Airview ext antenna connector

[jerlac2002]

I am having difficulty inserting the mmcx connector. Should I apply pressure until it snaps in?

My name is Jerome Lacap from the Philippines

[WHT]

Just push it in all the way. You may should feel a small click. The spacing between the right angle connector and the plastic case is about the thickness of a sheet of paper. But getting it out with big fingers is a problem as you can't grasp the connector - you don't want to pull on the coax.

[jerlac2002]

Just push it in all the way. You may should feel a small click. The spacing between the right angle connector and the plastic case is about the thickness of a sheet of paper. But getting it out with big fingers is a problem as you can't grasp the connector - you don't want to pull on the coax.

I got it thanks so much.

[panamasteve]

The outside ring of the supplied antenna MMCX just broke off in the USB socket--I was going to use a directional antenna for the first time. I tried to use a dental pick to remove the remnants to no avail. Am I the only one with this trouble, and should I just go ahead and RMA it, or does anybody have a solution? (the connector on the USB device--I didn't actually mean the USB connector itself!)

UPDATE--Opened dongle, desoldered broken MMCX, installed RPSMA taken from another piece of broken gear and soldered onto board. It ain't pretty, but it works great. Pictures forthcoming...

[WHT]

I'm still under NDA, but lets just say the hardware guys are being very **** retentive and insist on the MMX connector.

I just sent off a six point argument this morning against the MMX.

EDITED: Rrr...MMCX, not MMX

[jallen]

May I suggest a good old SMA connector? Much more rugged, common and inexpensive.

RF Guru John

[WHT]

May I suggest a good old SMA connector? Much more rugged, common and inexpensive.SMA was suggested, but well...MMCX was used.

[antz_vx]

just bought Airview2-EXT...got headache while trying to take off the antenna:icon_confused::icon_confused:

[WHT]

It is VERY easy to rip the coax out of the connector. I use needle-nose pliers to grasp the connector's shell to pull it out. Eventually I'll build a lanyard around the shell to pull it out.

[antz_vx]

i've pulled it out use plier but is it ok for my mmcx connector getting a little bit loosen? i'm trying to make it tight just like when it come unsuccesfully.

[fraser]

This thread is very interesting to me and I thank those who have commented. I was intending to purchase an Airview2-EXT but after reading of the MMCX connector I opted for the standard model. I intend to modify the unit and add the sturdt & reliable SMA type connector. I have done this quite easily with several PCMCIA and USB Wi-Fi cards in the past. Does anyone know if the Airview2-EXT uses a different PCB or am I going to find a nice convenient unused connector pad at the end of the standard PCB ?

Many Thanks

Fraser
UK

[UBNT-Ramin]

This thread is very interesting to me and I thank those who have commented. I was intending to purchase an Airview2-EXT but after reading of the MMCX connector I opted for the standard model. I intend to modify the unit and add the sturdt & reliable SMA type connector. I have done this quite easily with several PCMCIA and USB Wi-Fi cards in the past.
fraser, let me first say that I'm not a big fan of that MMCX connector either, but most of the problems people have had with it is when they want to continually disconnect/connect it. If you're doing that, yes, eventually the mechanicals give out and you end up with a broken connector. But if you simply connect the MMCX and leave it in the unit, I don't see how you'll run into problems. I've had several here that I use for testing permanently connected and I use the dongles on a daily basis with no issues.

All you have to do is find a MMCX to SMA adapter and you're good to go. But to answer your question...
Does anyone know if the Airview2-EXT uses a different PCB or am I going to find a nice convenient unused connector pad at the end of the standard PCB ?
It's the same PCB footprint, but instead of a larger pad and a MMCX femal connector at the end (-EXT), there's a thin wiggly internal antenna. It's big enough for you to solder something to it, but really, what I said earlier about a MMCX to SMA adapter is a much better option.

Cheers,

[WHT]

Let me first say that I'm not a big fan of that ..... Rigor mortis rubber duckie antenna clip.

I epoxied a flat piece of thin plastic to it and a patch of sticky sided Velcro to it and another piece my laptop lid, behind my rear view mirror, and John Deer gimme cap.

[oneofthefew]

fraser, let me first say that I'm not a big fan of that MMCX connector either, but most of the problems people have had with it is when they want to continually disconnect/connect it. If you're doing that, yes, eventually the mechanicals give out and you end up with a broken connector. But if you simply connect the MMCX and leave it in the unit, I don't see how you'll run into problems. I've had several here that I use for testing permanently connected and I use the dongles on a daily basis with no issues.

the idea of spectrum analysis is to be able to identify interference.

ideally you would use the omni for identification and a more directional antenna for location (especially in outdoor environments)

this would mean that you would need to be able to connect and re-connect on a regular basis when changing antennae

a point to note is that I have the old PCMCIA SRC 300mW card with MMCX connectors and I connect and re-connect all the time and have found no issues in the 2 years that I have had it

however on my SR71-USB it appears that a cheaper cable and connector have been used (the first time i tried to pull out the cable the darn connector broke off inside)

perhaps it all comes down to quality and not type of connector

:)

[W0BOV]

Hi all;
I had the same problem with the connection breaking as it is very delicate. In fact, it broke taking it out of my storage bag as the coax got caught and not realizing it, it snapped.

My fix was to open it up, desolder the connector on the board and then cut off the connector on the coax and very carefully prep the cable and solder it to the board directly. If you are not proficient with a soldering iron or small parts do not attempt this.

When finished I cut a little of the plastic case to allow for the coax to exit and then hot glued the entrance hole/coax to allow for strain relief. Works fine.

Disadvantage, no way to put an external adapter on it now, but the point of the device is for surveying what is in the area, so not real concerned with it.

Anyway, just my 2 cents on this issue.

Dana

[FreenetAntennas]

I can not find any documentation on the whip antenna that comes with the AirViee2-EXT.

1) Can someone tell me the gain?
2) Can UBNT update this page http://www.ubnt.com/airview/ or add a specs page

Rob

[WHT]

I can not find any documentation on the whip antenna that comes with the AirViee2-EXT.

1) Can someone tell me the gain?
2) Can UBNT update this page http://www.ubnt.com/airview/ or add a specs page
Its a unity gain coaxial mono-element omni. Basically noting more than a piece of wire. Its sufficient for short range work. Otherwise use a higher gain directional grid.

[FreenetAntennas]

Its a unity gain coaxial mono-element omni.

Are you sure?? That is at least a 5 dBi by the size of it.

[netwit]

I received an Airview today, and an SR71X. The 1st time I needed to remove the antennas from the SR71X the same thing happened to me, the outer barrel or ring of the antenna parted from it an remained lodged inside the channel 1 socket, with no way to retrieve the little metal ring from inside the collar of the socket. What a waste of a great SR71X, and apparently if this continues Ubiquity will be losing money on many MMCX product's sold, not to mention the impact to users outlook on the product lines. SMA was such an obvious way to go, but I read Engineering was sticking to their position. Too bad, I'll be sending mine back, it's unrealistic to expect user's to install the MMCX and never take it off, especially when it breaks on the 1st time when the fit is so tight. Now I am very fearful of trying to remove the Airview antenna under any circumstances.

[WHT]

Are you sure?? That is at least a 5 dBi by the size of it.How long do you think a 5 dBi antenna should be?

Quarter wave for the coaxial ground plane, quarter wave for the first radiator, half wave spacing for phasing, another quarter wave for the next coaxial ground plane, another quarter wave for the second radiator. That's six quarter waves, or fifteen inches.

[FreenetAntennas]

This big:

http://store.freenet-antennas.com.au/product_info.php?products_id=131

[WHT]

That antenna is 175 mm or six inches.

A coaxial single element would be five inches, add another inch for the tip that has nothing in it for a total of six inches.

Do you want to believe aspirational advertising or radio antenna design theory.

[Zarkon9]

'Do you want to believe aspirational advertising or radio antenna design theory.'

WHT - brilliant.

I had to register - I almost fell out of bed laughing. :icon_cool:

I'll have to get that printed up on a poster.

Greetings and salutations from the RF brotherhood across the ocean.

Cheers.

[FreenetAntennas]

I still don't have the question answered as to what the gain of the antenna shipped with the AirView2-EXT is.

Could someone from UBNT please advise.

Rob