WMP54G: Fixing antenna

I have a WMP54G PCI card in my desktop PC. A while back, while doing
some fixes, I knocked the antenna off the card. It appears to be
attached by a small plug which is seated in a hole on the card,
slotting over a small piece of wire. There doesn't appear be any
threading indicating that the antenna originally screwed, or any
bright metal indicating anything actually broke. Yet the antenna no
longer seats correctly in the hole, and the signal is poorer. Any
ideas how to repair it, or replace the antenna, without having to fork
out for a new card?

Thanks,

P.

pmoloney@gmail.com hath wroth:

>I have a WMP54G PCI card in my desktop PC. A while back, while doing
>some fixes, I knocked the antenna off the card. It appears to be
>attached by a small plug which is seated in a hole on the card,
>slotting over a small piece of wire. There doesn't appear be any
>threading indicating that the antenna originally screwed, or any
>bright metal indicating anything actually broke. Yet the antenna no
>longer seats correctly in the hole, and the signal is poorer. Any
>ideas how to repair it, or replace the antenna, without having to fork
>out for a new card?

<http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satellite?c=L_Product_C2&childpagename=US%2FLayout &cid=1150490054358&pagename=Linksys%2FCommon%2FVis itorWrapper>
The antenna is removable and should have a threaded base. From your
description, it appears that you have successfully sheared the RP-SMA
connector from the circuit board. You should be able to unscrew and
separate the round black antenna part, from the gold square connector
part.

Depending up on the damage to the gold square connector, you have the
options of:
1. Soldering the connector back to the board. The ground connections
are easy as they have a large area to work with. The center pin might
be sheared and will require some skill.
2. Replace the connector and resolder.
3. Add a pigtail and solder the coax cable directly to the board.
4. Attach a 3.2cm insulated wire (1/4 wave at 2.4GHz) to the center
pin connection on the board and just hang it out the back of the
computer. This is not a great antenna, but might work if you're
fairly close to the access point.

Any of these should not be particularly difficult for someone skilled
in soldering. However, if you've never tried soldering before, this
might be a bit difficult.
--
Jeff Liebermann jeffl@comix.santa-cruz.ca.us
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

pmoloney@gmail.com wrote:
> I have a WMP54G PCI card in my desktop PC. A while back, while doing
> some fixes, I knocked the antenna off the card. It appears to be
> attached by a small plug which is seated in a hole on the card,
> slotting over a small piece of wire. There doesn't appear be any
> threading indicating that the antenna originally screwed, or any
> bright metal indicating anything actually broke. Yet the antenna no
> longer seats correctly in the hole, and the signal is poorer. Any
> ideas how to repair it, or replace the antenna, without having to fork
> out for a new card?
>
> Thanks,
>
> P.
>
Look at the link. The antenna plugged into a socket on the card, not a
hole. The socket is probably stuck in the bottom of the antenna.
http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satel...VisitorWrapper

pmoloney@gmail.com wrote in news:1171878497.911343.224750
@m58g2000cwm.googlegroups.com:

> I have a WMP54G PCI card in my desktop PC. A while back, while doing
> some fixes, I knocked the antenna off the card. It appears to be
> attached by a small plug which is seated in a hole on the card,
> slotting over a small piece of wire. There doesn't appear be any
> threading indicating that the antenna originally screwed, or any
> bright metal indicating anything actually broke. Yet the antenna no
> longer seats correctly in the hole, and the signal is poorer. Any
> ideas how to repair it, or replace the antenna, without having to fork
> out for a new card?
>
> Thanks,
>
> P.
>

Even if you do need to buy a new card, prices start @ $13.

DanS <t.h.i.s.n.t.h.a.t@a.d.e.l.p.h.i.a.n.e.t> wrote in
news:Xns98DC7C5F0E50Cthisnthatadelphianet@194.177. 96.78:

> pmoloney@gmail.com wrote in news:1171878497.911343.224750
> @m58g2000cwm.googlegroups.com:
>
>> I have a WMP54G PCI card in my desktop PC. A while back, while doing
>> some fixes, I knocked the antenna off the card. It appears to be
>> attached by a small plug which is seated in a hole on the card,
>> slotting over a small piece of wire. There doesn't appear be any
>> threading indicating that the antenna originally screwed, or any
>> bright metal indicating anything actually broke. Yet the antenna no
>> longer seats correctly in the hole, and the signal is poorer. Any
>> ideas how to repair it, or replace the antenna, without having to fork
>> out for a new card?
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> P.
>>
>
> Even if you do need to buy a new card, prices start @ $13.
>
>
>
I apparently didn't paste the link.......

http://www.pricewatch.com/networking/wireless_pci.htm