Orinoco SMA modification

Does anyone know where I could find instructions on what modifications
need to be done to replace the rinky-dink connector on a Orinoco Gold
card with the SMA type? Or, if there are cards you can buy with SMA
already?



Thanks in advance...


Jon Bradley

"oronocoVA" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed) om...
> Does anyone know where I could find instructions on what modifications
> need to be done to replace the rinky-dink connector on a Orinoco Gold
> card with the SMA type? Or, if there are cards you can buy with SMA
> already?

Difficult to actually change the socket and probably just better to buy a
pigtail. See
http://www.solwise.co.uk/wireless-cable.htm for some examples

Paul

"oronocoVA" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed) om...
> Does anyone know where I could find instructions on what modifications
> need to be done to replace the rinky-dink connector on a Orinoco Gold
> card with the SMA type? Or, if there are cards you can buy with SMA
> already?
>

I'm not sure if there are any websites that show this mod. I did several
with a straight PCB mount SMA connector protruding from the front of the
card. You will have to unsolder the original connector first. Once this is
done your internal antennas will no longer be functional, which is great.

Unsolder one of the shiny silver "L" shaped antenna and cut one end of this
off so that you will have a straight flat piece of sheet metal.
You willneed to solder this on the bottom side of your SMA connector for a
strainrelief. You don't need to put the strain relief in, but I highly
recommend it if you will be abusing this card.

Once the strain relief is on the SMA align it with the PCB and only solder
the grounds. You have lots of circuit trace so you can go a little thicker
on the solder.

Solder a fine gauge lead from the center pin of the SMA to the PCB. I use
lead from carbon resistors cut to the proper length.

Now your ready to assemble.

Mark where the SMA connector will protrude from the case and melt a starter
hole with a soldering iron and trim with an X-Acto. If you use a square
body SMA your card will look like it came from the factory.

As I mentioned earlier, this card will only work with an antenna connected
to the SMA connector, so make sure this is what you really want to do. I am
very happy with the performance of my card with the SMA and would never go
back to a card with an internal antenna. Don't waste your time screwing
with pigtails as they make for a cheap and dirty looking mod, plus introduce
more loss than an SMA would.



Rita