External antenna for wireless

paul 2014-07-07 09:42:53 UTC #1

Hey,

I'm having Wifi signal strength issues reaching from my garage where the brew fridge & Model-T is located, to my living room where my router sits. I've previously had the two connecting fine so I think it's at the margins of range where it will connect OK.

I wondered how hard it would be to fit an external antenna to the M-T, and whether that ought to provide a worthwhile boost in wireless sensitivity?

Also: is there much I can do (beyond moving the two units closer together) to figure out if signal strength is the main cause of my connectivity problems? eg. is there a way to examine logfiles on the device?

cheers
Paul

hebnern 2014-07-08 15:48:06 UTC #2

We did include a pad for an external antenna, but using it would require some soldering to add the connector and relocate a capacitor. If you are up for the challenge, I can provide details. I am not sure how much extra range you could expect, but I assume it would help. Unfortunately there is not a good way to troubleshoot range issues other than moving them around.

paul 2014-07-09 08:47:30 UTC #3

That's cool ... I'd be happy enough to give this a go, in theory...

Actually, I'm pretty embarrassed to admit that this problem turned out to be user error.
I entered my wifi password in upper case rather than lower case. Doh.

The one thing to come out this that might be useful feedback for you is that I assumed, totally incorrectly and stupidly that the on-screen keyboard had no lower-case section. I found it eventually by paging down enough. I think I'm conditioned from on-screen keyboards on mobile phones to expect a 'shift' key and to see the keyboard letters change accordingly.

paul 2014-07-09 08:59:21 UTC #4

Out of interest what software can I use to view the .schdoc files in the electronics repo? https://github.com/brewbit/model-t-electronics
From some googling it appears this might be an Altium Designer file, is that right? I was hoping to find some free software for Ubuntu.

hq_homebrewing 2014-07-09 15:48:28 UTC #5

Just another (maybe obvious) option for those experience signal strength problems - Try a WiFi repeater/booster/extender. The type which plug into a household outlet start out at about $20. Prost, Jeff

hebnern 2014-07-10 18:35:15 UTC #6

Glad to hear you got it worked out. I agree, the keyboard could use some work. We are quite constrained on space, so a full mobile keyboard is touch without making the buttons super small which presents problems for the resistive touchscreen since its not as precise as the capacitive one on your phone.

Yes, they are Altium Designer files. I don't think there is an open source app that can view them, but Altium provides a free viewer I believe. It is likely Windows only though.