[Ham-Computers] WI FI info

[kd4e]

Yes and no.  :-)

It is entirely dependent upon the wifi device.

If your laptop came with a wifi device already
installed and they did not provide an external
antenna connector then it is probable that the
device did not offer that option ....

However, it may be that the device includes an
external antenna connector and the manufacturer
chose not to run the cable and mount the connector.
The only way to know is to identify the device and
do some research.

Warning:  Device manufacturers have been known to
change chipsets and hardware configurations without
any obvious indication of the change - so an online
site may state that yours has a connector for an
external antenna but when you open your laptop up
and look that connector is absent - because the
board was customized for the laptop manufacturer
without it to save money.

Your alternatives are:

1.  Change the card (it is likely a mini-pci - what
	you find if you take apart a pcmcia card).

2.  Use an outboard USB or PCMCIA-type wifi device
	which includes a connector for an external
	antenna.

3.  Add an external antenna connector to the existing
	internal wifi card (not recommended to anyone
	other than someone experienced with SMD's)

4.  Modify an outboard USB or PCMCIA-type wifi device
	with an external antenna connector (also not
	recommended to someone not experienced with
	SMD's)

5.  Get a wifi "repeater" which will amplify your
	outgoing signal and the incoming signal -
	they all have larger antennas than one inside
	a laptop and most include a connector for a
	high-gain external antenna.

HTH ...




 > Brian K. Gaskamp wrote:
> Ok well here it goes.
> 
> Is there anyway to connect a laptop to a external wi fi antenna.
> 
> 73
> Brian

-- 

Thanks! & 73, doc, KD4E
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