Question Asrock H97M-ITX/ac - - - WiFi antenna query/how-to from old Tom's review ?

[Girl_Downunder]

Hi folks,

The original review is here. Near the end of the review, the author, Joe Trott, stated this:

"I learned another great lesson from this board. Moving its wireless antennas, which were originally placed behind the case, to someplace higher (away from the PSU) improved performance considerably."

He then showed much better download speed complete with photos...

But he didn't say how they did this? Did they drill holes in their case? Blue-tack the things to the top of the case?

While I realize this is an old board/review, I'm still loving everything about it since I built my system in 2015-- EXCEPT the stupid antenna placement and the poor Wifi/BT performance. I've been using dongles ever since because of this and I'm getting ready to update it a bit w/new SSD's & the newest Linux Mint, but would love to get past this issue with the Wifi/BT. I do have an add-in card, but it would take up the only PCIe slot.

Thanks everyone!

 

[kanewolf]

The simplest way would be to buy different antennas. For example the Asus 2T2R -- https://www.newegg.com/p/2S7-07D5-00026

The fittings are standard.

 

[Lutfij]

You're looking for something like this;

Amazon.ca

and that hooks up to the connectors on the rear I/O shield of the motherboard.

 

[Girl_Downunder]

The simplest way would be to buy different antennas. For example the Asus 2T2R -- https://www.newegg.com/p/2S7-07D5-00026
The fittings are standard.

I would, except one antenna is right on top of the USB3 ports, which makes it a pain in the neck to plug anything in (I have a few leftover antennae from other items, like dead routers, etc). The antennas also struggle to stay connected to the thin backplate. It was a stupid design. I was thinking of enlarging a couple of existing case fan holes & popping them there.

Still, I'm curious what the reviewer actually did, as he didn't mention buying anything else?

 

[Girl_Downunder]

You're looking for something like this;

Amazon.ca

and that hooks up to the connectors on the rear I/O shield of the motherboard.

I'm in AU and though I know there are these sorts of antenna, I kind of want to utilize the ones that came with it, as it's suggested that they CAN work in the right placement. (PS: I boycott Amazon).

 

[kanewolf]

I'm in AU and though I know there are these sorts of antenna, I kind of want to utilize the ones that came with it, as it's suggested that they CAN work in the right placement. (PS: I boycott Amazon).

You could buy the coax. But high quality 5Ghz coax is expensive.
There is no way to relocate the antennas without cables.

Still, I'm curious what the reviewer actually did, as he didn't mention buying anything else?

Just like you, the reviewer may have had leftover antennas of some kind.

 

[Girl_Downunder]

*You could buy the coax. But high quality 5Ghz coax is expensive.
There is no way to relocate the antennas without cables.


**Just like you, the reviewer may have had leftover antennas of some kind.

*I still have the original wifi/bt card and its cables. I should be able to raise them 160-170mm away from their current position, but I'll have to get a steel bit to widen the existing case holes to accommodate the diameter of the fittings.

**Right. Except I'm not writing a review complete with speed test photos about how wonderful the idea was, without actually explaining it, lol.