Belkin F5D7050 External Antenna Modification

Part 1: Case Opening and Circuit Board Preparation

Here is a project that can greatly increase wifi connection speed and range. It can be applied to just about any commonly available adapter; one simply cuts out the built in antenna and runs a feedline to a high gain replacement. I have seen throughput on a 30 meter path go from 5.5 MB/Sec to a solid 54 MB/Sec - with reduced interference and no need for amplification. Note that longer path lengths (more than 200 meters or through walls and vegetation) may require making this modification to a device higher powered than the F5D7050.

First, look at the circuit board. It boasts an efficient and clean layout. Data passes through the USB port on the left, and the antenna is etched on the right side. This modification is not difficult, but bright lighting and use of a magnifier is suggested due to the small surface mount parts and thin circuit traces on the adapter. It is a small work area, so use caution.

Tools Needed:

1. An X-Acto Knife or razor for cutting traces and trimming coaxial cable.
2. Soldering iron, with the tip sharpend, cleaned, and tinned.
3. One coaxial "pigtail" with conectors apropriate for antenna to be used.
4. Safety wire or epoxy for securing the pigtail to the PC board.
5. Small drill if safety wiring will be used to secure the pigtail.

Modification Procedure:

1. Carefully pry open the adapter and remove it from its enclosure. Plan to work on the area to the right of the shielded circuitry.

2. Cut the printed circuit feedline between C11 and C152.
3. If wire will be used to hold down the pigtail, drill four small (1mm dia) holes in a square adjacent to the internal patch antenna.
4. Scrape away the coating over the ground plane in the area near C11 and D2.

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