2015-05-30, 23:04
How to mount an external antenna on Cubox/Vero
Edit: Remember taking the Cubox apart or modifying it will Void Warranty
The other day I mounted a external antenna on my Vero/Cubox. Posted some pictures of it on the Vero thread, fritsch saw it and asked me to do make an howto. So here it goes.
Note that I already had the antenna mounted when I made this "howto" and I did not take pictures with this howto in mind, but I hope the pictures I took will be helpful.
Tools I used
Small screw driver
Phillips PH0 screw driver
8mm wrench
A file
A plier
Sheet metal scissor
Cordless drill
Various drills
Materials needed
Antenna http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-2400-2500M...4629c510fe
U.FL Mini PCI to RP-SMA Pigtail Antenna WiFi Cable http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-X-U-FL-Mini-...33792437ef
To take the Cubox apart, you have to remove the rubber feets to get access to the screws. The rubber feet's are normally square.
But as you can see I cut of the corners, so I don't have to remove them again if I should have to take it apart.
It can be a little hard to get the the internals out of the case. You can use a small screw driver as leverage to help get it out. Just be careful not to damage anything and only use it on the aluminium parts NOT the PCB.
And remember to disconnect the internal antenna (the wire on top left)
To make room for the antenna connector inside the case, it is necessary to modify the alu-frame, and as it acts as a heat sink I did not want to remove any of it.
Luckily there is enough room to just make a cut, and bent it inwards.
I don't think it is necessary to remove the circuit boards to make the cut, but I did it as I was curious about the hardware (I always take things apart :-) )
Now for the Antenna.
I removed the old antenna, it was fastened with double sided tape, and can could easily be broken of with a knife or a screw driver.
I made a 6.5mm hole in the case, aprox. 10mm from the top and 16mm in.
Be very very careful when you drill in plastic, especially if you are using a new and sharp drill bit, it can "bite" the plastic and if you are unlucky you can damage the case.
It made the hole in three steps starting with a small drill bit, and so on.
Now it's time to put it back together, be careful not damage the antenna wire, it has to go through the case the same way as the built in antenna did.
The white antenna is quite large (18cm) to comparison the black is only 9cm long, so maybe it is a better choice and fits the Cubox/Vero better, if I can find one in white.
Hope this post can be useful to someone, fell free to ask if there should be questions or comments.
Edit: Remember taking the Cubox apart or modifying it will Void Warranty
The other day I mounted a external antenna on my Vero/Cubox. Posted some pictures of it on the Vero thread, fritsch saw it and asked me to do make an howto. So here it goes.
Note that I already had the antenna mounted when I made this "howto" and I did not take pictures with this howto in mind, but I hope the pictures I took will be helpful.
Tools I used
Small screw driver
Phillips PH0 screw driver
8mm wrench
A file
A plier
Sheet metal scissor
Cordless drill
Various drills
Materials needed
Antenna http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-2400-2500M...4629c510fe
U.FL Mini PCI to RP-SMA Pigtail Antenna WiFi Cable http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-X-U-FL-Mini-...33792437ef
To take the Cubox apart, you have to remove the rubber feets to get access to the screws. The rubber feet's are normally square.
But as you can see I cut of the corners, so I don't have to remove them again if I should have to take it apart.
It can be a little hard to get the the internals out of the case. You can use a small screw driver as leverage to help get it out. Just be careful not to damage anything and only use it on the aluminium parts NOT the PCB.
And remember to disconnect the internal antenna (the wire on top left)
To make room for the antenna connector inside the case, it is necessary to modify the alu-frame, and as it acts as a heat sink I did not want to remove any of it.
Luckily there is enough room to just make a cut, and bent it inwards.
I don't think it is necessary to remove the circuit boards to make the cut, but I did it as I was curious about the hardware (I always take things apart :-) )
Now for the Antenna.
I removed the old antenna, it was fastened with double sided tape, and can could easily be broken of with a knife or a screw driver.
I made a 6.5mm hole in the case, aprox. 10mm from the top and 16mm in.
Be very very careful when you drill in plastic, especially if you are using a new and sharp drill bit, it can "bite" the plastic and if you are unlucky you can damage the case.
It made the hole in three steps starting with a small drill bit, and so on.
Now it's time to put it back together, be careful not damage the antenna wire, it has to go through the case the same way as the built in antenna did.
The white antenna is quite large (18cm) to comparison the black is only 9cm long, so maybe it is a better choice and fits the Cubox/Vero better, if I can find one in white.
Hope this post can be useful to someone, fell free to ask if there should be questions or comments.