The external antenna available from the same retailer was not able to be opened without damage. Screws on the back were removed, but it seemed that a layer of glue was also applied between the backplane and cover. Opening the antenna could have revealed what type of antenna was inside and that might help design another one.
To use an external antenna, a solder jumper must be removed which connects to the onboard trace antenna, and a new solder jumper must go to the RF connector. An ordinary soldering iron was used. There are helpful instructions through the retailer but they do not show a before picture.
As advised by the retailer, a piece of tape was used to hold the antenna wire to prevent undue strain on the cord. The tape was trimmed down to fit neatly on the board.
Tie blocks and zip ties were used liberally to hold antenna wires in place inside the enclosure. The zip ties will have to be cut if the electronics are ever removed from the case.
Testing with the external antenna was unreliable. Tags could be read at a greater distance but even at a short distance, the readings were not reliable. This could be due to power from a small battery pack, or power throttling by the scanner. The cause and solution will have to be researched.
The rest of the posts for this project have been arranged by date.
First time here?
Completed projects from year 1.
Completed projects from year 2.
Completed projects from year 3.
Completed projects from year 4.
Disclaimer for http://24hourengineer.blogspot.com/ and http://24hourengineer.com/
This disclaimer must be intact and whole. This disclaimer must be included if a project is distributed.
All information in this blog, or linked by this blog, is not to be taken as advice or solicitation. Anyone attempting to replicate, in whole or in part, is responsible for the outcome and procedure. Any loss of functionality, money, property or similar, is the responsibility of those involved in the replication.
All digital communication regarding the email address 24hourengineer@gmail.com becomes the intellectual property of Brian McEvoy. Any information contained within these messages may be distributed or retained at the discretion of Brian McEvoy. Any email sent to this address, or any email account owned by Brian McEvoy, cannot be used to claim property or assets.
Comments to the blog may be utilized or erased at the discretion of the owner. No one posting may claim property or assets based on their post.
This blog, including pictures and text, is copyright to Brian McEvoy.
2018-07-21
Evidence of glue on the antenna
To use an external antenna, a solder jumper must be removed which connects to the onboard trace antenna, and a new solder jumper must go to the RF connector. An ordinary soldering iron was used. There are helpful instructions through the retailer but they do not show a before picture.
Factory setting of antenna selector, BEFORE image
New solder bridge to connect the external antenna, AFTER image
As advised by the retailer, a piece of tape was used to hold the antenna wire to prevent undue strain on the cord. The tape was trimmed down to fit neatly on the board.
RF adapter held in place
Tie blocks and zip ties were used liberally to hold antenna wires in place inside the enclosure. The zip ties will have to be cut if the electronics are ever removed from the case.
Fastened antenna wires
Testing with the external antenna was unreliable. Tags could be read at a greater distance but even at a short distance, the readings were not reliable. This could be due to power from a small battery pack, or power throttling by the scanner. The cause and solution will have to be researched.
External antenna at approximately one meter
The rest of the posts for this project have been arranged by date.
First time here?
Completed projects from year 1.
Completed projects from year 2.
Completed projects from year 3.
Completed projects from year 4.
Disclaimer for http://24hourengineer.blogspot.com/ and http://24hourengineer.com/
This disclaimer must be intact and whole. This disclaimer must be included if a project is distributed.
All information in this blog, or linked by this blog, is not to be taken as advice or solicitation. Anyone attempting to replicate, in whole or in part, is responsible for the outcome and procedure. Any loss of functionality, money, property or similar, is the responsibility of those involved in the replication.
All digital communication regarding the email address 24hourengineer@gmail.com becomes the intellectual property of Brian McEvoy. Any information contained within these messages may be distributed or retained at the discretion of Brian McEvoy. Any email sent to this address, or any email account owned by Brian McEvoy, cannot be used to claim property or assets.
Comments to the blog may be utilized or erased at the discretion of the owner. No one posting may claim property or assets based on their post.
This blog, including pictures and text, is copyright to Brian McEvoy.
2018-07-21
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