I am just wondering why the guy did not leave PCB antenna in there? And Just solder another Connector and use 2 Antennas AS there are 2 solder Points on the board
Announcement
Collapse
No announcement yet.
Announcement
Collapse
No announcement yet.
A95X External Antenna Mod & Results
Collapse
This is a sticky topic.
X
X
-
I have an A95X which I have been using wired. I'm sending it to a an older relative who isn't 'techy' at all. She will be using the wifi, and I'd like to create as easy a solution as possible with the best wifi connectivity.
This is my board:
I purchased an antenna and lead from Amazon (2.4GHz only). The antenna set I purchased is this one: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
The antenna wire leads are NOT bare wire.
***** The current antenna seems to be only using 1 of the solder pads on the board. ***** I've never used the wifi and couldn't even tell you if it works.
So, Questions:
1. Is it really the case that only one pad is used?
1a If so, can I just solder the entire pigtail end to this same 1 pad?
2. If not (1/1a), after stripping the wire back, I should be exposing a center core and the wire strands. Which do I solder to which pads?
Appreciate the help - I may be a techy, but my soldering/electrical skills royally stink (OK, worse than that, but why kick myself).
Regards,
Andrew
Comment
-
Look very closely(with magnification such as a loop or phone app), the antenna lead should be a coaxial cable, usually having a center conductor and shielding conductor. Most likely both conductors are each soldered to their own pad. If you strip back a small section of the new antenna's lead, you will see the two conductors. Cutting outer insulation will expose the shield, inside of the shield will be the insulated center conductor.
The pads on some of these boards can be easy to lift when soldering/de-soldering. Use much care when soldering the conductor to the pads and removing the original lead.....ask me how I know.
Also, because of the conductor's gauge and configuration, it is extremely easy to melt into the center conductor when tinning/soldering the shield, some sort of heatsink will go along way towards preventing this. Small alligator-type aluminum heatsinks are available. I have attempted to use regular alligator clips as a HS before, but results are not great.
It should be known that I loath the task of soldering coax, but that just may be me.
In summary,
1.) No, this is unlikely the case.
1a.) No, also highly unlikely.
2.) Yes. ID which pad the center conductor is on now, place new center conductor there, same for shield.
PS, I would suggest removing the PCB from the case before working on the lead, soldering irons just love plastic, it's like a magnet to soldering irons or something.
Comment
-
Are there different classes of solder used on these devices? The reason I ask is I had a friend try to desolder the current antenna and solder on the new lead (my wife doesn't let me play with things that can burn down the house).
His soldering iron, while hot, wouldn't/didn't melt the sold used to hold the antenna in place (see my first picture).
Any idea what the problem might be?
Anyone here really good at soldering?
Andrew
Comment
-
Originally posted by AndyInNYC View PostAre there different classes of solder used on these devices? The reason I ask is I had a friend try to desolder the current antenna and solder on the new lead (my wife doesn't let me play with things that can burn down the house).
His soldering iron, while hot, wouldn't/didn't melt the sold used to hold the antenna in place (see my first picture).
Any idea what the problem might be?
Anyone here really good at soldering?
Andrew
Generic recommendations would include,... Clean and tinned iron tip, tip in good condition and without pits or irregularities, put small amount of fresh solder on tip of iron just prior to engaging the joint. Also a small amount of flux paste on the joint will help heat conduction a great deal.
Yes there are several types of solder. There is solder designed for electronics and solder designed for plumbing and other non-electronic uses. Never use the non-electronic type for electronics. Electronic solder usually has a flux core, is non-acidic and is available in several temp ranges.
BTW, I f you or the person doing the soldering has not much soldering experience, practice on some discarded electronic item prior to the antenna soldering.Last edited by RISCy Dude; 11 July 2019, 21:08.
Comment
What's Going On
Collapse
There are currently 952 users online. 0 members and 952 guests.
Most users ever online was 37,478 at 04:14 on 26 June 2024.
Comment