have the proper soldering iron and solder.Ģ.) You will void your warranty by taking apart your phoneģ.) There is a good chance you will break your phone to the point that it is unrepairableĤ.) This is not a beginner project and knowledge of proper electronics handling is needed.ĥ.) A static free environment is a must as any static discharge from you to the board can destroy it.Īfter much trial and error, I have officially found where the WIFI antenna is located in the Blackberry 8820. It would take a very highly skilled expert at soldering to solder to where the antenna connection is located. It is a heat sensitive multi-layered sandwiched board and any heat will ruin it. I'll buy a new one and turn my old one into a development board or something else cool like that!ġ.) Do not solder to the board. Personally, I don't care much if I break it. Even if you know what you are doing, you probably should not be messing with it like I did unless breaking your phone is not a big deal to you. If you don't know what you are doing, you will most likely break your phone. There is no way around it, there will be signs that it has been opened. By opening your phone, you will most likely instantly void your warranty.
Loss all around but I’m not using this rig for much of anything.Before you read on, you should understand the risks of doing what I have done with my phone.
I’ll be switching to an RG-58 "thin-net" patch cable afterwards instead of the RG-8 "thick-net". I know BNCs are lossy but they at least go up to 4GHz. Oh and I’m having to make a new case for my adapter that will fit a BNC connector since the solder pad eventually ripped off the board. Though in all honesty I’m not sure if that’s how its done so again, I’m probably wrong. As far as the test goes, I used a tripod mount and aimed for the highest dB I could get at the same distance as the stock antenna. Until another perfectionist builds one like I did I won’t be sure if I’m just BSing myself. The only reason I half way beleive the numbers I’m getting is because I did a different construction of the double biquad with really sharp bends in the element and a small center pipe.
Yeah so my signal strength monitor might be giving me lousy numbers, I do and don’t beleive the software I’m using.