Modifying Enterasys cards, yes it is possible! Was [MLB-WIRELESS] Entrasys

[vak]

Hi Mark,

I have modified more than 100 of these cards - it is easy to do as long 
as you're reasonably good with a soldering iron and use common sense. In 
all the mods I've done, they have been a fixed mod - Ie, you will lose 
the functionality of the onboard antennas and hence lose the ability to 
use the card indoors without some sort of external antenna (FYI: The 
cost of a brand new enterasys card is less than a proper lucent pigtail 
for it!!)

If enough people ask for it, i'll document how to modify a card and 
stick it up on the web.

A couple of modification options exist:

1) Replace the female switchable MC connector with a directly soldered 
pigtail (which is the easiest option)

2) Replace the MC female connector with an different connector family 
(SMA, SMB or any other connector of your choice)

The first thing you need to ask yourself is how you intend on using the 
card - Are you netstumbling with it, or using for a point to point 
network (with an old laptop or PCI PCMCIA carrier) ?

Scenario 1) Fixed installation of old laptop or PC with a PCMCIA carrier 
- Direct pigtail solder mod.

If you intend on using it in a fixed installation where it won't be 
moved around much, then you can modify the card with a cable the same 
size as RG58/LMR195/Cellfoil, etc - But be warned, you will need to 
fabricate a support bracket for the cable (1.6mm aluminium or steel 
sheet is ideal) - it is very easy to pry the copper track off the PCB 
without this. The PCB on the enterasys cards is very thin and very 
flexible, so using this technique, I recommend placing a small 
rubber/foam block between the PCB and case to prevent it from cracking 
and/or shorting.

You can either glue the metal bracket to the bottom (where the black 
paint is), or bolt it by drilling through the bottom rear of the case.

FYI: If you have 2 cards and can't currently use them on top of each 
other because they simply don't fit in together (in a double PCMCIA 
slot), you can easily desolder the onboard antennas and remove the rear 
black plastic top (comes off quite easily). Doing this will allow you to 
slide 2 cards into a double PCMCIA slot easily. Note: Removing the 
onboard antennas does not affect your ability to use an external pigtail.

I have done done a few mods using semi rigid coax, but it is an 
expensive way to do it - supporting metalwork is crucial in this instance.

Scanario 2) Fixed installation of old laptop or PC with a PCMCIA carrier 
- replace MC connector

Depending on the connector family you have chosen, it will determine if 
and how you mount the connector.

I've done mods before by grinding PCB mount SMA/SMB connectors down and 
fitting them into the notch that is left on the PCB (you will see the 
gap after you remove the MC connector). Again, you need to support the 
PCB with some foam/rubber to prevent it from shorting/cracking during 
flexure. Also be careful when connecting your pigtail up, don't screw 
the connector up tight as the rotational forces can shear the connector 
off the board.

Scenario 3) Netstumbling with a permanent pigtail.

Make/buy a pigtail up with a connector on one end of your choice (Ie N, 
SMA, etc - Around $20 for a N female bulkhead and 0.5m of cable) and 
other end bare. Use either LMR100, RG174 or RG316 (In order of 
preference for flexibility). These cables have a loss of around 1.2dB 
per metre, so I don't really recommend using more than about a metre of 
the stuff. I keep one of these in my laptopbag for doing site surveys.

No supporting metalwork is necessary for this type of mod as the cable 
is very flexible - the only thing I recommend is that you store the 
card/pigtail in a pouch so you don't accidentally yank the cable out of 
the card (I've seen this happen a few too many times).

If you  remember to ground yourself before opening the card (so it is 
not damaged by static discharge), don't apply too much heat to the board 
(it is afterall a 0.8 -1.0mm 4 layer PCB) and not leave metal filings in 
the card, then you won't stuff it up!

Regards,

Vaskos

nodegxt at yahoo.com.au wrote:

> Hi Rob,
>
> Yes I have those but after some time you end up with either a damaged 
> socket or plug connector.  I am talking about opening up the card, 
> removing the old connector and replacing it with a more robust 
> connector, ie rpSMA or even more common SMA. It would be nice to know 
> if it has been dome so as I dont stuff up the card.
>
> Regards
>
> Mark
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Rob Clark" <clark at iinet.net.au>
> To: <nodegxt at yahoo.com.au>; "Melbourne Wireless" 
> <melbwireless at wireless.org.au>
> Sent: Saturday, April 23, 2005 7:49 PM
> Subject: Re: [MLB-WIRELESS] Entrasys
>
>
>> Mark,
>>
>> You need the rpSMA option on this item.
>>
>> http://store.freenet-antennas.com/product_info.php?products_id=49
>>
>> Rob Clark
>
>
>
>
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