I wanted to try this mod for my sister's iBook -- the mod is necessary because the card doesn't fit (the gold antenna connector sticks out...) so I need to remove it and re-wire it somehow:
As in the guide, I took off the black plastic, giving me access:
leaving me with the circuit board (shown with connector removed): click for larger
My options are: follow the guide and just directly wire the circuit board into the iBook, or my preferred option, to re-wire the connector to the circuit (on small wires) giving me the option to plug and un-plug it from the iBook cable connector and saving me from having to strip the plug off the iBook's antenna cable. So this is what I did...
Something like this: click for larger (I know, it looks a slight mess. I haven't soldered in a long time.)
The iBook plug looks like this (and plugs into the gold connector above):
But here's my problem: when I switch on the card, I'm not getting a very good wireless range from my router (maybe 5 - 6 ft) and I believe it's because the notebook antenna connection which I've hacked up, isn't working and the wireless connection is defaulting to using the built-in antenna (on the wifi card circuit board). I'm just wondering what I may have done wrong in connecting them up and wondered if you guys might be able to look at the circuit board and see if you can deduce anything from it?
One person suggested I should strip the wires, as instructed in the mod, as that would give the connection I need.
But here are some hi-res pics of the circuit board (That square hole is where I removed the plug connector from - it's not nearly as bad as it looks in the photos):
Hi Luke, In pics 3 and 4 it looks like your solder joints are shorting out on the board. That would make for a very short antenna. I would think everything else looks good. So my sugetion is un-solder the wire. Clean with some solder wick and then acitone. get some FINE rosen core solder. And re-solder the wires.
Oh and read my series on soldering :compute:
Edited by (08/13/0604:58 AM)
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Macbook 2.1 core duo 1gig 160gb sata iMac g5 w/1 gig 160gig all-in-one and SWEET! iBook G4 IGhz Quicksilver Dual 800's iPod touch "Guys, I think we just lost the platform here" Pete Conrad When in doubt, try SCE to AUX
Hi Luke, In pics 3 and 4 it looks like your solder joints are shorting out on the board. That would make for a very short antenna. I would think everything else looks good. So my sugetion is un-solder the wire. Clean with some solder wick and then acitone. get some FINE rosen core solder. And re-solder the wires.
Oh and read my series on soldering :compute:
It's been a while since I was actually able to come back to this project. I've been looking for your series on soldering you suggested but I don't know where to look for it. After extensive searching I found: Soldering Part 3 - David Jackson but I don't know if this is yours. I also can't find the first 2 parts
David Jackson is Anil8tor. If you need to practice a bit, find an old broken electronic board. It is also very helpful to get a small soldering tip for your wand. Take your time, read his articles, and it will work out.
I once grabbed a soldering wand when I though it was off, of course it wasnt!!!!! >:D :'(
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